Established 1879 | Columbus, Mississippi

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Thursday | August 20, 2020

LCSD requesting $5.5 million more from local sales taxes

Request reflects stronger assessment value, need for tax increase INSIDE
n OUR VIEW: How should LCSD
BY ZACK PLAIR ultimately approved, remain at About half of the overall in- eat an elephant? One bite at a time,
zplair@cdispatch.com page 4A.
issue. crease would come from a rise
County administration in the assessed value of tax- ty owner, the new rate would
Lowndes County School received a school-board ap- able properties in the school increase taxes by $68.25 per
District is requesting about proved request for more than district boundaries that would $100,000 in assessed value, ac-
$5.5 million more than last $27.4 million in local taxes not require an increase in the cording to calculations Lown-
year from county property tax for the fiscal year by the Aug. property tax, or millage, rate. Allison Andrews des County Tax Assessor/Col-
revenue for Fiscal Year 2021, 14 deadline. That included Getting the other half could lector Greg Andrews shared
much of which would boost its $21.1 million for operations result in a rate increase of at property value. For a residence with The Dispatch.
operating revenue. (up roughly $5 million from least 4.55 mills. assessed at $100,000 without a Andrews said the millage
Whether the district can Fiscal Year 2020 which ended Property taxes are mea- Homestead exemption, a 4.55- hike would see steel manu-
legally request that much of for LCSD on June 30) and $6.3 sured in mills, which rep- mill increase would raise the facturer SDI paying about
an increase, and what it would million for debt service (up resents a certain percentage owner’s taxes by $45.50 annu- $900,000 more in school taxes
mean for the taxpayers if it is about $600,000). of a person’s real and personal ally. For a commercial proper- See LCSD, 3A

State looks into Airbus builds first of 16 helicopters

COVID outbreak for Customs and Border Protection
at MUW
Four positive cases, 71
other students quarantining
BY TESS VRBIN
tvrbin@cdispatch.com

Four positive COVID-19 coro-

navirus cases in a nursing class
at Mississippi University for
Women this week prompted an
investigation from Mississip-
pi State Department of Health,
MUW President Nora Miller
confirmed Wednesday.
Two students tested positive Miller
on Tuesday, the day after classes
started, and the university soon identified others
who had been in close contact with the students,
Miller said. Two more students have since tested
positive, one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday,
according to MUW’s online COVID-19 tracker.
All four positive cases are asymptomatic, and
See OUTBREAK, 6A

BUSINESS MOVES WITH MARY Isabelle Altman/Dispatch Staff

Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner of Policy for Air and Marine Operations at U.S. Customs and Border

Starkville
Protection Steve Boyer, left, speaks with Airbus Senior Manager of Industry Troy Ham while Airbus employees
work on a CBP helicopter at the company’s Lowndes County facility on Wednesday. CBP ordered 16 special-
ly-made H125 helicopters from Airbus, the first of which has already been delivered, and the last of which will be

movie theater
delivered in October 2021.

Legislators tout high-

prepares for tech facility, Golden
Triangle workforce at
opening congressional visit to
PLUS: Magnolia Soap & Bath Lowndes facility
BY ISABELLE ALTMAN
Company comes to Starkville ialtman@cdispatch.com

BY MARY POLLITZ The first H125 helicopter assem-

biz@cdispatch.com bled at Airbus’ Lowndes County
facility for the U.S. Customs and

T
here are a lot Border Protection has already been
of opinions delivered to Detroit, Michigan, for Isabelle Altman/Dispatch Staff
concerning CBP agents to use during opera- State Sen. Chuck Younger (R-Columbus) and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker
COVID-19; however, tions. speak beside an H125 helicopter designed by Airbus for U.S. Customs
one thing most every- Over the next 14 months, local and Border Protection at Airbus’ Lowndes County facility Wednesday.
one agrees on is the Younger and Wicker, along with U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, representatives
Airbus employees will build and de- from theirs and U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s office and members of CBP,
immense impact it has liver 15 more as part of a long-term
had on the economy toured the facility Wednesday to meet employees and observe the pro-
fleet upgrade initiative for CBP. cess of assembling the helicopters.
and business in gener- “Customs and Border Protec-
al. Particularly speak- tion ordered 16 helicopters to start The helicopters are custom-de- protecting people and chasing the
ing, movie theaters na- replacing their aging fleet of heli- signed specifically for CBP, and bad guys.”
tionwide have taken a copters, some of which are 30 years Trapp said they include features Legislators including Rep. Trent
hit, closing their doors Mary Pollitz specially tailored for law enforce- Kelly, Sen. Roger Wicker and state
old,” Airbus CEO Romain Trapp
as early as March. told The Dispatch on Wednesday. ment, such as loud speakers, in- Sen. Chuck Younger, along with
According to “So what we are celebrating here to- frared cameras and searchlights CBP officials visited Airbus in Co-
Forbes, the largest movie theater chain in the day is the beginning of the delivery “which are needed for the missions lumbus Wednesday to tour the fa-
See POLLITZ, 3A of these 16 helicopters.” of CBP, which every day are about See AIRBUS, 6A

WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC

1 In Germany in 1900, who built the first MEETINGS
rigid-frame, dirigible airship and founded the Aug. 25: OCH Re-
first airline company, DELAG? gional Medical Center
2 What “loverly musical shares its title with Board of Trustees, 4
a line from the children’s song “London p.m.
Bridge is Falling Down”? Aug. 28: Starkville
3 Which device was installed in Cleveland
on Aug. 5, 1914, at the corner of Euclid Ave. Board of Aldermen
Dylan Sherrod work session, 10 a.m.,
and East 105th Street?
Pre-K, New Hope City Hall
4 In swimming, does the abbreviation “DPS”

88 Low 68
stand for distance per — second, stroke or Sept. 1: Starkville
High session? Board of Aldermen
Storms likely
5 What is the name of the traditional Jap- meeting, 5:30 p.m.,
anese broth that’s made from fermented City Hall
Full forecast on soybean paste?
page 3A. Answers, 6B Sept. 11: Starkville
Board of Aldermen
work session, 10 a.m.,
INSIDE City Hall
Business 4B Dear Abby 3B Sept. 15: Starkville
Classifieds 6B Obituaries 5A Board of Aldermen
Comics 3B Opinions 4A Nathan Brooks, 12, goes to meeting: 5:30 p.m.,
Crossword 6B Columbus Middle School. City Hall

DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471

2A THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

US jobless claims jump back

above 1 million in face of virus
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS gress to eventually pass a new res- a week earlier.
cue package with an enhanced job- Having lost the $600-a-week
WASHINGTON — The number less benefit that might not require federal benefit, laid-off workers
of laid-off workers seeking U.S. any changes. are having to get by solely on
unemployment benefits rose to 1.1 In states that decide to pay out the much smaller state-provided
million last week after two weeks the $300, the government esti- checks. In June, the average state
of declines, evidence that many mates it would take three weeks, benefit was $308 a week.
employers are still slashing jobs as on average, for the states to send In some states, the payouts
the coronavirus bedevils the U.S. the money to the unemployed. And are much smaller. Louisiana pays
economy. initially only enough money is be- the nation’s lowest average job-
The latest figures, released ing allotted to cover three weeks of less benefit: $183. Mississippi is
Thursday by the Labor Depart- payments. Even with subsequent next-lowest, at $187. The largest
ment, suggest that more than five grants, analysts estimate that average is in Hawaii, at $456, fol-
months after the viral outbreak there would be enough money to lowed by North Dakota and Mas-
erupted the economy is still weak, last only five or six weeks. sachusetts at $426.
despite recent gains as some busi- The continuing stream of lay- Some large states, like Texas,
nesses reopen and some sectors offs comes against the backdrop Washington, Wisconsin and Geor-
like housing and manufacturing of a modest recovery from a deep gia, have said they are still con-
have rebounded. Jobless claims recession and a virus that is still sidering whether to apply for the
had fallen last week below 1 mil- paralyzing much of the econo- $300-a-week federal aid. Others,
lion for the first time since March, my. Home construction and sales including California, Pennsylva-
to 971,000. A rising number of peo- have bounced back. So have auto nia and Ohio, have said they will
ple who have lost jobs say they con- purchases. But spending on trav-
seek it. Just two, South Dakota and
sider their loss to be permanent. el, entertainment and many oth-
Mississippi, won’t apply for the
The total number of people er services remains weak. Small
program. South Dakota’s governor
receiving unemployment aid de- businesses are struggling. And
says the state doesn’t need it.
clined last week from 15.5 million unemployment, at 10.2%, remains
For John Williams, a former
to 14.8 million, the government elevated.
said Thursday. Those recipients cabdriver in Slidell, Louisiana, just
More Americans are eating at
are now receiving far less aid be- restaurants, but the level of seated outside New Orleans, the loss of
cause a $600-a-week federal ben- dining is still 54% below pre-pan- the $600 landed him in a food bank
efit has expired, which means the demic levels, according to OpenT- line this week, waiting for grocer-
unemployed must now get by sole- able. And though some employers ies. He now receives just $107 in
ly on much smaller aid from their are hiring, economists suspect state unemployment aid, which is
states. The loss of the federal ben- that the pace is weakening. all that he qualifies for based on
efit has deepened the struggles for Thursday’s jobless claims re- his previous income.
many, including a higher risk of port showed that in addition to Before the coronavirus dried up
eviction from their homes. people who applied last week for most of his business, Williams, 77,
President Donald Trump has state benefits, roughly 540,000 used to pick up fares at the New
signed an executive order to pro- others sought aid under a new pro- Orleans airport. Now, besides his
vide $300 a week in federal unem- gram that has made self-employed jobless aid, he receives about $300
ployment aid, with money drawn and gig workers eligible for the a month from Social Security and a
from a disaster relief fund. Twen- first time. That figure isn’t adjust- small pension from a previous job
ty-five states have said they will ap- ed for seasonal variations, so it’s as a maintenance man in the city’s
ply for the federal money, though reported separately from the state school system. He can barely cov-
they would need to revamp their figures. er his mortgage.
computer systems to do so. Other Including the self-employed Williams has gone two days
states are still considering wheth- and gig workers already receiving without taking his blood pressure
er to take that step; two have said benefits, 28 million people are re- medication because when he went
they won’t. ceiving some form of jobless aid, to have it refilled, the cost had dou-
Some states may be hesitating though that figure may include bled.
to overhaul their unemployment double-counting in some states. “I’m hanging in there, doing the
systems because they expect Con- That figure is little changed from best I can,” he said.

AROUND THE WORLD

Strike at Belarus’ state tional outrage. Since Monday, factory pendent Belarusian news
“There are people workers, medical work- outlets and foreign media,
TV erodes government killed, raped, thousands ers, actors, musicians and detaining scores, beating
control are protesting, while other workers have gone some of them, damaging
MINSK, Belarus — In they’re saying every- on strike to demand Lu- their equipment and seiz-
a new challenge to Belar- thing’s fine in the country kashenko’s resignation. ing memory cards.
us’ authoritarian ruler, and nothing is going on,” The walkout of about Boris Goretsky,
hundreds of employees of he said. “It can’t be like 300 employees of Belaru- vice-president of the Be-
state television have gone that, people need to get sian state TV has dealt a larusian Association of
on strike amid a rising the truth from TV.” particularly painful blow Journalists, said 72 jour-
tide of protests, calling Police brutally dis- to the Belarusian leader, nalists were detained
for his resignation after a persed massive protests who has relentlessly sti- while covering the pro-
vote the opposition saw as challenging Lukashenko’s fled independent media tests.
rigged. victory in the Aug. 9 vote since coming to power He said that the author-
The journalists’ action with rubber bullets, stun in 1994 and relied on ities have blocked many
this week has shaken the grenades and clubs, injur- state-controlled television online independent news
government’s control of ing hundreds and arrest- and other media to shape media and denied accred-
the media, helping further ing nearly 7,000. At least public opinion. itation to hundreds of for-
erode President Alexan- three protesters died. The state television eign journalists, who have
der Lukashenko’s grip af- Many of the detainees workers were joined by been eager to come to the
ter 26 years of iron-fisted reported savage beatings journalists from the lead- country to cover the pro-
rule. and other abuse in police ing daily Zvyazda, who put tests.
Vyacheslav Lo- custody. out a statement demand- Goretsky pointed at the
monosov, one of Belaru- The fierce clampdown ing an end to censorship. allegations that the gov-
sian TV employees who fueled outrage and caused Facing the massive pro- ernment turned to Russia
joined the labor action, protests to swell, with an tests, the government has for help to keep the state
said he and his colleagues estimated 200,000 rally- sought to tighten controls television running, and
could no longer tolerate ing around the Belarusian over information. some of the striking TV
an official ban on report- capital’s central square on In the first four days employees have been re-
ing the truth about a bru- Sunday in the largest pro- of protests after the vote, portedly replaced with
tal crackdown on protests test the ex-Soviet nation of police deliberately target- Russian personnel.
that has stoked interna- 9.5 million ever saw. ed journalists from inde- SOURCE: AP
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 3A

LCSD
Continued from Page 1A
next year than in 2020. said he isn’t sure the coun- erating mills from 39.02 to industrial fee-in-lieu deals Money on the table they asked for this until
LCSD Superintendent ty can legally approve the 34.95. Even then, the debt expiring, the school dis- Overall, the value of right now? The biggest year
Sam Allison said the dis- current request without a millage collected about trict could claim as much the county school district for fee-in-lieu was 2016, and
trict is trying to find firm- voter referendum. He also $100,000 less than what as $2.5 million in collec- mill — the amount of mon- they did nothing.”
er financial footing after expressed concern over was owed, Garvin said, tions from new property. It wasn’t until this year
ey one mill can generate
spending down the $17 the county’s ability to re- and added the shortfall to Add 4 percent to that, and that LCSD board member
for LCSD — is increasing
million fund balance it cruit industry to take on this year’s payment. the district could request Brian Clark learned that
from $469,000 to $536,000
boasted in 2014 to about such a large tax burden. The mill increase, Al- roughly $19.6 million for had hap-
this fiscal year, according
$6 million on June 30. Be- “We’ve been able to en- lison said, would mostly operations without requir- pened. He
to Andrews’ conservative
cause property taxes are tice industries to come to help the district bump its ing a referendum. said he had
estimates. That difference,
mostly collected in the Lowndes County because operating millage back to Doing that would only never un-
which includes increased
spring, LCSD has deplet- of our lower tax base,” 39, while also shoring up require a 1.7-mill increase, derstood
property values from re-
ed its reserves in the fall Sanders said. “And then the debt payment short- Andrews estimated. that to be
appraisal, will generate a
semester the last three if we go ahead and raise age. A 7-percent increase the case
total of $3.2 million for the
years, taking out loans to taxes ... the next thing you To cut expenses, Alli- would bump the total op- from previ-
district (for operations and
make payroll in Decem- know, we won’t have any- son said, the district has erating request to $20.1 ous years’ Clark
debt) with no tax increase
ber 2018 and 2019, then body (coming).” eliminated three central million — still about $1 budget
at all. But if LCSD doesn’t
repaying those loans with Allison said he realizes office positions and a few million short of what planning and presentations
claim new property, and
tax money when it came LCSD is asking for a “big teaching positions, which LCSD is requesting. from former business man-
only increases its request
in a few months later. increase” in funds, some should save the district But Allison argues the ager Kenny Hughes, who
by 4 percent, it would cap
This year, Allison said, of which will require high- between $250,000 and district’s request is le- was fired earlier this year.
it at $17 million and actual-
LCSD would probably er taxes. Keeping the tax $300,000 this fiscal year. gally in-line because An- “That’s a lot of money,
ly cause the millage rate to
need a loan to make Sep- flat for more than 30 years drews is undervaluing the drop. and my question would be
tember payroll. has created gaps in opera- ‘New’ property amount LCSD can claim Allison told The Dis- ‘Why?’” Clark said. “Why
“I don’t see how with- tions that widen each year. By law, a school district from expiring fee-in-lieu. patch a school district has would we leave that money
out asking for more mon- “The last thing we can increase its request Since the companies have “no incentive” to do that. on the table when we need-
ey (from local taxes) how want to do is not be a team for local funding for oper- paid on one-third of their But Andrews said that’s ed it?”
we’re ever going to get out player with everyone,” Al- ations by up to 4 percent assessed value for 10 happened before and with As for increasing taxes,
of this hole,” said Allison, lison said. “But we have to each year without a refer- years, Andrews is count- much more money at stake. Clark said he would prefer it
who began working as su- get our finances in order.” endum and up to 7 percent ing as “new property” In 2016, Andrews said, come incrementally, if pos-
perintendent in January. with a reverse referendum the difference between expiring fee-in-lieu agree- sible. In any case, he does
“… We can’t keep borrow- Building back — requiring 1,500 district one-third of the original ments generated $4.7 mil- not support any tax increase
ing money, even if we can voters to submit a petition that requires a referendum.
pay it back in the spring. operations; to force it to the ballot.
assessment ($34 million) lion in collections the dis-
trict didn’t include as new “If we need to raise taxes
and the new full tax as-
We aren’t asking for any- covering debt Any increase exceeding sessment after deprecia- property on its local tax for the school to educate its
thing we don’t need to LCSD did not raise tax- 7 percent requires voter request. So, though the set students and cover its bills,
es last year despite rising tion ($84 million).
keep our head above wa- approval. millage rate collected taxes then I think it’s something
bonded debt payments Instead of just counting
ter.” But the law allows at the proper assessed rate, we need to look at,” he said.
and a set debt millage collections from $50 mil-
School district taxpay- school districts to add the school district could “… I want to make sure that
ers haven’t seen a millage that wasn’t covering the lion in new assessment,
estimated collections have collected more mills the school board and the
rate increase since 1989, payments, both Allison though, Allison said LCSD
from new property enter- on that money if they had board of supervisors both
with the school district and new district business should get to include what
ing the tax rolls to their requested what they were have an agreed understand-
instead requesting funds manager Sayonia Garvin $84 million would gener-
request that are exempt legally entitled. That deci- ing of what the definition
in local taxes that kept said. from being counted in ate as new property on its
sion came in spite of the fact of ‘new property’ is. We
the rate flat. Last year, the The district initially that percentage. That new request. That would allow,
voters had just approved the need a solid, singular voice
millage rate actually de- dedicated 7.69 mills in property could consist of he estimates, the district
$44 million bond. because we’re serving the
creased by .06 to 46.65. 2017 to cover debt, which new businesses or homes to request $27.4 million,
“Why didn’t they ask for same people.”
With the current pro- primarily includes repay- built, as well as expiring including $21.1 million for
it in 2016 when it was double Dispatch reporter Yue
posal, the rate would jump ing a $44 million bond fee-in-lieu contracts — operations, and be within
(what it is this year)?” An- Stella Yu contributed to this
to at least 51.2, which voters approved the year an incentive that allows the 4-percent threshold.
drews said. “Why haven’t report.
drew criticism from some before for various new developments, usually in- “We’re not trying to
county supervisors when construction districtwide. dustrial, valued at $60 mil- fight with anybody,” Alli-
Andrews presented them The 2021 budget shows lion or more to pay one- son said. “Our intent is to
the figure at their Monday $4.5 million in annual debt third of their assessed tax request new property plus
morning meeting. The service payments due, a amount for up to 10 years. 4 percent. If our request
board of supervisors must total Garvin said has in- For example, last year is outside the lines, we’ll
approve the school dis- creased the last two years. LCSD collected $16.3 mil- adjust it. … If they reject
trict’s local tax request by Last fiscal year, the dis- lion in local taxes for oper- it, we’ll have to take steps
Sept. 15, but District 1 Su- trict raised its debt mills ations. Andrews said be- to find out why and who’s
pervisor Harry Sanders to 11.7 and dropped its op- tween new builds and 13 right.”

Pollitz
Continued from Page 1A
United States, AMC from other guests. 222 E. Main St. by Aug. butcher shop on Univer-
Theaters, suffered $2.4 New movie releases 31. sity Drive, welcomed its
billion first-quarter loss will be “Unhinged” and Magnolia Soap & Bath food truck to Starkville
due the national pan- “Words on Bathroom Company first opened last Thursday. Will
demic. Also according Walls,” while older in New Albany and has
Sanders, part owner,
to the National Associa- titles such as “Sonic the grown to various stores
tion of Theater Owners, Hedgehog,” “Jurassic throughout Mississippi. said the food truck is
theaters have also lost Park,” “Trolls World The soap store offers open Thursday through
93 percent of box office Tour,” “Inception,” “Raid- more than 50 scents of Saturday from 11 a.m.-2
sales compared to 2019. ers of the Lost Ark” and bath and skin products p.m. and 6-9 p.m.
The Starkville and “Back to the Future” will that are 100-percent “We’ve been planning
Columbus theaters both also be airing. plant-based. to do it for a while, just
closed in March due to Although Malco Mov- McRee said she’s
customers requesting us
the pandemic. ie Theater, which has a excited about moving to
In Starkville UEC site in Columbus, will Starkville and sharing to prepare food,” Sanders
Hollywood Premier also start opening movie the same Magnolia prod- said. “… We’re just really
Cinema is scheduled to theaters Friday, Colum- ucts she loves with the thankful for the commu-
reopen Friday. The movie bus is not on the list of Mississippi State Bulldog nity.”
theater will premier new early theater openings community. Welcome Home Beef
movies at regular price as of now, but be sure “I started using the offers burgers, cheese
and “catalog” movies at to stay up to date with products over a year ago steaks and street tacos
the bargain price of $5. Malco in Columbus for and fell in love with the
for lunch and dinner and
After nearly five upcoming opening dates. laundry soap,” she said.
months of closure, the Also in Starkville, “I introduced it to my ribeyes and New York
theater will finally reopen Patience McRee has had mom and dad and they strips for dinner only.
its doors. Moviegoers a busy few months. got hooked instantly. …
will be required to wear In just 10 weeks, she We are die-hard (Mis-
masks in the lobby, re- has given birth to her sissippi) State fans, so
strooms and hallways but son, purchased a fran- we were thrilled when
can remove them while chise for Main Street and Starkville was an option
eating and drinking in bought a house. (for a franchise).
the auditorium. McRee, along with her Another establishment
Guests will also be father Rickey McCollum, has jumped on the food
asked to “appropriately hope to open Magnolia truck craze. Welcome
distance” their groups Soap & Bath Company at Home Beef, a Starkville

BUILDING PERMITS
City of Columbus electrical; Vertis Lee
n Emily Lineer; 408 6th Street South; electri-
Aug. 10-14, 2020 cal Absolute Power Solutions
n Philanshia Shambley; 589 Chandler Road; n Louise Sharp; 1009 1/2 Shady Street;
new s/f residence; same electrical; same
n Fox Run Apartments of Columbus LLC; 636 n Steve Ruth and Henry Glover; 818 North
31st Avenue North, Building 4; reroof apart- McCrary Road; plumbing; Browning Plumbing
ments 123-128; J Miller Roofing n Sandra Jones; 1507 12th Avenue North;
n Mack and Katherine Murray; 406 Winterset plumbing; Klutts Plumbing
Drive; new s/f residence; G & G remodeling &
Repair LLC
n Grey Car Properties LLC; 3255 Highway
Lowndes County
45 North; sign for Patio 45; Curtis & Eurie
Aug. 19, 2020
Bordenave
n Debra Rogers; Hwy 45 Alt. S; set up mobile
home; owner
n Columbus Community Housing Dev Org Inc;
912 11th Avenue South; Reno 3 cottages, add
n Debra Rogers; Hwy 45 Alt. S; move mobile
hc ramp; same
home; Regional Enterprise SOLUNAR TABLE
n Aretina Davis; 379 W. Minnie Vaughn Road; The solunar period indicates

n Marcel Pilate; 1002 Moss Street; electrical; set up mobile home; RM&R Services, Inc.
peak-feeding times for fish and game.
Thur. Fri.
Major 2:09a 3:01a
Joseph Harris Jr
n Aretina Davis; 379 W. Minnie Vaughn Road; Minor 8:23a 9:29a
n Gayle Guynup; 201 W Alabama Street; move mobile home; Columbus Mobile Homes Major 2:35p 3:26p
Minor 9:01p 9:37p
electrical; Joseph Harris Jr n Curtis Desmidt; Stanley Raod; set up mobile Courtesy of Mississippi Department

n Jerome Jordan; 2714 7th Avenue North; home; owner

of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

electrical; Beavers Electric

The Dispatch
n Curtis Desmidt; Stanley Raod; move mobile
n Tommy Taylor; 223 Meadow Drive; electrical; home; Simmons Mobile Home
Easley Refrigeration & Electric n Shirley Coleman; 453 Oswalt Road; con-
n Russell Childs; 205 Riverdale Drive; electri- struct commercial building; owner The Commercial Dispatch (USPS 142-320)
cal; Mark Thompson Electric n Craig Pegg; 274 N. Watson Road; construct Published daily except Saturday. Answers to common questions:
n 50’s Properties LLC; 2605 Cleda Drive; Entered at the post office at Columbus, Mississippi.
pole barn; owner Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, MS Phone: 662-328-2424
electrical; Mark Thompson Electric n Dickson; Hope Springs Road; construct s/f POSTMASTER, Send address changes to:
Website: cdispatch.com/help
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Beavers Electric n Rod Dismuke; 456 Jolly Road; remodel s/f Published by Commercial Dispatch Publishing Company Inc.,
516 Main St., Columbus, MS 39703
Report a news tip: news@cdispatch.com
n Wade Wilson; 2413 5th Avenue South; residence; Dismuke Construction
Opinion
4A THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020
PETER BIRNEY IMES Editor/Publisher
BIRNEY IMES III Editor/Publisher 1998-2018
BIRNEY IMES JR. Editor/Publisher 1947-2003

Dispatch
The
BIRNEY IMES SR. Editor/Publisher 1922-1947

ZACK PLAIR, Managing Editor

BETH PROFFITT Advertising Director
MICHAEL FLOYD Circulation/Production Manager
MARY ANN HARDY Controller

OUR VIEW
How should LCSD eat an elephant? One bite at a time
There has been an elephant Sept. 1 and already superin- to address the problem. LCSD has requested roughly to exercise a more measured,
in the room at Lowndes Coun- tendent Sam Allison has said Yet there is an old saying $2.5 million on top of that $3 stepped approach in its
ty School District. Over the the district likely needs a tax that applies to that effort: million, bringing the total request. This problem wasn’t
past several years, the district anticipation loan — essentially “How do you eat an elephant? increase in local taxes request- created overnight and could
has lived beyond its means, a payday loan — to meet its One bite at a time.” ed to $5.5 million for the 2021 likely be corrected over time
sometimes because of forces September payroll. Similar According to tax assessor school year. While we com- with very little additional
beyond its control, but more loans were used the past two Greg Andrews’ conservative mend Allison for his efforts impact on taxpayers.
often out of negligence. In the years to meet payroll. estimate, new developments, to “eat the elephant,” we do Any increase in taxes
span of the past six years, the Ultimately, that failure to reassessment and the expira- question the wisdom of trying should be modest, geared to
district went from having a ro- recognize and deal with that tion of fee-in-lieu agreements to eat the elephant in one bite. arresting the problem, get-
bust $17 million in reserves to “elephant in the room” cost will boost the value of the To raise taxes at a time ting the district’s finances in
borrowing money just to meet LCSD superintendent Lynn school district’s mill from when property tax revenues a more realistic position and
payroll. By last year, the dis- Wright his job. $469,000 to $536,000, bring- will have organically increased allowing more time to bring an
trict had run up a $2.5 million Allison, who assumed ing in an additional $3 million 14.2 percent is an awfully end to the problem altogether.
deficit, which led to the elimi- the role of superintendent in without raising new taxes. large bite to swallow, one that As it is right now, we strong-
nation of nearly 60 jobs for the January, deserves credit for In an effort to completely taxpayers are likely to choke ly believe the elephant before
2020 school year. Classes for recognizing what was plain for shore up finances and rebuild on. the district is simply too large
the 2021 school year begin on most to see and for his efforts the district’s fund balance, We urge the school district to eat in one bite.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Voice of the people

Leaders need accountability and respectability
We as citizens of Lowndes County thank God
for opening any legislator’s eyes concerning the
people of Lowndes County being robbed with
our eyes opened. If you don’t get your concerns
addressed locally, google the attorney general’s
office; someone will guide you where your needs
will be addressed.
Now keep your eyes opened so there won’t be a
repeat of our blind leaders allowing such corrup-
tion. We need new leadership in 2021.
The monument is being moved! Let a new coun-
cil be elected that fears God! If every young person
knew your business — where you hang out, what
you drink or smoke, you “won’t get no respect.”
We need to get back to accountability and
respectability.
If old people are smoking, joking and telling
lies, gambling and cussing along with the young,
Aretha Franklin can’t sing; she’s gone; you reap
what you sow. God sees and hears.
Pat Fisher Douglas
Columbus

A letter to the editor is an excellent way to partic-

ipate in your community. We request the tone of your
letters be constructive and respectful and the length be
limited to 450 words. We reserve the right to edit let-
ters for clarity, grammar and length. While commen-
tary on national issues is always welcome, we limit
candidate endorsements to one per letter-writer. We
welcome all letters emailed to voice@cdispatch.com
or mailed to The Dispatch, Attn: Letters to the Editor,
PO Box 511, Columbus, MS 39703-0511.

CAMPAIGN 2020
OTHER EDITORS
Virus data from schools
The importance of John Kasich vs. AOC
The Democratic Na- only 10 months older that curtail access to abortion, or
tional Convention gave than AOC. even birth control.

important to share with former Ohio Gov. John

Kasich, a Republican,
four minutes to offer
It’s no huge feat to
win a seat in a totally
safe Democratic (or
The 2020 Democratic Party
platform says unequivocally that
every woman should have access

communities his endorsement of Joe

Biden. Rep. Alexan-
dria Ocasio-Cortez,
Republican) district.
The moderate Demo-
crats who flipped seats
to “safe and legal abortion.” Biden
supports a right to abortion. And,
by the way, Kasich didn’t even
As schools in the region continue to reopen, left-wing media star, in purple parts of the mention abortion in his conven-
including Tupelo Public School District on Monday, got only a minute and country are the true tion speech.
we are encouraged to hear that the State Depart- a half. The Democrats party heroes. They Bernie Sanders’ endorsement
ment of Health will mandate that school districts knew what they were don’t tend toward flash. of Biden was a masterpiece. No
will submit coronavirus data and that those up- doing. Froma Harrop And in representing hesitation, no harping over policy
dates will be publicized. Kasich made the districts outside the details on which Sanders and
This is after previous news indicated that case for Republicans and indepen- media corridors on the coasts, Biden disagree. Sanders remains
school districts in the state would not be required dents who regret their 2016 vote they draw too little attention. an inspiration to many on the left,
to inform the public of cases among students and for Donald Trump — or didn’t As for Kasich’s pro-life beliefs, and his ardent fans should follow
faculty. During a panel discussion on Thursday, vote — to stop the president’s it happens that many Democrats his example. That means setting
rampage against normality. He share them, especially in the aside their critiques for the mo-
reported by Daily Journal reporter Danny McAr-
was adding votes to Biden’s tally. immigrant communities that form ment and concentrating on what’s
thur, State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs said that
The day Kasich spoke, AOC a good part of the Democratic at stake.
MSDH is working out the reporting issue process tweeted that “a Republican who base. And there are other pro-life If they are politically astute,
as schools are beginning to submit the data. fights against women’s rights Americans who dislike President the activists — on climate, sexual
“We are going to mandate that the schools doesn’t get to say who is or isn’t Donald Trump but feel Democrats identity or whatever — will stop
submit to us on a weekly basis the number of cases representative of the Dem party.” scorn them. sniping at Biden in this race
that they have, the number of classes affected, She was subtracting votes, the Opposition to abortion is where the alternative is Trump.
quarantine, the number of quarantined individu- definition of political malpractice. not my view, but it’s a view that They would have every right to
als,” Dobbs said. “We do plan on posting that data AOC should know that high deserves respect. If Kasich can try influencing a Biden presi-
by school.” school is over. In politics, the draw some social conservatives to dency, but in case some haven’t
Dobbs said those under 18 will be the fastest popular girls (and boys) don’t de- the Biden side and help him over noticed, he’s not president yet.
growing group of total cases, and we expect that clare who is “in” and who is “out.” the finish line, where is the prob- Bernie said on Monday night,
will continue to be the case as more schools start AOC does that a lot, opining from lem for any Democrat — assum- “As long as I am here, I will work
back. As of Friday, Dobbs said 38 counties have her woke bunker who deserves ing the objective is to win? with progressives, with moder-
schools reporting cases. Overall, 109 teachers and admission to or rejection from the Many on the activist left ignore ates and, yes, with conservatives
69 students have confirmed cases, while another Democratic Party of her mind. the obvious: Their liberal strong- to preserve this nation” from the
If the Democrats wanted to holds can’t win national elections. threat of Trumpism. He’s blessing
254 teachers and staff and 489 students are in
showcase the party’s young The candidate who pulls in the Biden’s big tent, and so should all
quarantine.
future, they could have profitably most Electoral College votes is Democrats. Welcome, John Ka-
Corinth School District was the first to open in handed AOC’s 90 seconds to Rep. the one who gets the power. It sich, and anyone else who cares
the state and has set the standard for communicat- Abby Finkenauer. In 2018, Finke- is this power that has enabled to enter.
ing the latest from its schools. As of this publi- nauer defeated an incumbent tea Trump to stomp over a variety Froma Harrop, a syndicated
cation, the district reported 13 positive cases for party Republican in northeast of social and political norms. columnist, writes for the Provi-
students and three staff members since starting Iowa. Part of an electoral wave Advocates for reproductive rights dence (Rhode Island) Journal. Her
back on July 27. that delivered control of the know it lets him name Supreme e-mail address is fharrop@gmail.
As we have previously written, it is of the up- House to the Democrats, she is Court justices and push measures com.
most importance to get our children back in school
but must do so in a way that makes sense to keep
the students, faculty and their loved ones safe.
We hope to see the level of transparency from Local journalism matters
our local schools, as we’ve seen from Corinth. This Support The Dispatch by subscribing or advertising
information is valuable to each community and to 662-328-2424 or cdispatch.com
help parents make decisions for their children.
(Tupelo) Daily Journal
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 5A

AREA OBITUARIES
COMMERCIAL DISPATCH Gifford officiating. is in Henry Ashford Claudell Edwards Rev. Arnell Edwards
OBITUARY POLICY Otts Funeral Home of charge of Jr. of West Point and
Obituaries with basic informa- STARKVILLE — STARKVILLE —
tion including visitation and
Sulligent was in charge arrange- Henry Clinton Ash- Claudell Edwards, 72, Lurena Campbell of St.
of arrangements. ments. died Aug. 13, 2020. Louis, Missouri; and 12
service times, are provided ford, 70, died Aug. 15,
Mrs. Stone, Alma Mrs. grandchildren.
free of charge. Extended 2020. Funeral Services will
obituaries with a photograph, Audeen, was born Oct. Ling was
Graveside services be at 11 a.m. Friday, at
detailed biographical informa- of 1935, to the late born May Beulah Lee
will be at 11 a.m. Beth-el M.B. Church.
tion and other details families Floyd and Myrtice Clif- 30, 1969, Ling
may wish to include, are Friday, in New Light Burial will follow in ETHELSVILLE,
ton. She was formerly in North
available for a fee. Obituaries Cemetery, with the Mt. Peiler Cemetery II. Ala. — Beulah Lee, 99,
employed picking Alabama, and was ad-
must be submitted through Rev. David Landfair Sr. Visitation is from 2-6 died Aug. 15, 2020, at
funeral homes unless the cotton, with Tollgate opted by Jim and Lois
and Detroit Slacks and officiating. Visitation p.m. today, at West Me- her residence.
deceased’s body has been Eulene Knight. She A graveside home
cleaning businesses is from 1-5 p.m. today, morial Funeral Home.
donated to science. If the was formerly employed going celebration will
deceased’s body was donated and her local church. at Century Hairston West Memorial Funeral
as a secretary for the be at 11 a.m. Sunday, in
to science, the family must She was a member of Funeral Home. Cen- Home of Starkville is
Vernon Fire Depart- Strawbridge Cemetery,
provide official proof of death.
Detroit Church of God. tury Hairston Funeral in charge of arrange-
ment.
Please submit all obituaries
In addition to her Home of Starkville is ments. with the Rev. Robert
on the form provided by The She is survived by
parents, she was pre- in charge of arrange- He is survived by his Williams officiating.
Commercial Dispatch. Free her husband, Michael
ceded in death by her ments. children, Rodney Ed- Visitation will be
notices must be submitted Dewayne Ling; and
to the newspaper no later husband, Bobby Stone; Mr. Ashford was wards of Madison, Aus- from 1-6 p.m. today,
children, Frances Ca-
than 3 p.m. the day prior for and brother, Charles born Aug. 24, 1949, tin Edwards of Macon, at Lavender’s Funeral
rissann “Crissy” Ling
publication Tuesday through Clifton. in Starkville, to the Autuan Edwards of Dal- Service. Lavender’s
Friday; no later than 4 p.m. and Brandon Dewayne
She is survived by late Wilson Ashford las, Texas and Gregory Funeral Services of
Saturday for the Sunday edi- Ling.
tion; and no later than 7:30 her children, Richie Sr. and Ruby Black- Brown of Jacksonville, Aliceville is in charge
a.m. for the Monday edition. Stone and Sherrie man Ashford. He was Arkansas; siblings, of arrangements.
Incomplete notices must be Armstrong; three George Ware formerly employed as a
received no later than 7:30 grandchildren; and STARKVILLE —
George Ware, 84, died mechanic.
a.m. for the Monday through four great-grandchil-
Friday editions. Paid notices Aug. 12, 2020. He is survived by
dren.
must be finalized by 3 p.m. for
Pallbearers were Graveside services his wife, Betty Ash-
inclusion the next day Monday
Tyler Stone, Seth will be at 11 a.m. ford; children, Michael
through Thursday; and on Ward, Henry Ward,
Friday by 3 p.m. for Sunday Armstrong, Terry Friday, in Chickie Hill
and Monday publication. For Lockhart, Marty Tate, Cemetery of Maben. Drashinda Ward-But-
more information, call 662- Harold Wayne Hulsey Visitation is from ler and Tikima Ward;
328-2471. and Jimmy Armstrong. noon-6 p.m. at West siblings, Annette
Memorial Funeral Johnson, Arleen
Peggy Stone Rose Ling Home. West Memo- Yarborough, Cheryl
DETROIT, Ala. — VERNON, Ala. — rial Funeral Home of Henly, Rochelle Minor,
Peggy Stone, 84, died Rose Ann Ling, 51, Starkville is in charge Vanessa Ashford, Rev.
of arrangements. Wilson Ashford Jr.,

James Norris, Jr.

Aug. 17, 2020, at her died Aug. 18, 2020, at
residence. her residence. He is survived by Rev. Kenyon F. Ashford
Graveside services No services are his daughter, Anna and Rev. Tony Ashford;
were at 6 p.m. Wednes- scheduled at this time. Jordon; brother, Ross eight grandchildren;
day, in Kingsville Dowdle Funeral Home Ware; and two grand- and three great-grand- James Dean Norris, Jr. (Jimmy) 78, passed
Cemetery, with David of Millport, Alabama children. children. away at Starkville Manor Nursing Home on
August 19, 2020.
Born on May 13, 1942, he was the much loved
son of James Dean Norris, Sr. (Jimmie) and Julia
Moon Critz Norris. He was a 1960 graduate of
Starkville High School, after which he enrolled
IN NATION in the National Guard and was stationed at Fort
ian Helicopters, based Hundreds of fires have storms that flashed light-
Sill, Oklahoma. Jimmy always loved farming. As
Northern California in Fillmore, which had erupted since the start of ning. a young boy and teenager, he helped his father
wildfires threatening a contract with the state the week as a heat wave California had record- on their family farm and dairy. He later went in
thousands of homes fire agency, Cal Fire, to accompanied by humid ed nearly 11,000 strikes partnership with his father-in-law, Carl Stuart
VACAVILLE, Calif. — provide emergency ser- air created a dangerous in 72 hours, Gov. Gavin Parrish, and farmed soybeans and wheat. He
Wildfires raged through vices on a call-when-need- mix of triple-digit tem- Newsom said Wednesday. then started farming on his own and especially
Northern California on ed basis, said Zoe Keliher, peratures and thunder- SOURCE: AP loved the planting and the harvest seasons. In his
Wednesday, threatening an investigator with the earlier years of farming, he was named to Who’s

Mildred Austin
thousands of homes and National Transportation Who in the South. Jimmy was a descendant of
blackening the skies near Safety Board. some of Starkville’s oldest families. His maternal
San Francisco as crews grandfather, Hugh Critz, was President of
struggled to surround Mildred Lucille Austin, 89, of Columbus, MS Mississippi State University from 1930-1934,
them despite steep ter- passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at North during which time the name of the University was
rain and blistering heat. Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo, MS. changed from Mississippi A&M to Mississippi
The fires, many caused A family graveside service will be held Friday, State College. In 1850, Jimmy’s great great great
by lightning and some- August 21, 2020, at 10:00 AM at Memorial grandfather, William Gage Gillespie, built the
times pushed by strong Gardens, with Bro. Ron Delgado officiating beautiful antebellum Gillespie-Jackson House,
winds, had burned hun- which is located on the corner of Louisville
and Lowndes Funeral Home Columbus, MS
dreds of thousands of Street and Highway 12 in Starkville. This home
directing.
acres as they chewed is loved by many people in this area and is a
through brushland, rural Mrs. Austin was born December 9, 1930,
in Talledega, AL, to the late Nellie Wesley local landmark. Jimmy was a member of The
areas, canyon country
Newsome and Thomas E. Newsome. She worked First United Methodist Church in Starkville. A
and dense forest to the
at Austin Williams Florist for many years. Mrs. church attended by his maternal family for many
north, east and south of
San Francisco. Fires also Austin attended House of Restoration, Vibrant, generations. His fourth great grandfather, Robert
carved their way through and Assembly Church. She enjoyed taking care Lampkin, provided the land on which the church
the wine country and the of others, as was a member of Eastern Star and is built, with the stipulation that the land never
Sierra Nevada. Friendly City Garden Club. be sold and that the church would always remain
In addition to about In addition to her parents, Mrs. Austin is at that location. Jimmy loved this church and
two dozen major blazes, preceded in death by her husband, Howell Austin; attended from his birth with his family, and later
small fires kept erupting, and two sisters, Linda Maddox and Jean Hayes. as an adult. Even when his health worsened and he
though most were quickly Mrs. Austin is survived by her daughters, did not attend church, he would faithfully watch
stopped. Sami Austin and Jane (Dennis) Harmon both the services on television on Sunday mornings.
In central California, a of Columbus, MS; son, Tony (Judy) Austin of His paternal grandfather, W.T. Norris, was one
pilot on a water dropping Newton, MS; grandchild, Riley (Ashely) Austin; of the founders and original board members of
mission in western Fres- four great-grandchildren; brothers, Ralph the old Security State Bank in Starkville and
no County died Wednes- Newsome and Donald Newsome; and sister, Maben Home Bank. His father, Jimmie Norris,
day morning when his he- Ellen Jordan. Sr., owned the old Lakeside Golf Course and
licopter crashed about an Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital Country Club, which is now the Mississippi State
hour from New Coalinga for Children 815 Market St. Galveston, TX 77550. University Golf Course. Jimmy loved to hunt on
Municipal Airport. this family land before it became a golf course,
The pilot, whose name Compliments of then as a teenager and young adult, he enjoyed
has not been released, Lowndes Funeral Home playing golf there. He also loved fishing in Norris
was working with Guard- www.lowndesfuneralhome.net
Lake, which adjoins the golf course. Jimmy was
an avid hunter and fisherman his whole life,

Harley Jo Cantrell Angela Shelton enjoying hunting and fishing with his sons, Jay
and John, his nephews, and his friends. As his
health started failing and he wasn’t able to hunt
Baby Harley Jo Cantrell of Caledonia, MS Angela Shelton, 59, of and fish as he always loved to, he would sit on
passed away Saturday, August 15, 2020, at Columbus, MS passed his front porch watching everything that went
LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center, Memphis, Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at on around his house and land, reminiscing about
TN. Baptist Memorial Hospital- the days when he was able to enjoy the outdoors.
A funeral service will be Friday, August 21, GT. He always loved to be outdoors. He also liked to
2020 at 3:00 PM at Victory Tabernacle , 550 Ridge A memorial service will hang out at Mike Latham’s Body Shop and spent
Road with Bro. Jared Glover officiating. Interment be Friday, August 21, 2020, many days there.
will be in Vaughn Cemetery, Caledonia, MS with at 11:00 AM at Yorkville A memorial service celebrating his life will
Lowndes Funeral Home directing. Heights, with Dylan Williams be held at a later date, with his brother-in-law,
Harley Jo was born July 9, 2020, in Tupelo, MS officiating. Rev. Roy McKay, and nephew, Rev. Andy Parrish,
to Amber and Michael Cantrell. Mrs. Shelton was born on officiating.
She is preceded in death by her paternal and July 7, 1961, in Oklahoma City, OK, to the late Jimmy is survived by his wife, Donna Sue
maternal grandfathers, Bobby Rast and Mike Lyla Jean Mosby and Leo Dusenberry. She loved Parrish Norris, of Starkville; sons, Jay Norris
Cantrell. her cats, reading, and her flowers. Mrs. Shelton of Starkville and John Norris (Pam) of Macon;
Harley Jo is survived by her parents, Amber enjoyed and loved spending time with her family grandchildren, Wyatt Norris and Sarah Norris;
and Michael Cantrell both of Caledonia, MS; and taking pictures. and his sister, Mary Lynn Norris Seitz (Kenneth)
brother, Michael “Trey” Cantrell III; sister, In addition to her parents, Mrs. Shelton of Starkville. He is also survived by two first
Alana Cantrell; paternal grandmother, Bonnie is preceded in death by her brother, Randy cousins he loved, Jean Critz Lindsey and Dean
(Allen) Cantrell; maternal grandmother, Dana Dusenberry. Norris Mann. They loved him and were always
Rast; aunts, Beverly Taylor, Kayla Rast, Rebecca Mrs. Shelton is survived by her husband of 18 so good to check on him.
(Rodney Garrard) Lester and Stephanie years, David Shelton of Columbus, MS; daughter, He was preceded in death by his loving parents,
Cantrell; great-grandmother, Kathy Rast; great- Danielle (Heath) Simpson; son, Shanon (Sonia) Jimmie D. Norris, Sr. and Julia Moon Critz Norris;
grandfather, William “Titum” Langford; and a Barham; step-son, Derek (Heather) Shelton; his daughter, Laura Dean Norris, who absolutely
host of cousins. grandchildren, Kaitlyn Barham, Breelyn adored her daddy; and his infant daughter, Jeri
Pallbearers will be Matthew Aaron and Avery Simpson, Kaleb Woo and Naomi Woo; sister, Lynn Norris. He is having a wonderful reunion
Prowell. Candy (Max) Jo Westmoreland; brother, with all of them in Heaven now.
Memorials may be made to LeBonheur Sean Dusenberry; and step-mother, Elaine If you wish to make a donation in memory of
Children’s Medical Center 50 N. Dunlop Dusenberry. him, please donate to The First United Methodist
Memphis, TN. Memorials may be made to the donors choice. Church, your church, or favorite charity. You can
leave a condolence at www.welchfuneralhomes.
Compliments of Compliments of
Lowndes Funeral Home Lowndes Funeral Home Paid Obituary - Welch Funeral Home
www.lowndesfuneralhome.net www.lowndesfuneralhome.net
6A THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Airbus
Continued from Page 1A

Isabelle Altman/Dispatch Staff

An H125 helicopter specifically designed for U.S. Customs and Border Protection sits at Lowndes County’s
Airbus facility on Airport Road Wednesday waiting to be delivered. Airbus has contracted with CBP to design and
deliver 16 such helicopters — the first of which has been completed and is already being used for CBP opera-
tions — over the next 14 months. A congressional delegation and members of CBP toured the facility Wednes-
day in celebration of the helicopters.
cility and meet with ment’s flight hours, said Steve press release distributed at the
employees. U.S. Boyer, deputy executive assistant event.
Sen. Cindy Hyde- commissioner of policy, Air and Legislators said it is Missis-
Smith was also on Marine Operations at CBP. sippi and the Golden Triangle ar-
the program but “We use this fleet every day,” he ea’s skilled workforce that makes
had to cancel at the said, “in everything from narcot- the production of such high-tech
last minute due to a ics operations to national events equipment possible.
family emergency. like the Super Bowl.” Younger told employees he is
Kelly
“We are here He and Executive Director of proud to have such a “jewel” as
today to make a Operations, Air and Marine Op- the Airbus facility in his district,
statement to you, erations Dennis Michelin said the which not all Mississippi legisla-
these teammates new helicopters provide security tors can say.
and these people for agents on the ground during in- “This is quality. I wish they
that make America vestigations and operations. Kelly, would make a pick-up for me on
work, that we are in his remarks to employees, add- the farm because I don’t believe
committed to this ed CBP’s helicopters have been
you could tear it up,” he joked.
aircraft,” Wicker Wicker used in search and rescue mis-
Both Kelly and Wicker said
said in an address sions in remote areas near the bor-
to employees. “We there are pockets of high-tech in-
der as well as for patrol and other
are committed to dustry all over the state, but espe-
law enforcement procedures.
production and cially in the Golden Triangle.
“It’s just changed the way we
we’re doing it for do business,” Boyer later told The “You can’t get any more Amer-
the right reason. Dispatch. “It’s allowed us to work ican-made than that helicopter
We love employees. more effectively. It’s efficient. It’s here in Mississippi,” Kelly said.
We love jobs in Mis- a safety net for our employees that “… You have technology and de-
sissippi and jobs in Younger are on the ground that we’ve never fense-driven businesses that are
America. But the had before, so it’s a game-chang- coming to Mississippi.”
main point we’re er.” Wicker called the Golden Tri-
making is this aircraft is essential Trapp said Airbus will deliver angle’s industrial development op-
to the security of the United States one helicopter a month through portunities “a howling success.”
of America, and we all benefit from October 2021. “Hardly anybody does it better
it.” Airbus opened its facility in than the Golden Triangle, whether
Airbus has built more than 100 Columbus in 2003 and expanded it’s training or job creation or in-
helicopters for CBP since 1987, in 2006. More than 750 employ- dustrial recruitment,” he said. “…
and they currently make up about ees — about 40 percent of whom We got drones, we got steel. We
50 percent of the department’s are veterans — currently work at got the most sophisticated aircraft
fleet and 65 percent of the depart- the facility, according to an Airbus in the world.”

Outbreak
Continued from Page 1A
they and the other 71 students in moved into the residence hall tancing and a protective face cov-
the nursing class are all quaran- MUW designated specifically for ering requirement for students’
tining for 14 days while the class quarantine. Miller said the build- return to campus, according to its
will be taught online, according to ing has about 22 rooms. website. Miller said administration
a Wednesday press release from The university has recom- is working closely with state health
MUW. mended COVID-19 testing for all officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs to keep
“Our normal procedures would students in the nursing class, and campus as safe as possible.
have been instructing those while MUW has limited testing “Unfortunately, we knew we
close contacts to quarantine, but resources, MSDH will send a team were going to have COVID on cam-
(MSDH) said that because these to campus Monday to administer pus coming back, and we’re follow-
cases were all within a certain co- some tests to the quarantined stu- ing our procedures and working
hort, three or four cases trigger dents, Miller said. through it,” she said.
treating it as an outbreak, and that All four students who tested pos- As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, Lown-
requires quarantine of everyone,” itive were on campus within a week des County has 1,167 confirmed
Miller said. before receiving the diagnosis, positive COVID-19 cases and 47
Contract tracing has shown that according to the tracker. Students deaths, including one new death on
the spread of the virus “apparently who live on campus spent last week Tuesday, according to the MSDH
did not occur on our campus,” let moving into residence halls, but website.
alone in the nursing classroom, Miller said the four COVID-posi- MSDH did not respond to a
she said. tive students all live off-campus. request for comment Thursday
Some of the students have MUW implemented social dis- morning.
Sports MISSISSIPPI STATE FOOTBALL
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000 B
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020
SECTION

MSU PLAYERS STAYING CAUTIOUS AMID STUDENTS’ RETURN TO CAMPUS

BY BEN PORTNOY ing safety precautions, in between games of Mad-
bportnoy@cdispatch.com keeping our hands clean den each night.
and things like that. And Echoing Thompson’s
STARKVILLE — Mis- on top of that, I feel like sentiments, junior receiv-
sissippi State football’s we do feel safer at work.” er Austin Williams, who’s
leadership is preaching Siphoned off from the enrolled in MSU’s online
responsibility. normal pleasures college MBA program, said his
With fall camp en- students enjoy, the Bull- life has been made easier
during amid the global dogs have undergone per- given his virtual class set-
COVID-19 pandemic, se- sistent COVID-19 testing ting.
nior defensive end Kobe throughout the offseason That said, with the
Jones and his fellow up- and are slated to receive chaos that ensues with
perclassmen have been three tests per week ac- undergrads returning
largely bubbled off to the cording to Southeastern to campuses in the fall,
general public through- Conference guidelines both conceded the team’s
out voluntary in-person should the season actual- task of staying out of pop-
workouts this summer. ly kick off. ulated areas and ensur-
But with classes resum- Given the isolation this ing their safety has been
ing Monday at MSU and fall has brought, coupled made harder given the
students largely back on with the temptations that addition of roughly 20,000
campus, the football team come with living on or
new Starkvillians from all
is now at greater chance near a college campus,
corners of the country.
of infection despite the players are getting in-
best efforts of administra- Thompson, a captain
creasingly boring, albeit
tors and thus forces more on last year’s squad, noted
with a purpose, in their
day-to-day decision mak- he, Jones, Stanford gradu-
everyday lives.
ing on players. Senior linebacker Er- ate transfer K.J. Costello,
“Around the team we’re roll Thompson, who re- senior receiver Osirus
emphasizing to kind of set turned to MSU despite Mitchell and sophomore
the standard in society, testing the NFL Draft cornerback Martin Emer-
around the community, waters this spring, said son have been among the Courtesy of MSU Athletics
in Starkville,” Jones said. he and Jones have spent more outspoken leaders Senior linebacker Erroll Thompson said he and the rest of his teammates have taken
“Like wearing masks, tak- ample time on the phone See MSU, 2B precautions to help ensure a 2020 football season can happen.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Starkville Academy still feels confident in return trip to title game BY THEO DEROSA year, including eight of its in that sense,” Nicholson
tderosa@cdispatch.com 11 defensive starters, and said.
must replace a lot of tal- Carter said Miller —
STARKVILLE — ent to return to the MAIS whom he called one of the
Chase Nicholson didn’t Class 5A championship great players in Starkville
even have to ask. game. Academy history —
The Starkville Acad- “You see a lot of fac- taught him a lot in terms
emy football coach typi- es that are back on both of aggressiveness and
cally holds voluntary film sides of the ball, but you playing style.
sessions each Sunday, but see a lot of new faces, too, “I’m trying to play like
this week, ahead of Fri- which is pretty standard he is: 100 percent effort
day’s season opener at La- for us,” Nicholson said. at all times, make big
mar School, he didn’t plan Many of the play- plays, make my fits right
on having one. ers Starkville Academy so everyone behind me
So several Volunteers brings back played some can succeed, too,” Carter
took it upon themselves last season but didn’t hold said.
to call and organize a Sun- down starting roles all Nicholson said that
day film study. Besides year. Outside linebacker each time the Vols lose
two injured players, only Bo Carter, for example, a player of Miller’s cali-
one Vols player wasn’t spelled star Matt Miller ber — like Taylor Arnold,
able to make it — a par- late in the season when Houston Clark or Noah
ticipation rate of over 90 Miller missed snaps with Methvin — someone in-
percent. a knee injury. Carter also evitably leaps into that
“That kind of tells filled in at the other out- role sooner or later, and
you the leadership and side linebacker position he can’t wait to see who
the work ethic that they on occasion. this year’s “alpha male”
have,” Nicholson said. “Bo has seen a lot of ac- will be.
Dispatch file photo
Those qualities will be tion, especially in the last “That’s part of the
Starkville Academy will have the tall task of replacing 17 seniors from last year, mentality of Starkville
necessary for a team that half of the season, so he’s
including eight of its 11 defensive starters, and must replace a lot of talent to return
graduated 17 seniors last almost a returning starter See VOLS, 2B
to the MAIS Class 5A championship game.

West Point sets sights on fifth straight championship

BY GARRICK HODGE Chambless said his team long as they let us play,
ghodge@cdispatch.com will simply be thankful we’re going to prepare to
for each day it’s allowed to play and get ready to go.”
WEST POINT — Last compete. Since practice started
year couldn’t have ended “You never know if Monday, West Point has
better for West Point foot- put a priority on social
you’re going to have to-
ball. distancing when possi-
morrow or not with a (po-
The Green Wave de- ble, wearing masks in the
tential) shutdown,” Cham-
feated Picayune 38-26
bless said. “You just don’t locker room and rigorous
in the MHSAA Class 5A
know. You have to handle cleaning and sanitizing.
state championship for its
things different for you.” “It’s totally different
11th state championship
Yet, as long as there from what we normally
in school history, match-
are games on the calen- do,” Chambless said. “We
ing South Panola for the
dar, the Green Wave will keep things pretty clean
most ever in the state of
be prepared, Chambless around here normally,
Mississippi. It was also
said. but we’ve gone to a to-
the fourth consecutive ti-
tle for West Point. “This is different for tally different level this
In normal circumstanc- everybody right now,” year. Hand sanitizer is
es, the Green Wave would Chambless said of the everywhere on the prac-
be focused solely on mak- new team protocols in tice field and inside of the
ing history by capturing place. “But the goals are buildings. Our young men
their fifth straight state still the same. We have and coaches have handled
championship. But with the same goal, this year this very well, they know
Dispatch file photo
the COVID-19 pandemic is just a little tougher. But for us to be able to get
The 2020 West Point football team has its eyes set on capturing its fifth straight
continuing to be a nui- everyone is on the same through the year and play state championship. The Green Wave defeated Picayune 38-26 in the MHSAA Class
sance, West Point Chris playing field with it. As See WEST POINT, 2B 5A state championship last year.
2B THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

NASCAR’s Kyle Larson to AP on slur: ‘I was just ignorant’

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS with that word,” Larson told The over racial injustice. in motorsports and Jysir Fisher, in a Japanese internment camp
Associated Press. “That’s not a This was new ground for Lar- one of its students, had celebrat- during World War II, is adamant
INDIANAPOLIS — What do word that I had ever used. I grew son. His family — father Mike ed with Larson in victory lane he wants to educate himself.
you do when the entire world be- up in Northern California, all I and mother Janet, both devout in following a win in Delaware last “I just felt like there was more
lieves you are a racist? When your ever did was race and that’s all I raising their son to make proper October. that I needed to do — and I
career has collapsed because you was focused on. There’s proba- life decisions, be a good person Fisher was deeply disappoint- wanted to show through ac-
uttered the N-word while playing bly a lot of real-life experiences I and treat people equally — made ed by Larson’s use of the N-word tions that I am a better person
a late night video game? didn’t get to have and I was just racing a hobby. When Larson be- and discussed it with founder An- than I was before,” Larson said.
Kyle Larson packed his things ignorant to how hurtful that word gan go-karting at 7 they used all thony Martin. The two also talk-
and left North Carolina, return- Larson has spent his time
is.” discretionary income on further- ed when Larson said he wanted
ing to his native California too in NASCAR exile back at the
Larson sat down with the AP ing his racing career. to visit the school.
embarrassed to show his face in on Wednesday for his first inter- “I never really realized how “Kyle made it his business starting point of his career, rac-
public. view since he was fired April 15 privileged I was in the way I grew to come here to this school and ing sprint cars across the coun-
The facts were plain and by Chip Ganassi Racing after ev- up,” Larson said. “I never had to apologize. He didn’t want to do try and piling up 31 wins.; this
he doesn’t deny them: He was ery sponsor cut ties. He had also really worry about anything and I it by telephone. He wanted to do weekend, he will be at the Indy
iRacing in April, couldn’t hear been suspended by NASCAR and guess I was naive. I didn’t have a it face-to-face,” Martin told AP. Mile Race at the Fairgrounds at
his spotter on his headset and needed to complete a sensitivity full understanding that there are “That had a strong effect on Jy- nearly the same time the Indi-
used the racist slur to get his col- training course for reinstatement. people struggling with different sir. His favorite driver is still Kyle anapolis 500 is running across
leagues’ attention. His downfall Larson took the course. Then things on a daily basis. It was very Larson.” town.
was swift: The 28-year-old Lar- he decided he needed to do more. impactful, very moving.” Larson has also hired a per- Larson still hopes to get
son lost his sponsors, his job and He connected with retired Sanneh connected Larson sonal diversity coach from The back to NASCAR. He doesn’t
any shot at a multimillion-dollar soccer star Tony Sanneh, whose with former Olympian Jackie Kaleidoscope Group, which spe- know if a team or sponsors will
contract in NASCAR’s upcoming foundation works on youth devel- Joyner-Kersee and Larson vis- cializes in diversity and inclusion be willing to give him a second
free agency. opment and empowerment in the ited her foundation in East St. consulting. chance. He has met NASCAR’s
Depressed and devastated, Minneapolis area. Larson went to Louis. He got on the phone with Martin understands celebri- requirements for reinstate-
Larson began a journey to un- visit Sanneh and volunteer at the Max Siegel, the CEO of USA ties often go through the motions
ment. He said Wednesday he
derstand both why he had said foundation in the weeks before Track & Field who also runs a to repair their image after a fall.
has not yet requested reinstate-
the word and how to grow from the city — and the nation — were NASCAR-sanctioned team that is He insists that’s not what Larson
the experience. What he discov- rocked by the death of George part of the stock car series’ diver- has been doing. ment.
ered was that he’d been living in Floyd in police custody. sity program. Larson, who is half “Kids make mistake,” Martin “I made a mistake and I’m
a bubble most of his life in which Floyd died a few weeks after Japanese, came through that very said. “Do I think that Kyle was paying for it and I accept that,”
winning races was the only thing that first visit and Larson again program on his way to NASCAR. ever a racist? Absolutely not.” Larson said. “I’d like to get back
that mattered. returned to Minneapolis. Sanneh Larson also continued work Larson said he isn’t doing there and we’ll see if there’s a
“I was just ignorant. And im- took him to the site where Floyd with the Urban Youth Racing what he’s doing in a bid to get way. All I can do is continue to
mature. I didn’t understand the died and they toured parts of the School in Philadelphia. The non- his job back. Larson, whose ma- improve myself and let my ac-
negativity and hurt that comes city heavily damaged in protests profit helps minorities advance ternal grandparents spent time tions show who I truly am.”

Vols
Continued from Page 1B
Academy football: The be. but Carter said that will Jackson said the Vols, second straight time lost in the state title (ri-
man’s going to rise up,” “I have my theo- come in time. who began preseason against the Raiders. val Heritage Academy
Nicholson said. “You just ries, but those theories On offense, the Vols camp July 27, have start- “It’s away again, but last fall).
wonder sometimes who stay with me,” he said. return junior quarter- ed kind of slow out of we’ve just got to make “They’ve experienced
it’s going to be. Some- “They’re just that: theo- back Randall Futral, who COVID-19 precaution, big plays,” Jackson said. every one of those, and
times you already know, ries.” offers starting experi- but they’re ramping up Jackson, a transfer I believe I know which
and sometimes you’re He got to test them for ence at a premium posi- ahead of Friday’s first from Noxubee County, one they would want to
surprised, but there’s the first time this season tion, and three starting game. They’ll face La- was still in Macon when taste again,” Nicholson
always another one who in Friday’s two-quarter offensive linemen. Run- mar School in a rematch Starkville Academy won said.
steps up.” jamboree game at Win- ning back CJ Jackson, of a 2019 quarterfinal the 2017 title, but the Jackson expressed
Nicholson said that ston Academy, which always capable of tak- contest that Starkville Vols’ other seniors have confidence that the Vols
player will almost surely the Vols won 13-7. Car- ing over a game on the Academy came back to that championship expe- don’t simply hope to do
come from a 10-player ter said the team’s pass ground, returns for his win 24-22. rience under their belt, just that — they’re fully
senior crop or from an defense was already senior season. While the Vols host- Nicholson said. capable of it.
even bigger group of ju- stout, only allowing a “I’m feeling pretty ed Lamar in Week 1 of They’ve also lost in “We’re going to go
niors, but he offered no handful of completions. good about the team and 2019 — a 34-13 loss for the second round of the back to the state cham-
more specifics on who Starkville Academy’s everything,” Jackson the home team — they’ll playoffs (Adams County pionship and win it, too,”
the Vols’ next star will run defense was lacking, said. be on the road for the Christian in 2018) and he said.

MSU
Continued from Page 1B
in emphasizing decision-making to un- think there’s one thing that is probably
derclassmen. a common denominator and that’s that
“We’re trying to have a football sea- people have great moral integrity in the
son and I’m not trying to jeopardize that decisions they make. I’m not criticiz-
myself,” Thompson said. ing here but a lot of people have asked
“We’ve been emphasizing being safe, that we wear masks when we’re in pub-
staying smart when you’re away from lic, when we’re in crowds, when we’re
here,” he added later. “Every day we’re in large groups of people, that we keep
talking to each other about being safe social distance and I don’t think they’re
and watching who you’re surrounding doing that just for the heck of it.”
yourself with, washing your hands and Locally, a COVID-19 outbreak at Mis-
just taking all the necessary steps to be sissippi University for Women was linked
smart.” to the Cotton District just off MSU’s cam-
Throughout the summer, MSU has
pus according to State Health Officer
kept any outbreaks or COVID-19 con-
Thomas Dobbs. And while students are
cerns relatively private in regard to the
continuing in compromising behavior
football program. But with images sur-
facing around college campuses, such as nationwide, those spending their days
one captured this week with numerous at the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex this
Alabama undergrads throughout the bar fall see the situation in simple terms.
district in Tuscaloosa that circulated on “In general, big picture, it’s definite-
social media in recent days, the disre- ly tougher,” Williams said of maintain-
gard for social distancing has drawn the ing distance from normal college life.
ire of prominent figures throughout the “You’ve got to make some more con-
SEC — including Alabama head coach scious decisions not to put yourself in
Nick Saban. crowded areas or whatever it may be.
“I think democracy is great and I It’s different, but it’s a sacrifice. I mean,
think people that have all these free- what do you want to do? Do you want to
doms, I think that’s all great,” Saban said play ball or go do those other things? It’s
in his Monday press conference. “But I not really much of a decision for me.”

West Point
Continued from Page 1B

this season we have to be diligent.” corps. With less contact reps coming for
Practice will also have a different West Point this year, Chambless said the
look, as Chambless said there will be far discipline on defense will be key.
less contact in practices in preparation “As long as we stay sound and play
for West Point’s scheduled season open- fundamental technique football, we’ll
er against Starkville Sept. 4. be fine,” he said. “We need to make the
“It has to (have less contact). Any right reads, run downhill and make tack-
coach that tells you otherwise is lying to les and just do the little things it takes to
you,” Chambless said. Practices are go- win football games.”
ing to have to be scheduled in ways that If West Point is fortunate enough to
will put contact at minimum even though complete its season and capture its fifth
you have to get ready to play. You try and straight championship, Chambless said
take care of yourself and your kids.” there’d be a sense of attainment that’s
On offense, four-year standout quar- almost unexplainable.
terback Brandon Harris has graduated, “I think it would be really satisfying,”
and will be replaced by Corbin Kelley. he said. “You talk about being able to do
Kelley played in several games last sea- something like that, not only having to
son and is expected to lead the West go through what we’re going through
Point offense. but doing that for our community would
“He’s taking the reins now and has be special. One thing we preach to our
run with it,” Chambless said. guys here is we’re not going to be selfish.
Chambless said Jakobe Pate and We’re doing this because it lifts our com-
Cameron Young will likely split carries munity up and gives our school pride.
at running back, while Jamar Davis and That’s the reason we come to work ev-
Jaekwon Bradshaw have provided steady eryday and work hard is to give our town
leadership on the offensive line. and county something to be proud of. In
Defensively, West Point will be an- the past we’ve been able to get the job
chored up front by Jequarius Thomas done, our guys have worked so hard that
and Dahmarion Williams, while Jykeon just being able to get on the field this
Cunningham will lead the linebacker year would be a big positive for us.”
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 3B

Tiger Woods now hopeful of having a busy golf schedule

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS played three weeks in a golf returned in June, he due to the pandemic, Fe- course that Woods played a champion. Someone’s
row. has fallen to No. 49. dEx Cup points for the Monday. The U.S. Open got to win them. Doesn’t
NORTON, Mass. — Ti- The road begins Thurs- Only the top 70 after playoff events are only was rescheduled because matter if it’s in April or
ger Woods has been care- day with The Northern this week advance to the triple in value instead of of the pandemic. November. The fact that
ful to manage his schedule Trust, the first of three BMW Championship at being worth four times as “We’re all getting used we have an opportunity
to avoid playing too much playoff events that culmi- Olympia Fields south of much. That will reduce to the schedule,” Woods is the most important
as he tends to a lower back nate in Atlanta with the Chicago, and from there some of the volatility. said. “This is weird for ev- thing.”
that has gone through four Tour Championship and the top 30 go to East Lake A victory or runner-up ery one of us.” McIlroy and Woods
surgeries. the $15 million prize to the in Atlanta for the Tour finish at the TPC Boston, That includes Thom- are the only players to
Now the idea is to play FedEx Cup champion. Championship. where Woods won in 2006, as, who joined Woods at have won the FedEx Cup
as much as he can. Justin Thomas is the No. That Woods is even as would lock up a spot in Winged Foot on Monday. twice — Woods in 2007
“The plan is to play four 1 seed — the eighth player high as No. 49 is remark- Atlanta and might afford He spoke of crossing the and 2009 as the No. 1
out of five,” Woods said in eight years to have the able considering he has him the chance to take off virtual finish line at East seed, McIlroy in 2016 and
Wednesday after playing top seed starting the post- played only five times this next week. Considering he Lake and going on a vaca- last year when he rallied
the back nine at TPC Bos- season — and played the season. That includes the hasn’t seriously contended tion to decompress. That’s to beat Brooks Koepka on
ton. “That’s the plan.” nine-hole practice round ZoZo Championship in since Japan last fall, odds in a normal year. Now, the final day at East Lake.
It’s an ambitious plan for with Woods, Ryan Palmer Japan last October, when are he’ll have to play three there’s no stopping. Koepka won’t have a
a 44-year-old who tries to and Harold Varner III. Woods won for his re- in a row to reach Atlanta. “That Masters in No- chance to return. His sea-
avoid playing consecutive Woods wasn’t sure cord-tying 82nd career “That’s the way it’s go- vember is sort of the end of son has been interrupt-
weeks, much less the three where he stood in the Fe- victory. ing to work out,” Woods the season,” McIlroy said. ed by a knee injury and
in a row that might be re- dEx Cup. He thought it There also was a tie for said. “But look, it’s a different COVID-19, and at No. 97
quired for him to reach the was No. 28, his position ninth at Torrey Pines, dead And then he would have year. I think we’re all just in the FedEx Cup, he end-
Tour Championship for the when golf shut down on last at Riviera and then one week to exhale be- glad that the tournaments ed his season Wednesday
first time since he won at March 15 because of the no golf for three months. fore the U.S. Open, one of are being played and that by withdrawing with nag-
East Lake in 2018. That’s COVID-19 pandemic. Hav- Because the tour lost 13 the most grueling weeks we’re getting them in, ging knee and hip inju-
also the last time Woods ing played only twice since weeks from its schedule in golf at a Winged Foot that there’s going to be ries.

Comics & Puzzles

DILBERT
Dear Abby
D
EAR ABBY: I When she who needed help and was loved
desperately makes nega- by everyone.
need to tive comments Little did I know, my hus-
learn how to cope about your ex, band had been confiding all of
with caring for my don’t take the my perceived faults with Wendy
mother, who is bait. Ignore her, over the years. Twenty-five years
living with me. We leave the room have passed, and she still has
get along most or counter by residual anger toward me for
days, however she saying something things I never did back then. It
is very much a positive about spills out when she judges me
“Negative Nancy” him. (I hope you or accuses me about issues
on all topics, es- can come up with that happen between us today.
ZITS pecially my life. some good ma- Her father was abusive and
I have been terial.) And when neglectful of her, too, but she
divorced for more she complains doesn’t remember it. In her
than 10 years, but that you don’t do eyes, I was the bad guy in the
she digs about enough for her, marriage and he was the good
my ex and his
Dear Abby start doing less, guy and her hero forever.
new wife as often which may make I don’t know how to heal the
as possible. I have asked her you feel less taken for granted. ugliness between us. I don’t
repeatedly to stop, but she flat- Understand that you may think it’s productive at this
out refuses because “he left never please her, and when the point to tell her how bad her
me in financial ruin.” quarantine ends, encourage father treated me back then.
Yes, my ex is more finan- her to spend time at a senior I continue to love her uncon-
cially stable today than when center, volunteering “to help ditionally, but it still doesn’t
we were married, but I am others less fortunate,” or some overcome her underlying pain
neither desolate nor destitute. other activity that will get her and anger. Was I wrong for hid-
GARFIELD She makes me feel like no out of your house. You should ing everything from her? It’s not
matter what I do for her it’s not also spend less time with her fair being thought of unjustly.
enough, and before you suggest when you need to. What else can I do? — FAILING
it, our only option is to live DEAR ABBY: My late hus- IN FLORIDA
together. Please help salvage band and I had a dysfunctional DEAR FAILING: By protecting
my emotional state. ­— CHAL- marriage. He died in a car acci- your daughter from the truth all
LENGED IN TEXAS dent in 1995 at the age of 49. I these years, you have contrib-
DEAR CHALLENGED: For was 44 then. uted to the situation you find
the sake of your sanity, you will I did my best to shield my yourself in. Tell your daughter
have to learn to change the way then-teenage daughter, “Wen- it’s important the two of you
you react to Mommy Dearest, dy,” from his opiate addiction, get some issues out in the
who can’t let go of her grudge suicide attempts, physical open, and if she agrees, make
or resist stirring the pot. Do abuse and the constant flux of an appointment for you both
you think she does it because income because we were on with a licensed mental health
she enjoys needling you? Is she and off welfare. On the flip side professional who can facilitate
CANDORVILLE bored and has nothing better to
talk about?
of his character, he was funny,
super smart, helped anyone
and mediate the long-overdue
discussion.

Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. will lead you to like minds. but this business is, appar-
20). You measure your own hap- TAURUS (April 20-May ently, unfinished. Otherwise, it
piness and success with new 20). The novice is proud of and wouldn’t keep calling you back.
metrics this year, ones that are wants full recognition for talents LEO (July 23-Aug. 22).
more personally satisfying and and skills. The wise would Today, you’ll tidy up a mess in
relevant to your soul. Between rather go unlauded, realizing your personal life. Don’t have a
this and the excellent relation- the strategic advantage in being messy personal life? Consider
ships you nurture, the solar jour- underestimated. adding more love to it. Love is,
ney takes you from adventure GEMINI (May 21-June 21). essentially, messy. All the best
to adventure, revealing along Human memory is flawed. things in life are.
the way your most effective self. Even the best memories are VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
BABY BLUES Aries and Gemini adore you. unreliable and susceptible to Modern society’s overemphasis
Your lucky numbers are: 30, 22, corrosion over time. Record on identity is as common as
1, 7 and 45. things as you go. This is the it is problematic. It’s useful to
ARIES (March 21-April 19). most dependable way, and you’ll know what you want and what
Smart people won’t have time be glad you did. you like, but that shouldn’t be
to prove they are smart today CANCER (June 22-July confused with who you are.
because they will be too busy 22). You thought a thing ran its LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
chasing their curiosity around. course. You thought you were It’s hard to notice any particular
You can relate. Your interests done and wouldn’t return to it, thing in a cluttered environment.
But whatever you drop into
a blank space will get all the
attention. This is why you clear
your mind before concentrating
on what you love.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.
BEETLE BAILEY 21). You’re not sure what you
owe those around you. You’re
not sure where you end and
they begin. That you are willing
to delve into such maddening
questions is evidence of your
evolved soul. None of us stand
alone.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
21). You care deeply about an
idea and will work to bring it into
the real world. Because you can-
not give this same treatment to
every idea, you’ll also be letting
go of ideas you don’t think are
MALLARD FILLMORE very actionable.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). It’s a day to celebrate.
Celebrate small and privately,
celebrate on-blast, celebrate
for obvious reasons and for no
reason at all. What’s celebrated
will grow.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18). “Tell me something good,”
sang Rufus, and Chaka Khan
followed up with what has got to
be top-of-list for most people,
which is to say: “Tell me that
you love me.” Don’t hold out
FAMILY CIRCUS with your heart. Express.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March
20). You’ll have strong feelings.
Don’t try and stop them; rather,
you’ll do well to direct them, for
instance into work, sports or
creative expression. Even anger
can be made into something
beautiful, powerful and rousing.

By and large
SOLUTION:
4B THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Business IRBY WINS STATE AWARD

Courtesy photo/
Columbus Main Street
ABOVE: Picture on the
left: Kevin Stafford, past
president of Mississippi
Main Street Associa-
tion, presents the Paul
Coggin Trailblazer Award
to George Irby during the
Main Street Columbus
awards luncheon on
Wednesday.
LEFT: Picture on the
right: Chris Chain is
pictured with George Irby
after Irby was presented
the Paul Coggin Trailblaz-
er Award on Wednesday.
Irby is the third Colum-
bus recipient of this
state award, given to an
outstanding local board
member or volunteer
who has been active in
a downtown organization
for a significant period
of time, and who has
contributed energy and
dedication to downtown
revitalization. Chain and
Sam Kaye have also
received this prestigious
award in the past.

Global shares retreat after Fed

minutes bring reality check
AP BUSINESS WRITER “In no uncertain terms, U.S., as well as China, with
the FOMC minutes deflat- production halted, tourism
TOKYO — Global ed the markets’ Federal squelched and consump-
stock markets fell Thurs- Reserve air balloon,” said tion crimped. Analysts say
day after minutes to the Stephen Innes, chief glob- a recovery is likely coming
last meeting of the U.S. al market strategist at Ax- for the world’s third-larg-
Federal Reserve laid out iCorp. est economy, but also ac-
the challenges facing the Japan’s benchmark Nik- knowledge great uncer-
economy during the coro- kei 225 dropped 1.0% to tainty without a vaccine for
navirus pandemic. finish at 22,880.62. South COVID-19.
U.S. shares were set to Korea’s Kospi plunged Investors around the
add to the previous day’s 3.7% to 2,274.22. Austra- world are also waiting for
losses, with futures for the lia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.8% developments on the ris-
Dow and S&P 500 both to 6,120.00. Hong Kong’s ing tensions between the
down 0.3% ahead of the Hang Seng lost 1.5% to United States and China.
open. 2,274.22, while the Shang- The world’s largest econ-
In Europe, France’s hai Composite fell 1.3% at omies have longstanding
CAC 40 fell 1.2% to 4,919, 3,363.90. trade issues, and President
while Germany’s DAX The Asian region de- Donald Trump has recent-
dropped 1.1% to 12,837. pends heavily on a healthy ly been targeting Chinese
Britain’s FTSE 100 was U.S. economy to keep its tech companies. Also
down 1.2% at 6,036. growth going. Export-de- hanging over the market
“The latest Fed minutes pendent Japan has sunk is the upcoming U.S. elec-
had been one to offer a into recession, slammed tion, with potential big
reality check for markets, by the slowdowns in the changes in policies.
though with the elevated
prices, it had likely been
an excuse to take some
profit off the table as well,”
said Jingyi Pan, a market
strategist with IG.
“Most notably, Fed min-
utes from the July FOMC
meeting had reflected of-
ficials’ views on the pan-
demic weighing heavily on
the economy and posing
risks to the medium-term
outlook,” she said.
The central bank has
been one of the main pil-
lars propping up the mar-
ket after it slashed short-
term interest rates to their
record low and essentially
promised to buy as many
bonds as it takes to keep
markets running smooth-
ly.
The Fed’s minutes of
its latest policy meeting,
released late Wednesday,
showed policy makers are
finding it difficult to fore-
cast the path of the econ-
omy, which will depend
greatly on what happens
with the virus.
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 5B
Classifieds
Ads appear in The Commercial Dispatch,
The Starkville Dispatch and Online
To place ads starting at only $12,
call 662-328-2424 or visit ads.cdispatch.com
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 n 6B

Apts For Rent: West Apts For Rent: Other Burial Plots

LEGALS Real Estate

VIP COLEMAN
Burial Plots For Sale 3
Burial Plots for Sale −

Rentals
RENTALS Friendship Cemetery
Call us: 662-328-2424 TOWNHOUSES & APARTMENTS
Ads starting at $25 $600.00 662−352−4723

Booze Legal Notices Apartments & Houses 1 BEDROOM Commercial Property For Sale Furniture
2 BEDROOMS
I, the officer of Laxmi 1 Bedrooms 3 BEDROOMS
MILITARY QUICK STOP for
lease or sale. High traffic
Sectional Sofa Four year
Ma Inc. intend to 2 Bedroooms count. Busy location.
old sectional sofa brown/
beige speckled fabric.
make application for
3 Bedrooms LEASE,

© The Dispatch
Possibly some owner Good condition. Has two
a package retailer DEPOSIT financing. B.F. at 662−329 holes on the side that need
−3833 or 662−889−0837.
permit. Furnished & Unfurnished AND repairing. $300.00 662−
574−9397
1, 2, & 3 Baths CREDIT CHECK Houses For Sale: Other
As provided for by the Lease, Deposit
Local Option Alcohol- 662-329-2323 House & 5 wooded acres in
& Credit Check
Vehicles
Vernon, AL. Inside city
ic Beverage Control limits, but with the privacy
Laws, Section 67-1-1, viceinvestments.com 2411 HWY 45 N of living in the country.
et seq., of the Missis- 327-8555 COLUMBUS, MS
Turner Hill Subdivision. Fish
pond, block shop bldg, Ads starting at $12
Sudoku YESTERDAY’S ANSWER
sippi Code of 1972, storage bldg & large storm

Sudoku
Houses For Rent: Other
Annotated. If granted Apts For Rent: Other shelter. 2,100 sqft. Older
home, quality construction,
Motorcycles & ATVs Sudoku is a number- Yesterday’s answer
such permit I pro- 3BR/2.5BA, CUSTOM− 1956, can easily be up− placing puzzle based on
BUILT−HOUSE ON 40
2005 HONDA 250 REBEL
Sudoku
a 9x9 gridis witha several
num- 6 5 4 9 1 8 3 2 7
pose to operate as a dated. See North MS MOTORCYCLE.
ACRES. 10 minutes from Craigslist, real estate, for ber-placing
given numbers.puzzleThe object 9 1 7 2 3 5 4 8 6

2020 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Black, red, and gray.
corporation under the CAFB, 5 minutes from West photos. No texts please! based onthe a 9x9
1,428 miles. $1500. is to place numbers 2 3 8 4 6 7 1 9 5
trade name of Colum- Point. Very private. CH/A.
grid
1 to 9with
in theseveral
Call for appointment to 662−364−0120.
Fenced backyard. Ceramic see. $139,000. empty spaces 4 6 5 1 7 2 8 3 9
bus Discount Wine given
tile throughout. Pets 205−695−2146 so thatnumbers.
each row, eachThe 1 8 9 3 4 6 5 7 2
and Liquor, located at object
column and each 3x3 the
is to place
negotiable. No HUD. Trucks, Vans & Buses
box 7 2 3 8 5 9 6 4 1
323 Idlewild Road, $1,200/mo + $1,200 dep. Lots & Acreage numbers
contains the1same to 9 number
in
Columbus, MS
864−634−4192
the empty spaces so 8 7 6 5 2 4 9 1 3
1.75 ACRE LOTS. Good/ only once. The difficulty 5 4 1 7 9 3 2 6 8
39702. Bad Credit Options. Good that each row, each
NEAR CAFB: 3BR/2BA @ level increases from
525 Co−Op Rd, Columbus. credit as low as 20% down, column and each 3 9 2 6 8 1 7 5 4
1600sqft, quiet area, $499/mo. Eaton Land, Monday
3x3 boxtocontains
Sunday. Difficulty Level 8/19

The name, title, and Columbus City Schools.

address of the corpor- ALL appliances, washer/
662−361−7711. the same number only once. The difficulty level
dryer, pool table, & dining increases from Monday to Sunday.
ate officer and/or ma- room furn incl. Large
LOWNDES COUNTY, MS:
jority stockholder of 36 ACRES ON GATLIN RD.
private lot close to golf Excellent timber & building Exceptional one−owner
the above named course. $850/mo + dep. sites. $72,000. For more maintained Ram 3500
662−574−1711.
business are: info, call 205−799−9846 w/5.9L Cummins
Mobile Homes for Rent or 205−695−2248. engine, automatic
transmission & spray−
Naimesh Patel 3BR/2BA Trailer, New in Bedliner. Truck has
President
605 Leigh Drive, APT
It’s a classified
Hope school dist. $650/
mo & $650 dep. No pets,
no drugs, no partying. Call
Merchandise 203,000+ miles, but
runs like new and looks
great! $12,000.
L107 b/w 10a−9p. 662−386− 662−574−4640
Columbus, MS rule-of-thumb: 4292. NO TEXT MGS. Ads starting at $12
39705
We tell readers Rooms For Rent Appliances

what they need Did you

?
If any person wishes ROOM FOR RENT, WASHER & DRYER, solid
know
FULLY FURNISHED wood bookcase, solid wood
to request a hearing to know to buy IN WEST POINT. end tables, dinette tables,
to object to the issu- Includes appliances, chairs & butcher block
ance of this permit a what they need. furniture & utilities.
$400/mo. 662−295−4701
table. Call 662−328−6224
between 9−5.
request for a hearing
must be made in writ-
ing and received by
In 2015 The Dispatch
Looking for goods
the Department of
Revenue within (15) won the Daniel E.
fifteen days from the Phillips Freedom of

or services?
first date this notice Information Award
was published.
for our investigative
Requests shall be journalism.
sent to:

Chief Counsel, Legal Five Questions:

Division
Department of Reven-
ue 1 Count
P.O. Box 22828 Ferdinand
Jackson, MS 39225
von Zeppelin
Date of First Publica-
tion: 8/19/2020 2 “My Fair
PUBLISH: 8/19 &
Lady”
8/20/2020
3 First electric
ACROSS
1 Rube
traffic light 5 Climb
Employment
Call us: 662-328-2424
Find it in classifieds 4 Stroke
11 Aspirin’s
target
12 Ford follower
662-328-2424 ads.cdispatch.com 13 Free of fat
General Help Wanted
5 Miso 14 Puts in office
15 Tobago’s
NOWETA'S Flower Shop is

Service Directory
accepting applications for island neighbor
an experienced Floral 17 Game caller
Designer. EXPERIENCE 18 Chopped up
REQUIRED. Apply Mon-Fri, 22 Relates
2-4pm or Sat 9am-12pm
at 1325 Main Street. 24 Fancy wrap
No phone calls please. 25 “Exodus”
Promote your small business starting at only $25 character
Restaurant / Hotel
Building & Remodeling General Services General Services Painting & Papering 26 Purpose
CAFE UNIQUE: Part-time
27 Biathlon need DOWN 22 Poi source
Prep cook and dish washer
DUMP TRUCK HAULING. QUALITY PAINTING. 30 Striped cat 1 Sentry’s cry 23 Rock’s
Slag − $400 Ext/Int Painting.
wanted. 15-20 hours per Clay Gravel − $250 Sheet Rock Hang, Finish & 32 Santa’s 2 Bakery worker Clapton
week. Apply in person @ 94 reindeer, e.g.
Airline Rd. or call 662-327-
Available for hauling any Repair. Pressure Washing. 3 Ski resort sight 28 Caron of
materials. Columbus. Call Free Estimates. Ask for 33 Furniture
0840 or 662-386-1554 for Walter, 662−251−8664. specials! Larry Webber, 4 Pound’s cousin “Gigi”
more information. Leave 662−242−4932. wood 5 Served per- 29 Fuel gas
message if no answer. 34 Scapula’s fectly 30 Letter after
WORK WANTED: Licensed
& Bonded. Carpentry, minor SULLIVAN’S PAINT place 6 Leafy lunches sigma
Transportation MAINTENANCE PROS 38 Romantic
Specializing in:
electrical, minor plumbing, SERVICE 7 College unit 31 Keys
Special Prices.
PART TIME Shuttle Bus Residential Carpentry,
insulation, painting, demo−
Interior & Exterior Painting. song 8 Catchall abbr. 35 Lofty poems
lition, gutters cleaned,
Drivers needed for Stark- Electrical, Painting, pressure washing, land− 662−435−6528 41 Lake near 9 Catch 36 Cork’s
ville area. CDL with pas- Appliance Repair & Minor scaping, cleanup work. Buffalo 10 Hosp. work- country
senger endorsement req. Plumbing. Free estimate. Tree Services
Call 662−570−5570.
662−242−3608. 42 Galahad’s ers 37 Oboe need
Contact Cory 314-422-
2020, ggaoil@yahoo.com J&A TREE REMOVAL mother 16 Conditions 38 Stake
Carpet & Flooring
HILL’S PRESSURE Work from a bucket truck. 43 Ripped 19 Soothing 39 Pub product
WASHING. Commercial/ Lawn Care / Landscaping
Residential. House,
Insured/bonded. 44 Conical lozenge 40 Racing circuit
Call Jimmy Prescott for free
abodes 20 Otherwise
Rentals
concrete, sidewalks & JESSE & BEVERLY’S estimate, 662−386−6286.
mobile washing. Free est. LAWN SERVICE 45 Went fast 21 Some bucks
662−386−8925. Mowing, cleanup,
landscaping, sodding,
Ads starting at $25 & tree cutting.
662−356−6525
Apts For Rent: North Got leaky pipes? SAM’S LAWN SERVICE
Find a plumber in the No lawn too large or too
FOX RUN APARTMENTS 1 classifieds. small. Mowing, trimming &
& 2 BR near hospital. DAVID’S CARPET &
weedeating. Are you a painter?
$595−$645 monthly. UPHOLSTERY Advertise here!
CLEANING Call 662−243−1694
Military discount, pet area,
pet friendly, and furnished 1 Room − $50
2 Rooms − $70 Automotive Services
corporate apts.
24−HOUR PROFESSIONAL 3+ Rooms − $30 EA
GYM. ON SITE SECURITY. Rugs−Must Be Seen
ON SITE MAINTENANCE. Car Upholstery Cleaning
ON SITE MANAGEMENT. Available
24−HOUR CAMERA 662−722−1758
SURVEILLANCE. Benji &
Ashleigh, 662−386−4446.
General Services

A & T TREE SERVICES

Bucket truck & stump
removal. Free est.
Serving Columbus
since 1987. Senior
Have a rental property? citizen disc. Call Alvin @
List it here for fast results. 242−0324/241−4447
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