Chautauqua Arts Foundation, Inc. (CAFI) is joining the Crystal Springs Chamber of Commerce Tomato Festival to produce the inaugural Tomato Fest Art Show on June 24 to raise funds for construction of a new amphitheater at Chautauqua Park. The new addition to the Crystal Springs Tomato Festival will be at the historic and recently renovated Marion Building, formerly Biggs Pharmacy, located at 101 East Georgetown Street. Artists are invited to enter whatever inspires them in thirteen categories: Media Categories: Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, Sculpture, Wood, Fiber, Ceramic, Mosaic, Metalsmithing, Glass, Sculpture, Photography and Prints. Works must be original and hand-crafted. The regular entry fee is $25 for works in each category and $10 for students up to 18 years old. The juried show will award $250 for Best of Show, $100 each for two Judge’s Choices, $25 for student Best of Show and first, second and third ribbons in each category. Artists may show three pieces of work for sale, including non-juried pieces, on festival day. CAFI will charge a ten percent commission up to $50, on each sale. There will also be a Silent Auction, and artist donations will be appreciated. Download the show guidelines and an entry form at cafi-ms.org. Information is also available at chautauquaeventinfo@gmail.com or 601-927-1533. Pick up forms at the Crystal Springs Chamber of Commerce office, 210 East Railroad Avenue. The Crystal Springs Tomato Festival is a popular family-oriented event and draws thousands to the Tomatopolis for a day of fellowship, good food, entertainment, shopping, a car show and Tomato Fest 5K Run/Walk. Contact the Chamber of Commerce (telephone: 601-892-2711 or email: crystalspringschamber@gmail.com) for information on renting a vendor space.

2023 Wesson High School graduates were: (front row left to right) Alex Luong, Will Loy, Harlan Brewer, Ethan Laird, Lucas McRee, Marley Channell, Allyson Sullivan, Orrin Ainsworth, Taylor Papizan, Grayson Coates (valedictorian), Madalynn McManus (Salutatorian), Lexie Freeman, Hannah Meredith, Akiria Brown, Lena Coleman, Jaylynn Cloy, Sadie Sandifer, Kiera Haynes, Jayonce Stewart. (second row left to right) Jessie Cole, Abbie Edwards, Sarajo Dear, Victoria Silvan, Caleb Carty, Justin Hailey, Olivia Grantham, Jo'vontae May, Slayd Oswalt, Noah Brister, Kalyn Benton, Caleb Sutton, Gabe Selman, Emma Thaxton. (third row left to right) Jordan Morse, Chris Harrison, Kris Hurtado, Ally Adams, Javier Vasquez, Troy Byther, Dawson Butler, Brayden Coleman, Christian Davis, Connor Brister, Trip Richardson, Stevie Martin, Tony Sanders. (back row left to right) Adam Walker, Laila Stogner, Chloey Smith, Madeline Smith, Cole Short, A.J. Perkins, Coleman Bonds, Noah Cameron, Wade Tanner and Brandon Gladden.

Damage caused by severe storms and tornadoes is covered under standard homeowners and business insurance policies, as well as the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. "Many people have seen damage and loss because of the severe storms that we've seen in the last week," said Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. "Let your insurance company know the extent of the damage. If you are not staying on the property, make sure your insurance representative knows where and how to contact you." Follow these steps when filing a claim: Prepare to file an insurance claim by gathering all relevant policy numbers. File your claim as soon as possible. Your policy may require that you make the notification within a certain time period. Be aware, if a widespread disaster has occurred, the company may set up special procedures. Be sure you cooperate fully with the insurance company. Ask what documents, forms and data you will need to file a claim. Keep a record of all conversations with insurance companies, creditors or relief agencies. If your home is damaged to the extent that you can't live there, ask your insurance company if you have coverage for additional living expenses. Take photographs/video of the damage. Inventory your home for damaged or lost items before your adjustor arrives. This will speed up your claim process. Make the repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your property (cover broken windows, leaking roofs and damaged walls). Don't have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs. Be prepared to provide the claims adjuster with records of any improvements you made prior to the damage. Maintain any damaged personal property for the adjuster to inspect. Ask the adjuster for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer. Be patient and assist claims adjusters assigned to your case. Small losses may be settled quickly; extensive claims will take longer. Save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs covered by your insurance policy.

Mississippi Museum of Art’s (MMA) Center for Art and Public Exchange (CAPE) unveiled the exhibition How We Get Over: We Grow On from 2023 national artists-in-residence Sarah Jené and Jasmine Williams. On display through September 3, 2023, We Grow On is an outdoor installation that reminds us we don’t get rid of grief: we grow through it. This exhibition invites audiences into MMA’s gardens to settle into difficult and variegated experiences and to find new experiences of softness, healing, and resilience. We Grow On uses naturally occurring plants, flowers, and other organic materials to create a meditative place to consider grief and how we continue to grow in the wake of those experiences. Included in the installation are a moss couch symbolizing a place of rest, respite, and recovery, a stained-glass installation, and signage with meditative quotes and works of art to aid in contemplation and remembrance. We Grow On is a place to express grief and help in the healing experience through the installation along with programming and events. “There is an overwhelming amount of grief today in the Black Community. Our goal is to connect and create spaces for Black people to feel seen and celebrated,” stated both artists Sarah Jené and Jasmine Williams. “We are using various art forms to enlighten and embrace the Jackson community and highlight Black Culture.” As part of this one-year residency program, the project will culminate in a printed guide composed and designed by Scalawag Magazine’s editorial team. The guide will include writing prompts for people designed to help process grief, embodiment exercises, meditative coloring pages, interviews with the curators, poetry, local grief resources and essays from the grief and love series that help people process personal collective grief. This guide will be available at Great Grief, an event at the Museum on the evening of August 23, local therapists’ offices, community practitioners, and businesses. Mississippi Museum of Art CAPE Director Monique Davis said, “Grief is vast, and we’ve all lost something. Everyone’s grief is valid, and We Grow On is a space to feel through it. This installation and publication offer an intentional and safe space to grow.” We Grow On is a free installation and is open to the public during daylight hours in the gardens of the Mississippi Museum of Art in Downtown Jackson. The components of Sarah Jené and Jasmine’s residency project are as follows: How We Get Over: We Grow On Installation Outdoor installation in MMA’s gardens on view through August 12, 2023. We Grow On uses nature as a backdrop to connect with the cycle of grief and healing. Along with pieces by Sarah Jené and Jasmine Williams, the installation will also include: stain glass installation by Adrienne Domnick, moss couch created in collaboration with Anna Burnett We Grow On Guide Created in partnership with Scalawag Magazine, this guide will help readers on their own grief journey. Authors include: Shani Peters Amanda Furdge Adrienne Domnick Da’Shawn Harrison Kami Fletcher Sarah Hairston Jasmine Williams Alysia Nicole Harris Scalawag’s Condolences Guide Local Grief Resources About the Artists Sarah Jené is an inspired multidisciplinary artist who uses visual art to highlight Black joy as resistance. She encapsulates the art of Blackness and the beauty of interpersonal relationships to reimagine and celebrate the Black experience. Sarah Jené does this through curated events and her art brand, Thee Black Card, digital and paper collage art. Whether it’s through an installation or conversation, her goal is to connect and create soft spaces for Black people to feel seen and celebrated. Sarah desires to use her various art-forms as a vehicle to enlighten and embrace her community by showcasing Black Culture. Jasmine Williams is a writer, creative producer, and curator whose passion is creating programming and digital media to highlight the Southern Black experience. Using art as a tool to connect communities and share stories, her goal is to inspire everyday folks to see the art in their existence. Jasmine is the creator of ‘Sipp Talk Media, a digital platform that uses storytelling to shift the narrative of Mississippi, by centering Black experiences and culture. Exploring themes of language, food, history, art, and lifestyle, Jasmine is committed to the visibility of Black Southern stories and our creative legacy.

My husband was walking recently on a sidewalk near our home, when he saw a male who was definitely not in good humor, coming toward him. The dude was quite a bit smaller in size, weighed a lot less, and would be no match if they were to get into a physical fight. But his threatening demeanor and the anger spewing from his mouth let Andy know that a friendly conversation wasn’t on his mind. Puzzled, and wondering what his problem was, Andy just kept walking toward him. Which seemed to that young male even more hostile. Then Andy noticed that behind him, over to the side in the grass, was a young female. She was sitting down, obviously protecting her newborn little ones. Then it clicked. That aggressive male was a daddy in attack mode, ready to threaten, bully, and do whatever it took to protect his wife and family. That gander was doing what his God-given daddy instincts told him to do. Protect, provide, and defend his wife and kids at all costs. He was not taught by some other goose to do this. It was just him, acting out on his pure God-instilled instinct. The next day we walked that same sidewalk. And we saw that little family out for a walk. Mr. Daddy Gander was out in front, strutting confidently and protectively a few yards in front of her and the kids. Mamma Goose was waddling toward the little pond, the six little babies running behind her. We stood and watched as she led them into the water, teaching them to swim. The entire time, that daddy stood at the edge of the pond warily watching us. We decided to take a curious step closer, just to see what he would do. He immediately came at us, hissing and threatening with every step. So. Here’s my question. If the bird species will obey that instinctive male leading, to be present in the life of their family and protect and defend against all threats, what has happened to our human species? Why do we have so many husbands and daddies who are way too willing to cut and run when the going gets tough? Or he sees another cute female that has attracted his attention. According to the Bible, God has directed every human male to stay involved with his family. To provide, protect and defend them at any cost. No matter the size of the threat and problem. A man who seeks his own comfort above all else is flaunting his rebellion in the face of his Creator. He was intended to be the head provider and defender of his family and home. To be a role model for his children to follow. That gander on the lookout? THAT was a true daddy and spouse. A lot of our human dads and husbands? Not so much. In my humble opinion, they could learn a lot from that gander.

Mississippi Blood Services (MBS) has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations, pleading with Mississippians to donate. MBS has seen a drastic drop in scheduled appointments and the blood center anticipates the available inventory of blood to be at less than a one-day supply for type O negative within the coming days. MBS strives for at least a three-day supply of blood, so it can be ready to serve all patients, even during unexpected events. While all blood types are needed, Type O Negative blood, used to treat trauma patients in emergencies, is the most at risk. Only about 7% of donors have Type O Negative blood, making it extremely important for those individuals to donate. MBS is urgently seeking donors for more than 200 open appointments available at community blood drives and the Flowood, Cleveland and Oxford Center this week. “Summer is a crucial time for blood donation. With more people traveling and getting together, there is more opportunity for accidents and the subsequent need for blood,” said Christopher Swafford, President and CEO of MBS. “Type O blood donors are most needed, as the supply of O-negative blood is dangerously low.” For those who do not know their specific blood type, the best way to find out is by signing up to donate blood. Donors can schedule an appointment to donate blood by calling 601-368-2673 or visit MBS online at msblood.com. How is blood used? Trauma Patients In the U.S., hemorrhage is the most common cause of death within the first hour of arrival to a trauma center. More than 80 percent of deaths in the operating room and nearly 50 percent of deaths in the first 24 hours after injury are due to severe blood loss. Three percent of civilian trauma patients will receive a massive transfusion and these patients consume 70 percent of all blood transfused at a trauma center. Gunshot victims are approximately five times more likely to require blood transfusions, they require 10 times more blood units and are 14 times more likely to die than people seriously injured by motor vehicles, non-gun assaults, falls, or stabs. Individuals Going Through Cancer Treatments More than a quarter of the U.S. blood supply is used by patients battling cancer. More than 1.9 million people are diagnosed with a new cancer each year and many of them will need blood during their chemotherapy treatment. Maternity and Pediatric Patients Transfusions are needed in the U.S. in 1 out of every 83 deliveries. Pediatric patients in the U.S. used 652,000 blood components. MBS has special hours this weekend at the Flowood (Sun. June 25th from 10:30am – 2:30pm) and Cleveland Center (Sat. June 24th from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm) to provide more flexibility for donors. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Mississippi Blood Services – Flowood 115 Tree Street Flowood, MS 39232 Hours: Mon., Tues. & Fri. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wed. & Thurs. 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sat. 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Sun. Appointment Only Mississippi Blood Services – Oxford 2627 West Oxford Loop #C Oxford, MS 38655 Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mississippi Blood Services – Cleveland 609 N. Davis, Suite 101B Cleveland, MS 38732 Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed. & Fri. – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thurs. – 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. One donation of blood can save up to three lives, and anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to donate blood. Donating blood takes about an hour. To learn more, visit msblood.com.

By Kara Kimbrough Lounging under shady palm trees with a tropical drink watching the waves roll in. Feeling the cool breeze floating in from the water. Standing under the refreshing waterfall of an infinity pool while gazing at the shimmering water. Sound like an island paradise vacation in another country? You might be surprised to learn these and other accoutrements of a beachfront resort are found in Mississippi – Bay St. Louis, to be exact. The Silver Slipper Casino Hotel has been somewhat of a well-kept secret (for some, anyway) since opening eight years ago. That’s quickly changing as more and more travelers are discovering the perks of slipping away to the Gulf Coast and enjoying a night (or several) at the property located literally on the beach. I’ve written several times about my love of Bay St. Louis, specifically the feeling of being in a separate state after crossing the majestic Bay Bridge and arriving in Hancock County. There is a separateness from the hustle and bustle of larger cities on the Coast that makes even a brief visit to the gulf-front area a great idea when decompression from life’s stressors is in order. I’d planned to visit the Silver Slipper a couple of times since it opened, but approaching hurricanes and other factors got in the way. Recently, clear skies and an open schedule allowed me to experience for myself what many have told me – you truly feel like you’re visiting a remote, private island when you’re at “The Slipper.” Driving up the palm-tree lined entrance of the property at the end of Beach Boulevard, 7-8 miles from U.S. 90 and the bridge, it’s somewhat surprising to look to the left and see the Gulf of Mexico a few feet away. As mentioned, cool breezes ruffling the palm fronds and sea gulls flying overhead offer the first clues that this is as close to an island experience in Mississippi as we’re likely to get. Upon entering the well-appointed, modern property, it’s evident this is not the largest casino in the state. However, with 30,000 feet dedicated to the casino, there are plenty of gaming options for guests. Like most, the casino is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. A quick walk over to the adjacent hotel brings guests to floors offering over 100 comfortable rooms with every amenity needed for a comfortable stay, including many with gulf-front views. A top-level of penthouse suites almost defies description. Suffice to say, every modern convenience has been added, ranging from spacious bedrooms, baths with multi-colored flowing water, modern kitchens, large meeting rooms and gulf front views. When it’s time for a relaxing meal, Silver Slipper’s restaurants satisfy every taste. Offerings include a buffet, casual dining spot and a more upscale dining experience, as well as a small oyster bar and an outdoor bar and grill. Indoors, the popular Jubilee Buffet offers an amazing all-you-can-eat experience courtesy of a dizzying array of dishes and cuisines. The Blue Bayou Bar and Grill serves prime steaks and local seafood specialties with scenic gulf views. And, the 24-hour Palm Court Café serves a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas and beverages for those in search of a quick, yet delicious meal. I wasn’t sure if I was up for a sumptuous buffet experience, but after a little encouragement from hotel staff, I entered the sprawling Jubilee Buffet restaurant. After sampling the salad bar filled with over 30 fresh vegetables, soups and fruit, it was on to the main event. My first stop was the prime rib station. The thick slice handed to me by the attendant was seasoned and cooked to perfection, as were both the fried and boiled shrimp I chose to accompany it. I couldn’t just end the meal there, though. Sampling from adjacent stations filled with Southern, Cajun and Creole, Asian, Mexican and Italian cuisines provided the chance to enjoy smoked ribs, spaghetti and meatballs, fried rice and perhaps my favorite dish of the night, Asian dumplings, or pot stickers. Sides like hush puppies, fries, pasta, steamed vegetables and fresh bread rounded out a delicious dining experience. Although it sounds like a lot of food ended up on my plates - yes, that’s plural- choosing small portions made it possible for me to top off the evening with a visit to the dessert area. Desserts includes freshly made cakes, pies, fruit cobblers, specialty pastries and a popular area with guests, the funnel cakes. The slice of key lime pie I selected was delicious, but I still refer turning down a hot-from-the-fryer funnel cake topped with powdered sugar and whipped cream. A return visit is definitely on my list. To learn about the buffet’s many offerings, prices and specials, including all-you-can-eat crab and shrimp and a weekend champagne brunch, make sure to check Silver Slipper’s website before visiting. While the environment is relaxing, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do at Silver Slipper. The casino’s Stage Bar features live local and regional entertainment for free to all guests. And, every Thursday night from now until October, “Rumble on the Gulf” offers classic car, motorcycle and Jeep enthusiasts to show off their pride and joy in the hotel’s reserved beachside parking area. Attendees can wander through the area and view the vehicles before enjoying live musical entertainment under the covered outdoor area. RV owners are invited to stay in the adjacent beachfront RV Park offering 35 concrete level pads sites right on the beach. These sites provide a comfortable stay with complete electric, water and sewer hookups, as well as BBQ grills and 30 and 50 AMP service. And, popular activities such as charter fishing and the area’s championship golf courses can be booked as hotel packages, with all details arranged by staff. Driving away from the oasis headed back to “real life” wasn’t easy. However, knowing that the Silver Slipper is only a short drive away made my departure a little easier. If You Go: What: Silver Slipper Casino Hotel Where: 5000 S. Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis, MS Smoking: Smoking is allowed in gaming areas; non-smoking guest rooms can be requested. No smoking in dining areas. Contact: (228) 469-2777 Website: silverslipper-ms.com

By Bob Arnold Music is alive and well in Southwest Mississippi. Young and old alike who feel called to express themselves through music can develop their skills to play instruments and sing. Musicians who have learned their lessons well can continue to grow in their art by interacting with peers whether they are soloists or want to perform with them in more than a few bands that have emerged in recent years encouraged by the variety of venues and events that flourished to showcase them for appreciative audiences. There are many reasons for the robust music scene in the area. Tony Norton, who grew up in Loyd Star, is one of them. Norton, a 1999 graduate of Loyd Star Attendance Center which he started as s kindergartener, opened Downtown Music Academy in 2019 on South Railroad Avenue in Brookhaven with Gregory Smith to teach music and repair musical instruments following the greater part of two decades doing almost anything but music. After high school, he earned a certificate in welding at Co-Lin, but went to work at Walmart stocking merchandise on the late night shift because he didn’t want to lay oilfield pipelines. “I then spent some time in construction, gutting the old buildings for what is now the Mississippi School of the Arts campus in Brookhaven,” he says. For 14 years, Norton thought he had found his career in landscaping based in Jackson, first for Lakeland Yard & Garden and then self-employed as a contractor, but his love of music brought him back home nine years ago. “I grew up in a music family,” he recalls. “I was introduced to the guitar in the late 1980s, and jammed with friends. I never played sports. My passion was always music. My sister played guitar, too, and both of us performed.” When Norton returned to the area, he played shows at Recess and Magnolia Blues in Brookhaven, recorded his own CD album – Songs from an Unfinished House -- and joined other locals -- Shaw Furlow, Tyler Bridge and his later partner at Downtown Music Academy Gregory Smith -- in helping to nurture the nascent music scene in the area. For several years, he recruited new musicians and bands to play on Open Mic nights at the then just-opened Magnolia Blues restaurant. Since 2019, Norton has focused on Downtown Music Academy, which now has eight instructors that teaches more than 100 students aged three years old to 80 years old piano, wind and string instruments. Norton himself teaches beginner guitar and repairs string instruments. His business also repairs wind instruments, rents band instruments and sells string instruments. Its hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Norton no longer performs, but he continues to compose – “mostly for myself” – in what he consider a “country” style, although he’ll let others decide whether it is or not. His best known song, he says, is Kings of Lincoln County about “growing up as a teen locally, getting married and divorced, people I know dying and special events in my life.” He considers “The Best” his best song which, he says, Cole Furlow, his recording engineer, made it so by bringing our the best in his voice and musical sound. Both are on Songs from an Unfinished House, which refers to the music he made while building the Loyd Star home in which he lives. Norton has an 18-year-old daughter, a recent culinary arts graduate. What are your hobbies? I enjoy kayaking and fishing in local waterways – Lake Lincoln and the Homa Chitto River. I also like to cook. Are you a reader? I am not an avid reader, but I will get into it if it’s weird and quirky. My favorite novel is Confederacy of Dunces. Do you follow movies or theater? Yes. And the dumber the better! I love comedies and actors Paul Rudd, Jack Black and Bob Bergen. What would you do with the winnings if you won the lottery? I am happy with my life. My house. My vehicle. But I would like help paying bills. And new experiences would be nice – the red rocks in Colorado, travel to see the northern lights in Alaska or Sweden. How would you change the world? I like the place in the Invention of Lying where people can’t tell lies. We’d have a better world if people would quit lying.

By Bob Garver It’s been a whole two weeks since “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” opened, so it’s about time we had another superhero multiverse movie. This one takes place in the DC Extended Universe, which means we’re sure to get some fun takes on Batman and Superman. It’s enough to make one forget that “The Flash” is even in this movie, even though his name is the movie’s entire title. It’s no surprise that the main character is being de-emphasized, given that actor Ezra Miller has spent the last three years embroiled in one scandal after another. That said, if you can look past Miller’s offscreen behavior (and I don’t blame you if you can’t), you’ll find a movie that does justice to Batman, Superman, and especially The Flash. Chemically-altered forensic scientist Barry Allen (Miller) is the titular speedy superhero, always good for saving many lives at once, but his true passion is finding a way to prove that his father (Ron Livingston) is not the one that murdered his mother (Maribel Verdu) when he was a child, a crime for which his father has spent the last twenty years in prison. One night, while running particularly fast, Barry discovers that he can go against the Earth’s rotation and go back in time. If he can use this newfound ability the right way, he can save not only his father from prison, but his mother’s life. Fellow Justice League member Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) warns him not to mess with things that have to happen, but what harm can a single lifesaving can of tomato sauce do? As it turns out, it doesn’t do any harm twenty years ago, but it does a lot of harm ten years ago. It turns out that Barry’s trip back in time altered not only the past that he wanted, but the past after that, and even the past even before that. There’s a whole convoluted explanation with spaghetti noodles and a mystery attacker, but the short version is that Barry is now stuck ten years in the past with his younger self (and his parents, who he’s desperate to not lose again), no Superman, and General Zod (Michael Shannon) invading Earth and ready to destroy humanity. Only one member of the Justice League exists in this universe, and it’s an aging version of Batman (Michael “99% of this movie’s business” Keaton), who might just be up for one last adventure. Barry assumes the mission to save the planet will eventually involve Superman, but he has to settle for his cousin Kara (Sasha Calle). We get a very exciting, very funny action scene with a maternity ward early in the movie, and then the action is bland after that. It’s a thrill to see Keaton back, but his arc descends into blandness too. Shannon and Calle are bland the entire time. Only two things kept me awake for over two hours: Barry’s journey and multiverse goodies. I’m serious about that first one – Miller is funny, sympathetic, and has seamless chemistry with… himself. I hope that he can pay his debt to society in such a way that he can return to the big screen soon. As for the multiverse surprises that make the fans go crazy, you’ll get them, don’t worry. There are some doozies to be sure, but do yourself a favor and don’t make your viewing experience all about them. For one thing, you’ll be waiting a long time, as the best ones don’t show up until well into the third act. More importantly, you shouldn’t let tunnel vision for cameos get in the way of a pretty good movie about “The Flash.” Grade: B- “The Flash” is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some strong language and partial nudity. Its running time is 146 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu

Central District Public Service Commissioner Brent Bailey has expressed deep concern and disappointment over Entergy Mississippi, LLC’s (EML) response efforts to the recent ongoing storm systems that continue to cause widespread outages in the Central District. The Commissioner has received numerous complaints from residents and businesses throughout his district about the delay in restoring power, which has caused undue hardship and inconvenience for many. “I am extremely frustrated and disappointed by Entergy Mississippi’s response to the recent storms,” Commissioner Bailey said. “The delay in restoring power has caused significant hardship for their customers and it is unacceptable. We expect EML to take swift action to address this issue and ensure that our communities are not left in the dark for prolonged periods of time in the aftermath of future severe weather events.” Commissioner Bailey has repeatedly urged EML to improve its response strategy to severe storms and take proactive measures to prevent outages. Despite these efforts, the power company has failed to meet the expectations of their customers, leaving tens of thousands without power for days. Commissioner Bailey identified a few of the concerns he has, including lack of overall preparation, outsourcing of critical services, reductions in field staff, general maintenance of the grid, vegetation management, and inadequate customer service contributing to lack of customer confidence. The Commissioner calls on the power company to provide a detailed report on its response to the recent storms and outline steps it will take to improve its overall preparedness, response, and restoration plans while keeping safety as a top priority. The Commissioner has also urged EML to work closely with local officials and community leaders to ensure that residents are kept informed and updated on the progress of power restoration efforts. “Our job as Commissioners is to hold our utilities and power providers accountable for providing affordable AND reliable service. I will continue to monitor the situation closely, take all necessary steps to ensure that EML responds to my requests, and evaluate additional measures the Commission can pursue to improve utility performance and reliability.”

Today, the national Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) was activated to send needed blood to the hospitals in and around Perryton, Texas, scene of Thursday’s tornados that swept through the town and claimed at least three lives and left dozens more injured. Perryton is approximately 115 miles northeast of Amarillo, in the state’s panhandle. "Our BERC Network was activated to help our partner blood center, Our Blood Institute at Coffee Memorial Blood Center, meet the need of trauma patients at the local hospital in Perryton, Texas and those transported to Amarillo, Texas,” said Nelson Hellwig, CEO of the Alliance for Community Transfusion Services and Administrator of the BERC Program. As part of their on-call week, the following community-based blood centers have rushed blood to the region: Blood Bank of Hawaii (Honolulu); Cascade Regional Blood Services (Tacoma, Washington); Houchin Community Blood Bank (Bakersfield, California); ImpactLife (Davenport, Iowa); Inova Blood Center (Falls Church, Virginia); LifeStream Blood Bank (San Bernardino, California); Mississippi Blood Services (Flowood); Northern California Community Blood Bank (Eureka); South Texas Blood & Tissue (San Antonio); Stanford Blood Center; and We Are Blood (Austin, Texas). “We are seeing the tremendous power of communities coming together in a time of need,” said Amanda Hess, Vice President, Donor Relations and Marketing with ImpactLife. “Having consistently strong donor and blood drive support in advance of a crisis is critical. Routine donations made by volunteer donors allow us to assist with disaster response while meeting ongoing needs of the communities we serve.” Today's activation marks the fifth time since its inception in September 2021 that the BERC Network has been called upon to provide blood during a national emergency. "There are no words to express how deeply saddened we are about the loss of lives and the many injured," said Dr. John Armitage, President and CEO of Our Blood Institute at Coffee Memorial Blood Center. “Because of BERC and its support from wonderful donors across the country, we can help the people of Perryton in a moment of crisis. Times like these remind us of why we continuously urge our community to donate blood." The blood from the BERC Network of blood banks is being sent to Our Blood Institute at Coffee Memorial Blood Center in Amarillo, the steward of the local blood supply in that part of Texas.

More than 4,100 students are on the spring 2023 Graduation List at Mississippi State University. The following local students are included in this honor: Anna Crow, of Wesson, MS, receiving a Bachelor of Accountancy Summa Cum Laude from MSU's Adkerson School of Accountancy. James Lowery, of Wesson, MS, receiving a Bachelor of Accountancy from MSU's Adkerson School of Accountancy. Riley Smith, of Wesson, MS, receiving a Bachelor of Accountancy Cum Laude from MSU's Adkerson School of Accountancy. Maley Moak, of Wesson, MS, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Summa Cum Laude from MSU's College of Arts and Sciences. Mayra Giron Vasquez, of Wesson, MS, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration from MSU's College of Business. Melody Ashley, of Wesson, MS, receiving a Bachelor of Science Summa Cum Laude from MSU's College of Education. Patton Bane, of Wesson, MS, receiving a Bachelor of Science from MSU's Bagley College of Engineering. Brent Cade, of Wesson, MS, receiving a Bachelor of Science Magna Cum Laude from MSU's College of Forest Resources. William Hulon, of Wesson, MS, receiving a Bachelor of Science from MSU's College of Arts and Sciences. Madilyn Lewis, of Wesson, MS, receiving a Bachelor of Science from MSU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Katie McSweyn, of Wesson, MS, receiving a Bachelor of Science Summa Cum Laude from MSU's College of Education.