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 steps into his role representing residents and working alongside town leadership. In small communities like Bolton, local government plays a direct role in shaping everyday life. Decisions made during board meetings affect infrastructure, public services, community development, and the overall direction of the town. The oath of office represents a commitment to uphold those responsibilities with integrity and dedication. Residents are encouraged to attend the ceremony and remain for the board meeting to show their support and engagement. Community involvement remains one of Bolton’s greatest strengths, and moments like this reflect the shared investment in the town’s future. As Thomas “Meatboy” Warren begins his service to Ward 2, the community has the opportunity to come together in unity and pride. Bolton remains strong when its citizens show up, support one another, and take part in the civic life that keeps the town moving forward.

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. William Wood finished with 15 votes, and Lendell Mack, Jr. received 11. The narrow margin highlighted the importance of each ballot and reflected the strong interest among residents in selecting the person who will complete the remainder of Harris’ term. With the results now certified, Warren will step into the role immediately, assuming the responsibilities of representing Ward 2 and participating in the work of the board of aldermen. Because the election fills an unexpired term, his service will continue through the remainder of the term that voters originally entrusted to Harris. The special election was held under the shadow of the community’s loss. Harris was widely known for her steady presence, her accessibility to residents, and her dedication to the everyday needs of the ward. Her tenure helped shape the direction of Ward 2 through consistent involvement and a deep sense of care for the people she represented. For many, the election was not only about choosing a successor, but also about ensuring that the standard she set would continue. The turnout of 50 voters, while modest in number, carried significant meaning in a race decided by just a handful of votes. The outcome demonstrated the direct impact of local participation and the value of every voice in municipal government. As Warren prepares to take his seat, he does so at a moment of transition for the ward. His role will be to carry forward the work already in progress while honoring the legacy created by Harris’ years of public service. The certification of the election results marks both the conclusion of a necessary process and the beginning of a new chapter for Ward 2, one rooted in continuity, community trust, and respect for the foundation that has been laid.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB Christian music biopic “I Can Only Imagine” had a surprising performance at the domestic box office back in 2018. The film made $83 million despite never finishing above the #3 position on any given weekend. While it never escaped the shadow of “Black Panther,” which beat it every weekend, it did manage to ultimately outdo the Alicia Vikander “Tomb Raider” and badly-received kaiju sequel “Pacific Rim: Uprising,” both of which had better weekends in their respective debuts in the film’s first two weeks. The film did well because it had stamina and passionate support. Now sequel “I Can Only Imagine 2” has also debuted in the #3 position, behind the second weekends of both “Wuthering Heights” and “GOAT.” Will it have the stamina and support to pull off a similarly impressive showing? Probably not, but only time will tell. I did not see the first film, but I understand that it ended with songwriter Bart Millard (J. Michael Finley) penning one of the biggest Christian crossover hits of all time following the death of his abusive, yet redemption-seeking father (Dennis Quaid). Millard starts this film by assuring us that his story did not end with his achieving financial success in the early 2000’s. Life went on, and as life does, and it contained hardship. In the wake of the song’s success, Bart and his wife Shannon (Sophie Skelton, taking over the role from Madeline Carroll) have a scare when their son Sam suffers a diabetes-related seizure. He’ll have to spend the rest of his life receiving regular insulin injections, which scare him tremendously. Ten years later, in the early 2010’s, Sam (Sammy Dell) is a sullen teenager, while Bart and Shannon, having had four more children, aren’t as financially stable as they once were. Brick (Trace Adkins), manager of Bart’s band MercyMe, informs them that their upcoming tour is in jeopardy due to the headliner pulling out. The tour can continue with MercyMe as headliners, but they’ll need a new opening act. With curiously no time given to the decision-making process, the film introduces Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia), a struggling musician with a loving wife (Arielle Kebbel), an obsession with hymn “It Is Well With My Soul,” and a suspicious gratitude for every day that suggests he has been told his days are numbered. Bart, Tim, and the rest of MercyMe go on tour, with Sam tagging along to spend some quality time with his dad. Though Tim and Sam get along well, with the professional even inviting the aspiring musician to perform with him, the relationship between Bart and Sam is fraught with tension. Bart needs Sam to take his insulin shots on schedule, and Sam wants to avoid them at all costs. Bart wonders if he’s being a monster by “hurting” Sam, the way his father was a monster by hurting him. The film treats this insecurity like a legitimate question, but… the answer is no. Flat no. Bart’s father’s beatings didn’t take the form of delivering life-saving insulin. It’s not the same thing. Next dilemma, please. There are plenty of dilemmas throughout “I Can Only Imagine 2.” Both Sam and Tim struggle with health problems, Bart is under a lot of pressure to write another hit after ten years, his marriage has seen better days, the bus breaks down at one point, etc. But, this being the “uplifting” movie that it is, you can probably guess that faith will see these characters through their various crises. Faith is certainly not a guarantee that these characters (or anyone else) will not experience loss or despair, but genre expectations are such that things aren’t likely to end on a down note.   Grade: C   “I Can Only Imagine 2” is rated PG for thematic material and some language. Its running time is 110 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

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 all races prior to heading to the polls.   In-Person Absentee Voting Circuit Clerk's Offices will be open this Saturday, February 28, from 8:00 a.m. until noon for in-person absentee voting for the 2026 Primary Election. The last day to vote in-person absentee is Saturday, March 7. Circuit Clerk's Offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. until noon. All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 10 (Election Day). To track your mail-in absentee ballot, visit the My Election Day portal . To learn more about absentee voting requirements, visit the Secretary of State's  Absentee Voting Information webpage .   UOCAVA Voter Registration Deadline For non-registered UOCAVA voters to vote in the 2026 Primary Election, Circuit Clerk's Offices must be in actual receipt of a completed Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) from a UOCAVA voter by Saturday, February 28. For more information regarding how to cast a UOCAVA ballot, please contact your local election officials or email  UOCAVA@sos.ms.gov .   The Secretary of State's Office is your primary and trusted source for election information. For questions, please contact the Elections Division at 1-800-829-6786, email  ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov , or visit  YallVote.ms . 2026 Primary Election Dates for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate February 28 - Saturday In-Person Absentee Voting Begins for the 2026 Primary Election March 7 - In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline for the 2026 Primary Election March 10  - Primary Election Day (U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate) Deadline for the postmark of mail-in absentee ballots

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com If I was still a teen in high school, I would love AI. I could have my writing assignments for English done in a flash and be out the door. And have a lot better grades to show my parents than I did years ago. And later on, with those gnarly issues at work when I became an adult? “No problem, boss. I’ll just let my trusty friend who lives somewhere out there in NeverNeverLand figure it all out for me. I’ll get back to you on that in a little while.” But for the professional writer to use AI? Mostly, no way. For research? Great. Technique? Oh sure, there’d be great technique , “Hey Gemini, I need this column on ‘KIDS HAVING CELLPHONES’ written from a sarcastic humorous viewpoint. And, oh yeah, it needs to be no longer than five hundred and twenty words, please.” And presto, print it out and I would have a masterpiece worthy of my own puny plastic Pulitzer. But for creativity? There’s the real issue. There is no way you could really know how I feel about that subject. The real ME would be absent from that column on kids and cellphones. It’s not going to reflect the individual spark within that causes me to have my own feelings and thoughts. And after a few months of that kind of writing, the real me would be dealing with guilt, resentment, and very likely a stomach that keeps asking for more Pepto Bismol. Why guilt? Simply put, because I think it’s cheating to claim something as your own, when it’s not. Why resentment? There would be no outlet for the God-gifted creativeness that lies within. No doubt it would be great stuff, but just not my stuff. And great stuff is a poor substitution for personal satisfaction. Just like in any other field.  The carpenter who loves the feel of wood in his hands and takes great pride in his final product knows the satisfaction of creativity. A person born with a love of music and has a beautiful God-given voice would shrivel up inside if denied the satisfaction of singing. The naturally-gifted athlete feels compelled to move, and God help the people around him if he doesn’t get to use that gift. People denied the opportunity to use their natural gifts can get a mite testy. Now, if you’re a meteorologist with the safety of thousands at stake? By all means, use AI to your heart’s content. A construction engineer working on building plans for skyscrapers that will house thousands? The banker dealing daily with millions of dollars? Definitely. You people should use every tool available to you to do those types of jobs that affects the safety and wellbeing of so many. But writers? Unless your book, magazine article or column is vital to the safety of the human race, I believe AI has no business taking your place. Your own thoughts, research, tears of frustration, and hours spent pecking away at your keyboard should be the only contributors to your work.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB “Wuthering Heights” is based on a classic novel by Emily Brontë. I’ve never read the novel, which is probably for the best. Reports of the movie differing from the novel are actually quite relieving to me. They’re relieving in the sense that I do not have to lose respect for people who like the novel, which I would do if this movie were any indication of its quality. I’m fine with not judging a book by its movie, especially when the movie is this terrible. Young Catherine Earnshaw (Charlotte Mellington) grows up in the Wuthering Heights estate in 18 th -century England, under the care of her rich, cruel, drunken father (Martin Clunes). Servants include same-aged companion Nelly (Vy Nguyen) and rescued street urchin Heathcliff (Owen Cooper). Cathy initially sees Heathcliff as her “toy,” but eventually comes to see him as a friend. As the two get older and Cathy turns into Margot Robbie and Heathcliff turns into Jacob Elordi, they both begin to think that they might become more than friends. It’s hard for me to buy Robbie, who played Leonardo DiCaprio’s wife in “The Wolf of Wall Street” back in 2013, as someone who is just now going through a sexual awakening, but sure, Cathy and Heathcliff are in love, but neither of them will admit it or make the first move. The problem with such a relationship would be the financial aspect. Cathy’s father has gambled away the family’s fortune, leaving them both “near-poverty,” and Heathcliff, as a servant, has practically nothing. Cathy confides in Nelly (now played by Hong Chau), with Heathcliff overhearing, that she needs to marry someone with money, like wealthy neighbor Edgar (Shazad Latif). She goes on to admit that she’d rather marry the broke Heathcliff, but he misses that part. Heathcliff abandons Wuthering Heights the next day and Cathy goes on to marry Edgar. At first, Cathy loves all the material trappings of her marriage (this portion of the film does some impressive things with the “wealth porn” element, with fine foods and flowers everywhere), but she just can’t bring herself to reciprocate Edgar’s love. A pregnancy makes her feel even more trapped. Soon after, Heathcliff returns, a wealthy man. He and Cathy could be together if it weren’t for that pesky lifetime commitment she made. Their workaround is to have an affair. When Cathy wants to cut things off (due to her pregnancy, not fidelity), Heathcliff gets revenge by marrying Edgar’s naïve ward Isabella (Alison Oliver) and treating her horribly. This is supposed to entice Cathy to come back to him… somehow. Can Cathy and Heathcliff’s game of sexual chess end well for either of them? That’s the question I think we’re supposed to be asking. I was much more concerned about how things would end for well-meaning pawns Edgar and Isabella. Cathy and Heathcliff turn each other into monsters by the end, and not in a tragic, understandable way – more like they’re locked in a contest to see who can be the bigger spoiled brat. Cathy grew up a spoiled brat, but Heathcliff watched her and learned from the best. Speaking of “brat,” I liked the snippets of Charli XCX songs that played throughout the film, usually in scenes of heavy fog that seemed to match the singer’s breathy voice. Maybe she should have played Cathy. “Wuthering Heights” is a movie about two people who deserve each other. At first, this can be said with positive connotations that slowly turn to negative. Because there are so many erotic scenes with the main characters in fancy costumes, this movie is supposedly “romantic.” I’m worried about what young romantics will take away from this movie, considering how many of them came out of last year’s “Nosferatu” with a crush on Count Orlok. I walked away from this film wanting both main characters to fall from a height – Wuthering or otherwise. Grade: C- “Wuthering Heights” is rated R for sexual content, some violent content, and language. Its running time is 136 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Old and slow-moving, nevertheless, Grace faithfully carried her blind rider on the snow-covered, lonely, and seemingly endless journey. There was no real visibility, due to the heavy clouds that hid the moon and stars.  But even if the moon had been as bright as the sun during that long night, the old man with his sightless eyes still would not have seen a thing. If left up to him, He could easily have wandered around endlessly, trying  to find the right path to his log cabin. Yet Grace instinctively knew. She had a horse’s unerring sense of direction, and she knew which path would take her rider home. Grace evaded a lot of dead ends that lead nowhere that night. And that horse also sidestepped dangerous holes in the ground that could have easily caused the old man riding on her back to plunge to the ground.  Hazardous ledges and crevices were all cautiously avoided, which undoubtedly made for a much longer and arduous journey, but also saved her rider from possible harm or death. Finally, the scent of the burning logs in the fire place of his old cabin scented the frozen air as horse and rider drew closer to the old homestead. Grace ambled slowly up to the ancient barn, then stopped and nickered  softly. The old man slowly raised his heavy head, and breathed a deep sigh of relief as he sensed that only steps away, his beloved daughter waited patiently just inside the door of his old house. In just a few more  minutes, love, warmth, security, and safety would wrap their arms around his shaking old body. Barely able to move, he stiffly leaned forward over the frost-covered mane of Grace and gratefully patted her neck,  murmuring his thanks and undying love for his faithful old horse. Reminds me of another faithful bearer of an equally blind and helpless rider. Only this faithful companion thru a long, dark and cold journey is not a horse named Grace. It is Grace. And that blind and helpless rider is every man, woman and child who has ever lived on this danger-ridden and evil-minded earth. Because when it comes to finally entering our Home in heaven, without the help of  Grace, it is impossible. The grace of our God is the only way we are able to eventually enter those gates. There are way too many pitfalls, dangerously wrong paths, and pure evil stalking us through our dark nights for  us to ever find our road home…without Grace. Always there for us. Always knowing the right road that we need to take. Always guiding us toward it. Faithful, perfect-sighted, older than time itself… Grace.

Special to The Bolton News Bolton City Hall will open its doors on Saturday, February 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for in‑person absentee voting only in the Ward 2 Special Election. This additional voting session provides registered Ward 2 voters the chance to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day without needing to meet specific absentee‑by‑mail requirements. In‑person absentee voting remains a critical option for eligible voters who may be unable to vote at their regular precinct on Election Day. According to Mississippi’s election procedures, eligible voters must meet state criteria to cast an absentee ballot in person; typical qualifying reasons include work obligations, school attendance outside the county, being out of town on Election Day, age‑related limitations, or temporary or permanent disability. It’s essential for voters to confirm their eligibility and bring valid photo identification when they arrive to vote. This Saturday voting session at City Hall is specifically for absentee ballots and not for Election Day precinct voting. Voters who do not vote absentee during this period will still have the opportunity to cast their ballot at their Ward 2 polling location on Election Day itself. For more information about absentee voting rules and eligibility in Mississippi, contacting your local municipal clerk or visiting the Mississippi Secretary of State’s voter resources is recommended.

Special to The Bolton News A special election has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, to fill the vacancy in the Ward 2 Alderman position in Bolton. The seat became vacant on December 25, 2025, following the death of Alderwoman Helen Harris. The election will be held at the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department, located at 117 W. Madison Street, where registered voters of Ward 2 can cast their ballots. Three candidates are seeking to fill the open seat: William Wood, Thomas Warren, and Lendell Mack, Jr. Voters will have the opportunity to select the candidate they believe is best suited to represent their ward and contribute to the governance of the city. This special election is a critical opportunity for residents to have a direct voice in their local government and ensure that Ward 2 continues to have representation on the Bolton Board of Aldermen. Registered voters are encouraged to review candidates’ positions and participate in shaping the future of their community. For more information about polling times, voter eligibility, and absentee voting, residents may contact the Bolton City Hall or visit the Mississippi Secretary of State’s voter resources.

Daphne Marie Watson November 21, 1953 - February 13, 2026 72 years of age Ms. Daphne Marie Watson was born on November 21, 1953, in Bolton, Hinds County, Mississippi, to the late John Wesley “J.W.” Watson, Sr. and the late Lula Mae Howard Watson. She departed this life on Friday, February 13, 2026. Service Details: Viewing: February 20, 2026, 3:00-6:00 PM, Bolton Funeral Home, 205 Bolton Brownsville Road, Bolton Cards may be sent to: Bolton Funeral Home, Attn: Family of Daphne Marie Watson, PO Box 67, Bolton, MS 39041 Funeral Service: February 21, 2026, 11:00 AM, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 6449 W. Northside Drive, Bolton Viewing will take place one hour before the start of the funeral service Interment: Hill of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1079 Annie Fortner Road, Bolton To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Daphne Marie Watson, please visit our flower store .

Special to The Bolton News The Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) has been made aware of contractors acting as unlicensed public adjusters by filing claims on behalf of insureds. This practice is illegal in the State of Mississippi. Any contractor caught filing claims for insureds without a signed contract and proper licensure as a public adjuster will be referred to the Attorney General and/or Board of Contractors for legal action. If you are aware of illegal activity or need other storm-related assistance, contact the MID Consumer Services Division by phone at 1-800-562-2957 or 601-359-2453.  You can also email  consumer@mid.ms.gov Keep the following tips in mind when hiring contractors: Check if a contractor is licensed with the Mississippi State Board of Contractors,  https://www.msboc.us/   Be cautious of door-to-door or phone solicitations, especially after storms. These contractors often rely on high-pressure sales tactics and unlicensed labor. Never pay in full before work is completed. Don't feel pressured to sign or decide immediately—take time to review all documents. If materials must be purchased upfront, pay the supplier directly. Request at least three references and proof of required licenses, permits, insurance, and bonding.  Record the contractor's license plate and driver's license number. If you were impacted by Winter Storm Fern, file an insurance claim as soon as possible. Your policy may require that you make the notification within a certain time period. Be sure you cooperate fully with the insurance company. Ask what documents, forms, and data you will need to file a claim. Keep a record of all conversations with insurance companies, creditors or relief agencies. Once you begin working with an adjuster, ask them for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer. Be patient and assist claims adjusters assigned to your case. Small losses may be settled quickly; extensive claims will take longer. Save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs covered by your insurance policy.

Special to The Bolton News On Sunday, March 8 at 3:00 p.m., the quiet beauty of St. Mary's Episcopal Church will once again become a place of reflection and music as the congregation hosts its monthly Second Sundays service. Set in the heart of Bolton at 209 East Madison Street, the gathering offers the community an opportunity to pause, pray, and experience a meaningful presentation of The Way of the Cross. This month’s service will be led by lay readers Susan and Richard Price, whose thoughtful narration will guide those in attendance through the solemn and moving journey that recalls the final hours of Christ’s life. Their reading will be accompanied by a carefully chosen selection of hymns and incidental music, creating a reverent atmosphere that invites personal meditation as well as shared worship. Music will play a central role in the afternoon. Pianist Kyle Jones and violinist Leslie Wood will provide a program that complements the readings, blending familiar sacred melodies with expressive instrumental passages. Their performance is designed not as a concert, but as an extension of the service itself, offering moments of stillness and emotional depth between each station. Second Sundays at St. Mary’s has become known for its intimate setting and welcoming spirit. The service draws people from across the Bolton area and beyond, many of whom return month after month for the chance to step away from the pace of daily life and enter a space devoted to quiet reflection. The historic church, with its simple architecture and warm interior, provides an ideal backdrop for an observance centered on contemplation and faith. As the season of Lent begins, The Way of the Cross holds special significance for Christians, marking a time of remembrance, repentance, and renewed focus. The March 8 service offers an opportunity for individuals and families alike to prepare their hearts for Easter through scripture, music, and prayer. The public is invited to attend, and all are welcome to take part in this meaningful afternoon of worship and reflection.