By Louise Vaughn Water-system planning, mobile home requirements, the town budget and community improvements were among the matters addressed by the Wesson Board of Aldermen during its September 1 meeting. Alderman Stanley Martin was absent from the meeting. The Board reviewed a water-rate study conducted by the Mississippi Rural Water Association to evaluate the Town’s current financial position and future water-system needs. Based on the study, it was determined that rates would need to increase by $3 per 2,000 gallons to generate the revenue needed to build an adequate reserve for future water-system expenses. No action was taken by the Board to implement the $3 increase. Wesson’s existing water policy provides for a 2% annual water rate increase each October. In a separate water matter, the Board approved an addendum to the Town’s water policy addressing newly-installed master meters at a privately owned mobile home park. The meters recently went into service, requiring a billing provision to be added to the policy. The Board also approved requirements governing additional mobile homes brought into an existing mobile-home park. Newly-added units must have been manufactured within the previous five years and meet town permitting requirements. A bill of sale will be required to document the age of the mobile home. The action is separate from provisions governing replacement of grandfathered mobile homes elsewhere in Wesson. A public hearing concerning property at 1044 Oak Street was scheduled for October 6 at 6 p.m. The hearing will determine whether the property should be declared a menance and public health hazard under Mississippi Code Section 21-19-11. The Board approved the municipal budget following a public hearing held in August. An amendment to the current fiscal-year budget was also approved related to approximately $80,000 in grant funding. Officials explained that the reimbursement process associated with the grant required the budget amendment, a normal accounting procedure for reimbursable grant expenditures. The Garden Club presented plans for improvements to the town park, including repairing the fountain, installing commercial-grade outdoor lighting, adding landscaping and ground cover, and purchasing two benches and a table. The Garden Club plans to fund those improvements through fundraising activities.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com The funeral director was scheduled to bury the body of a man who had been married to five former wives, and had a current fiancée when he died. A fiancée that the ex-wives did not know existed. In this town, when a person passed away and had no specific pastor they wanted to conduct their funeral, that director was accustomed to calling upon a local Baptist pastor to perform the ceremony. That local pastor was my own husband. The day before the funeral, every ex-wife - in chronological order, no less – marched herself into the director’s office. They each proceeded to explain to him that having a Baptist pastor to officiate the service was impossible, and why. Seems the deceased, who bore the well-used title of husband (and lousy dad to his own children) was prone to being a member of whatever church denomination served his purposes at the current time. Each ex-wife demanded a minister from a different denomination. It was all finally capped off with the fiancée declaring, “I know for certain that my fiancée has always been an atheist, and no minister of any kind will be conducting his funeral.” The director kindly told each of them, “I am confident that this Baptist pastor will conduct a service that will be pleasing to you.” At the funeral, the uncertain atmosphere became even more tense when the funeral service had to be delayed for an hour, due to the tardiness of the current fiancée. Whom until today, please remember, none of the wives even knew existed. But my husband finally conducted the service, with each of the five wives having an older lady sitting next to her. Arms crossed, unsmiling, eyes emotionless, and very determined to make certain her daughter’s ex-husband was dead and buried. Later when the burial service was finally concluded, my husband spoke to each family member as he always did, and headed towards his car. But. Unbeknownst to him, the fiancée had slipped over to quietly whisper to the funeral director that she wanted to address the crowd. Wanting to please the family, as he always attempted to do for every funeral, Mr. Carson raised his voice over the hum of the group and announced that the fiancée had requested to be allowed to address the assembled mourners. My husband stopped midstride, immediately feeling the hair on the back of his neck stand at attention. There was no ignoring the growing tension and anger in the air from the five ex-wives and irate mothers. As the fiancée spoke in glowing terms of the deceased, my pastor/husband kept whispering to Mr. Carson, “This isn’t gonna end well, Joe! You need to cut her off and put an end to this!” But before Joe could move to interrupt, the fiancée exclaimed, “No man could have been sweeter to my two little girls. They loved him so much!” Fourth of July fireworks among a few. Ice cold blizzard conditions among some of the others. Joe and my husband? These two smarter-than-the-average-bear guys took shelter. Who could blame them?

By Jessica Breazeale When I was little, I wanted to be a Broadway star. Name in lights, singing and dancing well into my 90s, probably still doing eight shows a week when I needed a walker to get to the wings. That was the plan. These days, if you stopped me on the street and offered me the lead in the next big musical, I’ll admit I’d pause. Old dreams don’t die easily. But I wouldn’t take it — because somewhere between then and now, my definition of “growing up” quietly rearranged itself, the way it tends to do when nobody’s looking. Seasons will do that. And right now, as summer loosens its grip and fall starts sneaking in at the edges, I’m feeling it: life runs in seasons, too. Some are loud and ambitious, all hustle and headlines. Others tap you on the shoulder and ask you to slow down and pay attention. I’m in one of the quieter seasons. I want to notice more — the trees, the birds, the actual moment I’m standing in instead of the six after it. I want to be more intentional with my thoughts, my actions, and especially my words. That last one is a problem, considering my job description. As a public relations practitioner, marketer, and communications instructor, words are basically my whole toolbox. I talk for a living. I write for a living. I teach other people how to do both. And the longer I do it, the more I notice how easy it is to keep talking — filling space, answering before I’ve really listened, saying something instead of the right something. Restraint is not a skill they cover in PR school. I’m having to learn it the hard way, one bitten tongue at a time. So here’s my new answer to the old question. What do I want to be when I grow up? A tree, I think. Or possibly a bird. I haven’t fully committed, which feels appropriate for a woman in her quieter season. A live oak, specifically — nothing scrawny. Live oaks stick around for centuries, arms stretched out wide like they’ve got nowhere else to be and all the time in the world to prove it. People park lawn chairs under them. They propose under them. They take a hundred photos, and none of them do the tree justice. A live oak doesn’t hustle for attention; it just stands there being wise and grounded, and somehow that’s enough. Frankly, it’s a better career plan than most of what I had at twenty-two. Or a bird. Because if we’re being honest, birds out-sing every Broadway star I’ve ever heard, and they didn’t need a vocal coach or a standing ovation to do it. They just ride currents I can’t even see and go wherever they’re going, and I have never once seen a bird apologize for taking up space. I’d like to know what that’s like. Maybe that’s the appeal of both — one is rooted, the other is free. One teaches you to be still. The other teaches you to be curious. And maybe growing up was never actually about picking a lane. Maybe it’s about learning when to be the oak and when to be the bird, and having the sense to know which season you’re in. So these days I’m not asking, “what do I want to be when I grow up.” I’m asking something bigger: what’s the bigger picture? I don’t have the whole answer. Nobody does — that’s sort of the point. But I’m starting to think it’s this: be rooted enough to know who you are, and curious enough to keep growing anyway. Pay attention to the season you’re in. It’s trying to tell you something.

Special to Wesson News Bryce Coleman is presented with his MTAF scholarship. Bryce Coleman of Wesson was recently presented with a Mississippi Trucking Association Foundation Scholarship Program award, the R. Gene Holmes Endowment. Over thirty-five years ago, the Mississippi Trucking Association Foundation (MTAF) Scholarship Program was created. The primary objective of the Foundation, a 501(c) (3) charitable corporation designed to receive contributions, memorial gifts, and property, is to promote educational projects related to the trucking industry and provide scholarships to deserving students who have ties to the trucking industry and who are enrolled in scholastic endeavors in the state of Mississippi. Coleman joins about five hundred students who have received this scholarship. Scholarships are offered through the Mississippi Trucking Association Foundation and the following Endowments: Mike McLarty, John Fayard, Jr., H. Dean Cotten, G. Larry Kerr, R. Gene Holmes, Vernon & Nancy Sawyer, John D. Stomps, and W. Todd Bates.

Special to Wesson News Co-Lin’s Institute for Learning in Retirement members recently gathered for their annual Fall Social, catching up with friends and kicking off another semester of learning and fellowship. The Copiah-Lincoln Community College Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) recently announced it lineup of classes, workshops, travel opportunities and social events for the Fall 2026 semester, offering senior adults a variety of opportunities to learn, connect and explore. "Our goal is to provide meaningful opportunities for lifelong learning while creating a welcoming community where friendships can grow," said ILR Program Coordinators Erin Johnson and Jennifer Case. "Whether members enjoy traveling, learning a new skill, or simply spending time with others, there is something for everyone this fall." The fall workshop schedule includes: Sept. 8 Cooking with Co-Lin Chef Chris McSweyn Sept. 15 and 22 Book Angel Workshop with Sam Upton Oct. 20 Artificial Intelligence Technology Class with JP McInnis Oct. 27 Paint and Praise with Dawn Marks Nov. 9 and 17 Pottery Making with Janet Smith Dec. 1 Christmas Craft with Kacey Hutcherson Members can also participate in several group trips including: Sept. 29 St. Francisville, Louisiana Oct. 14 Senior Day at the Mississippi State Fair Dec. 10-12 Small Town Christmas Tour featuring Gulfport, Mississippi, and Mobile, Alabama Monthly fellowship luncheons are scheduled for: Sept. 10 Culinary Arts Building Oct. 1 Culinary Arts Building Nov. 5 Culinary Arts Building Dec. 9 Christmas Luncheon, Thames Center The Institute for Learning in Retirement is designed for adults who enjoy lifelong learning, fellowship, and new experiences. Through educational classes, hands-on workshops, day trips and social events, ILR provides an engaging environment where participants can continue learning while building lasting friendships. Costs for workshops, trips and events vary. For more information about the Institute for Learning in Retirement or to become a member, contact Erin Johnson at 601-643-8702 or Jennifer Case at 601-643-8714.

By Charlie Rook The Wesson Cobras continued their undefeated start to the season Friday night, defeating North Pike 29-14. After opening the year with a dominant 41-0 victory over Bogue Chitto, Wesson faced a closer matchup in its second game but still came away with a 15-point victory. Damarion Smith had a big night for the Cobras, finishing with 221 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Wesley Loy threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns, while Laiken Thomas added 61 receiving yards and a touchdown. Wesson also found success defensively, finishing the game with four sacks and holding North Pike to 14 points. The win moves Wesson to 2-0 on the season after the Cobras finished 10-1 and won the Class 2A Region 7 championship last year. Through two games this season, Wesson has outscored its opponents 70-14. The Cobras travel to Franklin County Friday night looking to improve to 3-0 and continue their undefeated start.

Special to Wesson News The Wesson Cobras continued their strong start to the 2026 football season Friday night, defeating North Pike 29-14 at Stone Stadium at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. The victory moved Wesson to 2-0 on the season after the Cobras opened the year with a 41-0 shutout of Bogue Chitto. Wesson also extended its recent success against North Pike after defeating the Jaguars 44-15 last season. Senior quarterback Wesley Loy led the Wesson offense, completing a productive night through the air with 297 passing yards and three touchdowns. Senior receiver Damarion Smith was the primary beneficiary, recording 221 receiving yards and two touchdowns, including a 76-yard scoring reception. Laiken Thomas also contributed 61 receiving yards and a touchdown as Wesson's passing attack helped the Cobras pull away for the 15-point victory. The Wesson defense also made its presence felt, recording four sacks during the game. The Cobras now turn their attention to another road test. Wesson will travel to Franklin County on Friday, Sept. 11, for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Wesson defeated Franklin County 34-19 last season and enters this year's matchup with momentum after opening the season with consecutive victories. The Cobras will look to make it three straight wins to begin the season when they take the field Friday night.

By Clay Mansell The Wesson News welcomes Louise Vaughn, PhD, MBA, MPA as its new City Beat reporter. Vaughn, who has a master’s degree in Accounting, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a doctorate in educational leadership, is not only a writer, but is also heavily involved in agriculture and community development. Professionally, her experience crosses several areas, including accounting and financial consulting, tax preparation, business development, human resources, administration, project coordination and entrepreneurship. She has worked with individuals, small businesses, nonprofits, schools and community organizations. Vaughn operates A-Dawg Ranch and Farm-a-Sis, and her work includes farming, herbal wellness products, farmers’ markets, vendor events and agricultural education. She has developed and coordinated youth agricultural programs and worked on grant-funded community projects. Vaughn says she is “one of those people who can wear several hats.” “I enjoy identifying problems, organizing the moving pieces, developing solutions and then actually getting the work done,” she continues. “I’m equally comfortable behind a desk working with numbers and reports or out in the community working directly with businesses and people.” Vaughn will cover Wesson’s monthly Board of Aldermen meeting, as well as other civic topics and community news.

By Misty Strieff Prine But by the grace of God. “People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable.” – Unknown. I know my cup has been full, overflowing even, felt half empty and felt as though as though it’s been on the verge of feeling completely empty I’ve been so worn down. But by the grace of God, He’s never let that happen. I may have “felt” that way but praise the Lord that He constantly stands ready to fill our cups when we don’t even have the strength to ask Him to do so. I can promise you, when you get that low, you’re usually not thinking as you should be. He knows our needs before we even realize there is one to be had. He loves us so much that He provides us with His own strength when ours becomes weakened by the weight of the world. I’m reminded of these lyrics today from the song “Fill My Cup, Lord.” They simply say, “Like the woman at the well, I was seeking for things that could not satisfy. And then I heard my Savior speaking, “Draw from My well that never shall run dry.” Fill my cup, Lord; I lift it up Lord; Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more. Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole. There are millions in this world who are seeking, for pleasures earthly goods afford. But none can match the wondrous treasure that I find in Jesus Christ my Lord. So, my brother if the things that this world gives you, leave hungers that won’t pass away. My blessed Lord will come and save you, if you kneel to Him and humbly pray. Fill my cup, Lord; I lift it up Lord; Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more. Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.” Let Him fill your cup with His strength today. Quit trying to handle the weight of this world on your own.

Special to Wesson News The Wesson Cobras will look to build on a dominant season-opening performance when they welcome North Pike to town Friday night. Wesson and North Pike enter the Sept. 4 matchup with 1-0 records, giving both teams an opportunity to remain unbeaten early in the 2026 season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Stone Stadium on the Copiah-Lincoln Community College campus in Wesson. The Cobras opened their season Aug. 28 with an impressive 41-0 road victory over Bogue Chitto. Wesson controlled the game on both sides of the ball, with the defense keeping the Bobcats off the scoreboard throughout the night. North Pike also enters Friday's contest following a victory. The Jaguars defeated Franklin County 17-12 in their season opener. Friday's game will be Wesson's first home contest of the season and a rematch of a matchup the Cobras controlled a year ago. Wesson defeated North Pike 44-15 during the 2025 season. For Wesson, the matchup provides an opportunity to show that its convincing opening-week victory can carry over against a North Pike team that also arrives with early-season momentum. The Cobras will also have the benefit of playing in front of their home crowd for the first time this season. Kickoff between Wesson and North Pike is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Stone Stadium in Wesson.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB The big drawback to getting in an advance review of “Coyote vs. Acme” last week is that “Insidious: Out of the Further” is even less relevant this week. The horror film toppled from second place to fourth at the domestic box office, behind even the seventh weekend of “The Odyssey,” while “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” continues to dominate at #1. Fortunately, that drawback is offset by the knowledge that the film was never worth much attention anyway. If there’s one horror franchise that loves its jump scares, it’s “Insidious.” The 2010 original sold itself with a trailer that included a jump scare after it had supposedly concluded - not “at” the last moment, like a lot of horror trailers, but “after” the last moment, when the audience thinks they have a beat to rest. The film itself had a gnarly jump scare too, with its infamous red demon appearing in a drably-colored, but well-lighted scene with multiple characters in the daytime, also a setting where viewers think they can lower their guard. But that film also boasted performances by Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne and an originality to its world. “Insidious: Out of the Further” is the sixth installment in the franchise, it doesn’t boast greats like Wilson and Byrne, and fans very much know what to expect from these films at this point. We open with a sequence where nine-year-old Gemma (Charli Penton) comes home to a mother (Laura Gordon) who manages a few loving platitudes, but is clearly out of sorts. The mother attacks the child before locking herself in a bathroom, which doesn’t end well. In the present day, adult Gemma (Amelia Eve) is a single mother determined to be better to her own daughter, Maya (Island Austin). She’s present for her at the beginning and end of every school day and talks to her as much as possible about every subject except her late, presumedly-mentally-ill grandmother. This being an “Insidious” film, it’s not long before strange things start happening: old toys reappear after being missing for decades, suspicious people are seen around the neighborhood, and Gemma starts having scary dreams that may or may not be dreams. Things ramp up. Dentist Gemma has an unsettling appointment with one of the new neighbors (disappointing scares in the rest of the movie aside, people uncomfortable with dentistry “will” be freaked out by this sequence). She gets unreasonably lost in a coffee-table-sized blanket fort and barely escapes with her life. Her cop boyfriend Nick (Brendon Parea) doesn’t believe her when she says she’s in danger. Franchise mainstay Dr. Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) does, but she can only be so much help considering she’s been dead for over ten years. Eventually Gemma learns that all the scares are because her bloodline has ties to the purgatory-like realm known as The Further and that she and Maya are being targeted by cult leader Cyrus Lam (Sam Spruell), who is supposed to give off main-villain energy, but is somehow less scary-looking than any of his followers. Like many horror movies, “Insidious: Out of the Further” is at its scariest in its early stages when we don’t know what’s going to pop out. We know that “something” is going to pop out, which itself depletes the scare, but we don’t know what and how. Once the veil has been pulled back on the villains and their motives, the film can’t be scary or exciting to save its life. Even a returning familiar face (other than Lin Shaye’s) couldn’t get a reaction out of my theater. And the non-horror action wasn’t pulling me in. I’m sure the actors are doing their best, but there’s not much interesting about the umpteenth horror setup with a parent, a kid, and generational trauma. After this film, I ask that the “Insidious” franchise go away and stay even Further away than before. Grade: C- “Insidious: Out of the Further” is rated PG-13 for strong violent content, bloody images, terror and some strong language. Its running time is 106 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Special to Wesson News A 78-year-old truck driver was found dead outside his tractor-trailer near the Interstate 55 rest area in Wesson on Thursday, authorities said. The man was discovered just south of the northbound rest area, located near mile marker 54 in Copiah County. Copiah County Emergency Operations Center Director Darryl Hilliard said the driver was found lying on the ground near the passenger side of the 18-wheeler. A passerby spotted the man and alerted authorities. Investigators believe he had been dead for several hours before he was discovered. The man was driving an 18-wheeler for JC Transport at the time of his death. Authorities have not publicly identified him and are withholding his name until his family can be fully notified. Hilliard said a preliminary investigation indicates the driver died of natural causes. No additional details about the circumstances surrounding the man's death or his hometown had been released as of Thursday afternoon. The Wesson rest area is located along Interstate 55, the major north-south interstate corridor running through Copiah County and connecting communities including Wesson, Hazlehurst and Crystal Springs. Additional information could be released after the driver's family has been notified.