Come out on Saturday, May 25 to celebrate May Day in Bolton. Tents, coolers and chairs are welcome; however, grills will not be allowed as there will be food vendors on site. Bring the kiddos out for a day of fun and games. There will be entertainment for the adults as well. Check out www.EverythingBossi.com for more information.

By Mika Hartman March is here and the old saying, “out like a lion, in like a lamb” may be true about the weather; but it’s also about everything that was cold finding a new warmth. Blooming, coming out of hibernation, cheerful colors and more kindness, well. seems to follow. This month holds one of the best days of the year for my family: 3-21 is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). I remember our first WDSD, I was just released from the hospital after fighting to stay pregnant with Hudson. I remember wearing “Wonder Woman” socks with this true belief that I was unstoppable. And that Hudson’s bravery was completely undeniable, even in my belly. He braved my heart failure and he thrived through it. To celebrate, our nurse brought us the most beautiful cookies; they were yellow and blue with royal iced “Hudson”, “Homie with an EXTRA Chromie”, Down syndrome ribbons and more. To be celebrating, what I had hoped was the first of many WDSDs and to still be pregnant, both exactly what I had prayed for. This year will be our 7th year celebrating this EXTRA beautiful day. The celebration on this day has grown every year on purpose. Hudson is growing and celebrating him and his accomplishments only makes sense to be EXTRA! We celebrate by wearing crazy socks, asking for local and state WDSD proclamations, sharing Down syndrome awareness in our communities, reading books about Down syndrome to children and so much more. Some of our friends even run marathons for Down syndrome awareness. To be a part of one or more of these is how we become the difference for our buddies with Down syndrome. This year, in addition to the fun listed above, we are challenging people to do random acts of kindness on WDSD with us. Here on the Coast, I am part of a “Ds Kindness Team”. Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Society is doing 21 days of 21 acts of kindness per day leading right up to our World Down Syndrome Day celebrations. We will be sharing 21 books about Down syndrome, giving out 21 pairs of John’s Crazy Socks, sharing 21 bags of Buddy Blend Coffee from Central Mississippi Down Syndrome’s Buddy Center, 21 boxes of EXTRA gum will be shared, we have 21 boxes of Crayola’s “Kindness” crayons and more… 16 more kindness acts to be exact. Can I challenge you to join us on March 21st and do a random act of kindness for Hudson in your local area? It could be small, medium or large; all kindness is good and it encourages others to do the same. It’s a ripple effect of goodness. You could buy a cup of coffee for the grouchy person in your office, you could pay for a strangers meal at lunch, you could give a flower to someone you noticed that didn’t get flowers on Valentines Day. Just remember to say, “Happy World Down Syndrome Day” or “This is for Hudson, it’s World Down Syndrome Day”. However you spend 3-21, I hope you love EXTRA, laugh EXTRA and that you dance EXTRA in your crazy or mismatched socks. “With us, not for us” is our motto. And if all of this wasn’t enough, several momma’s, including myself, have several schools joining in our WDSD fun, too. Baseball and Softball teams across the Coast will be wearing Down syndrome ribbons on their helmets, coaches will participate and even some schools, like Pass Christian, will have a local “buddy” throw the first pitch. If you are in the area, come see the Pass Christian Pirates Girls’ Varsity Softball game on 3-21 at 6:15… it will be EXTRA fun and on WDSD! Be sure to wear your crazy socks, too! However you choose to celebrate, just celebrate! People born with Down syndrome give love and laughter to many all year round. This day is for us to find our EXTRA and spread love like a buddy would! EXTRA acts of kindness should be as easy as a new bloom on tree; always there, just waiting to be warmed by love. Hudson is my warmth. He can be yours, too. EXTRA EXTRA Amazing news about HB 873 The PURPLE Alert: It unanimously passed the House floor. Rep. Fabian Nelson presented our bill and did an amazing job. He clearly has a heart like Rep. Clay Mansell; good needed change is happening. It has been transmitted to the Senate. Hope to share that it “has passed” and “is law” in my next article. The outpouring of love for this bill has been humbling. I knew it was going to be important to the families who need this. I am so thankful to be a voice that is being heard. This bill will save lives. Also, Hudson lost his first tooth! He is so big and doing bigger things daily. Inch stones add up to milestones. Hudson CAN! I know he can..

By Bob Garver Prior to “Hashira Training,” my exposure to the “Demon Slayer” anime series was limited to the 2020 film “Mugen Train.” Well, that and all the cosplayers I see every day dressed up in the green-and-black checkered pattern of main character Tanjiro (Natsuki Hanae), but “Mugen Train” was the only media. It should be noted, therefore, that I am not the target audience for this movie. The target audience is people that are already familiar with “Demon Slayer” lore, especially Season Three of the television show. I was largely lost having only seen “Mugen Train,” and I can’t imagine the difficulty of getting into the series based on this movie alone. My understanding is that this movie is both the ending of Season Three and the beginning of Season Four. It’s like watching two episodes back-to-back, as opposed to “Mugen Train,” which was its own feature between Seasons Two and Three. A recap montage is shown before the action gets underway, including clips from “Mugen Train,” but I didn’t find it very helpful, except to remind me that Tanjiro’s family was killed by demons, save for himself and his sister Nezuko (Akari Kito). Nezuko was turned into a demon and now has to go through life being gagged at all times so she can’t feed on human flesh. Tanjiro’s mission in life is now to protect people, rid the world of demons, and try to find a way to turn Nezuko human again. At some point he found a village to protect and joined up with some veteran demon slayers, but I couldn’t keep the new characters straight. The action begins at the tail end of a battle between demon Hantengu (Toshio Furukawa/Koichi Yamadera) and Tanjiro and his fellow Slayers, as they protect a village where everyone wears silly masks. Tanjiro is the only one of the good guys not sidelined. He cuts off Hantengu’s arms, but tis but a scratch. He cuts off his head, but it’s just a flesh wound. Maybe if he can destroy his heart, he’ll call it a draw. Surprisingly, Hantengu is closing in on some innocent villagers he can kill, which will restore his powers. I don’t know how he plans to kill the villagers without arms or a head, but apparently it’s a very urgent matter for Tanjiro. But day is breaking, Nezuko is outside, and as a demon, she’ll likely die if Tanjiro doesn’t shield her from the sun. He has an impossible decision to make. Following the battle and its aftermath, we’re introduced to new villain Muzan (Toshihiko Seki), a demon who has waited a thousand years to strike. Recent developments mean that it is finally his time. The Hashira, a conglomerate of the best Demon Slayers, meet to discuss the impending attack. They agree they need an army. Leader Gyomei (Tomokazu Sugita) organizes a program where prospective Slayers can receive accelerated training under the Hashira. And… that’s it. We see early stages of the training where recruits are put through the wringer, but the episode/movie ends before anything can come of it. Also in this segment, two popular characters from “Mugen Train” return for unimpactful cameos, seemingly just to remind viewers that they’re still in play. “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba: To the Hashira Training” boasts exciting action and characters that would probably be interesting if I could wrap my head around them the way a snake wraps itself around one of their heads. But this movie isn’t for newcomers to “Demon Slayer” or people with minimal exposure like myself. Fans will probably find much of value here, but the film was never able to capture my interest in a way that even “Mugen Train” could. Grade: C- (but take that with a grain of salt) “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – To the Hashira Training” is rated R for violence and bloody images. Its running time is 104 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu. NOTE: This Japanese film is available in both “subbed” and “dubbed” versions. This review is based on the “subbed” version - Japanese spoken with English subtitles.

Remember the old TV cartoon “Popeye The Sailor Man?” He had a favorite saying: “I yam what I yam and dat’s all I yam.” And poor old Olive Oyl could never get him to see himself any other way. A popular song put out in the last few years made me remember Popeye and how wrong he was. The lyrics have a repeating line in the chorus: “I am who I am because the I AM tells me who I am.” Word salad? Not at all. Broken down, that one sentence says so much about you. Those seven little words are saying who you truly are, who created you for His purpose, and how and why you exist. “I am who I am....”  You are not just the weird little result of Mom’s ‘romp in the hay.’ There’s no one else, nor has there ever been, anyone in the world exactly like you. A unique combination of certain gifts and talents was put into only you. Creating a special and God-given drive within that is hard to deny. For example; ever seen a disappointed mother arguing with her wannabe-professional-singer son that he needed to become a lawyer? One of them walked away disgruntled. Hope it was the mom. “...because the I AM…”   Just who in the world is this great I AM, and what gives that dude the right to say who you are? Well, the Bible says He is your Creator and He calls himself I AM, so I would guess that gives The Dude that right. After all, if you were the One who has always been, always will be, and the creator who spoke everything into being – then you would certainly have the right to do exactly as you please. “…tells me who I am.” That very I AM says that you are wonderful and lovable in His sight. That you were worth letting His son die to pay the penalty for your sins. In a nutshell, that should tell you just who you are…somebody special indeed. But a popular piece of garbage says that you were just a blob of cells until you popped out of Mom. That only at birth did you become human, with the ability to learn, think, and to experience emotions. Then and only then did you begin the journey into who you are now. But according to your Bible, from the very beginning of Mom’s pregnancy the Creator made the you that looks back in the mirror each morning. The you that He wanted in this world. Then life experiences began happening, and you developed personality warts on that perfect you. So, remember who you are when the going gets rough and it is so tempting to get down on yourself. Underneath the anger, the anxiety, the depression, the hopelessness, and all your rough edges, there is the Real You. Keep digging. Because you’re worth it.

By Kara Kimbrough Seconds away from pulling a frozen pizza from the supermarket freezer case last week, I glanced at the nutritional info. Learning that a couple of slices, or roughly one-fourth of the pizza, contained close to 800 grams of sodium sent my blood pressure soaring without taking a single bite. Realizing that I’d likely already consumed the cutoff point of 1,500 sodium grams that day caused me to return the offending object back to the freezer. Once home, I uncovered a simple way to make my own pizza without any accompanying guilt or blood pressure spike. Searching for a better way to enjoy pizza caused me to resurrect a kitchen item that often goes overlooked. Unless I’m making cornbread, I rarely use one of my cast iron skillets. However, that may soon be a thing of the past. Not only did I find a way to make quick, easy and relatively-healthy pizza in a skillet, I also learned that steak cooked in a skillet rivals almost anything I’ve been served in a pricy steakhouse. It may sound a little strange to bake a pizza in a skillet, especially when pizza stones are touted as the only way to make delicious homemade pizza. However, using a stone requires homemade or store-bought pizza dough. If you’re like me, it’s not always readily available. Baking the dough in a skillet creates a crispy, textured dough that rivals anything you’ll find a restaurant and especially in a frozen pizza. Sidenote: in my opinion, with a few exceptions, frozen pizza crusts generally taste like cardboard, so it doesn’t take much to top those versions. To make your own healthier pizza at home, try this version that, despite the unusual combination of Greek yogurt and self-rising flour, actually tastes really, really good. And, keep the skillet handy the next time a steak dinner is on the menu. I promise your version will rival or even surpass anything served in an expensive steakhouse. Easiest Skillet Pizza You’ll Ever Make 2 tablespoons extra-virgin oil 1 cup Greek yogurt 1 cup self-rising flour 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup pizza sauce (jarred or homemade) 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan Toppings: crumbled, cooked ground beef or bacon, pepperoni, shaved sirloin steak or your favorite meat; sliced vegetables, if desired Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Brush a 12-inch cast-iron skillet with 1 tablespoon of the oil.  Mix the yogurt, flour and salt together in a medium bowl with your hands until it becomes a ball, then flatten into a disk and press into the skillet. Brush the pizza dough with remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the sides, for the crust. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese (along with meat and vegetables, if adding) evenly over the sauce. Top with grated Parmesan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned, then let cool in the pan for 3 minutes. To turn it into a cheeseburger pizza, cook pizza using ground beef crumbles; when pizza is baked, topped with chopped tomatoes and sliced lettuce, then top with a burger sauce of equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise, along with a tablespoon of relish that has been whisked together. Better Than a Steakhouse Skillet Steak 2- 2 1/2-inch-thick steak (porterhouse or T-bones are good cuts) Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 tablespoons butter, cubed Minced garlic, fresh thyme (optional) Remove meat from refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat the broiler, then heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Season steak with salt and pepper on both sides. Add oil to the skillet, then place steak in the skillet. Cook until a nice sear forms, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from the heat, transfer to a cutting board and cut the meat from around the bone, reserving bone. Slice the steak against the grain into thick pieces. Put the bone back into the skillet and assemble the steak around it (goal is to make the steak look as it originally did) with the seared side up. Top with pieces of butter. Top with garlic and a few sprigs of thyme, if desired. Place skillet in oven and broil on top rack to desired doneness, approximately 4 minutes for medium rare, 5-6 minutes for medium; a few minutes longer for well done. Transfer to a serving dish and pour pan drippings over the steak. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Emall her at kkrpco@yahoo.com.

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."