A former Wesson Attendance Center (WAC) student, Wesson High School teacher and head football coach is returning to become principal WAC. Tommy Clopton brings 22 years of public education experience to the position, which Marilyn Phillips is leaving to become principal of the WAC elementary school and assist in transitioning to new administrative leadership. Clopton joins WAC following eight years at Brookhaven High School, where he was head football coach and athletic director for six years, and then assistant principal, while remaining athletic director. A Wesson native, Clopton graduated from Wesson High School in 1992 after attending kindergarten through the twelfth grade at WAC. Clopton received an AA Degree in pre-pharmacy from Co-Lin in 1994, a BS Degree in Chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in 1997 and an MA Degree in curriculum and instruction from USM in 1998. He did post-graduate studies in education at Mississippi State and Arkansas State Universities. Before coming to WAC as a math and science teacher and football coach in 2004, Clopton taught science and coached football for one year at Quitman High School in Clark County, and then taught chemistry and coached football for five years at East Central Community College. Clopton and his wife of 22 years, April, the former librarian at Crystal Springs Elementary School and the current website and communication staff person for Brookhaven School District, have two grown children -- Micah, 26, a telecommunications specialist in Tupelo, and Trace, 20, a football player and student at USM. Although he thought he wanted to become a scientist while growing up, Clopton ultimately decided to follow the career choice of his parents, aunts and uncles in education. When he is not in an educational setting, he is probably outdoors hunting, traveling or spending time with his family. "My vision at WAC is to build on the success of the past, continuing to push students to prepare for the future and making WAC the pride of the community," Clopton says.

School district reopening plans for the 2020-21 school year are now available on the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) school reopening guidance webpage. Most school districts submitted plans to the MDE by a July 31 deadline, prior to Gov. Tate Reeves’ Executive Order on Tuesday delaying the start of school in several counties. Under Executive Order No. 1517, school districts in the following counties must delay their reopening for grades 7-12 until Monday, August 17: Bolivar, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Hinds, Panola, Sunflower, and Washington Counties. The governor has the power to declare school start dates by executive order. The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has developed guidance, considerations and best practices for Mississippi districts for operating school in the 2020-21 school year. It has been developed with input from school and district leaders, mental health and health professionals, teachers, parents, and students. The information continues to be updated as further research, data and resources become available. Most school district plans include an option for parents to opt-in to distance learning. Questions about specific scheduling plans and policies should be directed to local school districts. MDE Guidance for the 2020-21 School Year: www.mdek12.org/guidance2020-21

Special to Wesson News In the midst of soaring new cases of Covid-19 throughout the state, the top health official in Mississippi says the state will mirror the near healthcare crisis that occurred in New York several weeks ago because too many residents aren't taking precautions that can keep the novel coronavirus pandemic at bay lightly. State health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs warned the rising numbers of cases will continue if Mississippians don’t take social distancing and mask-wearing seriously. "It's not just the cases," he adds. "We have seen the highest number of hospitalized patients. I'm terrified we will overwhelm the health care system, the hospitals, the ICUs. Not in the fall, but imminently. If we’re not careful, Mississippi is going to look like New York at the height of the pandemic there. “We can stick our head in the sand and try to find excuses so that we don’t have to modify our behaviors, but it doesn’t change the truth. “The truth is, there’s a lot of Covid-19 out there; it’s killing people; it’s going to kill a lot of people and it’s going to stress out our healthcare system.” . The good news continues to be no new deaths reported along the coast, which still totals 36 deaths from Covid-19 -- 3.5 percent of the statewide total. Mississippi is not alone in seeing dramatic spikes in new cases of the coronavirus. States across the South from Florida to Texas are reporting a spike in cases. Governors in both Florida and Texas ordered all bars in those states to stop serving alcohol. According to Johns Hopkins University, Covid-19 cases are trending upward in about half of the 50 states, and several have joined Mississippi in setting new daily high marks. About six percent of the U.S. population has been infected with the virus. Like public health officials elsewhere, Dobbs says Mississippi officials are open to imposing mask-wearing requirements to temper the virus. Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton announced an intent to impose new safety orders, including masking requirements inside the all of city’s businesses. Two Biloxi casinos -- Beau Rivage and Harrah’s -- are requring patrons to wear masks. Dobbs scoffs at the idea the spike in coronavirus cases is simply the result of an increase in testing, as some have proposed. Total testing has actually gone down, he says. In Mississippi, it is approaching 300,000 -- about ten percent of the state's population, with a positive rate of 8.8 percent. While the 60-plus age group continues to be hardest hit by the virus in terms of deaths (84.5 percent) and hospitalizations (60.1 percent), the 18-29 age group has by far the most total number of cases at almost 6,000. Mississippi’s drastic increase comes weeks after state officials began taking measures to reopen the state. Restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and movie theaters are among the businesses currently open with limited seating. Dobbs says he doesn't think the new cases were caused by the state opening back up too quickly. The real problem is a lack of concern for safety guidelines, the health officer said. Dobbs also says a statewide facial mask mandate, which has been proposed and passed in several other states, would be "untenable" in Mississippi if state and local leaders, as well as law enforcement officials, don't "live by example." State Epidemiologist Paul Byers says many of the new cases stem from community transmission of the virus from younger, asymptomatic people to their older relatives after attending social gatherings. “There have been lots of parties where 300-plus people are getting together and they’re close and they’re drinking," Byers points out. "We can’t act surprised that we’re seeing these types of increases in cases." Dobbs says the recent increases "feel like a slap in the face after weeks of forward momentum." Officials were just considering starting to lift restriction on nursing home visitations, and now they need to start discussing implementing more restrictions, Dobbs notes. “This is screwing it up,” he says. “It is so selfish for people to be out doing stuff, perpetuating this pandemic for nothing more than the crawfish boil.” For now, the best thing people can do to protect themselves and others is to avoid large groups, wear masks and be cautious, Byers says. “We need to start with a vengeance,” he says. “Once things start going, it’s like trying turning around the Titanic.” Governor Tate Reeves has taken to Twitter to back up Dobbs, and warn people that Covid-19 is not gone just because they “give up.” “Please listen," Reeves pleads. "We’ve been beating this drum for months. Dr. Dobbs is graphic in his warnings to us about where this heads. If people just follow current orders and aren’t reckless, we can beat this.”

By Guest Columnist Keri Collins Lewis Two simple, daily steps can protect Mississippi’s youngest citizens from lead poisoning. Jason Barrett, an assistant Extension professor in the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute, sayslead in drinking water can harm children’s health. But flushing faucets each morning and using cold water for cooking and preparing baby bottles can greatly reduce exposure. “Because young children’s brains are growing and developing, they are more at risk from elevated lead levels in drinking water,” Barrett explains. “Lead poisoning can cause brain damage, learning difficulties, and delayed growth and development. The good news is that families can take steps to prevent lead poisoning.” Lead leaches into drinking water as the water sits in pipes overnight or any time when the faucets are not in use. Turning on the faucet and allowing it to run for at least 30 seconds pulls fresh water into the pipes and flushes out the contaminated water. “No matter how old your house is, whether you’re on a well or on a municipal or community water system, you should let the water run a little while each morning when you wake up before you take a drink,” Barrett says. “Legally, even new fixtures and faucets are allowed to have a certain amount of lead in them. So flushing is a safe first step to take.” Heating cold water for cooking is another way to reduce lead exposure. “Hot water dissolves contaminants more quickly than cold water, which is why cold water is recommended,” Barrett adds. “It’s safer to heat water for cooking than to use hot water, especially for baby bottles or when cooking for children.” Barrett says many people routinely flush their faucets but forget to also take the faucet apart and clean out the aerator. Water heaters can also be a source of accumulated lead in the home water system. “Cleaning out the aerator can reduce lead levels in drinking water, and I recommend people follow the manufacturer’s instructions on flushing out their water heaters once a year,” he said. “By maintaining the different components of the system, you have a greater impact on the lead levels in your home.” Barrett also discourageS drinking from hose spigots while children are playing outside. Lead often gets ignored because it does not have an odor or flavor that alerts people to its presence, Barrett says. “People have a lot of misconceptions about lead in drinking water,” he points out. “Boiling water does not reduce lead in water. You can’t smell it or taste it, so the only way to know if you have high levels of lead in your drinking water is to have the water tested.” Nelson McGough, an Extension research technician with the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute, says testing water is a first step toward understanding if there is a problem. Fortunately, when a water test shows high levels of lead, the problem does not have to cost a fortune to fix. “In an ideal world, all of the old lead pipes would be replaced, but that may not be feasible due to the cost,” McGough notes. “It’s reassuring to know that parents and families can take much more cost-effective and simple steps to protecting children’s health.” McGough says childcare centers can implement these same best practices to protect the children they serve. “Many children spend their days in childcare centers that provide food, make bottles and have drinking fountains,” McGough explains. “Kitchen faucets and fountains should be flushed daily, just like home water systems. Staff should cook and prepare bottles with cold water.” Though restrictions in place for COVID-19 may impact drinking fountains at schools, McGough recommends flushing them daily if they will be used to fill cups or water bottles for individual use. “Flushing the water out takes a short amount of time but can have a big impact on lead levels,” he says. “It’s worth it for the sake of children’s health.” For more information, visit http://extension.msstate.edu/natural-resources/water/sip-safe. EDITOR'S NOTE: Keri Collins Lewis writes for the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

JACKSON, Miss. — Today State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs MD, MPH, issued a statewide order for the Isolation of Individuals Diagnosed with COVID-19 effective immediately. The Order – issued to everyone living in Mississippi – stipulates that anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 must immediately isolate at home. Dobbs explains, “We have a lot of COVID activity throughout the state right now, so it is absolutely critical that anyone infected with COVID-19, and not hospitalized, must remain in the home or other appropriate residential location for 14 days from onset of illness (or from the date of a positive test for those who are asymptomatic).” The failure or refusal to obey the lawful order of a health officer is, at a minimum, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500.00 (41-3-59) or imprisonment for six months or both. If a life-threatening disease is involved, failure or refusal to obey the lawful order of a health officer is a felony, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000.00 or imprisonment for up to five years or both (41-23-2). Persons infected with COVID-19 should limit exposure to household contacts. No visitors should be allowed in the home. Please stay in a specific room away from others in your home. Use a separate bathroom if available. If you need to be around others in your home, you should wear a facemask. Please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html for guidance on preventing transmission in the home. Follow MSDH by e-mail and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect .

WESSON, Miss. - A new face will assist in leading the Co-Lin softball team in 2020-21 as Amber Adcock Beall, of Brandon, Miss., joins the coaching staff. Beall is no stranger to the game as a player or as a coach. After graduating from Brandon High School she attended Delta State University where she helped lead the Lady Statesmen to the NCAA DII Region Tournament for the first time since 2008 as a middle infielder. During her time as a player, she racked up numerous accolades including two-time All-GSC honors, DakTronics All-Region honors, and three-time GSC All-Tournament team. She capped off the accolades this year as she was named a member of the Gulf South Conference All-Decade softball team for her stellar career. While at Delta State she posted a .332 batting average with 137 RBI, 50 doubles, and 23 homers. The athletic infielder also posted a .930 career fielding percentage. After her playing career ended, Beall went on to receive a master's degree in Sports Management from Delta State while working as a graduate assistant coach. "I am very excited for this opportunity," said Beall. "I've known Meleah [Howard] and Drake [Flowers] for a while now and we've gotten to be good friends so we already have a great relationship. I've always wanted to work for Meleah because of her hard work and how she has maintained the excellence of the Co-Lin softball program." Co-Lin is Beall's second stop in the MACJC as she was the assistant coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for two seasons in 2018 and 2019. Over the past year, she served as coach of the Mississippi Elite 14U travel team. "I have a familiar face in the softball world because I've been involved at so many different levels of the game," said Beall. "I recruited heavily for Delta State and brought in some valuable players to MGCCC so I feel that is a big asset that I bring to Co-Lin and I'm ready to hit the recruiting trail." Meleah Howard, Co-Lin's head softball coach, echoed the sentiments saying, "We are thrilled to add Amber to our staff. We love her personality and the energy that she brings. She is an amazing recruiter and knows the game. She is going to be a huge addition to the Co-Lin softball program." Despite the 2020 season ending abruptly due to COVID-19, the Co-Lin softball program has proven to be a stand-out powerhouse in the MACJC and the fans, Co-Lin community, and administration have taken notice. "To have the college's administration and board have your back is ideal for us coaches," said Beall. "If they are supporting you it is huge for your program because they will help keep improving your facilities and help drive that success forward. That is what is going on here at Co-Lin and I'm excited to be a part of it." Amber, and her husband Seth, will reside in Wesson where she will also serve as a dorm supervisor for Nettles Hall and they look forward to getting plugged into the community.

By Guest Columnist Bonnie Coblentz Mississippians are urged not to open or plant packets of unknown seeds that are appearing unsolicited in mailboxes, seemingly shipped from China. Packets of seeds began appearing in the mail nationwide in late July. Packages are sometimes marked as jewelry or other items, never seeds or any agricultural product. he people receiving the seeds did not order them. Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson urged state residents who receive the seeds to report them immediately. The Bureau of Plant Industry’s phone number is 662-325-3390. Seeds can also be dropped off at county offices of the Mississippi State University Extension Service. If the package has been opened, place the seeds and any packing materials in a zip-top bag labeled with the recipient’s name, city and phone number. The U.S. Department of Agriculture \(USDA) currently has no evidence indicating this is something other than a scam in which people receive unsolicited items from a seller, who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. The seeds are called “mystery” or “unknown” because they do not come with identification. State Agricultural Commissioner Andy Gipson says there is no indication these seeds pose a danger to human health. However, “any foreign seeds can have a negative impact on our environment as a threat to plant and animal health, and to agriculture," he adds. "Also, foreign seeds could carry fungi or pests which could cause great destruction to our native ecosystem." Gary Bachman, horticulturist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, says all plant material entering the United States legitimately is required to go through inspections because of the danger of introducing unknown or new species of plants. Americans are being urged not to plant these unknown seeds that are arriving unsolicited, and Bachman said even planting the seeds in a pot is asking for trouble. “If the plant is an exotic, invasive species, growing it in a container can still result in the plant escaping or becoming established in our native habitat,” Bachman says. EDITOR'S NOTE: Bonnie Coblentz is writer for the Mississippi State UniversityExtension Service.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) offers multiple resources to help Mississippi residents prepare for a hurricane to ensure everyone is ready before a tropical system threatens. To help residents prepare their evacuation plans, MDOT provides free resources including the MDOT Traffic mobile app, a hurricane evacuation kit checklist and the 2020 MDOT Hurricane Evacuation Guide in English, Spanish or Vietnamese. The Hurricane Evacuation Guide features information to assist in developing a preparedness plan such as evacuation routes, contraflow information, radio coverage areas through Mississippi Public Broadcasting and important contact information from the Mississippi Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and bordering state DOTs and highway patrols. Individuals and families will find vital information about shelters, pet care, lodging and travel resources.  Residents are encouraged to download the MDOT Traffic mobile app which provides real-time traffic conditions throughout the state and will be utilized to publish emergency alerts directly to users. The hurricane evacuation checklist provides a list of recommended items to include in evacuation kits including flashlights, a first aid kit, non-perishable food to last 14 days and more. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, residents should also plan to add items like face masks, hand sanitizer, gloves and disinfecting wipes to help keep everyone safe. “MDOT makes it easier than ever to get prepared before a hurricane threatens the Mississippi Coast. These resources are free, just a click away and are vital when putting together your evacuation plan,” said Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District. To download the Hurricane Evacuation Guide and the full hurricane evacuation kit checklist, and for more hurricane safety tips, visit GoMDOT.com/hurricanes. Follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and Twitter along with the hashtag #HurricaneStrong this hurricane season.

Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced that he is extending the social distancing measures under the Safe Return and county-specific executive orders to continue combating the rising cases of COVID-19 across the state. Consulting daily with state health officials on measured strategies to limit transmission and reviewing the data of the spike in cases, the Governor has extended the social distancing measures until Monday, August 17 at 8:00 AM. "We are throwing everything that we can at the hospital crisis in our state, and we are going to continue working to ensure the integrity of our health care system," said Governor Tate Reeves to today's press briefing. "I want to underscore again: even if you do not personally fear Coronavirus, the overwhelming of the system affects everybody. If you get in a car wreck, you don’t want to be treated in a tent like we saw in other parts of the country. You want to get the best possible care." The Governor also announced that eight additional counties within our state had reached the hotspot threshold set by state health experts. Under Executive Order No. 1515, the following counties have been added to the county-specificexecutive orders with tighter social distancing measures going into effect on Monday, August 3 to help limit transmission: Carroll, Coahoma, Jones, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Noxubee, and Pontotoc Counties. Governor Reeves made the announcements at today's press briefing, which you can view on our Facebook page here. You can view the text versions of the new executive orders here: Executive Order No. 1514, Executive Order No. 1515. Signed versions of all executive orders related to COVID-19 can be found on our website at governorreeves.ms.gov/covid-19.

By Guest Columnist Nathan Gregory Knowing the difference between quarantining and isolating is critical in preventing the spread of Covid-19. In mid-June, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reported the Covid-19 case total exceeded 20,000, with more than 900 deaths. Rising along with those numbers is the seven-day average of cases by date when the patients became sick. MSDH data indicated an average of around 300 cases per day through the first half of June compared to approximately 250 daily at the beginning of May. Mississippi State University Extension health specialist David Buys says the most important message to take from any data maps and charts is to continue practicing social distancing as much as possible, while following all health guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Buys says isolation is required for those who test positive for Covid-19 and are known to be contagious, while quarantine is recommended for those who have possibly been exposed to the virus. “Isolation is pretty cut-and-dried," he explains. "It means to separate from people who are not sick according to the orders of a health care provider or the local public health authority. A quarantine separates people who were exposed to a contagious disease from others during the time when they could become sick from that exposure. It is important for those in quarantine to monitor for symptoms and contact their health care provider if they develop symptoms.” People who discover they have been exposed to the novel coronavirus should contact their health care provider as soon as possible after exposure. Those who know they have the virus and are not isolating themselves at home are actually breaking state law in addition to putting their communities at risk. “Some folks in quarantine are given stricter guidance than others, depending on the nature of their condition and the contact they have with others as well as their job,” Buys adds. “Ideally, those who are in quarantine should limit their activity as much as possible and strictly follow what they are told by their health care provider or MSDH.” Buys notes that sometimes MSDH is delayed in issuing isolation orders until a few days after a patient is diagnosed by a local health care professional. This also delays contact tracing. “It is essential to follow the guidance of your local provider, even if you have not heard from MSDH with official orders to isolate or quarantine,” he says. The CDC advises the use of face coverings to slow the spread of the disease, especially in high-traffic indoor areas such as grocery stores and restaurants. But those who have tested positive are urged not to leave their homes for two weeks after the onset of symptoms, even if wearing face coverings. “Our state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, is authorized under state code to issue orders which are legally binding ordinances that protect the public’s health or safety,” Buys says. “They may be general, such as we’ve seen with orders for certain health professions to limit services during this Covid-19 pandemic; and they may be issued to individuals who have tested positive for a communicable disease like Covid-19. In any case, these are enforceable by law.” Will Evans, head of the MSU Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion, says anyone living with a person who has tested positive must wear a face covering at home to avoid contracting the coronavirus. While caring for someone with the coronavirus, Evans recommends using the same safety practices as required for safe food preparation, including cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces with an approved disinfecting wipe after each use by anyone in the family. “Everyone should wash hands before and after contacting any foods, containers and surfaces,” he said. “Use hand sanitizer liberally and isolate in another room where possible.” For more Covid-19 information and prevention tips, visit http://extension.msstate.edu/food-and-health/health/coronavirus.

Special to Wesson News The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) for 2020. The case was reported in Claiborne County. In 2019, Mississippi had a total of 15 WNV cases and no deaths. “This is a reminder that even though we are in the midst of ongoing transmission of Covid-19, West Nile virus has not gone away,” says MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers. “We are approaching the time of year when WNV is most active in Mississippi, so it’s important to protect yourself.” Byers says while most infected people recover without any long-term problems, some develop a more severe infection that can lead to complications and even death, especially in those over 50 years of age. Symptoms of WNV infection are often mild and may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, a rash, muscle weakness or swollen lymph nodes. In a small number of cases, infection can result in encephalitis or meningitis, which can lead to paralysis, coma and possibly death. The MSDH suggests the following precautions to protect yourself and your family from the mosquito-borne illness: • Use a mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient such as DEET while you are outdoors. • Remove all sources of standing water around your home and yard to prevent mosquito breeding. • Wear loose, long clothing to cover the arms and legs when outdoors. • Avoid areas where mosquitoes are prevalent. For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit the MSDH website at HealthyMS.com/westnile.

By Guest Columnist Bonnie Coblentz Successful Mississippi gardens are filling up with beautiful tomatoes, but unless gardeners stay alert and act, these plants can succumb to summer insect pests and diseases. Blackened areas at or near the bottom of the fruit are most likely blossom-end rot. While not a disease, this problem can ruin fruit. The solution is to make sure plants get enough calcium and never let them dry out between waterings. Mulch helps with water retention. Wilted plants can be caused by a number of diseases, but make sure plants are getting enough water -- an inch to an inch and a half each week, whether from the hose or natural rainfall, advises Rick Snyder, MSU Extension vegetable specialist working from the Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station in Crystal Springs. When wilt is not caused by a lack of water, it can indicate Southern blight, bacterial wilt, tomato spotted wilt virus or several other diseases. One of the most common diseases on tomatoes is early blight indicated by brown spots on lower leaves that have concentric rings in them, with lower leaves turning yellow and eventually falling off as it progresses. Left unchecked, it will move up the plant with spots, yellowing and leaf drop. To prevent the diseases and keep insects at bay as well, gardener Blake Layton, also an entomologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, recommends spraying with a mix of three common chemicals -- permethrin, chlorothalonil and copper octanoate. Mix the ingredients with water in a hand pump sprayer and apply to vegetable gardens, spraying on tomato plants starting one to two weeks after transplanting and continuing every seven to 10 days through the season. “Pick first, spray later that day, wait two to three days before picking again, and wash or peel fruit before eating,” Layton says. “As long as I maintain this spray schedule, we enjoy good insect and disease control. Once I start missing a few sprays, pest problems increase and fruit quality declines drastically.” Tomatoes are primarily wind-pollinated, but bees do visit tomato blooms. So spray as late in the day as possible to protect them, as bee activity usually declines near dusk. The products containing ingredients recommended by Layton are readily available at local seed and feed stores. Layton says to read labels carefully to be sure the product you buy is for tomatoes, and mix and apply according to directions. Permethrin controls fruitworms, hornworms, stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs, while the other products are for disease control. Each of the ingredients has a zero-day pre-harvest interval, but Layton suggests allowing a couple of days to pass before resuming harvest. Layton says it is wise to alternate the products used to maintain effective disease and insect control. This practice helps prevent the development of resistance. “Mancozeb is a good alternative for chlorothalonil, but because it has a 5-day pre-harvest interval, it is best used in early season,” he says. “If caterpillar pests are your only insect concern, Spinosad is an effective alternative for permethrin, but Spinosad does not control stink bugs and is best used in early season when stink bugs numbers are low.” For those interested in gardening organically, there are several organic fungicide products. Organic insecticides that contain Spinosad do a great job controlling fruitworms and hornworms, but there are no effective organic options for controlling stink bugs or leaf-footed bugs, other than hand-removing the pests. The MSU Extension Service offers information at http://extension.msstate.edu/publications. Search for Extension Publication 2347, “Insect Pests of the Home Vegetable Garden,” or Extension Publication 3175, “Common Diseases of Tomatoes.” EDITOR’S NOTE: Bonnie Coblentz is a writer for the Mississippi State University Extension Service.