Special to The Bolton News Bolton-Edwards Elementary/Middle School parents and guardians have a special opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of their children’s teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4th–May 8th. This dedicated week is a time to pause, reflect, and intentionally show gratitude for the educators who work tirelessly to support, guide, and inspire students every day. Teachers play a vital role in shaping not only academic success but also

Special to The Bolton News The Town of Bolton is pleased to announce continued improvements aimed at enhancing both infrastructure and quality of life for residents. A major upgrade is currently underway with the installation of new LED street lighting throughout the community. Crews are actively working to convert all existing streetlights to energy-efficient LED fixtures. Once completed, this upgrade will provide brighter and more consistent lighting across neighborhoods, i

Tommy Earl "T Dog" Kelly, Sr. May 30, 1962 - April 16, 2026 62 Years of age Mr. Tommy Earl Kelly, Sr., 62, was born on May 30, 1962 to Archie Kelly & Robbie Mae Jordan Kelly in Bolton, MS. Tommy passed April 16, 2026 in Learned, MS. Funeral Arrangements: Public Viewing: Friday, April 24, 2026, 1:00-7:00 PM, Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home (Jackson), 3580 Robinson Road, Jackson Funeral Service: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 11:00 AM, Chapel Hill M.B. Church, 5137 N. Chapel Hill Ro

A small business is bringing energy, economic impact, and community connection to the Pearl community. Vintage Market Days® of Mississippi, owned and operated by past Rankin County residents Chris and Jana Fuss, returns to Pearl April 17 - 19, 2026, at the Clyde Muse Center with a three-day, vintage-inspired community market that supports small businesses and tourism. While Vintage Market Days® is nationally recognized, this event is independently owned. “This event goes bey

Special to The Bolton News The town of Bolton will come together in a spirit of unity and reverence for the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 7. Set to begin at 12:20 p.m., the gathering will take place in the parking lot of Bolton City Hall, located at 209 Raymond Bolton Road. This moment of prayer offers an opportunity for residents, families, and community leaders to pause in the middle of their day and reflect on faith, purpose, and the strength found in coming toge

Special to The Bolton News The Mayor and Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m., and the evening will include a special recognition for a Bolton native who has made a significant impact in collegiate athletics. During the meeting, the Town of Bolton will honor Ashley Robinson, a proud Bolton native who serves as Vice President and Director of Athletics at Jackson State University. Robinson has built a respected career in athletic admin

Special to The Bolton News The Town of Bolton will soon celebrate one of its own with a special evening of recognition and gratitude. On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, during the Bolton Town Board meeting, Ashley Robinson, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Jackson State University and a proud Bolton native, will be honored with a Proclamation and presented with the Key to the City. This recognition reflects not only Robinson’s professional accomplishments, but also the exa

Special to The Bolton News Hinds Community College President Dr. Stephen Vacik and Hinds County School District Superintendent Mitchell Shears on March 30, 2026 sign a partnership agreement to kick off Early College Academy in the fall on the Hinds CC Utica Campus. Hinds Community College and Hinds County School District (HCSD) have established an Early College Academy on the college's Utica campus that will provide high schoolers with a faster path to a postsecondary educati

Richard Lee Smith, Jr. April 17, 1982 - March 26, 2026 43 Years of age "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV Robert Lee Smith, Jr. was born on April 17, 1982 to Mr. Richard Lee Smith, Sr. and Martha Smith in Hinds County, Mississippi. He enjoyed playing basketball and spending time with family and friends. He departed this life on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Arrangements

Special to The Bolton News Second Sundays at St. Mary’s will continue in April with a special Easter season concert featuring the renowned alumni Utica Jubilee Singers. The concert, titled “An Easter Season Blessing,” will be held April 12 at 3 p.m. and will bring an afternoon of music, worship and fellowship to the community. The program will feature the Utica Jubilee Singers under the direction of Dr. Bobby Cooper, a respected conductor known for his leadership and dedicati

The USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) is proud to announce the launch of a special Official Artist & Poster Contest in honor of its 50th anniversary , to be celebrated during the next competition cycle, June 12–26, 2027 , in Jackson, Mississippi. This milestone event marks five decades of artistic excellence and the 13th time the official USA IBC will be hosted in its long-standing home city. Since the inaugural USA IBC in 1979, each competition has been

Special to The Bolton News The magic of pure imagination is coming to town as the Amiable Arts Foundation presents Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory this April at Bolton Edwards Middle School. Set for two performances, the beloved story will take the stage on Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m. and Friday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m., offering local families and theater lovers a chance to experience the timeless adventure right in the heart of Bolton. Held at Bolton Edwards Middle

Special to The Bolton News Rosie Lee "Poom" Taylor November 21, 1957 - March 14, 2026 68 Years of age Ms. Rosie Lee Taylor, affectionately known as “Poom,” was born on November 21, 1957, in Bolton, Mississippi, to the late Clyde Taylor, Sr. and Daisy Bell Strong Taylor. She departed this life on March 14, 2026, in Jackson, Mississippi, at the age of 68. Rosie was a lifelong resident of Hinds County and a graduate of Raymond High School, Class of 1975. She was known for her qu

Special to The Bolton News Tucked quietly along Interstate 20, Bolton may seem like just another small Mississippi town—but beneath its modest appearance lies a rich and often overlooked history shaped by railroads, resilience, and generations of community pride. Long before modern traffic passed by at highway speed, Bolton was a vital stop along the railroad line that helped connect rural Mississippi to larger markets. The town’s early growth was fueled by agriculture and tr

Special to The Bolton News The Bolton Baptist Church will host its popular Farmers Market and Animal Swap on Saturday, March 21, from 8 a.m. to noon, offering residents of Bolton, Mississippi and the surrounding area a unique opportunity to buy, sell, or trade livestock in a friendly, small-town setting. The Animal Swap portion of the event features a variety of animals, including chickens, rabbits, goats, and other small farm animals. It’s designed to be a welcoming environ

Special to The Bolton News The Town of Bolton has announced that Hinds County has been selected to receive a Congressional Direct Spending Award totaling $975,000 to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the facility located at 109 Sharon Street. The building previously housed the Hinds County Department of Human Services and has long been a recognizable property within the community. Town officials say the funding will allow for major improvements to the structure

Special to The Bolton News Bolton, Mississippi, is quiet today. But in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the sounds rising from its fields, porches, and juke joints would ripple far beyond Hinds County — shaping the very foundation of American blues. Just outside town stands a Mississippi Blues Trail marker honoring Charley Patton, widely regarded as one of the architects of Delta blues. Born near Bolton in the 1890s, Patton developed a raw, driving guitar style and a c

Special to The Bolton News The Town of Bolton will gather Tuesday evening to officially welcome its newly elected Ward 2 Alderman, Thomas “Meatboy” Warren, as he takes the oath of office and begins his term of service. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., immediately followed by the regularly scheduled Board of Aldermen meeting at 6:00 p.m. The event marks an important moment for Ward 2 and for the town as a whole, as Warren formally

Special to The Bolton News Thomas “Meatboy” Warren has been officially certified as the new Alderman for Ward 2 following the special election held Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The election was called to fill the unexpired term left vacant by the passing of longtime Alderwoman Helen Harris, whose years of service left a lasting imprint on both the ward and the City of Bolton. In a closely contested three-way race, Warren received 24 of the 50 votes cast to secure the seat. Wil

As a reminder, Mississippians need to be aware of upcoming important dates and deadlines for the 2026 Primary Election for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on March 10. Visit the My Election Day portal to receive election information tailored to your specific address, including a sample ballot. As you type your address into the system, similar addresses should populate. Simply click on yours to get started. Mississippians are encouraged to educate themselves on