The Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center (SMCAC) has $4,000 more to spend to help childhood victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect thanks to barbeque and steak lovers in the area. Brookhaven-based Magnolia Blues restaurant sent on the money they spent on meals and beverages while being entertained by pianist-singer Blake Scafidel between 3 p.m. and closing on April 30 to the non-profit agency in its annual Child Abuse Prevention Month Smokin’ Out Child Abuse fundraiser. Since Magnolia Blues started the event, its owners, Carl and Anne Craig, say it has contributed some $35,000 to SMAC that its patrons have spent over seven years at their Brookhaven location.  Anne Craig is also a licensed therapist who works for SMCAC. SMCAC’s program in Lincoln, Copiah, Pike, Amite and Walthall Counties includes forensic interviews, therapy for victims and their families, advocacy services and public education.  Craig and other therapists at the agency work with law enforcement, the Department of Child Protective Services, prosecutors and attorneys to assure that children who need SMCAC assistance don’t fall through the cracks. “We thank everyone who came out in support of our benefit for the Southwest MS Children’s Advocacy center,” says Carl Craig.  “Thank you Brookhaven/McComb and the surrounding area.  As always, without you, none of this would be possible. You are appreciated.”

Dr. Pernell Goodwin, who boasts over a decade of experiences in post-secondary education, is the new Vice President of the Co-Lin Natchez Campus. "We are excited to officially welcome Dr. Goodwin to the Co-Lin family,” said Co-Lin President Dr. Dewayne Middleton. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in higher education which will serve as an asset as he looks to strengthen and grow the Natchez campus. I feel confident that the future is bright for Co-Lin in Natchez." Most recently, Dr. Goodwin served as Executive Director of Student Engagement at Belhaven University, where he supervised all student development departments, including student events, community service, organizations, student leadership and international care. He served as the principal and leading member of the executive management team to the Vice President for Student Development and initiated special projects to engage and retain students. In previous roles at Belhaven, Dr. Goodwin served as Director of Students Events and Professor. The new Co-Lin executive also brings experience, including service  as Director of Upward Bound at Hinds Community College-Utica Campus, Coordinator of Graduate and Transfer Admissions and Senior Admissions Counselor/Recruiter at Mississippi Valley State University and Academic Advisor and Professor at Jackson State University. He also served our country as Crew Chief in the United States Air Force. Dr. Goodwin earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Jackson State University, a master’s degree in higher education administration from Mississippi College and a doctorate degree in urban higher education from Jackson State University.  He was a 2023 honoree of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Higher Education Administration master’s program at Mississippi College. His professional affiliations include Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honor Society, Association of Christians in Student Development, and Mississippi Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers.

Wesson’s Board of Aldermen is continuing to allocate funds from the Blue Cross Blue Shield $100,000 Home Town grant for municipal park improvements, including, most recently, lighting and extension of the walking track, while work on the war memorial and garden in the park remains on hold pending additional donations. In other recent actions, the Aldermen: ·         Increased fees for water and sewage taps from $500 to $750 per tap. ·         Approved sale of the former Police Department headquarters building to Carlos and Abbey Garcia for $45,000. ·         Commended graduation of Police Officer Brandon O’Quinn from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy (MLEOTA), which provides based and advanced classes for state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. ·         Accepted resignation of Police Officer Andrew Reactor and approved hiring of Norma Cohn as a full-time police officer in training. ·         Authorized emergency work on the town water tower by Dungan Engineering for $7,500. ·         Approved attendance of the Mayor, Town Clerk, Public Works Director and Aldermen at the June 24-27 Mississippi Municipal League conference. For upcoming meetings, Mayor Alton Shaw placed two items on the agenda of the Aldermen: ·         Review of current election maps and required redistricting. ·         Need for a code enforcement officer.

At one time or another, most drivers have been stuck in traffic behind a pickup truck carrying a load that isn’t tied down or secured in any way. Being in this situation doesn’t feel safe, and it isn’t. Improperly secured, or unsecured, objects in the back or on top of a vehicle can cause accidents, injuries and even death. Safety is the top priority of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), which is why MDOT recognizes June 6 as “Secure Your Load Day.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each year, about 730 people are killed and 17,000 more are injured because of objects on the road. The great majority of these accidents involve unsecured loads on passenger vehicles. In addition to safety hazards, debris from unsecured loads contributes to roadside litter which costs Mississippi more than $3 million per year to remove. “Just as you protect yourself by buckling your seatbelt, protect others on the road by ensuring that everything in the back of your truck is sufficiently tied or weighted down,” said Brad White, MDOT Executive Director. “By simply taking a little extra time to secure your load, you can keep others safe, reduce roadside litter and avoid legal consequences.” Motorists responsible for debris from unsecured loads could face fines up to $500 and up to six months in prison. MDOT offers the following tips to safeguard your load: Tie down the load with rope, netting or straps. Tie large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer. Cover the entire load with a sturdy tarp. Don’t overload the vehicle. Always double check the load to make sure it is secure. Use safety chains when hauling trailers. “Secure Your Load Day” is part of a nationwide effort of the Governors Highway Safety Association to raise awareness about the dangers of debris falling from vehicles. It was spearheaded by Robin Abel whose daughter was blinded by a piece of particle board that flew from the back of a moving trailer on Interstate 405 in Seattle, Wash. To learn more about travel safety, visit GoMDOT.com/DriveSmartMS, download the MDOT Traffic mobile app and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.

By Bob Garver “Garfield and Friends,” based on comic strips by Jim Davis, was one of my favorite cartoons growing up. With all due respect to the show’s talented writers and other voice actors, the best thing about the show was Lorenzo Music’s performance as the title tabby. Music’s voice, which somehow always sounded like a yawn, was the perfect fit for a character that spent every waking moment wishing he wasn’t awake. Yes, Garfield would engage in frenzied eating, especially of lasagna, but that was mostly handled with whooshing noises from the sound effects team. Otherwise, Garfield, with Music’s voice, was the personification (cat-ification?) of laziness. I take this moment to applaud Music as Garfield because I have nothing but negative things to say about Chris Pratt as the character in “The Garfield Movie.” The guy just doesn’t have it in him to sound that lazy. It’s not like he doesn’t have experience playing lazy. He was always something of slacker as Star-Lord and his “Parks and Recreation” character spent most of the first season milking an injury. But here, he always sounds like he’s up for an adventure. The movie around him isn’t much of a winner anyway, but it’s already off on the wrong paw when Garfield doesn’t sound like Garfield. The story opens with a glimpse into Garfield’s days as a kitten, when he was left in an alley by his father Vic (Samuel L. Jackson) and found his way to Jon (Nicholas Hoult), his doormat of an owner. The household soon adds loyal dog Odie (Harvey Guillen, limited to dog noises) and the pets live in sedentary luxury. Of course, something has to happen to keep Garfield from enjoying complacency, and one night he finds himself cat-napped, as opposed to indulging in a cat nap. He and Odie are brought to a hideout where they meet the long-absent Vic. But Vic isn’t their captor, he’s very much on a short leash himself. The operation is actually headed by feline crime boss Jinx (Hannah Waddingham) and her hench-cats Roland (Brett Goldstein) and Nolan (Bowen Yang). She has a vendetta against Vic for abandoning her during a milk heist at a farm (sadly not Jim Davis’s “U.S. Acres,” though I would have loved that crossover) years earlier. But Vic can repay his debt if he, Garfield, and Odie can pull off the same heist now, with the farm having stronger security. The three reluctantly take on the assignment, even though Garfield and Odie are pampered housepets and Garfield and Vic’s relationship is sorely strained. The rest of the movie is an adventure-comedy that could be filled by characters from any franchise with a spoiled lead lacking in skills and street smarts. The only thing that makes it recognizable as “Garfield” is that Odie, to the movie’s credit, is as awesome as ever with his ingenuity and unwavering friendship. A few physical gags work, and there are some scene-stealing moments from the villains and a bull voiced by Ving Rhames (I took twisted delight in the very idea of the Arby’s pitchman voicing future roast beef). But every time there’s a string of solid gags or decent action, the miscast Pratt will open his mouth and I’ll be reminded that this movie has a major flaw at a fundamental level. “The Garfield Movie” is mostly middling, brought down by how much Pratt pales in comparison to Lorenzo Music. At least it has the decency to be wholly animated, as opposed to the Bill Murray movies where the environment was live-action and Garfield was a CGI abomination. The new movie is never “that” painful, but it doesn’t strike me as anyone’s best work either. I guess what I’m saying is that this movie, while it could have been worse, is lazy – and not in a way that’s on-brand for Garfield. Grade: C- “The Garfield Movie” is rated PG for action/peril and mild thematic elements. Its running time is 101 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

WAC Open Door Wesson Baptist Church Wesson Public Library hosted children from Wesson Attendance kindergarten and first grade, the Open Door School and the Wesson Baptist Church pre-school program during National Library Week April 7-13. At the special programs for each group of children, Wesson Friends of the Library volunteers read to them and guided them games towards introducing them the library as an ongoing resource to use as grow into adults and need help in work and recreation throughout their lives. National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role of libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities. The theme of 2024 National Library Week was “Ready, Set, Library!” as the umbrella for promoting the idea that in our online world, libraries help in connecting with others, learning new skills, and focusing on what matters most.

You may have been racing to get out of your marriage. Couldn’t hardly wait until your signature was still wet on that divorce decree. Maybe. Maybe not. Instead, maybe you were one of those spouses who fought desperately to hold on to your marriage, but lost it anyway. But now, like it or not, a divorce is in your rear-view mirror. And as you drove away from that part of your life, celebrating or sobbing, you very likely discovered something. That no matter how long and how far you drive, it’s still there. In that mirror every time you dare to raise your eyes and look. There’s a reason for that. Memories. Feelings. Reverberations of moments suddenly surfacing in your mind. Divorce doesn’t cause these to simply evaporate into thin air, to never surface in your current life again. Quite to the contrary, they’re a part of you. Just as much as your lungs, your brain, and your liver. If your memories contain happiness, then you probably experience pain. From knowing you lost the source of those memories. But if your memories that suddenly surface are angry, hurtful ones – well, you also will experience pain. From reluctantly reliving that part of your life. Whatever way that it entered your life, you know this. Divorce. Carries. Pain. And if there are children from your lost marriage, the heartache is so much deeper. One of you becomes the day-to-day hands-on parent for the child, the one who carries the heavier responsibility when childhood illnesses hit, who has to balance work/single parenting, dole out discipline, and be the constant understanding loving presence when your child is going through tough times. What about the other parent? The one who is only closely intertwined in the child’s life via scheduled visits, phone calls, texts, and letters. The parent who may feel like they lost out in a lot of ways, no matter the huge effort and hard work they may put into being an out-of-the-home Dad or Mom. And there is another genuinely difficult part of co-parenting. Where two people, who’ve decided it’s impossible get along in marriage, have to slog through their differences, work together on scheduling, smile tightly when they’d rather indulge in angry yelling, and hopefully refrain from cutting their ex-spouse down in front of Junior. Difficult act to pull off, having to play nice-nice with the very person you often wished in the grave. Then there is often remarriage in the picture. To someone who may bring their own children and heartaches from their former marriage. Also, what if a new baby comes from your new marriage? Now you are dealing with ‘yours, mine, and ours.’ And remember, that stressful twist of ‘yours, mine, and ours has two perspectives – yours and your new spouse. So much pain. If your rear-view mirror is still clear right now, work on your existing marriage and pray hard. Before this can happen to you.

With the help of Co-Lin English Instructor Glenda Silverii, eight Institute for Learning in Retirement workshop participants joined the ranks of poets last month. Silverii guided them in producing poems in the Japanese Haiku form, introducing them to its general rules and helping them choose their themes draft initial poems, craft and refine them. To get them started, she inspired them with a couple exampled of classic haiku to show them how a poem looks and sounds and stimulate ideas about their own writing.  Then she put them to work. As the starting point, Silverii armed the with six haiku basics: ·         Stick as close as possible to 17 syllables, written across three lines with a 5-7-5 pattern. ·         Use punctuation if your haiku requires a pause or break in rhythm. ·         Include words or phrases that symbolize bigger concepts, such as “autumn moonlight” for old age. ·         Keep to universal themes rather than personal feelings. ·         Focus on one single thought. ·         Create juxtaposed images for contrast or surprise. “While poems that do no more than describe nature can be beautiful, try to find a broader meaning behind the image you are portraying,” she urged.  “A butterfly emerging from its chrysalis signifies transformation and rebirth. A winding road disappearing into the horizon represents a scary journey. A flickering candle flame signals the fragility of life.” With a general idea, imagery, and a broad theme in mind, the writing can begin, she said.  “It is not particularly important to count syllables at this stage,” she explained.  “Just write a sentence that captures what you want to say.  Play with different words, word combinations, and punctuation.  Try to identify some short phrases that evoke strong images.” Next, the emerging poets selected best words and phrases from the ones in their draft haikus.  If it is more than 17 syllables, it needs to be shortened, Silverii noted.  Insert punctuation to separate images from each other and break up the poem, if needed, she advised. “With the poem in hand, read it aloud to yourself to check whether it flows and whether it has a pleasant rhythm,” she counseled. “If some words are too long or short, browse a thesaurus to find alternatives.  If you have a friend or relative who reads poetry, run it by them and ask for their honest opinion. In particular, ask them whether your images and themes are fresh.”

By Kara Kimbrough Disclaimer: I’m a big supporter of restaurants. I enjoy visiting and writing about them, especially family-owned ones. And on occasion, I frequent fast food places. But as you’ve likely heard from news reports on the state of the economy, fast food and some restaurant prices have risen along with most other food items. While I’m not advocating a boycott of any business that's struggling to survive, I can offer a temporary solution to the problem... Until the economy stabilizes, make your own fast-food and restaurant takeout favorites. No judgement, please: Hardee’s, Raising Cane’s and Krystal are the primary places I frequent when time is short and I need to eat something NOW. This is especially true when I’m on the road and in a hurry. Hardee’s burgers are usually hot, thick and juicy and are served on buns that don’t fall apart. Raising Cane’s combo of fried chicken tenders, fries and bread, along with its famous Cane’s sauce, is probably not the healthiest choice, but I defy anyone who says it's not absolutely delicious. And Krystal’s iconic burgers need no explanation or justification…they’re simply addictive. I stand firm on that statement. I haven’t figured out a way to replicate my favorites, but have collected a few fast-food and takeout copycat recipes that actually taste better and are probably healthier when made at home. Until prices level off (we can dream, right?), I’ll periodically share a few of my favorite copycat recipes. To get things started, here are three classics that are easy to throw together, require minimal cooking time in a hot kitchen and if I do say so myself, taste as good (in some cases, better) than the take-out version. Two Varieties of the BEST Homemade Pizza Pizza crust mix (can be found in a box or package at most supermarkets in the baking aisle or in the dairy case next to canned biscuits) OR you can use premade pizza crust 1 pound of mozzarella (can use either fresh or packaged/grated variety Olive oil Toppings: Pizza sauce (homemade or store bought), pepperoni slices, sliced ham, pesto (homemade or store bought), sundried tomatoes Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray round pizza pan with cooking spray (I like Cuisinart’s pizza pan instead of a stone). Make pizza crust according to the variety you’re using. If using a mix, most require time to rise. To make the crust extra crispy, roll dough ball in a little olive oil before rolling out. Roll out dough and place on pan, extending to edges. I brush olive oil around the edges to make it extra crispy. If the package directions say dough needs prebaking, bake accordingly. I usually don’t prebake crusts when using a mix. Pepperoni: Spread pizza sauce over top of crust, followed by mozzarella (use as much or little as you’d like). Cover top thoroughly with pepperoni, then bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes, watching carefully to make sure it doesn’t burn. Ham and pesto: Spread pesto over crust, followed by mozzarella. Bake in oven for a few minutes, then remove and add sliced ham pieces and sun-dried tomatoes. Return to oven and bake for remainder of time. Easy Takeout-Style Beef and Broccoli 1 pound flank steak 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 3-4 cups broccoli florets, defrosted if using frozen Sauce ingredients: 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup (packed) brown sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger 4 cloves garlic, minced Cooked rice (prepare beforehand, as the dish itself cooks quickly) Seasonings to taste: crushed red pepper flakes, ground black pepper or your favorites To prep the steak, trim off any fat and slice across the grain into thin bite-size pieces. Add sauce ingredients to a bowl and whisk together thoroughly. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet over high heat. Let the pan heat up for a few minutes. Add the broccoli and cook for 4-5 minutes, tossing/stirring often. Transfer to a plate. Add the remaining tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet. Add the beef in a single layer and let cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir/flip it with cooking tongs and cook for a couple more minutes or until cooked to desired doneness. Due to its thinness, meat will cook fast and will easily overcook. Add broccoli back to the pan and pour the sauce in. Stir/toss until coated and the sauce has thickened (about 1-3 minutes). Take the skillet off the heat and serve immediately over cooked rice. Homemade Chicken Fried Rice and Vegetables 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce divided, plus additional to taste 2 tablespoons canola oil or peanut oil, divided 1-pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (bite-sized 1-inch pieces) 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 large eggs, lightly beaten 3 cups chopped fresh vegetables of choice (if using frozen Asian-style, thaw completely) 12- ounces frozen peas and carrots, thawed 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 1/2 cups COLD cooked brown rice (make ahead and refrigerate) 4 medium green onions, chopped Seasonings: crushed pepper flakes, hot sauce of choice (optional) Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter and swirl to coat bottom of pan. Add eggs, cook without stirring, about 20 seconds. Using spatula, scramble and break the eggs into small, bite-sized pieces. Continue to cook, stirring constantly now, until eggs are just cooked through. Transfer eggs to a bowl and set aside. Wipe the skillet clean. Return skillet to the heat and increase the heat to high. Let the skillet warm, about 1 minute. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and swirl to coat. Add chicken and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove to the bowl with the eggs. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Add the fresh vegetables and cook until they are crisp-tender, 4-5 minutes. Add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter and peas and carrots. Cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds (do not let garlic burn!). Add the brown rice and the soy sauce. Continue cooking, stirring constantly and breaking up any rice clumps, until the mixture is heated through, about 2 minutes. Add the reserved eggs/chicken and green onions. Cook and stir until the mixture is completely heated through, about 1 minute more. Season with red pepper flakes or dash of hot sauce (optional) and additional soy sauce as desired. Kara Kimbrough is a syndicated food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Town Clerk Angela Hester is packing her bags again to attend the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) annual conference, where she will acquire the knowledge and hone the skills she needs to serve Wesson as one of the to professionals in role in the municipal government. Hester will join colleagues from throughout the world from Sunday, May 19, through Wednesday, May 22, at IIMC’s 78th annual conference in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The conference at Calgary’s Telus Center and in the Marriott Hotel features educational tracks, including Academy and Advanced Academy sessions and Athenian Leadership Society Dialogue discussions around topical books.  The conference agenda also includes an opening night networking reception, an annual banquet, a vendors and sponsors exhibit, a roundtable discussion with state, provincial and national association presidents, meetings of the IIMC directors and foundation boards and orientations for first-time delegates and committee leadership. IIMC is the premier organization for Municipal Clerks.  Founded in 1947, it has 75 years of experience improving their professionalism, with more than 15,000 members representing towns, small municipalities and large urban jurisdictions of more than several million people.  IIMC is affiliated with 49 U.S. and nine Canadian Associations. Among topics in the IIMC Academy sessions will be collaboration, negotiating, diversity, ethics, artificial intelligence, networking, leadership and job-related politics.  Books on the Athenian Leadership Society Dialogue agenda are Unbroken, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, Meet Me at the Lake and Five Little Indians.

Commissioner Willie Simmons, Chairman of the Mississippi Transportation Commission, has announced updates to several Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects across central Mississippi. “Work across central Mississippi is progressing nicely, showing your tax dollars hard at work,” said Simmons. “As these projects continue to make headway, the safety and mobility of our state’s infrastructure increases. Please slow down and stay alert for roadside crews working to see these projects through.” Mill and overlay underway on Jackson area interstates A critical mill and overlay project continues on I-20 and parts of I-55 and I-220. Work consists of removing open-graded friction course (OGFC) pavement on interstates in the Jackson-metro area. This includes I-20 from McRaven Rd. to the I-20/I-55 split and from the I-20/I-55 split to east of State Route 468, along with I-55 throughout Hinds County. After milling work takes place, crews are placing a one-inch overlay to smooth out riding conditions for motorists in Jackson. To limit traffic impact, crews are performing work via overnight lane closures. Some paving operations will take place on the weekends if weather permits to further expedite the work. “This segment of the interstate system has received its share of complaints, and I am grateful that we’re able to make this ride a safer and smoother one,” said Simmons. “During work hours, please stay alert for signage and give our crews enough space to complete this critical improvement project as quickly and safely as possible.” The $14 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. Work is anticipated to wrap up by the end of the summer. State Route 19 expansion progresses in Neshoba County A major expansion project along 4.6 miles of State Route 19 from Tucker to Philadelphia in Neshoba County is making progress. The project expands SR 19 from two to four lanes. Phase I construction is complete. Phase II work is underway. Work includes clearing, grubbing and milling the southbound lanes of SR 19, removing old box culverts and bridges and constructing box culverts and bridges. Crews are also working on pipe placement, realigning county roads and paving ditches. Phase III will place traffic in the four-lane configuration, place the final lift of asphalt and provide permanent striping. The $36 million contract was awarded to W.G. Yates and Sons Construction of Philadelphia. Remaining work is expected to wrap up later this year. U.S. 80 bridge repair underway in Rankin County A bridge repair on U.S. 80 westbound over the CPKS railroad between Marquette Rd. and I-20 in Brandon is underway. Officials closed the inside lane of the bridge earlier this month after discovering rusted steel girders during a recent bridge inspection. The repair process is underway, which includes design, fabrication and installation of beams. The westbound inside lane of U.S. 80 is currently closed as a precautionary measure to reduce the load on the structure while allowing crews to assess, design and complete the repair. “Rest assured, we are working to expedite this process and get the lane reopened as quickly as possible,” said Simmons. “Once the steel plates are fabricated and shipped, the repair process itself will not take long. Until then, please be patient, slow down and watch out for roadside crews at or near the bridge.” Officials anticipate reopening the inside lane of U.S. 80 westbound in June 2024. I-20 mill and overlay underway in Scott County A mill and overlay of 17 miles of I-20 from the Rankin County line to 0.25 miles east of State Route 501 is underway in Scott County. The scope of work includes repairing failed areas in the existing pavement, pressure grouting and repair of longitudinal joints, removal of debris from existing drainage structures, tree clearing, replacement of deficient guardrail, upgrading traffic signal detection to radar at the State Route 35 interchange, epoxy repairs and resealing joints on various bridges throughout the project. Construction signs are in place and pressure grouting is complete. Failed area repair, clearing and fence repair efforts are underway. The $28.2 million contract was awarded to APAC-MS. The anticipated completed date is summer 2025. Bridge repairs on I-55 underway in Madison County A project is underway to repair each I-55 bridge over U.S. 51 and CNIC railroad in Madison County. The scope of the repairs includes replacement of bridge bearings, repair of spalled areas with epoxy mortar, installation of hybrid polymer concrete overlay, re-sealing of bridge joints and fencing installation. Temporary construction signs are in place to alert the public of the overnight lane closures. Bearing pad replacements, epoxy repairs and cleaning of bridge caps are complete. Crews will install the hybrid polymer concrete overlay next. Alternating lane closures are scheduled to be present the next two weekends to allow for the concrete overlay. The $2.4 million contract was awarded to Key, LLC and is anticipated to be complete this fall. Mill and overlay continues on U.S. 49 in Rankin County A major mill and overlay of 9.2 miles of U.S. 49 from the Simpson County line to just south of Florence is underway. Work includes repairing failed areas, releveling underlying concrete pavement with pressure grouting, widening the turn lanes at Star Rd. and upgrading deficient guardrail. Milling and paving operations have begun on the northbound right lane of U.S. 49 starting at the Simpson County line. Crews have completed pressure grouting concrete in failed areas, turn lane widening at Star Rd. and Eagle Post Rd. and the ditch repair south of Star Rd. The $11.4 million project was awarded to APAC-MS, Inc. of Jackson. Lane closures will take place overnight to limit traffic impact. Remaining work is expected to wrap up spring 2025. Bridge replacements underway on State Route 397 in Kemper County A project is underway to replace two bridges on State Route 397 between State Route 16 and the Winston County line in Kemper County. Clearing and grubbing efforts are complete. Both substructures of the bridges have been completed and the contractor has completed hauling of base material for the roadbed. Both bridge decks and rails are complete. Crews are working to dress slopes and get the stone base to grade. Paving operations are scheduled to begin next week. Remaining work is on track to be complete this summer. The $8.9 million contract was awarded to Cotton Creek Transport, Inc. of Laurel. Pavement restoration of I-20 begins in western Hinds County Another pavement restoration project on I-20 is underway in Hinds County. This project includes 16 miles of interstate from the Warren County line to the Natchez Trace Parkway. The scope of work includes milling and overlaying the existing OGFC pavement, repairing failed areas in underlying concrete pavement, fiber reinforced polymer patching of spalls in the existing concrete pavement and upgrading deficient guardrail. Crews are currently paving, widening ramps and improving guardrail. The $9.9 million project was awarded to Superior Asphalt of Byram. Work is expected to wrap up this fall. Mill and overlay of State Route 16 nears completion in Leake County A project consisting of the mill and overlay of five miles of State Route 16 from the Madison County line to west of State Route 25 in Leake County is nearing completion. Failed areas have been corrected, and guardrail replacement along with mill and overlay operations are complete. Permanent striping is underway. Remaining work will wrap up this summer. The $2.8 million project was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. Intersection improvements underway on U.S. 51 in Madison County Work is underway on a project that will improve the intersection of U.S. 51 and Green Oak Ln. in Madison County. The improvements consist of widening the roadways, installing intersection channelization and a traffic signal system. Earthwork, curb and gutter operations are underway. Islands have been poured along the west side, and the placement of stone and preliminary lift of asphalt has begun. The project will help provide the U.S. 51 tie-in necessary for the adjacent Reunion Parkway. The $2.2 million contract was awarded to prime contractor Hemphill Construction Company, Inc. of Florence. Work is expected to wrap up late fall 2024. Mill and overlay of State Route 27 in Hinds County A mill and overlay of 11 miles of State Route 27 from the Copiah County line to State Route 18 recently got underway. The scope of work includes repairing failed areas and damaged drainage pipes, replacing deficient traffic signs and upgrading deficient guardrail. Crews have completed placing riprap along several culverts throughout the project limits and have finished repairing failed areas and damaged drainage pipes. Milling and paving operations are underway. Remaining work is on track to be completed by the end of the summer. The $4.7 million project was awarded to APAC-MS. Mill and overlay of State Route 469 set to begin in Rankin County A mill and overlay of 9.5 miles of State Route 469 from Florence to State Route 468 will soon get started in Rankin County. The scope of work includes repairing failed areas, upgrading deficient signage, cross drain repairs, upgrading signal detection and resealing bridge joints. The $5.5 million contract was awarded to Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. The estimated completion date is spring 2025. “I’d like to thank the MDOT staff and contractors for their commitment and superb job performance,” said Simmons. “Again, please slow down and stay alert for our crews working to improve our infrastructure daily. Let’s work together to pave our way to a brighter and more connected Mississippi by traveling safely.” Work zone safety Highway work zones are meant to protect the traveling public and workers on the side of the road. Work zones present new traffic patterns and configurations that may be unfamiliar to motorists. For information about how to navigate highway work zones safely, visit GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms. MDOT project website Stay up to date on MDOT’s significant, active projects by visiting GoMDOT.com/Projects. The webpage provides up-to-date information on project timelines, progress and any potential road closures or detours that may be associated with the project. For more information about these and other MDOT maintenance and construction projects, download the free MDOT Traffic mobile app, visit MDOTtraffic.com and like and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.

By Guest Cooking Columnist Charles Fortson, Jr. The spice shelf at your supermarket presents an array of choices that be confusing at very least if not scary for cooks who want to make their meals flavorful, but not overpowered with spiciness. In fact, adding flavor to meats and vegetables is relatively simple with a few basic seasonings and techniques.  In the process, you will also make your meals healthier by making them come alive: 1.       Flavorful meals, ironically, start before even adding spices by not overcooking them.  Even the most flavorful spices cannot save soggy vegetables or overdone, nearly burnt, meats. 2.       If you aren’t using heart-healthy olive oil for cooking, switch to it. 3.       Use the right kind of salt and pepper.  Replace black pepper with red cayenne pepper.  It has good flavor, a higher heat level, but really isn’t hot.  Any gravy can benefit from cayenne pepper.  As a bonus, it’s heart-healthy.  Replace table salt with sea salt with iodine or Celtic salt.  Both are more flavorful, and heart-healthy as well. 4.       Onions and garlic help anything you’re cooking -- both vegetables and meats -- and, again, makes what you’re eating healthier. 5.       Cajun seasoning (there are lots of brands) helps all meats -- beef, pork and chicken. 6.       For meats to absorb seasoning before cooking, marinate them in a liquid (juice, Jack Daniels, Italian dressing olive oil, milk, yogurt, etc.) and seasonings.  Marinate beef overnight (24 hours) in a refrigerated bag; or use a marinade spread over seafood, 15 to 30 minutes; boneless chicken, 2 hours; pork loin, 4 hours; and lamb , 4 hours to 8 hours.  I like to cook pork with Cajun seasoning, paprika and fresh garlic and onions (or garlic and onion powder) without marinating it. 7.       Use chicken broth or bullion when boiling meats and vegetables, particularly for rice and soups. 8.       With most soups, add cream of chicken or mushroom soup to make them more flavorful. 9.       Season to taste.  The top chefs season as they cook, taste testing and tweaking their dishes at least six times.  Balance the seasoning so nothing is overpowering.  Watch salt particularly.  Salt lightly and add more with caution as seems to be necessary. Incorporate these seasoning tips into your cooking, and your family will thank you! EDITOR’S NOTE:  Charles Fortson, Jr., is proprietor-chef at Uncle Ray’s across from Lake Lincoln State Park.  He makes lunches and dinners to take out or for table service, while also operating a convenience store and bait shop at his Sunset Road location.  Follow his cooking tips on Uncle Ray’s Facebook page or call 601-643-0174 to check on his daily specials.