Goodwill Industries of Mississippi is pleased to announce the appointment of Zach Jenkins as the organization's new Vice President of Operations. In this role, Jenkins will lead strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and further the organization's mission of transforming lives through lifelong learning and meaningful work. Jenkins brings a wealth of experience and a passion for community service to his new position. A native of Holly Springs, Mississippi, he attended the University of Mississippi as part of the Airforce ROTC program, serving in the Airforce for a four-year tenure. Jenkins recently earned his MBA from the University of East London through Ducere Global Business School. He also holds the title of a Certified Nonprofit Executive (CNE) through the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives (NANOE). With a background that includes roles at Kroger and various Goodwill locations across the country, Jenkins has developed a deep understanding of operational excellence and leadership. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Retail for Goodwill of Northeast Texas, where he played a pivotal role in improving their retail program and operational efficiency Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jenkins is a devoted husband to his wife, Lasharra, and a proud father of two children, ages 8 and 4. In his free time, he enjoys cheering on the University of Mississippi’s football team, hiking, cycling, and actively participating in his local church community. When asked about his motivation for joining Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, Jenkins expressed his desire to give back to his home state and make a positive impact on the lives of its residents. "This is my home state, and I want to be a part of building something and growing resources for the state and its communities," said Jenkins. "I'm excited to be moving back to Mississippi to assist Goodwill with its mission of transforming lives." In his new role as Vice President of Operations, Jenkins is eager to work with the dynamic team at Goodwill Industries of Mississippi to unlock the organization's full potential. "Operationally, I believe there's tremendous opportunity to take the organization to the next level," said Jenkins. "I'm excited to bring my expertise and leadership to the team and help drive positive change." Goodwill Industries of Mississippi looks forward to the valuable contributions Zach Jenkins will bring to the organization and the communities it serves. His dedication to service and operational excellence will undoubtedly strengthen Goodwill's impact across the state. For media inquiries or more information about Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, please contact Roy Johns at 601-201-2938 or rjohns@goodwillms.org.

Story by Lt. Col. Deidre D. Smith and Mr. Daniel Szarek Bryan Andrew Zemek Derek Joshua Abbott The Mississippi National Guard (MSNG) hosted a joint press conference with the governor’s office regarding the helicopter crash February 23 in Prentiss County, Mississippi. Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the adjutant general of Mississippi, joined Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves to hold a press conference shortly after 2:00 p.m., Feb. 24, 2024, at the MSNG Joint Force Headquarters in Jackson. The MSNG experienced a helicopter crash at approximately 2:00 p.m., Feb. 23, 2024, in a wooded area near Booneville, Prentiss County, Mississippi. A report from Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar confirms the tragic loss of two Soldiers as a result of the crash. The AH-64 Apache helicopter was on a routine training flight when the incident occurred, according to the MSNG State Army Aviation Office. Gov. Reeves announced the names of the fallen soldiers and praised them for their dedicated service to our state and nation. “This is a sad time for the state of Mississippi as we mourn the loss of two of our own Mississippi National Guard heroes,” said Reeves. “Both Service Members served at the Mississippi National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility 2 located in Tupelo.” Reeves announced the fallen MSNG Soldiers, “One Soldier, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bryan Andrew Zemek, age 36, was in Alpha Company 1st Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment serving as an AH-64 Delta Apache Standardization Instructor Pilot in Tupelo. The second Soldier, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Joshua Abbott, age 42, was in Delta Company of the 2nd Battalion, 151st Lakota Medical Evacuation unit serving as a Maintenance Test Pilot in the Mississippi National Guard.” “I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of our fallen soldiers. We will always remember these dedicated soldiers for their honorable service, and we grieve with the families during this tragic time.” Maj. Gen. Boyles echoed the governor’s sympathy to the surviving family members of our fallen Soldiers in the Mississippi National Guard. “Today is a devastating day for the Mississippi National Guard as we mourn the loss of two of our brave brothers in arms. This accident serves as a constant reminder of the selfless service, sacrifice, and commitment that our brave service men and women face while performing in the line of duty.” Boyles went on to address the next steps in recovery after the accident. “Like all accidents, this incident is under investigation. We are not at liberty to discuss any details of the accident during an ongoing investigation,” said Boyles. “Our paramount concern at this time is to ensure proper casualty assistance is available to support the surviving family members through this difficult time. The Mississippi National Guard is family. In fact, the National Guard is family. Our hearts are truly broken at the loss of these two members of our family.” Boyles also took a moment to thank the first responders and local authorities who responded Friday’s accident at a moment’s notice. Reeves closed the press conference honoring the fallen Soldiers of the Mississippi National Guard. “I want to once again pay tribute to the lives of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Zemek and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Abbott. Our state owes them a debt that can never be fully repaid. Their service to our state and our nation will not be forgotten, and we remain thankful for their comrades in arms who continue to serve, as they did, with honor and distinction,” said Reeves. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bryan Andrew Zemek, 36, was in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, serving as an AH-64D Apache Standardization Instructor Pilot. A native of Oxford, Mississippi, Zemek is survived by his wife of three years and their four children. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters; the Army Achievement Medal; the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; the Senior Army Aviator Badge; and many other decorations and state awards. Zemek was a graduate of New Albany High School, class of 2005. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Joshua Abbott, 42, was in Delta Company of the 2nd Battalion, 151st Lakota Medical Evacuation unit, serving as a Maintenance Test Pilot. A combat veteran and native of Fulton, Mississippi, Abbott is survived by his wife of 18 years and their 3 children. His awards include the Air Medal with Valor and numeral 2; Army Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; the Combat Action Badge; the Senior Army Aviator Badge; and many other decorations and state awards.

A free family law clinic is scheduled for March 1, 9 a.m. to noon on the Third Floor of the Hinds County Chancery Court, 316 South President Street in Jackson. Low-income residents of Hinds County who qualify for free legal assistance can receive help with uncontested no-fault divorce, visitation, child custody, guardianships and name changes. Volunteer lawyers will provide legal assistance to people who can’t afford to hire an attorney. Attorneys will help clients prepare documents, give limited legal advice and help them get ready to go to court. Participants must be residents of Hinds County and must be screened for eligibility based on income. Participant must register and make an appointment by calling the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project at 601-882-5001 or by visiting the MVLP website at http://www.mvlp.net https://www.mvlp.org/clinics. The clinic is sponsored by the Hinds County Chancery Court, the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project, the Capital Area Bar Association and Mission First. The Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project and the Access to Justice Commission have scheduled free civil legal assistance clinics in other areas of the state. A list of free civil legal clinics  is at this link: https://courts.ms.gov/Legal/CivilLegal.php.

By Bob Garver It was a good idea for “Bob Marley: One Love” to open on Valentine’s Day. Not just because there hadn’t been a decent box office performer in weeks (and even “Mean Girls and “The Beekeeper” were only mild hits) and the market was ripe for a takeover. Not just because the holiday weekend needed a blockbuster and “Madame Web” wasn’t up to the task. But because the movie had “Love” in its title, it could dominate the couples’ scene on Wednesday and ride that insurmountable lead to winning the weekend. The result was a domestic take of over $50 million, enough to already make it the 2nd-biggest movie of the year, behind only “Mean Girls,” which it will probably overtake before the week is out. The film can be associated with a brilliant commercial decision, but not so much its creative ones. The film mostly follows reggae legend Marley (Kingsley Ben-Adir) in the late 1970’s. He’s already nationally famous when the film begins, as he sets to bravely play a controversial peace concert in Jamaica. Assassins storm his home and shoot Bob, his wife Rita (Lashana Lynch), and his friend Don (Anthony Welsh). All three survive and Bob plays the concert, but he decides that the violence-ridden country is not safe for him and his family anymore. He sends Rita and their children to America while he lies low in London. After years of exile and loneliness, Bob releases his album “Exodus,” which gains him worldwide fame and brings reggae music to the mainstream. Although he’s always advocated for peace, Rita believes the message has gotten lost in the commercial success and he needs to do something more meaningful. Seeing that she’s right, and faced with his own mortality from a rare form of skin cancer, Bob returns to Jamaica to perform another peace concert, this time to unanimous adulation. For months I was dreading this movie because of a line in the trailer. One of the members of Bob’s band asks where he wants to “start,” and Bob, very thoughtfully says, “From the beginning.” The cheesiness of that line told me that this was going to be a painfully by-the-numbers biopic, and on a lot of counts, it is. But to people as alienated by that line as I was, I will say that the scene comes midway through the film, so it does not get the film off on as bad a note as I thought it would. In fact, we see very little of “the beginning,” aside from a few flashbacks, dream sequences, and text screens. There are a distracting number of text screens, as if there’s going to be a test later. The film can be dry at times, but it’s never quite as bad as homework. “Bob Marley: One Love” falls into most of the familiar traps of the music biopic, with the singer’s marital troubles and health problems showing up right where you’d expect them. At least the protagonist is an endearing figure and Ben-Adir is giving a charismatic performance. It’s hard not to get swept up in the magic of Bob Marley at times. But then again, that’s a pretty low bar for a movie like this to clear. Of all the music biopics you can watch in theaters or at home, “Bob Marley: One Love” is… one of them. Netflix-exclusive Best Picture Oscar nominee “Maestro,” where Bradley Cooper plays conductor Leonard Bernstein, on the other hand… is also “one of them,” honestly. Cooper as director takes a few more creative risks with his film, but both of these movies are eye-rolling Oscar bait. “Maestro” landed among the nominees because it was released right at the end of the year, no doubt it would have been forgotten if it had opened in February like “Bob Marley: One Love.” I expect to have forgotten about both movies once one’s box office cools down and the other’s awards run fizzles out. “Bob Marley: One Love”: C- “Maestro”: C “Bob Marley: One Love” is rated PG-13 for marijuana use and smoking throughout, some violence and brief strong language. Its running time is 107 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

State Auditor Shad White announced Special Agents from his office have arrested Shelia Williams for embezzlement. Williams is accused of embezzling cash payments from the City of Bolton’s water department. She was served with a $35,882.59 demand letter at the time of her arrest. “Thank you to the investigators who worked this case in my office and the prosecutors who chose to take it,” said State Auditor Shad White. ‘Working together, we will continue to put a stop to misuse of taxpayer dollars.” Williams faces up to 20 years and $5,000 in fines if convicted. All persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. A $50,000 surety bond covers Williams’ employment for the City of Bolton. Surety bonds are similar to insurance designed to protect taxpayers from corruption. Williams will remain liable for the full amount of the demand in addition to criminal proceedings. Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office online at any time by clicking the red button on the Auditor's website or calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.

Does it seem to you that God is always saying “No” or “Don’t do that” or “Thou shalt not?”  If you think that, you are not alone. Many people feel the same way. Seems as if all He wants to do is stop them from enjoying life. And it also seems to them that if they do ignore His “I said No,” and go ahead with a little fun, He is always nearby to drop a fifty-pound anvil on their head. No wonder people make fun of those who insist that “God is loving, just look in the Bible and you can plainly read that He is!” So, which is He – the Chief Anvil Deliverer or Loving Father? People say that their experiences teach that He’s harsh and cruel. The Bible teaches that He’s the total opposite of that.  So how to explain it? Let me use this: God is the one who created sex and gave it to us. And yet, the Bible plainly states, “Do not indulge in sex outside of marriage.” Another one of those “Thou shalt not have any fun” that nobody understands or likes. Why in the world did He create something fun, give it to us, and then tell us, “Don’t you dare do this.” Today, sex outside of marriage is totally accepted and very much expected. Ask any teen or young adult. It’s extremely difficult to be the young person in the crowd who is known to be ‘just plain weird.’ Virgins are the brunt of jokes everywhere. And when this kind of bullying is combined with most everyone’s natural need to fit in - plus the lure of sex itself - the pressure to go along is almost unbearable. But let’s play Paul Harvey with the rest of the story. Way too many times. Teen girl has sex. Gets pregnant. Mom and Dad disapprove and kick her to the curb. The baby’s daddy wants nothing to do with this new responsibility. So now she has to find a way - on her own – to finish school, provide for herself financially, raise a baby alone, and try to make a decent life. All too often, she feels she has to take the only road available. She moves in with a loser, who uses her until he’s sick of her and boots her out. Then she is on her own again. Maybe pregnant, and now with a toddler by the hand. And the downward spiral continues on. And I haven’t even addressed the toll it takes on that girl’s self-esteem. Easy to see why God said, “DON’T HAVE SEX OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE!”  Life is hard enough when a committed young married couple has a baby, and together they are trying to financially survive on meager salaries. But being in the situation of that teen girl? Almost impossible. And God knew that. That’s why He says “No.”

Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D, MS), released the following statement regarding the ongoing investigation by the National Safety Board into recent natural gas home explosions in Jackson, MS. "I have formally requested an in-person briefing to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding these alarming natural gas explosions and to determine whether they could have been prevented. The safety and well-being of our communities are paramount, and it is imperative that we take theses incidents seriously. The potential risks posed by natural gas cannot be understated, and we must ensure that all necessary measures are in place to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future."

By Kara Kimbrough Super Bowl 58 has come and gone, quickly replaced last week with Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras hype. But that didn’t stop me from putting into practice some really good tips I picked up at a Super Bowl gathering I attended. Since they’re ones that can be utilized all year, not just during the biggest sporting event of the year, I decided to pass them on to you. It may be too late to recycle this year’s leftovers, but keep these in mind for Super Bowl 59 or this summer’s celebrations: 1.    Leftover dip doesn’t have to be thrown out. Many flavors can be recycled into ingredients for other dishes the following week. Just a small example of the ideas from the dip expert at our party: Use leftover French onion dip as the topping for baked potatoes, fajitas or tacos Need a marinade for chicken before baking or frying? Coat chicken with any sour cream-based dip (after all, it’s similar in nature to buttermilk, a common coating) and marinade for tender, delicious chicken. Plenty of queso left over? Use it to make any cheese-based soup or include in a casserole that calls for cheese in the filling or as a topping Vegetable or Greek dips make the perfect salad dressing, potato salad or slaw. Dilute with lemon juice or vinegar if needed 2.    Chicken wings are always a staple at any Super Bowl party, but despite their popularity, there are usually leftovers. After pulling/shredding the leftover meat, use it to make: *Chicken parmesan over pasta * Chicken taco soup * Chicken fried rice * Chicken quesadillas 3. And last, every Super Bowl party has the requisite vegetable tray that rarely gets eaten. Take all those leftover celery sticks, carrots and broccoli, chop them up and add to salads, soups or place in Ziploc bags and freeze them for the next time you make a recipe that calls for chopped vegetables. One of the best tips I received at the Super Bowl party was from a friend who brought two dishes she said were “inspired” by favorite restaurant appetizers and entrees. I’ve already made my personal favorite, potato skins. I followed my friend’s advice, made a large batch and placed most of them in the freezer. When a craving emerges for the crunchy baked potatoes topped with cheese and bacon, along with sour cream once they emerge from the oven, all I have to do is pull a bag from the freezer. The team I was pulling for didn’t win the Super Bowl, but I left with plenty of useful advice and recipes that “inspired” me much more than anything that took place on the football field. Crispy Loaded Baked Potato Skins 8 medium baking potatoes Tablespoon of vegetable oil Tablespoon of butter, divided Tablespoon each: salt and pepper Cup of shredded Cheddar cheese 8 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped Cup of sour cream 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash potatoes thoroughly, then price potatoes with a fork, rub oil over surface and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in 13x9 baking pan and bake for one hour. Remove from oven and let cool. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and cut small slice off bottom so potatoes will lay flat. Scoop out middle of potato skins, reserving for another use. Place potato halves back in baking pan, skin sides up, and brush with melted butter. Bake 20-25 minutes until crisp. Turn potatoes over and top with equal amounts of cheese and bacon. Bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and top with sour cream and chives. (To freeze, place in Ziploc bags after baking and freeze for up to 3 months.) Famous Fast Food Restaurant’s Chili 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 pounds ground beef 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 3 (14 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles 1 cup water 2 (1.25 ounce) packages chili seasoning (such as McCormick® Mild Chili Seasoning Mix) 1 (14 ounce) can kidney beans, undrained (optional) 1 (14 ounce) can pinto beans, undrained (optional) Salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 tablespoon white vinegar, or more to taste Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Press ground beef into the hot oil to form one large patty; let the bottom brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir and break browned beef into crumbles. Continue to cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes longer. Stir celery, onion, and bell pepper into beef and cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour in stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and water. Break apart large chunks of stewed tomatoes. Stir in chili seasoning. Stir in kidney and pinto beans. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour. Mix vinegar into chili just before serving. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Bolton-Edwards Elementary/Middle School will be holding a job fair on February 27 at the Raymond High School. This event will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

By Bob Garver I had high hopes for “Lisa Frankenstein,” whose trailers promised a lead performance from Kathryn Newton (of the gleefully twisted body-switch horror-comedy “Freaky”) and a sick sense of humor that might actually be jarring in a fun way. Then I learned the truth: the movie still stars Kathryn Newton, but it’s rated PG-13. Ugh, what’s with all these movies going for the wrong ratings lately? The R-rated “Anyone But You” didn’t need all that crudeness, it should have aimed for the PG-13 crowd. The PG-13 “Argylle” celebrates blowing away bad guys way too much for anything other than an R to make sense. “Lisa Frankenstein” doesn’t have nearly as high a body count as “Argylle” (in fact, I think some deaths may technically have to be subtracted), but when there’s a body, it counts. “Filming around” certain scenes of sex and violence just makes the movie seem… neutered. I’m especially referring to a scene with an actual neutering. Lisa (Newton), a teenager in 1989, doesn’t fit in. She doesn’t have any friends, save for her unrequited crush Michael (Henry Eikenberry) and well-meaning-but-airheaded stepsister Taffy (Liza Soberano). She suffered the horrific loss of her mother a few years ago, and her father married the awful Janet (Carla Gugino), which makes home life miserable. She spends most of her free time between home and school at an abandoned cemetery. Her favorite gravestone features a bust of a handsome young man, and she jokingly wishes that she could join him. Some higher power takes this wish literally, and a magical lightning strike later, a reanimated corpse (Cole Sprouse) is breaking into Lisa’s house. Lisa takes on “The Creature” as a pet project. She helps him wash off centuries of soil, lets him sleep in her closet, and gives him clothes to wear (you better believe there’s a montage of him trying on outfits). He’s still very much suffering the effects of being dead, including missing certain body parts, but he helps her out too, listening to her talk about her problems, playing her songs on the piano (the best scene in the movie is a musical number), and vanquishing her enemies. Lisa has to hide The Creature and their shared misdeeds, and she knows that their relationship can’t last much longer, but maybe it can last just long enough for her to get with Michael? She still wants the heartthrob whose heart can actually throb. I was onboard with “Lisa Frankenstein” for a good chunk of its runtime. The jokes were hitting more than they missed, and I was drawn in by Newton’s performance. Then the serious violence kicked in and Lisa lost her relatability. I feel like the filmmakers misunderstood the praise for Newton in “Freaky.” Yes, she was great as both an awkward teenager and a psychotic serial killer, but those were two different characters. Lisa is an unholy mashup of the two, and while I can certainly understand the complexity of a goody-two-shoes discovering she has a dark side, Lisa goes so dark that she validates everyone who wrote her off as an ostracism-worthy weirdo in the first place. With its focus on the relationship between a healthy, articulate woman and a lumbering, inarticulate Creature, “Lisa Frankenstein” actually reminds me more of 2013’s “Warm Bodies” than any version of “Frankenstein” I’ve seen. If you want a movie where a science project with a tenuous relationship with their creator runs amok and falls in love, go see “Poor Things,” a nominee for Best Picture at the upcoming Academy Awards. There’s a movie that isn’t afraid of an R rating, and it just comes off as more – this phrase seems particularly appropriate – comfortable in its body. “Lisa Frankenstein”: C “Poor Things”: B “Lisa Frankenstein” is rated PG-13 for violent content, bloody images, sexual content, language, sexual assault, teen drinking and drug content. Its running time is 101 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

On Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., our precinct caucus meeting will convene. The primary objective of the precinct caucus meeting is to elect delegates and alternates to the Hinds County Democratic Convention. We will also be discussing polling issues and resolutions as it pertains to the Democratic Party. If you care about your community, I highly encourage you to attend this meeting.

If you are in the habit of consulting only yourself, trusting your own instincts and believing that you will know in your heart what to do when the time comes, then you have a big problem. In Proverbs 28:26, the Bible says, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” Translated into plain 2024 English? “You can’t trust your heart to always tell you the truth. It lies.” So, if we can’t believe in our self completely, then when it is time to make a decision, who or what are we supposed to trust to help us? Just what exactly is your ‘heart’ anyway? What is ‘walk wisely?’ And why would your own self lie to yourself? And why should you trust the Bible to give you perfect advice? Good questions. We all have been taught to ‘trust our gut instincts.’  To ask ourself, “What is my heart telling me to do?” Even if you walk into a counselor’s office and ask for help, you will find that counselor has been trained to ask you questions that will help you to realize where your real problem lies, so that you can find solutions yourself. And that is helpful, after all, most of the time we don’t even have a clue what is really bugging us. Remember the adage, “The problem is not the problem?” That is absolutely true in most cases. But, yet, the Bible does make a point that we dare not ignore. (After all, the Bible is the written word of our Creator - does anyone really dare tell Him, “Butt out, You don’t have a clue what I am trying to do with my life.”) So, how do we balance (A) Getting to truly know ourselves, with (B) Believing what the Creator is telling us? My answers. The heart? The ‘heart’ is the seat of your emotions, and both your Creator and Satan have access to it. That is the reason you dare not trust your emotions completely. Walking wisely? That means following what your Creator has taught in His written word. Because Satan doesn’t have the power to corrupt what the Bible says.  Counseling? Find a friend/pastor/counselor who knows the heart does lie, but the Bible doesn’t. And then start talking, and listening. When you have decisions to make, listen closely to your emotions, but don’t be governed by them. They can easily lie to you. It’s better to kick your emotions over to the curb, run everything through the filter of God’s Word, and don’t be afraid to consult good counselors in your life. Way too often people believe their lying heart will put them on the right path. And then they end up on a side road, bogged down in a muddy mess. Because the heart may be right - or it just may be wrong.