By: Misty Strieff Prine “Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don’t and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said that it would be easy. They just promised it would be worth it.” – Unknown.                 Life. A four-letter word that encompasses so much as we live it out each day. Life's too short to dwell on the "what if's" and the regrets. Life's too short to allow people to be victorious in stealing your happiness. Life's too short to not let those who make you feel special feel that much more special in return. Every single event, both good and bad, happen to you for a reason. Nothing happens by accident. God has a greater purpose for your life than you could ever imagine. If you have an opportunity that arises that allows you to grow and succeed and better your life and your family's life, pray about it first and for His will to be done, wait for God's direction, and then follow your heart in the direction He leads it to go. God will never lead you astray. Our bad decisions happen when we take things into our own hands without laying them at His feet first. Let the bad things as well as the good things change you---for the better. Don't let the bad stuff define your outlook on life. You're better than that. Own that bad situation and let it make you a stronger child of the One true King! God never promised an easy road. But He did promise where your journey would end if you accepted Him as Lord and Savior of your life. Heaven. Living a life for Jesus is so rewarding. You just have to hang on and enjoy traveling down the road of life He gave you. Follow your heart, follow your faith, and always follow Jesus! The rest will take care of itself. **For daily devotionals, you can follow me on Facebook at The Upward Way or on Instagram at the_upward_way.

By: Kelley Williams, Chair Bigger Pie Forum   Backwater flooding happens when the Mississippi River is higher (about 43’ at Vicksburg) than the Yazoo River and blocks its discharge.  It takes less rain to raise and keep the Mississippi above 43’ than it used to. ( See More Flood for Less Rain .) So backwater flooding and batture flooding inside the levees are more frequent and longer — over three times longer since 2015.  Why? What happened to cause a step change in flooding in 2015? The trigger event was the record high 2011 flood.  But the primary cause is a power plant in the river 122 miles downstream from Vicksburg. It began operating in 1990 under a Memo of Understanding (MOU) with the Corps of Engineeers (Corps). It’s just upstream of the Old River Control Complex (ORCC) that was built in 1963 and modified in 1980.  The Corps operates ORCC to control the Mississippi’s flow to keep it from changing course (avulsing) down the Atchafalaya River. ( See Wistful Not Thinking .) The power plant is owned by a renewable energy company.  It’s purpose is to produce green (renewable) electricity, not to control the river. The Corps allocates most of ORCC’s flow to the power plant. This reduces its control of the river.  It also causes sediments to build up just downstream from ORCC that block part of the Mississippi’s channel and create a flow bottleneck.  That bottleneck slows the river’s discharge to the Gulf and causes higher and longer floods for the same downstream flow volume (i.e. the same rain). LSU’s Dr. Xu reported the mound of sediments (which I dubbed Mudberg) and the bottleneck in a paper published in 2017. The Corps knew about Mudberg but didn’t report it.  Dr. Xu said Mudberg and the bottleneck and the higher and longer floods they cause will cause the Mississippi to change course in a future big flood. The 2011 flood was the highest ever.  But not the longest.  Otherwise it might have caused the course change.  It did sweep more sediments downstream to Mudberg (as big floods do) and made it bigger and the bottleneck smaller and future floods longer and higher.  The first floods after 2011 occurred in a cluster 2015-21 and caused record backwater and batture flooding. The 2019 flood was the longest ever and one of the highest.  It likely made Mudberg bigger and the bottleneck smaller too.  So the next big flood will likely be even longer and higher. Every big flood now makes the next one longer and higher.  And so on — until the levees overtop. The Corps latest flow line study predicts the levees will overtop — hundreds of miles of mainline levees from above Greenville to New Orleans.  That will be a disaster for the Delta like the 1927 flood.  The Corps hasn’t told landowners about this and other coming disasters.  It quietly shelved the four volume flow line study published in 2019 that predicts them. We learned about the looming disasters and the Corps coverups of them from litigation discovery in a suit filed by Mississippi’s Secretary of State in early 2019.  The suit seeks just compensation under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution for damage to some half million acres of state and private property inside the levees caused by floods caused by the Corps. Over 500 property owners are plaintiffs.  I am one of them. The suit is hung up in court. It may take years to resolve.  The damages it seeks to recover are just a tiny fraction of the damage and destruction when levees overtop.  The clock is ticking on that catastrophic damage and destruction.  The risk increases every year.  Most people at risk are unaware of the damage and destruction that is coming.  Those who are aware may think the Corps will do something.  The Corps is doing something: it’s studying the looming disasters.  It’s great at studies.  And at not doing something. The Corps needs encouragement to do something.  I am writing about this to warn future flood victims and to encourage them to encourage the Corps to do something — and to ask their Senators and Congressperson to help. What can the Corps do to reduce the risk and mitigate the damage? Three things: 1) dredge Mudberg,  2) shut down/remove the power plant that cause the sediments that cause Mudberg and the bottleneck,  3) build a structure upstream of the ORCC to take the top off of floods and reduce their height and duration to take pressure off ORCC and levees. ( See earlier articles for details. ) It’s time for the Corps to stop the studies.  And stop the coverups.  And do something. Kelley Williams, Chair Bigger Pie Forum

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB It was all the way back in 2013 that audiences were first introduced to the Four Horsemen of Magic – J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson), Jack Wilder (Dave Franco), and Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher). The quartet blurred the line between “magic tricks” and “heists,” in that they would make the money and valuables of rich evildoers disappear and then reappear in the hands of their audiences. The film spawned a 2016 sequel (called “Now You See Me 2,” which raised the question of why they didn’t use the obvious “Now You Don’t” subtitle for that movie) that did so poorly that I didn’t review or even see it. The franchise looked to be dead. But, as we know from the person-sawed-in-half trick, death is much less common in magic than its practitioners would have you believe. The new film promises a reunion of the Four Horsemen at a show in Brooklyn. They rip off a crooked crypto bro, but something’s off. The members use cheap special effects to “disappear” into the body of an audience member (Dominic Sessa), who does third-rate impressions of them while two friends in the crowd do the trickier stuff. Once the show is over, we learn that the Horsemen we saw were just holograms. Or at least the movie tells us they were holograms. My guess is that the movie used the real actors for the scenes that weren’t dominated by special effects. That’s a big problem with these movies – they can use shortcuts like editing and off-camera resources to deceive audiences. It robs the scenes of the splendor of stage magic, where the performers can’t rely on the luxury of movie magic. The show’s three magicians – Bosco (Sessa), June (Ariana Greenblatt), and Charlie (Justice Smith) have never even met the Four Horsemen… until Atlas shows up in their home. He’s mildly impressed by their chutzpah, but tells them that The Eye has a greater purpose for them. Remember The Eye? The magical organization pulling the strings on the heists? The one that turned out to be run by Mark Ruffalo’s Interpol agent in the first movie in a twist that stretched plausibility even for a series this goofy? Then again, the Horsemen themselves have already been impersonated in this movie, maybe someone is impersonating The Eye too. The rest of the movie is Horsemen both old and new on a globe-trotting adventure to take down dirty diamond dealer Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike). Based on the film’s advertising, it’s not much of a secret that the other three Horsemen will show up eventually, as well as enemy-turned ally Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman). They may even pull in another member. I don’t think they need the extra help against Vanderberg. She has an amateurish scheme to out-magic at least seven world-class magicians, one that involves the “leaving them to their slow demise without watching” trope that I can’t believe movies are still doing in 2025. I know I’m not supposed to spoil the endings of these movies, but all the suspenseful aspects of the film are little more than a countdown to her “probably” getting busted. I think it’s funny how I have so many complaints about “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” – the predictable story, the lame villain and lamer danger, and the reliance on special effects that any proper magician would surely denounce – and yet I recommend the film. The movie is saved for me based almost entirely on the charm of the cast, who have great banter and chemistry. Which is precisely why it’s a good idea to come out with a new movie now, nearly a decade after the last installment. Did this franchise “need” a third movie? No. But is it ever a bad time to give us a movie with this group of charismatic actors doing amusing magic? Also no. Grade: B- “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” is rated PG-13 for some language, violence, and suggestive references. Its running time is 113 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

At last check, there have been 60 fire deaths statewide in 2025. Cooking or the misuse of cooking equipment led to four of those deaths. “Many people have family and friends over for the holiday. Don’t let distractions put you and your guests in danger. Make your home safer by installing multiple smoke alarms. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short amount of time, turn off the stove,” said State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. Use these safety tips when preparing your Thanksgiving meal: Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop. Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves that could catch fire. If you have young children, use the stove's back burners whenever possible. Turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk that pots will be knocked over. Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires, pan, and pot fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turning off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. If you have a fire: Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 911 after you leave. Create an escape plan with multiple exits that all family members know and set a meeting place outside. If using a turkey fryer: Fryers should be used outdoors, a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials. Some turkey fryers are designed for indoor use. If you use one of these, follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. Never use a fryer in a garage or on a wooden deck. Make sure fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping. Never leave the fryer unattended. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture recommends you thaw a turkey 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. The Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office recommends, when using a propane fryer, using a hose at least 6 feet long to distance the propane tank from the fryers flame.

By Guest Columnist Dr. Stephanie Duguid   As the leaves change and Thanksgiving approaches, I’m reminded that gratitude is more than a seasonal sentiment.  It’s a wellness tool that can transform how we think, feel, and live every single day.   For me, gratitude is not just about saying “thank you” once a year.  It’s about creating a lifestyle of appreciation that fuels both our physical and emotional well-being. The Connection Between Gratitude and Health Science continues to show that practicing gratitude isn’t just good for your soul.  It’s good for your body.  Studies reveal that those who make gratitude a daily habit experience lower blood pressure, better sleep, stronger immunity, and reduced anxiety and depression.  Gratitude changes brain chemistry.  It increases dopamine and serotonin, the same neurotransmitters that make us feel calm and content. When we intentionally focus on what’s going right instead of what’s going wrong, our mindset shifts. We begin to see abundance instead of lack, possibilities instead of problems.  This shift improves our relationships, reduces stress, and builds resilience -- key ingredients for both leadership and personal wellness. Thanksgiving: A Time to Reflect and Reconnect November gives us a powerful reminder to pause and give thanks -- not just for what we have, but for who we are becoming. This time of year often brings family, food, and fellowship, but it can also bring stress, exhaustion, and comparison.  Gratitude is the antidote. When we slow down to appreciate the little things -- a shared meal, a child’s laughter, a good night’s rest, we anchor ourselves in the present.  Gratitude brings peace in the chaos and joy in the ordinary. It reminds us that wellness is not found in perfection, but in perspective. I’ve learned that even the most challenging seasons carry blessings if we take the time to look for them. Sometimes gratitude means saying “I’m thankful for what this taught me,” even when the outcome wasn’t what we expected.  Growth often hides in the moments that stretch us. A Simple Gratitude Practice for Every Day Practicing gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Here are a few of my favorite ways to make it part of daily life: Morning Moments:   Before you start your day, name three things you’re thankful for -- before reaching for your phone. Gratitude Journal:   Write down one positive thing that happened each day.  It builds a collection of joy to revisit on hard days. The Thank You Habit:   Express appreciation to others often -- through a quick text, handwritten note or simple kind word. Grateful Reflections:   End your day by asking “What went well today?” It helps your brain rest on positivity, not worry. These small steps create big ripples.  The more you practice, the easier it becomes to find gratitude even in the smallest moments. A Season to Be Thankful, A Lifestyle to Be Well This November, as we gather around our Thanksgiving tables, let’s do more than give thanks for a day -- let’s make gratitude a daily practice. Whether it’s appreciating the people in our lives, recognizing our progress, or simply saying thank you to ourselves for showing up each day, gratitude is the heartbeat of wellness. So as you carve the turkey and share stories with loved ones, take a moment to breathe, reflect, and smile. Gratitude truly is the bridge between health and happiness -- and it’s one we can cross every single day. EDITOR'S NOTE:  Dr. Stephanie Duguid is owner of Do Good ProHealth (CPR Classes) and Do Good Leadership (motivational speaking, and leadership and success coaching).  She is also a Mississippi Health Ambassador.

Special to Wesson News Sassy Mauldin, Garden Clubs of Mississippi President and Nan Harris, Natchez Trace District Director celebrate with award-winning Wesson Garden Club members Jennifer Peets, Debbie Hoaglin, Debbie Smith, Dixie Thornton, Sherri Carty and Pam Owens at GCM Natchez Trace District fall meeting. Wesson Garden Club (WGC) has awarded Society of Trees Certificates of Registration to two local couples. WGC’s Lisa Smith presented the certificates to Dr. Roy and Jerry Daughdrill and Joe and Sherri Carty in recognition of historic trees on their Wesson properties. Founded in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, in 1971, Société Des Arbres (Society of Trees) seeks to preserve historically significant trees, conserve trees that enhance aesthetic and environmental values, establish a registry of such trees and protect registered trees as indigenous natural assets. Roy Daughdrill accepts certificate from Lisa Smith for tree on his property Joe Carty is recognized by Wesson Garden Club's Lisa Smith for tree on his property. The Daughdrill's tree is registered as 175 years old and the Carty's tree is registered as 167 years old.  Angie Geers talks about canning fruits and vegetables. At their October meeting, WGC members also celebrated winning 11 awards, including the second place Garden Club of the Year award, at Garden Clubs of Mississippi’s Natchez Trace District fall meeting hosted by the McComb Club.  Angie Geers was also on hand for a presentation on canning fruits and vegetables.  Attending the meeting were Marilyn Britt, Sherri Carty, Sonya Cowen, Debbie Hoaglin, June Owens, Joy Phillips, Debbie Smith, Lisa Smith, Pollyanna Smith and Stanley Stewart.  Once the Club's business was concluded, the members enjoyed fellowship and fall-themed refreshments provided by hostesses Terri Bath, Marilyn Britt, June Owens and Pam Owens. The Wesson Garden Club is a member of The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., and the Natchez Trace District of GCM.

Wesson News The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has opened an inquiry into an officer-involved shooting that occurred around 6 p.m. in Crystal Springs, not far from South Jackson Street. The incident stemmed from a joint operation led by agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, who were working in the area as part of an ongoing effort to address suspected illegal activity. According to early information, agents approached several individuals believed to be involved in criminal behavior. As they attempted to make contact, a passenger stepped out of a vehicle and immediately fled on foot. Agents pursued the individual for a short distance. During the chase, the subject presented what appeared to be a weapon, prompting one of the agents to fire. The individual was struck and later taken to a nearby hospital. Authorities report that the injuries are not life-threatening. No agents were physically injured during the incident, and officials have not released the identity of the subject at this time. MBI investigators are now working to document the scene, interview those involved, and collect all available evidence. This review will include verifying the sequence of events, examining the actions of both the agents and the subject, and determining whether protocol was followed. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for further evaluation. Officials caution that the details released so far are preliminary and may change as the investigation progresses. Additional information is expected to be shared when it becomes available.

Special to Wesson News Co-Lin’s Athletic Alumni Association has inducted eight new members into the college’s Sports Hall of Fame. The inductees are Jessie Bowman, Steven Gauthe, Calvin Green, Robin “Zoom” Harris, Meleah Howard, Bowmar McGehee, Jacob Ross and Nellie Ann Webster. Bowman  is a 2006 graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Wolf Pack football team. While at Co-Lin, he received NJCAA first team All-American, first team All-Region 23, and First Team All-South Division. He was named the Golden Isle Bowl defensive player of the game. After Co-Lin, Bowman played at Mississippi State, where he was named defensive player of the week. “It’s a great honor to be chosen. I was just playing football; I didn’t think I’d be in the Sports Hall of Fame,” he said. “I’d like to thank my coaches and especially my roommate, Marcus Cooper. If it weren’t for him, none of this would have happened. He made sure I made it to class and got my school work done.” He is a member of Sinner’s Creek Church of Christ and is the son of Barbara Herring and nephew of Linda Merchant. Gauthe is a 2008 graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Wolf Pack baseball team. While at Co-Lin, he received All-State honors twice, All-Region, and was a 2007 NJCAA Gold Glove recipient. After Co-Lin, he played at Nichols State University. “I am truly honored to be selected for the Co-Lin Hall of Fame,” he said. “I want to extend my deepest thanks to Coach Keith Case for giving me the opportunity to play baseball at Co-Lin. His belief in me laid the foundation for everything I was able to accomplish. I’m also incredibly grateful to my teammates—without their support, hard work, and friendship, my success would not have been possible. Thank you all for being a part of this journey.” Gauthe is currently an engineer with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. He is a foster parent and an elementary school and church volunteer. He and his wife, Audrey, have two children, Ellie, 7, and Finn, 5. Green  is a 1986 graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Wolf Pack football team. While at Co-Lin, he received All-State, All-Region 23, and All-Star honors. He was also named best defensive back of the south. After Co-Lin, Green played at Alcorn State University, where he was selected No. 1 defensive back in the nation by Sports Illustrated. He returned to Co-Lin as an assistant football coach, where he served for 31 years until his retirement. “Thank you to Co-Lin for giving me a chance to come and play,” he said. “Then being hired back as a coach greatly impacted me and my family. Wolf Pack for life!” Green is a member of the Elk Lodge #923, Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He and his wife, Falana, have four children, Cegee Stringer, Cory Williams, Farrod Green, and Sabria Green; and four grandchildren, Jabarri, Jacolby, Micah and Isabella. Harris  is a 1986 graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Wolf Pack men’s basketball team. While at Co-Lin, he received All-State and All-Region 23 honors. He holds the single-game assist record with 22 against Hinds and was selected to play in the All-Star game. He led the team in an upset of the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, Delgado, to advance to the NJCAA National Tournament. “Thank you to the alumni that chose me and my family and friends,” he said. “I want to give a special shout out to Coach Jones for making me a young man. He played a big part in my life.” Harris currently serves as a volunteer coach with the Natchez High School girls basketball team. He is the son of the late Agnes Watson Harris, and he has four children, Robin Harris, Jr., Ambreon Parker, Brittany Hicks, and the late Edwin Jerell Harris and three grandchildren. Howard  is a 2008 graduate of Co-Lin, where she was a member of the Wolf Pack softball team. While at Co-Lin, she was named NJCAA All-Region 23, All-State and All-South. She returned to Co-Lin as head softball coach in 2018. As a coach, she has led the team to two NJCAA National Championships, two MACCC Championships and one Region 23 Championship. She has also been named MACCC Coach of the Year twice, Gulf A District Coach of the Year three times and has an overall record at Co-Lin of 261-62. “This is an unbelievably humbling opportunity for which I am so grateful,” she said. “Co-Lin has been such a special part of my life for almost 20 years now, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the impact it has made on me as a professional and as an individual. Being added to this amazing group of athletic alumni from our school is a surreal moment, and I’m just honored to be able to represent my teammates from my time as an athlete and all of the girls who have given their all to our softball program in my time as the coach here. Co-Lin truly is the place to be!” She and her husband, Marc, have three children: Jack, 11, Hayes, 7, and Audrey, 4.             McGehee  is a 1981 graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Wolf Pack tennis team. While at Co-Lin, he was a two-time state doubles champion and two-time NJCAA Region doubles runner-up. He was a member of the 1981 state championship team. After Co-Lin, he played at Mississippi College. “Being inducted into the Co-Lin Sports Hall of Fame is a dream I never thought I would realize, and it’s really such an exciting time,” he said. Now retired, McGehee spends his time as a member of the volunteer fire department in Meadville and as a Franklin County election commissioner. He also is a past president of the Co-Lin Athletic Alumni Association. He and his wife, Holly, have three sons and four grandchildren. Ross  is a 2015 graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Wolf Pack golf team. While at Co-Lin, he was named a NJCAA first team All-American, MACJC first team All-State, NJCAA All-Tournament team, Golf Coaches Association of America All-Freshman, NJCAA PING All-American honorable mention and NJCAA All Central Region. He had a fifth-place finish in the NJCAA National Tournament and the second lowest scoring average in MACJC. After Co-Lin, he played at Mississippi State University, where he was named to the SEC academic honor roll. He currently is the director of instruction at the Country Club of Jackson and won the MS PGA Professional Championship in 2024. Ross is an active member of Pinelake church, and he and his wife, Taylor, have one son, Tatum. Webster is a 2000 graduate of Co-Lin, where she was a member of the Wolf Pack women’s basketball team. While at Co-Lin, she was named to MACJC first team All-State, second team All-State, NJCAA All Region 23 and All Tournament. She was team captain and led the team to a NJCAA Region 23 runner-up title twice. After Co-Lin, she played basketball at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. “It means earned recognition that speaks to the dual legacy of the athletic community and to my life as an honoree,” she said. “My induction into the Hall of Fame will serve as an inspiration for generations to come, specifically and especially to the female athlete!” She currently works as an owner-operator in logistics. She has two children, Madisen and Kaleb Williams.

Special to Wesson News Copiah County deputies, together with Central Mississippi Crime Stoppers, are actively seeking the public’s assistance in solving the murder of Floyd Alex Rosamond. Authorities are appealing to anyone who may have information about the case to come forward, stressing that even small details could prove critical in bringing those responsible to justice. Rosamond was found deceased on August 11, 2021, at his home on Earl Knight Road. Initially reported as a possible suicide, further investigation by law enforcement revealed evidence pointing to homicide, prompting a more in-depth inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death. Deputies have been reviewing leads and evidence but have yet to identify a suspect, making public tips essential. Central Mississippi Crime Stoppers has offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an arrest. Additionally, Rosamond’s family has pledged a $10,000 reward, reflecting their deep desire for answers and justice. Authorities emphasize that all tips can remain confidential. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 601-355-TIPS (8477) or submitting a tip online. Investigators stress that no piece of information is too small, and coming forward could be pivotal in solving this long-standing case.

Copiah-Lincoln Community College is pleased to announce the promotion of Kina Leggett to Associate Vice President of Business Affairs, effective November 7, 2025. Leggett, who has served as Comptroller for the past six years, brings more than two decades of experience and dedication to her new role. Over her 22-year career at Co-Lin, she has served in a variety of positions, including Bookstore Assistant, Credit Union Manager, Data Entry Clerk, Business Office Clerk, Accounts Receivables Manager, Business Manager/Senior Accountant, and Comptroller. Her extensive background and hands-on understanding of the college's financial operations have made her an invaluable member of the Business Affairs team. "Kina has demonstrated integrity and leadership throughout her many years at Co-Lin," said Co-Lin President Dr. Dewayne Middleton. "Her deep understanding of our financial operations and her commitment to serving students and employees make her an outstanding fit for this role. We are proud of her accomplishments and look forward to the positive impact she will continue to make as Associate Vice President of Business Affairs." A proud Co-Lin alumna, Leggett holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in business administration. She is also a graduate of the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy (MCCLA) and the Community College Business Officers (CCBO) Leadership Academy. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for CCBO. "I am beyond excited for Kina on her promotion to Associate Vice President," said Dr. Richard Baker, Vice President of Business Affairs. "She is the model of dedication and pursues excellence in everything she does. She is an incredible asset to the college, and Co-Lin is a better institution because of her." Leggett is married to Avery Leggett Sr., and they have four children: Shabriana, Avery Jr., Tyler, and Taylor. She is also the mother-in-law of Sha'Kera and the proud grandmother of Greyson Avery. She attends Home Seeker's Bible Church.

From left, fourth alternate Kinsley Smith of Brookhaven, first alternate Brianna Brown of Hazlehurst, Most Beautiful Maggie Runnels of Wesson, second alternate Avery Sellers of Wesson, and third alternate Ryleigh Rushing of Meadville. Photo by Johnny Smith Photography. Copiah-Lincoln Community College's annual Trillium Beauty Pageant saw 19 young women competing for the title of Co-Lin's Most Beautiful. Maggie Runnels of Wesson was crowned the 2025 Most Beautiful with first alternate Brianna Brown of Hazlehurst, second alternate Avery Sellers of Wesson, third alternate Ryleigh Rushing of Meadville, and fourth alternate Kinsley Smith of Brookhaven. Runnels is a freshman majoring in biology. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Sigma Kappa Delta honor society, and is a Co-Lin Colette dancer. Runnels is also a Co-Lin Taylor Presidential Scholar, the highest scholarship offered at the college. She is a graduate of Wesson Attendance Center and is the daughter of Todd and Amy Runnels. Brown is a sophomore majoring in respiratory therapy. She is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Wolf Pack Strong, Sigma Kappa Delta, and the Co-Lin CARES Club. She serves as President of the Student Government Association, Vice President of the Trailblazers, Chief Marketing Officer for Future Business Leaders of America, and regional vice president for Phi Theta Kappa. She is a graduate of Brookhaven High School and is the daughter of Derek and Tracy Brown. Sellers is a freshman majoring in pre-pharmacy. She is a member of the Alpha Omega Science Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Trailblazers, and is active in the Baptist Student Union. She is the daughter of Jonathan and Angie Sellers and Benji and Erin Sisco. Sellers is a graduate of Loyd Star Attendance Center. Rushing is a sophomore majoring in elementary education. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, Mu Alpha Theta, the Co-Lin CARES Club, and the Trailblazers. Rushing is active in the Baptist Student Union and is a Co-Lin Colettes dancer. She is a graduate of Brookhaven Academy and is the daughter of Alan Rushing. Smith is a freshman majoring in nursing. She is a member of the Co-Lin Cheerleading Squad and the Trailblazers. She is the daughter of Jason and Lacie Smith and is a graduate of West Lincoln Attendance Center. Other contestants selected as top eight finalists were Makenzie Starks of Meadville, Natalie Styron of Mendenhall, and Carleigh Brocato of Eddiceton.

Special to Wesson News Back row l to r: Mike Hart, pastor, Wayne Nations, David Knight, Debbie Bessonette; Front row l to r: Jaqueline Nigg, Becky Nations, Debbie Knight and Pam Moody Mallalieu Methodist Church, located in the heart of the East Lincoln community, has taken a thoughtful step to support local families by installing a “Blessing Box” on the east side of its property at 1824 Bessonette Lane SE in Brookhaven. The concept behind the box is built on trust, compassion and the understanding that anyone can find themselves in need at one time or another. The church has stocked it with essential items such as nonperishable food, hygiene products and simple necessities that can ease the strain of a difficult day. Community members are invited to take whatever they need, and those who are able are encouraged to contribute, ensuring the box remains a reliable resource for others. The introduction of the Blessing Box stems from the congregation’s desire to extend care beyond the church walls. By placing the box outside and making it available at any hour, the church recognizes the importance of discreet support. There are no forms to fill out and no expectations placed on those who stop by. The goal is to offer a quiet, judgment-free opportunity for neighbors to receive help with dignity. Mallalieu Methodist Church is part of the Global Methodist Ministry and continues to emphasize outreach as a key part of its mission. Under the leadership of Rev. Mike Hart of Beauregard, the church has remained committed to serving the spiritual and practical needs of the surrounding community. Rev. Hart’s focus on hands-on ministry has guided the congregation toward projects that make a real impact, and the Blessing Box stands as a meaningful example of that vision. With this new resource in place, the church hopes to spark a cycle of generosity and kindness throughout East Lincoln. The Blessing Box serves as a small but steady reminder that even simple acts of giving can strengthen the community and offer hope to those who need it most.