April in Mississippi means spring is in the air. The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and snakes are becoming more active. So, if you are in the outdoors your chances of running into a snake have significantly increased because of snakes changing habitats from one season to another. Snakes changing habitats During the winter months, snakes go through a long period of inactivity because of their cold-blooded nature. When snakes are inactive, it is because physical activity correlates to body temperature. Cold weather means less activity. While they are inactive, snakes will seek out dens, underground burrows, and sometimes they will even get into buildings until seasons change. When spring finally arrives, often, you will find snakes basking in sunny areas. They need their body temperature to rise so they can be more active for finding mates, producing offspring but, most importantly, they need the energy to search for food, because most of them have not eaten anything all winter. People should be aware of this activity and pay close attention to their surroundings if they want to avoid a surprising encounter with a snake. People who hunt and fish in the outdoors may have a greater chance of having a “run in” with a snake since they are more likely to visit prime snake habitat. Turkey hunters, in particular, should check thoroughly around their area before settling next to a tree stump or pile of brush before attempting to call a turkey. Suggestions for avoiding snake bites Although snake bites are quite rare, leaving snakes alone and allowing them to go on their way is the best way to keep both you and the snake safe. Most snakebites occur when people try to move, kill or harass them. Mississippi is home to more than 50 species of snakes, but only six species are venomous. If you do not have a lot of experience with snakes, it is not always easy to distinguish venomous snakes from nonvenomous. Glaring distinguishing features such as eye shape or heat-sensitive pits are not easily recognizable from a distance. If you are close enough to see those variations you are probably too close to the snake. Consider the following to reduce your risk of being bitten. When you are in areas where there may be snakes, wear long pants and/or shoes that protect your ankles. Always look carefully where you are walking or placing your hands. Always use a flashlight for activities after dark such as gathering firewood. Choose a campsite that is away from woodpiles, cave entrances, swampy areas, or thick underbrush. Use care when moving boats left on shore for several hours. If you see a snake, carefully step away from it. Never attempt to capture or kill snakes. Treat “dead” snakes as you would live snakes. If you are attempting to identify a snake, make sure you are not within its striking distance, which is usually 2/3 of the snake’s body length. Bring a companion when traveling in areas where there may be snakes. Remember that venomous snakes can climb trees, can bite underwater, and may enter saltwater. For more information on venomous snakes in Mississippi in visit https://www.mdwfp.com/media/news/education-outreach/venomous-snakes-of-mississippi/

NASA conducted a second RS-25 single engine hot fire test April 6 as part of a new series to support the development and production of engines for the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on future missions to the Moon. The full-duration hot fire of more than eight minutes (500 seconds) was conducted on the A-1 Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis. It is part of a scheduled seven-test series designed to provide valuable data for Aerojet Rocketdyne, lead contractor for the SLS engines, as it begins production of new RS-25 engines for use after the first four SLS flights. Four RS-25 engines help power SLS at launch, firing simultaneously to generate a combined 1.6 million pounds of thrust at launch and 2 million pounds of thrust during ascent. The RS-25 engines for the first four SLS flights are upgraded space shuttle main engines and have completed certification testing. During the new test series, operators will focus on evaluating new engine components and reducing risk in engine operation. They will fire the engine through a range of operating conditions to demonstrate and verify its capabilities and to provide data to enhance production of new engines being manufactured with cutting-edge and cost-saving technologies. The initial test of the new series was conducted Jan. 28 for 500 seconds as well, the same amount of time the engines must fire during a launch to power the SLS rocket to orbit. During the subsequent full-duration hot fire April 6, operators also gimbaled the RS-25 engine, using a new NASA-designed vector control system for the first time since it was installed. “Gimbaling” refers to how the engine must move on a tight circular axis in order to ensure proper flight trajectory. NASA is building SLS as the world’s most powerful rocket. SLS will fly to the Moon as part of NASA’s Artemis program, including the Artemis I uncrewed test flight this year that will pave the way for future flights with astronauts to explore the lunar surface and prepare for missions to Mars. RS-25 tests at Stennis are conducted by a combined team of NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Syncom Space Services operators. Syncom Space Services is the prime contractor for Stennis facilities and operations.

Call for Entries The annual Bi-State is a juried exhibition presented by the Meridian Museum of Art (MMA), offering over $3,000 in awards and prizes including the $1,000 Best of Show Cash Award. The purpose of the exhibition is to showcase contemporary artists in Mississippi and Alabama and reward their efforts. Eligibility: Open to all artists who are current or past residents of Mississippi or Alabama. Media: Original works of art, such as, paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, photography, ceramics, fibers, glass, or mixed media. Entries and Fee: A maximum of three (3) entries per artist may be submitted. Works must be original and created during the years of 2018 to present. Student assigned work will not be accepted. Do not send original works for consideration. Works may be submitted as digital photograph images as JPG files through email only with matching entry numbers the same as the entry form and title. A non-refundable entry fee of $30.00 is required. At this time, please mail the entry fee to PO Box 5773, 39302. Please do not send cash. Entry Dates: Digital Images, ENTRY FORM AND $30.00 FEE per artist must be received by June 7, 2021. The museum reserves the right of reproduction of entries in catalogues, and for news and promotional use. Sending an entry to this competition will constitute agreement with all the conditions in this prospectus. Click here for entry form. Size Requirements: All 2-D work will not exceed 72 x 96 in. and should be wired ready to hang (unless special conditions exist). All 3-D work should not exceed 8 feet in any direction and weigh no more than 50 lbs. Delivery & Pick Up: Last DAY TO RECEIVE accepted works is July 24, 2021. All shipped entries should be packaged in returnable containers and a prepaid return shipment label enclosed. All accepted entries (shipped or hand delivered) must be received July 12 – July 24. The museum is not responsible for returned shipments of works. Works will be returned in the same container within two months after the closing date. Other works can be picked up any time after the closing date during normal museum hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sales: The museum will retain a 25% commission on all sales made during the exhibition. Notification: Notification of acceptance/rejection will be emailed by the museum on or about July 1, 2021. MMA is the final authority on eligibility and has the right, without restrictions of liability, to reject any entry believed not creditable to the show. Liability: All Possible CARE Will BE EXERCISED in handling entries by the Director and Preparators. MMA will not assume responsibility for loss or damage to any artwork submitted to the show. The artist should insure all artwork before submitting to the competition. The museum will not insure works in transit to or from the museum. Works left by the artist two months after the closing date will become the property of the museum. Awards & Honors: The juror will have a minimum of $3,000.00 for cash and purchase awards. The Best of Show artist will be featured in an exhibition at the museum June – July 2022. EXHIBITION DATES: August 3 with an Ending Reception on September 24 @ 1-3 p.m. Awards will be announced at three. A special invitation is extended to artists and their friends and family.

Today, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) will begin accepting a new round of applications for its Wild Hog Control Program (WHCP) on Wednesday, April 7. The application period will close on Wednesday, April 21. All Mississippi counties are eligible for the application period. In Mississippi alone, wild hogs cause more than $60 million in damages annually. Through the WHCP, MDAC provides “smart” wild hog traps to landowners and managers for the control of wild hogs on private agricultural and forestry lands in Mississippi. MDAC will provide the training necessary to use the “smart” traps and technical guidance regarding the most effective methods to trap and control wild hogs on private lands. “The Wild Hog Control Program has been a great success so far. Working with farmers and landowners, we have captured wild hogs on 21 properties in 11 counties to date,” said Commissioner Gipson. “This program provides a great opportunity for farmers and landowners to gain access to the latest technology used to trap wild hogs. It also provides a great opportunity for the Department of Agriculture and Commerce to teach farmers and landowners how to trap wild hogs and use that knowledge for future control efforts on their lands.” Applications must be completed and submitted online at www.mdac.ms.gov/whcp. Submitted applications will be evaluated based on the number of acres available for trapping, historical agricultural losses caused by wild hogs on the property and current trapping efforts on the property. A cooperative application is encouraged for small acreage (i.e., adjoining land managers of small parcels should work together to submit one application). Traps will be available for one-month intervals, dependent upon use and success. One trap per 1,000 acres is recommended, depending on landscape and land use. Visit www.mdac.ms.gov/whcp for program guidelines, applications and additional information. Submit questions regarding the WHCP to Chris McDonald at chris@mdac.ms.gov.

Since 2008, April has been designated National Safe Digging Month to encourage safe digging practices for any project. Following historic winter storms, gusty winds, hail, and flooding that may have caused significant tree and landscape damage in some areas, Atmos Energy reminds all residents and business owners to call 811 and have underground utility lines marked before removing deep rooted tree stumps or shrubbery. Call 811 is a free service that is mandated by law. Also following any storm, it is important to clear the area around natural gas meters from trash or debris to help cleanup crews see above ground infrastructure and avoid striking any natural gas facilities. “Spring provides a time when many people begin outdoor projects, including landscaping, and we want you and your family to take these important safety steps,” said John McDill, Atmos Energy vice president of pipeline safety. “National Safe Digging Month reminds us that calling 81l before any digging project is the safest way to avoid damaging your underground utility lines, which could lead to an inconvenient outage.” A recent survey revealed that 19.5 million U.S. homeowners plan to dig this year for projects like gardening, installing a mailbox, and building a fence or deck, and 63 percent of those homeowners use the free Call 811 service before starting an excavation project. That leaves a significant opportunity to educate the remaining 37 percent who put themselves and their communities at risk by digging without contacting 811 beforehand to mark the approximate location of underground utilities. Buried beneath the ground is an extensive network of more than 7 million miles of pipes, wires, and cables needed to transport natural gas, electricity, telecommunications, water, and sewage. When severe weather hits, underground natural gas distribution pipelines and other utility lines can be damaged by uprooted trees and shifted foundations. After the storm, call 811 to have the location of underground utility lines marked, as gas lines could become tangled. Every day and especially during National Safe Digging Month, Atmos Energy encourages homeowners to take the following steps before any type of digging begins: Always call 811 a few days before digging, regardless of the depth or familiarity with a property. Plan ahead. Call on Monday or Tuesday for work planned for an upcoming weekend, providing ample time for the approximate location of lines to be marked. Confirm that all lines have been marked. Consider moving the location of your project if it is near utility line markings. If a contractor has been hired, confirm that the contractor has called 811. Do not allow work to begin if the lines aren't marked. Visit www.call811.com for complete info. For additional severe weather safety tips, please visit, https://www.atmosenergy.com/safety/weather-safety. Become a safety ambassador and take the Atmos Energy Call 811 Pledge at https://www.atmosenergy.com/safety/sign-call-811-pledge.

The Mississippi Farmers Market will be offering fire ant killer mound treatment to the public on Saturday, April 10, from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The three-pound bags of fire ant killer will be given out while supplies last. “Come on out to the Mississippi Farmers Market,” said Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “Spring is here and as people begin working on their yards and gardens, you can find plants and other gardening needs right here in downtown Jackson. This Saturday, we’re especially proud to give out fire ant killer to the public. Anyone who needs to get rid of these nuisance insects can pick up a bag, while supplies last.” In addition, the Genuine MS® Store, located inside the Mississippi Farmers Market, will officially open its doors on Saturday, April 10. The store features a variety of products grown, raised, crafted and made from businesses around the State of Mississippi. The store will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. The City Limits Café, located inside of the Mississippi Farmers Market, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for breakfast and from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch every weekday; it is also open from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. For daily menu schedules, visit the City Limits Café on Facebook. The Mississippi Farmers Market, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, is open every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For additional information about the Mississippi Farmers Market, visit www.msfarmersmarket.com, download the Mississippi Farmers Market mobile app, or follow the Mississippi Farmers Market on Facebook.

The Mississippi State Department of the Health’s (MSDH) Office of Preventive Health and Health Equity, which works to reduce health disparities related to COVID-19 in minority and rural populations, is seeking organizations statewide to host vaccination efforts in their community. “The Office of Health Equity addresses disparities primarily in Hispanic, Black, Vietnamese and rural populations. We identify the disparities and gaps that exist and find ways to engage with the communities to get them what they need. We have been providing testing opportunities, giving out PPE and promoting health education in these communities. Vaccination is our next step in reducing the impact of COVID-19,” said Victor D. Sutton, Ph.D., MPPA, Director of the Office of Preventive Health and Health Equity. “We are partnering with Federally Qualified Health Centers to increase vaccination efforts around the state, focusing on vulnerable and rural populations. What we need now are new local partners to help us bring vaccinations into communities that have not had the access that other Mississippians have had so far,” said Chigozie Udemgba, Dr.PH, CHES, Director of the Office of Health Equity. All organizations, groups, businesses, municipalities and even cities are potential partners for MSDH. As a community partner, you will help identify those needing vaccinations, and the COVID-19 Health Equity Response Team will work to schedule the event. Please call the Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline at 1-877-978-6453 if you would like to host a vaccination event in a minority or rural Mississippi community. Keep up with the latest COVID-19 information by downloading the free MS Ready mobile app or follow MSDH by email and social media at www.HealthyMS.com/connect.

With a spin on the old saying, “There’s safety in numbers,” American Medical Response (AMR) asks families and businesses to improve mailbox address and building numbers as part of their spring fix-up. “Even with GPS, mailbox markings and building numbers are vital to ambulance crews, fire departments and police responding to your emergency,” said Steve Peacock, AMR Central Mississippi operations manager. “A mailbox or building number that’s easy to see from the road by day or night can be a lifesaving landmark. Plus, delivery services, repairmen and utility companies can also save time getting to you. Spring fix-up is a great time to improve your mailbox address and building numbers.” AMR’s tips to help public safety responders find your house or other building:  Replace or repaint faded mailbox addresses and building numbers.  Colors of numbers and letters should contrast with the background they are against.  Numbers and letters should be at least four inches tall.  Use numbers and letters that reflect emergency vehicles’ headlights and spotlights.  Place building numbers where trees, shrubs, hanging baskets, chimes or other objects won’t block them.  If your home or other building is on a corner, post numbers facing both streets.  Do not rely solely on a house or building number painted on the curb or planted in the lawn on a low sign. For more security, also post the numbers over the doorway or elsewhere up on the building. Parked vehicles, tall grass, leaves and even running water can obstruct rescuers’ view of curb numbers and signs at ground level. More advice on mailboxes:  Put your family’s last name and street address on your mailbox.  Mark mailboxes on both sides because rescuers might not come from the same direction as your mail carrier.  Cut tall weeds and grass blocking the view of your mailbox. Peacock said, “If your building number is hard to spot or the mailbox is poorly marked, your rescuers may take longer to reach you. In a life-threatening emergency, every second is precious to the patient’s survival. Bottom line: Your rescuers can’t help you until they find you, so make sure your number is up!”

Public Service Commissioner Brent Bailey commends Mississippians for calling 811 before performing digging activity in 2020. Mississippi 811 reported a total of 444,416 calls received in 2020 resulting in almost 2.2 million utility locates, compared to 400,426 calls received in 2019 and 2 million utility locates. Each April, we recognize National Safe Digging Month, an initiative that urges excavators and homeowners to call 811 before beginning a digging project to avoid any damages, injuries or fatalities that could result from striking a utility line. Excavation damage is the leading cause of natural gas distribution pipeline incidents, and a leading cause of other pipeline incidents, nationwide. A critical step in preventing excavation damage is for the excavator to notify pipeline operators of intent to excavate at a specific location. This is normally done by the excavator calling a one-call center, such as Mississippi 811. The 811 agent then issues a locate ticket to alert pipeline operators and other underground utility operators with facilities located near the planned excavation activity. The pipeline operators can then locate and mark the location of their pipelines and otherwise communicate with the excavator as necessary to prevent damage to the pipelines. “In the last year, our agency’s Pipeline Safety Division reported the lowest number of natural gas pipeline damage occurrences per thousand locates, 3.83, in more than 10 years,” Commissioner Bailey said. “In addition, the call volume at Mississippi 811 is 11% higher. These numbers indicate that Mississippians, statewide, are taking the time to call 811 before starting their digging projects. However, we must continue to improve in our excavation and locating practices.” Installing a mailbox, building a fence and planting a tree or garden are all examples of digging projects that should begin only after underground utility lines are marked by a professional locator. The depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons, such as erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces. Utility lines need to be properly marked because even when digging only a few inches, the risk of striking an underground utility line still exists. Striking a single line can cause injury or death, significant repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages, which is why every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. “Under the leadership of the MPSC Pipeline Safety Program, the number of natural gas distribution line damages from excavation activities in Mississippi remain low,” Commissioner Bailey said. “Congratulations to the MPSC Pipeline Safety Division and to Mississippi 811 for their joint work of increasing awareness of 811, improving safety and preventing damage to underground utilities and pipelines in the state.” Call 8-1-1 before you plan to do any digging or excavation work on your property in Mississippi or visit https://www.ms811.org/. For any other consumer matters, please contact the Mississippi Public Service Commission Central District Office at 1-800-356-6430.

Municipal Primary Elections will take place one week from today, on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Any voter in line at 7 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot. Our office will have observers in precincts across the State. Problems at the polls observed by State observers or otherwise reported to the Elections Division will be referred to the authorities, including the Attorney General’s Office or appropriate District Attorney’s Office. As a reminder, the Secretary of State’s Office has no enforcement authority to resolve problems. Municipal Primary Election Day Reminders: In-person Absentee Voting Deadline: The last day to vote in-person absentee at your Municipal Clerk’s Office is this Saturday, April 3. Municipal Clerk Offices will be open from 8 a.m. until noon. Mail-In Absentee Voting Deadline: All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by Primary Election Day (April 6th) and received by Municipal Clerk Offices within five business days of Primary Election Day in order to count. Polling Place Location: Please contact your Municipal Clerk’s Office for directions to your polling place. Voter Photo ID: Voters are required to show photo identification at the polls. A voter without an acceptable form of photo identification is entitled to cast an affidavit ballot. An affidavit ballot may be counted if the voter provides an acceptable form of photo identification to the Municipal Clerk’s Office within five business days after the election. Campaigning: It is unlawful to campaign for any candidate within 150 feet of any entrance to a polling place, unless on private property. Loitering: The polling places should be clear for 30 feet from every entrance of all people except elections officials, voters waiting to vote, or authorized poll watchers. Camera Phones: Voters are prohibited from taking pictures of their marked ballot. COVID-19: Voters are encouraged to practice good hygiene and follow CDC guidelines at the polls. .

The Mississippi Transportation Commission (MTC) named Jeffrey C. Altman, P.E., acting executive director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). Altman will assume the role effective April 1 following the retirement of MDOT Executive Direct Melinda McGrath after 36 years of state service. “It was with great reluctance that we accepted Melinda’s retirement earlier this month,” said Commissioner Tom King, MTC Chairman. “Jeff has served the state for 23 years, most recently as MDOT Assistant to the Executive Director. He has the knowledge and leadership skills to take the helm and keep Mississippi moving on a safe, efficient and effective transportation network.” Altman began his public service career in 1998 in the MDOT Planning Division. In 2009, he was named assistant director of the Local Public Agency Division, a function of MDOT that oversee federal money for local government projects. He became LPA division director in 2012. Since 2019, he has served as assistant to the executive director. “I am thankful for the commission’s confidence in me to lead MDOT,” Altman said. “Melinda set a high standard for excellence, integrity and transparency. While she will be sorely missed, we know the quality of our infrastructure impacts our quality of life and affects economic development. We are prepared to continue being good stewards of taxpayer dollars as we maintain nearly 30,000 highway miles and 6,000 bridges. With the guidance and support of the commission and legislature, we will invest wisely and systematically to make Mississippi a better place to live, work and play.” A native of Wiggins and graduate of Mississippi State University, Altman lives in Rankin County with his wife and children. The commission will begin a nationwide search for a permanent executive director with the goal of having an appointment by April 2022.

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has now issued updated guidance on safer faith-based gatherings and worship services. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the vulnerable, the safest options continue to be virtual or outdoor services. The MSDH recommends that everyone 16 and older be vaccinated against COVID-19, even if the individual has been previously infected with COVID-19. For those meeting indoors, MSDH recommends the following guidelines: 1) Everyone 65 years of age or older should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to attending in-person worship services (full vaccination is considered 2 weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine, or 2 weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine). 2) Anyone 16 or older with high-risk medical conditions should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to attending in-person worship services (two weeks after completing vaccination). 3) Indoor safety guidance: All congregants should wear a face mask at all times during in-person services. All congregants should maintain six feet of separation from persons outside of their household. Household members may sit together. Congregants should not gather in close groups while entering or exiting the building. Congregants should use hand sanitizer prior to or upon entry of the building. Singing is a high-risk activity that can quickly spread viral particles. It is preferable to not have choirs; however, if choirs are performing, they should be small in number, masked, and separated by six feet. Those in classroom settings such as Sunday school or study groups should maintain six feet of separation and wear a mask at all times. As appropriate, alternatives to shared cups for communion should be pursued. The use of hymn books or prayer books is acceptable so long as congregants practice proper hand hygiene upon entering. 4) Additional procedures to protect congregants are encouraged based on local congregation leadership decisions.