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Wednesday | May 6, 2020

Supervisors backed off motion to fire

Billingsley in executive session Monday
Sources say Sanders pushed who confirmed the information
but asked not to be named since
concerns,” asked for Billings-
ley’s resignation in February.

for termination, citing ‘disrespectful the debate happened in closed

behavior’ from county administrator
BY YUE STELLA YU
syu@cdispatch.com
At least two Lowndes County
supervisors pushed for County
Administrator Ralph’s Billing-
sley’s immediate firing in an
executive session of Monday’s
board of supervisors meeting,
but they backed off after a heat-
ed argument, multiple sources
confirmed to The Dispatch.
The session quickly escalat-
ed into a shouting match that
could be heard from outside
closed doors after Harry Sand-
Billingsley Sanders
ers, president of the board of su-
pervisors, moved to terminate
the longtime county administra-
tor, according to sources pres-
ent for the executive session
session. District 2 Supervisor
Trip Hairston seconded Sand-
ers’ motion, but later rescinded
it, leaving the matter without a
full board vote.
Billingsley, who became
county administrator in 2008,
has already announced his in-
tent to retire Sept. 30.
Sanders had acknowledged
to The Dispatch last month he
and Hairston, citing “legitimate
The position is among four
county positions directly hired
by the supervisors without the
need to advertise, Sanders said.
In late March, Billingsley
submitted a letter of retirement
effective at the end of the coun-
ty’s fiscal year. He is set to stay
through the fiscal year while
training his successor, Jay Fish-
er, who was hired last month
and will be paid $50,000 this
See SUPES, 8A

Parks,
restaurants in
Higgins suggests EMCC sell Lion Hills
Columbus allowed
to reopen with
restrictions
League sports still on
shelf; some eateries
will remain closed
voluntarily
BY YUE STELLA YU
syu@cdispatch.com

Restaurants and
parks in Columbus
will be allowed to re-
open with restrictions
beginning Thursday
at 8 a.m. following
Dispatch file photo
Gov. Tate Reeves’
East Mississippi Community College board member Joe Max Higgins has suggested the college sell Lion Hills Center and Golf
executive order Mon- Smith Course, depicted in this Dispatch file photo. Lion Hills has lost EMCC about $8 million since the college purchased it in late
day, Mayor Robert 2012, according to an operational analysis report given at EMCC’s board meeting Monday.
Smith announced at Tuesday night’s
city council meeting. 
Starting Thursday, parks in Co-
EMCC board voted down executive session lege’s culinary arts, hotel
restaurant management,
lumbus can reopen from 9 a.m.-7
p.m. for recreational purposes,
for second month in a row; Former country club golf and recreational
turf management and
Smith said, with a maximum of 20
participants outdoors and a six-foot
has lost college $8M since its purchase in 2012 landscape management
programs, has lost the
See COUNCIL, 8A BY ISABELLE ALTMAN motion to enter closed determination college a total of just
ialtman@cdispatch.com for the second month in a row. more than $8 million, in- Higgins
LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins, em- cluding acquisition costs,
A Lowndes County member of the phasizing he was speaking for himself since purchasing the property in 2012,
East Mississippi Community College’s and not on behalf of the board, told according to an operational analysis
Board of Trustees said he would have The Dispatch Tuesday he felt it was EMCC Chief Financial Officer Tammie
CPD officer raised the idea of selling Lion Hills
Center and Golf Course in an executive
in the college’s financial interest to at
least discuss the possibility of selling
Holmes presented to the board Monday.
Higgins told The Dispatch Lion Hills
suspended 3 days session of the board’s meeting Monday
night, had the board not voted down his
the Military Road country club. Lion
Hills, which currently houses the col-
has been “a money pit since Day 1.”
See LION HILLS, 3A
for threatening to kill
dog that attacked her
Mayor breaks tied
council vote to support
Books-A-Million store at Leigh Mall closed
suspension Bookstore one of last in Columbus; has online store locator still in-
dicated the Columbus store
ing COVID-19 pandemic.
Representatives from

BY YUE STELLA YU
syu@cdispatch.com
A Columbus police officer will
be suspended for three days with-
out pay for misconduct, city offi-
cials confirmed to The Dispatch on
See OFFICER, 8A
been here at least 30 years
BY THEO DEROSA
tderosa@cdispatch.com
The Books-A-Million
store at Leigh Mall in Co-
lumbus is closed, though it is
unclear whether that closure
will be permanent.
A company email released
to customers Friday report-
ed the store had closed.
However, on Tuesday af-
ternoon, Books-A-Million’s
was “temporarily closed
until further notice.” There
is also a sign on the store’s
door saying it is closed tem-
porarily “at the direction and
guidance of the CDC (Cen-
ters for Disease Control and
Prevention)” and local health
authorities due to the ongo-
Hull Property Group, a Geor-
gia-based company which
bought Leigh Mall in 2019,
referred The Dispatch to
Books-A-Million for com-
ment. No one from Books-A-
Million’s marketing depart-
See BOOKS-A-MILLION, 8A

WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC

1 In which sport would you use a racket which, MEETINGS
according to international rules, should have one May 11: Columbus
bright red and one black surface? Municipal School Dis-
2 What U.S. state renamed a section of highway trict, 6 p.m., Brandon
after slugger Mark McGwire, only to rename it again Central Services Cen-
later after Mark Twain? ter, For livestream link,
3 Who was the leader of “The World’s Most Dan-
gerous Band” on David Letterman’s late night TV visit www.columbuscity-
Cole Littlejohn schools.org/
show?
Seventh grade, Annunciation May 15: Lowndes
4 Who was the only U.S. president to serve noncon-

71 Low 43
secutive terms? County Board of Super-
High 5 What food item does Jean Valjean spend 19 visors, 9 a.m., County
Mostly sunny
years in prison for stealing in the musical “Les Courthouse
Miserables”? May 19: Columbus City
Full forecast on Answers, 8B
page 3A. Council, Municipal Com-
plex, 5 p.m., Stream
live at facebook.com/
INSIDE CityofColumbusMS/
June 1: Lowndes
Classifieds 7B Food 5B
Comics 3B Obituaries 4B County Board of Super-
Crossword 8B Opinions 6A visors, 9 a.m., County
141st Year, No. 48 Dear Abby 3B Robert High lives in Starkville. Courthouse

DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471

2A WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Senior scientist: Administration

ignored coronavirus warnings
Dr. Rick Bright alleges he was reassigned to a
lesser role because he resisted political pressure
to allow widespread use of hydroxychloroquine
BY RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR,
MICHAEL BALSAMO
AND COLLEEN LONG
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Trump
administration failed to prepare for
the onslaught of the coronavirus,
then sought a quick fix by trying to
rush an unproven drug to patients, a
senior government scientist alleged
in a whistleblower complaint.
Dr. Rick Bright, former director
of the Biomedical Advanced Re-
search and Development Authority,
alleges he was reassigned to a less-
er role because he resisted political
pressure to allow widespread use
of hydroxychloroquine, a malaria
drug pushed by President Donald
Trump. He said the Trump admin-
istration wanted to “flood” hot spots
in New York and New Jersey with
the drug.
“I witnessed government leader-
In clamor to reopen, many
ship rushing blindly into a potential-
ly dangerous situation by bringing
in a non-FDA approved chloroquine
from Pakistan and India, from facil-
ities that had never been approved
by the FDA,” Bright said Tuesday
on a call with reporters. “Their ea-
gerness to push blindly forward
without sufficient data to put this
drug into the hands of Americans
was alarming to me and my fellow
scientists.”
Bright filed the complaint with
the Office of Special Counsel, a
government agency that investi-
gates retaliation against federal
employees who uncover problems.
He wants his job back and a full in-
vestigation.
The Department of Health and
Human Services issued a terse
statement saying that Bright was
transferred to the National Insti-
tutes of Health to work on corona-
virus testing, a crucial assignment.
“We are deeply disappointed that he
has not shown up to work on behalf
of the American people and lead on
this critical endeavor,” HHS spokes-
woman Caitlin Oakley said.
According HHS, Bright has not
reported to his new post. But his
spokeswoman said that Bright is
on sick leave, following his doctor’s
orders, and that HHS has provided
him no details on his new role.
Bright’s complaint comes as
the Trump administration faces
criticism over its response to the
pandemic, including testing and
supplies of ventilators, masks and
other equipment to stem the spread.
There have been nearly 1.2 mil-
lion confirmed cases in the United
States and more than 70,000 deaths.
Bright said his superiors repeat-
edly rejected his warnings that
the virus would spread in the U.S.,
missing an early opportunity to
stock up on protective masks for
first responders. He said he “acted
with urgency” to address the grow-
ing spread of COVID-19 — the dis-
ease the virus causes — after the
Are You Ready
World Health Organization issued a
warning in January.
to Discuss Your
Long Term
Care Options?
Are you struggling to provide care for a loved one?
Are you concerned about long term care costs?
Do you have questions about how to protect your

blacks feel their safety ignored assets if you need long term care?
Are you confused by Medicare and Medicaid
and their requirements?
At Dunn & Hemphill, we can help you answer these and many
‘There has always been a small, white ruling class that has other people of color want
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other difficult questions by creating a plan tailored to fit you and
your family’s needs. Contact us at (662) 327-4211 (ext.#0)
been OK with seeing certain populations as disposable’ ic damage as much as
anyone else — especially
to discuss your long term care planning goals.
LaTosha Brown, founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund since those groups are
among the ones who are
Dunn & Hemphill, P.A.
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© The Dispatch

spread of the new coro-
navirus see them as one
more example of how
their health, their safety
and their rights just don’t
seem to matter.
To many, it seems that
the people protesting
— who have been pre-
dominantly white — are
agitating for reopening
because they won’t be the
ones to suffer the conse-
quences. So far, the facts
are proving them right:
The consequences of
been a small, white ruling
class that has been OK
with seeing certain pop-
ulations as disposable,”
said LaTosha Brown,
founder of the Black Vot-
ers Matter Fund, a pow-
er-building organization
based in the South.
The pandemic has
highlighted — and often
deepened — gaping in-
equalities in the United
States and around the
world.
Black people are dy-
deemed essential; and, as
the reopening starts, they
are likely to be among
those whose workplaces
open first. For instance, in
New York City, the epicen-
ter of the U.S. outbreak,
black people make up just
under 25 percent of the
population, but more than
40 percent of public tran-
sit workers.
Delmonte Jefferson, a
black public health pro-
fessional in Atlanta, said
African Americans and
Americans aren’t being
Providing Our Clients Expertise With
valued,” said Jefferson, Over 50+ Years Of Combined Experience
executive director of the
Atlanta-based National
African American Tobac-
co Prevention Network.
Some “reopen” pro-
tests have included black
speakers, and a handful
of black people have at-
tended. But images of the
rallies and Facebook pag-
es dedicated to the move-
ment indicate the vast
majority of supporters are
white.

Trump tours, touts mask factory — but no mask for him

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX — Mak-
ing himself Exhibit A for
reopening the country,
President Donald Trump
visited an Arizona face
mask factory, using the
trip to demonstrate his
determination to see an
easing of stay-at-home or-
ders even as the coronavi-
rus remains a dire threat.
Trump did not wear a
mask despite guidelines
saying they should be
worn inside the factory at
all times.
“The people of our
country should think of
themselves as warriors.
We have to open,” Trump
declared Tuesday as he
left Washington on a trip
that was more about the
journey than the destina-
tion.
In Arizona, Trump ac-
knowledged the human
cost of returning to nor-
malcy.
“I’m not saying any-
thing is perfect, and yes,
will some people be af-
fected? Yes. Will some
people be affected badly?
Yes. But we have to get
our country open and we
have to get it open soon,”
he said.
Trump had said he
would don a face mask if
the factory was “a mask
environment,” but in the
end he wore only safety
goggles during a tour of
the Honeywell facility.
Nearly all factory work-
ers and members of the
press as well as some
White House staff and
Secret Service agents
wore masks. Senior
White House staff and
Honeywell executives did
not.

Lion Hills
Continued from Page 1A
“As a tax-paying citi-
zen serving as appointed
by the Lowndes County
Board of Supervisors, I
don’t think that we’ve got
any business running a
country club,” Higgins
said.
However, the board vot-
ed 6-5 — Oktibbeha Coun-
ty board member Frank
Nichols was not present
— not to enter closed de-
termination, where Hig-
gins had said earlier in the
meeting that he planned
to raise both a personnel
issue and a real estate is-
sue.
The board is made
up of 12 members, two
each from Lowndes, Ok-
tibbeha, Clay, Noxubee,
Lauderdale and Kemper
counties. Higgins, Greg
Stewart of Lowndes Coun-
ty, Spencer Broocks of
Oktibbeha County, board
chair Kathy Dyess and
W.T. Davis, both of Clay
County, all voted to en-
ter closed determination.
Noxubee County mem-
bers Hazel Johnson and
Evelyn Murray, Kemper
County members Linda
Jackson and Robert Mc-
Dade, and Lauderdale
County members Jimmie
Moore and Ed Mosley vot-
ed against the motion.
Moore declined to
comment when reached
by The Dispatch. The
Dispatch emailed the oth-
er board members who
voted no, along with Nich-
ols, and did not receive
any replies by press time.
Dyess also did not return a
call from The Dispatch by
press time.
EMCC President Scott
Alsobrooks told The Dis-
patch in an email that he
might consider selling
Lion Hills.
“I would entertain the
idea if the EMCC Board
of Trustees
is interested
and agree-
able to the
p r o p o s a l ,”
he wrote,
adding Mis-
sissippi law
d i c t a t e s Alsobrooks
the college
could not sell the property
for less than its appraised
value.
Higgins said he was
No injuries in three-hour stand-off
between law enforcement, assault suspect
Suspect barricaded himself in home
on Jess Lyons Road early Wednesday
DISPATCH STAFF REPORT
Lowndes County Sher-
iff’s Office deputies have
taken a man into custo-
dy after he allegedly at-
tacked another individual
and then barricaded him-
self in a home on Jess Ly-
ons Road.
Deputies were called to
the home just before 3:30
AROUND THE STATE
Caregiver accused
of stealing money from
disabled patient
TUPELO — A Missis-
sippi caregiver was ac-
cused of stealing money
from a disabled patient.
Mary A. Smith, 51, was
charged Monday after in-
vestigators with the Lee
County Sheriff’s Office and
the state’s Adult Protective
Services spent months
looking into the case, the
Northeast Mississippi Dai-
ly Journal reported.
Authorities did not re-
veal the identity of the vic-
tim. The amount of money
stolen by Smith was also
not disclosed.
Smith was booked into
jail on a $75,000 bond and
charged with three counts
of exploitation. It was not
immediately clear if she
had a lawyer who could
comment on her behalf.
Revenues
Tuition Revenues
State Appropriations
Expenses
Hotel Rest/Culinary
Golf/Rec Turf Management
Director Lion Hills/Aux.
Buildings and Grounds
frustrated that the board
would not even discuss
the issue, particularly giv-
en the COVID-19 pandem-
ic is negatively affecting
the economy and could
forecast an even grimmer
financial future for the col-
lege and Lion Hills. At the
very least, he said, he’d
like to see if there are in-
terested buyers.
“Just see what kind of
suitors are out there,” he
said. “... What if somebody
came in and made a de-
cent bid on this?”
Higgins said he had
also planned to discuss
four Lion Hills employ-
ees who were terminated
from their positions in
March. Though EMCC
officials said at the time
the employees had been
let go as a cost cutting
measure, two of the em-
ployees provided The Dis-
patch with letters signed
by Alsobrooks saying they
had been fired due to mis-
conduct. Higgins told The
Dispatch last month he
had tried to raise the same
issue in the April board
meeting and that his mo-
tion to enter executive ses-
sion was voted down then
too.
While Higgins said it’s
possible he could raise
the issue in open session,
board chairs of any public
body tend to close down
discussions of personnel
quickly.
“I’m going to contin-
ue to bring this up,” he
said. “The question is,
how much can you run off
at the mouth before the
chairman shuts you up.”
He added that in three
months, if he doesn’t see
an improvement, he plans
to go to Lowndes County
supervisors with his com-
plaints.
a.m. today after receiving
a report that someone
had been shot, according
to an LCSO press release.
Upon arriving, they deter-
mined a 27-year-old vic-
tim had been assaulted,
but was not shot.
The suspect, identified
in the release only as a
24-year-old male, refused
to cooperate with officers
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
FY2013
(101,801)
(45,055)
(146,856)
“I told them (Monday)
night, ‘Gentlemen and
ladies, understand this,’”
Higgins said. “I’m going
to call for executive ses-
sion on this issue every
g****** time we have a
board meeting until it gets
heard. If we never get the
votes, I said, I’m building
a case. I said I’m going to
the board of supervisors at
my six-month anniversary
(three months from now)
and I’m going to give the
people that asked me to
serve as their representa-
tive a report on the cluster
that is EMCC.”
Lion Hills finances
Lion Hills’ general
fund has lost more than
$1 million
since Fiscal
Year 2013,
operating
at a loss
every year
since its pur-
chase. The
center has Holmes
received a total of
$590,000 in general fund
revenue since then, while
incurring nearly $1.7 mil-
lion in expenses, Holmes
said. The general fund in-
cludes finances related to
instruction, such as tuition
and curriculum.
Additionally, the cen-
ter’s auxiliary operations
have received nearly $7.9
million in revenue while
incurring just more than
$11 million in expenses,
resulting in a net loss of
more than $3 million.
Funds in the auxiliary op-
erations include finances
related to the running of
the country club, includ-
ing restaurant and golf
course.
Alsobrooks said at the
meeting that with im-
or come out of the house.
After more than three
hours, at 6:39 a.m., Lown-
des County special weap-
ons and tactics officers
convinced the suspect to
surrender.
The press release said
neither the suspect nor
any deputies were in-
jured.
Officials are still inves-
tigating the incident, and
will release more infor-
mation once charges are
filed, the release said.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 3A
Lion Hills General Fund
FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
37,595 12,658 50,662 107,271 114,118
106,000 106,000 106,000
(121,966) (136,504) (102,762) (106,085) (113,701) (111,763)
(127,235) (78,243) (91,461) (94,652) (93,218) (92,655)
(84,788) (28,491) (21,953)
(182,097) (195,936) (203,839) (199,269) (144,334)
(249,201) (359,249) (377,501) (332,702) (221,408) (150,587)
Note: Items in parentheses indicate deficits.
proved tuition revenue, club, which cost $3.2 mil- and equipment costs in
he hopes to see the funds lion, Holmes said. That the years since.
balance over the next few includes the land pur- The college’s own fi-
years. “We want to grow chase at about $1.2 mil- nances have been rocky
the culinary program, lion, the building at nearly the past few years, with
we want to grow the golf $376,000 and additional EMCC’s general operating
program, growth man- costs for equipment and fund balance falling more
agement,” he said. “Those renovation over the last than $10 million between
programs have done very several years. Fiscal Year 2010 and 2019,
well. … I think there’s
The classroom building according to previous re-
hope for Lion Hills to come
cost another $624,000, in- porting by The Dispatch.
close to breaking even as
cluding the building’s ac- The board is scheduled to
we go from an operation
tual purchase for $287,000 approve a budget for Fis-
standpoint. I really do be-
and additional renovation cal Year 2021 in June.
lieve that. We’ve just got to
continue to try to grow the
numbers of students.”
At least among general
funds, the finances have
been improving over the
last three fiscal years,
with tuition revenue grow-
ing from just more than
$50,000 in Fiscal Year
2017 to $114,000 in 2019.
Additionally for the last
three years, the center
has received $106,000
($318,000 total) in state
appropriations. The cen-
ter ran a deficit of more
than $300,000 in Fiscal
Year 2017, but cut that to
roughly $150,000 in Fiscal
Year 2019.
However, Higgins did
not appear convinced,
pointing out the COVID-19
pandemic could result in a
lower enrollment over the
next few years.
“The fact of the matter
is, we’re losing between
$300,000 to 500,000 on
that thing on a good year,”
he told The Dispatch Tues-
day. “ ... I think I could give
you the deed today for
free and walk away and it
would positively affect our
cash flow.”
Much of the $8 million
loss referenced in the
analysis comes from ac-
quisition of the country
SOLUNAR TABLE
The solunar period indicates
peak-feeding times for fish and game.
Wed. Thur.
12:03a 12:56a
Major
Minor — 7:41p
Major 12:30p 1:23p
Minor 6:24a 7:02a
Courtesy of Mississippi Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
The Dispatch
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Published daily except Saturday. Answers to common questions:
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Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, MS Phone: 662-328-2424
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Report a news tip: news@cdispatch.com
4A WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

With split delayed, United Methodists face a year in limbo

Denomination forced to postpone vote on
whether to break up over differences on same-
sex marriage, LGBTQ pastors due to virus
BY DAVID CRARY
AP National Writer
NEW YORK — Had there
been no coronavirus pandem-
ic, America’s largest mainline
Protestant denomination would
be convening this week for a
likely vote to break up over dif-
ferences on same-sex marriage
and ordination of LGBTQ pas-
tors.
Instead, the United Method-
ist Church was forced to post-
pone the potentially momentous
conference, leaving its various
factions in limbo for perhaps 16
more months. The deep doc-
trinal differences seem irrec-
oncilable, but for now there’s
agreement that response to the
pandemic takes priority.
“The people who are real-
ly in trauma right now cannot
pay the price of our differenc-
es,” said Kenneth Carter, the
Florida-based president of the
UMC’s Council of Bishops.
“What is in our minds and
hearts is responding to death,
illness, grief, loss of work.”
The conference was to have
taken place at the Minneapo-
lis Convention Center starting
Tuesday, running through May
15. Instead, bishops are propos-
ing to hold it there Aug. 31-Sept.
10 of next year.
The differences have sim-
mered for years, and came to
a head in February 2019 at a
conference in St. Louis where
delegates voted 438-384 for a
proposal strengthening bans
on LGBTQ-inclusive practic-
es. Most U.S.-based delegates
opposed that plan and favored
LGBTQ-friendly options; they
were outvoted by U.S. conser-
vatives teamed with most of
the delegates from Methodist
strongholds in Africa and the
Philippines.
In the aftermath of that
meeting, many moderate and
liberal clergy made clear they
would not abide by the bans,
and various groups worked
throughout 2019 on proposals
to let the UMC split along theo-
logical lines.
There have been at least four
different proposals for how to
implement a split.
The most widely discussed
plan has a long name — the Pro-
tocol of Reconciliation & Grace
Through Separation — and
some high-level support.
It was negotiated by 16
bishops and advocacy group
leaders with differing views on
LGBTQ inclusion. They were
assisted by renowned mediator
Kenneth Feinberg, who admin-
istered victim compensation
funds stemming from the 9/11
attacks and the 2010 oil spill in
the Gulf of Mexico.
Under the protocol, conser-
vative congregations and re-
gional bodies would be allowed
to separate from the UMC and
form a new denomination. They
would receive $25 million in
UMC funds and be able to keep
their properties.
Formed in a merger in 1968,
the UMC claims about 12.6
million members worldwide,
including nearly 7 million in
the United States. Leaders of
the various factions have avoid-
ed making predictions of how
many members might leave for
a new denomination.

Vote-by-mail debate raises fears of election disinformation

‘You don’t have to hack the vote has until now seen only
limited use.
officials are concerned
foreign adversaries could
torney General John De-
mers, the department’s
digital disinformation
fellow at the Alliance for
to hack people’s perception of the Historically, there
is no evidence of wide-
exploit any vulnerabili-
ties in the vote-by-mail
top national security offi-
cial, said in describing a
Securing Democracy, a
Washington think tank.
vulnerability of the vote’ spread voter fraud
through mail-in voting.
process, especially since
even minor tampering
key question confronting
law enforcement.
During the 2016 election,
Bret Schafer, a media and digital disinformation Russia-linked groups pol-
But social media users could trigger widespread Several disinformation luted American voters’
fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy
are already pushing doubts about the integri- experts said they have social media feeds with
BY ERIC TUCKER conspiracy theories that grandiose theories cast- ty of the vote. not found evidence yet
messages about hot-but-
AND AMANDA SEITZ could undermine trust in ing doubt on the method. “Is it possible, in par- that foreign actors are
ton topics like race rela-
The Associated Press
the results, even if there President Donald Trump ticular for a foreign actor, covertly pushing a false
tions, gun laws and immi-
has encouraged the skep- to cause enough mischief narrative about mail-in
WASHINGTON — A are no major problems. gration.
ticism, saying during a in the vote-by-mail pro- voting.
bitterly partisan debate With social distancing televised briefing that “a cess to raise a question in But a sham social me- “You don’t have to hack
unfolding on whether guidelines possibly cur- lot of people cheat with the minds of Americans, dia campaign that feeds the vote to hack people’s
more Americans should tailing in-person voting mail-in voting.” On Sat- particularly Americans existing doubts about perception of the vulnera-
cast their votes through at the polls in November, urday, he tweeted: “Don’t perhaps whose candidate the U.S. election pro- bility of the vote,” he said.
the mail during a pan- states are drawing up allow RIGGED ELEC- has lost, that somehow cess would align with the “All you need to do is to
demic is provoking on- plans to rely more heavily TIONS!” the result of this election Kremlin’s playbook, said seed enough doubt about
line disinformation and on a mail-in system that Justice Department is unfair?” Assistant At- Bret Schafer, a media and the legitimacy of a vote.”
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 5A

Where’s the beef? Production Trump pick to oversee

shutdown leads to shortages pledges impartialityvirus spending
Just over 1,000 Wendy’s restaurants had no beef
items available on their online menus Monday night
BY DEE-ANN DURBIN
AP Business Writer
The effects of the coronavirus
pandemic have moved beyond meat
processing plants and are now hit-
ting dinner plates.
Several U.S. production plants
have been temporarily shuttered in
the last two weeks after hundreds of
workers were sickened by the virus.
That has led to meat shortages, with
Wendy’s pulling some burgers off
its menus and Costco limiting pork
sales. Fake meat companies, mean-
while, are making their moves to cap-
ture some of those lost sales.
Beyond Meat, which makes burg-
ers and sausage from pea protein,
said Tuesday it’s launching new value
packs to entice consumers while rival
Impossible Foods is expanding sales
to more than 1,700 Kroger groceries.
As of Monday, U.S. beef and pork
processing capacity was down 40
percent from last year, according to
Jayson Lusk, head of the department
of agricultural economics at Purdue
University.
Some meatpacking plants are
coming back online after President
Donald Trump issued an executive
order last week requiring them to
stay open. But until they’re back at
full capacity, consumers will likely
see some shortages and higher pric-
es for beef and pork, Lusk said. Poul-
try production has also been impact-
ed, but to a lesser degree.
On Tuesday, the attorneys gen-
eral for 11 Midwestern states urged
the Justice Department to pursue a
federal investigation into market con-
centration and potential price fixing
by meatpackers in the cattle indus-
try, pointing out the disparity in the
price of live cattle and the retail cost
of boxed beef that is sold to consum-
ers.
“Given the concentrated market
structure of the beef industry, it may
be particularly susceptible to market
manipulation, particularly during
times of food insecurity, such as
the current COVID-19 crisis,” they
wrote.
Just over 1,000 Wendy’s restau-
rants — or nearly 20 percent — had
no beef items available on their on-
line menus Monday night, according
to an analysis by Stephens Inc., an
investment bank. Stephens analyst
James Rutherford said some states,
like Ohio, Michigan and New York,
seemed to be impacted more than
others.
Wendy’s responded that some
menu items may be temporarily
limited, but it continues to supply its
restaurants with beef two to three
times a week. The company said it’s
trying to limit disruptions to its sup-
plies.
White House lawyer said his goal
is to make all information about
the $500 billion fund public
BY MAT THEW DALY AND MARY CLARE JALONICK
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s
choice to oversee a significant chunk of the $2
trillion economic rescue law pledged Tuesday to
conduct audits and investigations “with fairness
and impartiality.’’
Brian Miller, a lawyer in the White House
counsel’s office, told the Senate Banking Com-
mittee during his confirmation hearing that “in-
dependence is vital” for the special inspector gen-
eral for pandemic recovery. The post would place
him in charge of overseeing a roughly $500 billion
Treasury fund for industry created as part of the
economic rescue law approved in late March.
In written testimony, Miller pledged to be vigi-
lant in protecting the integrity and independence
of his office and vowed “to seek the truth in all
matters that come before me and to use my au-
thority and resources to uncover fraud, waste and
abuse.’’
In a testy exchange with Sen. Elizabeth War-
ren, D-Mass., Miller said his goal is to make all in-

Global stocks follow Wall Street higher on recovery hopes
BY JOE MCDONALD Frankfurt and Sydney de-
AP Business Writer clined. Japanese markets
were closed for a holiday.
Global stock mar- Investors are increas-
kets were mostly higher ingly optimistic as Euro-
Wednesday as hopes for pean countries and some
economic recovery rose U.S. states allow busi-
after more governments nesses to reopen despite
eased anti-virus controls. warnings coronavirus in-
London, Shanghai fections still are rising in
and Hong Kong followed areas such as Brazil and
Wall Street higher while economic recovery could
be some way off.
President Donald
Trump, running for
re-election during a slump
that has thrown more than
30 million Americans out
of work, said Tuesday he
wants the U.S. economy to
reopen but acknowledged
some people will be “bad-
ly affected.” Asked wheth-
er there might be deaths
as curbs ease, Trump told
ABC News, “It’s possible
there will be some.”
“The view that the ben-
efit outweighs the costs
had invited the market
to largely shrug off the
concerns here,” despite
Trump’s “acknowledg-
ment of more fatalities,”
Jingyi Pan of IG said in a
report.
formation about the $500 billion fund public. War-
ren, who helped create the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau after the 2008 recession, was
unimpressed, saying Miller’s time in the White
House counsel’s office should have disqualified
him from the inspector general’s role.
Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his con-
tempt for oversight and will be a formidable obsta-
cle for Miller or any other watchdog, Warren said.
“He has already said he will muzzle you,’’ she told
Miller. “You will, however, have the chance to
defend your independence and your integrity by
your actions.”
Miller replied that it is “fundamental for an in-
spector general to be independent.’’
Opinion
6A WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 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

Participation in public board meetings skyrockets during COVID

D
espite our desire to
“get back to normal,”
there have been some
positive outcomes created by
the crisis that we hope can be
preserved.
From a civic standpoint, the
best example of these positive
developments is how citizens
interact with the local govern-
ments.
Prior to these last few
months, attendance at city
council and board of aldermen
meetings could be counted
in the 10s. A ‘big crowd” at a
Starkville Board of Aldermen
meeting was about 100 people.
Columbus City Council meet-
ings averaged less than half of
that. School boards and boards
of supervisors meetings aver-
age even fewer.
But when COVID-19 restric-
tions forced officials to live-
stream those meetings, the
audience swelled to thousands.
Starkville, which was
already live-streaming its
aldermen meetings before
COVID-19, increased its
viewership from 200 or 300 to
an average of 4,470 viewers in
seven regular or special-call
board meetings since March
3. A March 24 special call
meeting of the aldermen cap-
tured 10,900 views.
In Columbus, the city has
changed live-streaming plat-
forms for its council meetings,
which likely accounts for fewer
viewers than in Starkville.
Even so, citizen interest in the
council meetings has been
unprecedented. Last week’s
council meeting drew an audi-
ence of 8,100 viewers.
Viewership of school board
meetings and county supervi-
sor meetings have not reached
these kinds of audiences. Even
so, the live-streaming audienc-
es have been larger than those
when people attended these
meetings in person.
An informed citizenry is
essential to a healthy democra-
cy, and we have long advocat-
ed for increased participation
in these meetings. Until this
public health crisis, we were
generally disappointed with
the turn-outs.
First by preference and now
by mandate, most of use have
come to rely more on technolo-
gy to stay connected.
The advantages are obvi-
ous. We can “attend” meetings
from the comfort of our own
homes or wherever we hap-
pen to be. We can also view it
whenever we choose. Those
conveniences have clearly
produced results.
We urge citizens to con-
tinue to attend these virtual
meetings. That’s why we have
amended our Public Meetings
listings, found on the front
page of each edition of The
Dispatch, to include links to
the live-stream broadcasts.
We are likely more aware
of what our local governments
are doing than perhaps ever
before and that’s a great
outcome derived from difficult
circumstances.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR CARTOONIST VIEW

Voice of the people
United or untied?
In a brief video last Saturday,
former president George W. Bush
called on Americans to “rise as one”
to combat the insidious coronavirus
that is leading to the destruction of
almost everything we value as a na-
tion. How can any loyal citizen of the
United States of America find fault
with a call to unite (or, for that mat-
ter, bemoan the absence of interfer-
ence in a trial)? Some people have,
apparently. Puzzling, that. How
could it possibly be problematic if,
as the video suggests, we “remem-
ber how small our differences are in
the face of this shared threat” and
so work together for victory? What’s
wrong with the idea that “empathy
and simple kindness are essential,
powerful tools of national recovery”?
In the face of this thoughtful plea for
a united effort to do all in our power
to forestall untimely death and
disease, does it not seem curious
that this message is not uniformly
welcomed and embraced? Could it
be that a call for unity coming from
an influential and powerful voice
(a former president) simply goes
against the grain of a pervasive
strategy aimed to “divide and con-
quer”? Are we really becoming the
“Untied” States of America?
Unsigned
Columbus
Peter Imes writes: The Dispatch MUSINGS FROM NYC
Finding a way to...
has long-maintained a policy of run-
ning only signed letters to the editor.
We generally believe a name on a
letter holds the writer accountable for
their words, and those signed letters The following column was with an extra lunge needed I was ready for the downtown M31 to
carry more weight. In the current received mid-April. for climbing into instead of open its rear doors for me and fully ex-
down from those exit doors. pected the orange chain protecting the

political and social environment, I
believe individuals have valid height-
ened concerns about facing repercus-
sions for the things they say. We will
continue to lean toward requiring
names on letters, but in an effort
to ensure diverse views are shared
here, we may from time to time run
thoughtful unsigned letters.
Additional comments
on gas prices
The bottom is falling out of the
wholesale price of gasoline. It’s
lower than it was in the 70s.
Gas has always come down in
Columbus slower than our sur-
rounding towns and always goes up
the fastest.
In Tupelo, Exxon and Shell price
is $1.43 and Starkville is $1.49.
I don’t know how the difference
between the wholesale price and
retail price could be considered a
complicated equation.
James Hodges
Steens
A letter to the editor is an excellent
way to participate in your community.
We request the tone of your letters be
constructive and respectful and the
length be limited to 450 words. While
commentary 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.
Imagination Library:
Give the gift of books
lowndesil.org
L
ast Saturday I made Inside, an orange chain unseen driver. It was empty, but free!
two trips up to the stretched left to right cor- I nestled the kale beside me wishing
farmers’ market on doning off the front seating I could ask, “So where are you from?”
6th Street in search, not for section, the driver and the To a minute degree I’d adapted to New
farm fresh produce, but for fare box. Having learned Transit without achieving a smidgen of
a sense of normalcy... for first grade math and in the Saturday morning normalcy and had
the relaxed friendly smiles general knowledge of the nothing to place on Chris’ desk. He saw
of the vendors under their world event I was living me coming. We saluted, and let it go at
frayed beach umbrellas in, I knew it was to protect that. I ran cold water over the kale and
and their proudly displayed Marion Whitley the driver from mask-less put it to drain. But what to do for my
“oh so fresh corn, peppers. folks like me who could be unsettled state?
onions and thyme.” What, carrying the virus. The one I tried coffee, no go. A quick look
pray, other than selfishness, allowed me passenger aboard took a look at me and at the crossword? Not now, save for
to think the farmers would be there? scurried to the back-most seat. I was tonight. Mask-less, I’d started out on
Their lives are under the same threat as getting a clear message. the wrong foot, and what I’d discovered
mine. How could I assume they’d been I exited the door at 67th Street. The left me somewhat spooked. Unsettled in
up since four, loading their vans with short guy with aluminum pans was my skin. I’d chop the kale. No, the knife
lovingly gathered fruits of their labor, at his habitual post, there next to the needs sharpening. I need sharpening!
to come into my locked down, virus street offering me ready-to-eat delica- I’ll start over; I’ll do it again!
infected city? That they drove in from cies too early in the day. As always, I The corner store was open. I bought
some magical world just outside the city wondered at his choice of venue; one my first masks and pulled one over my
limits, unpacked and set up their dis- misstep backward, he and his pans ears. As the M15 approached, I was
plays in order that mid-towners like me would fall into the line of traffic. But prepared for the extra heft to enter the
could have a taste of a blessed “other bless him, he was the only familiar exit door that opened in my face. Yes,
time”? Deep into my ego, I was function- vendor in sight, for the school yard orange chain and the invisible driver
ing in that “other time” I assumed still was closed off behind a good 8-foot-tall ... So? Nothing new in that. If I wasn’t
existed those few blocks up the avenue. iron fence. It’s always been there, but retrieving my anticipated normalcy, I
Two trips, mind you, the first without a is usually so hung with flea marketers’ was adapting, in a miniscule way, to the
mask, left me shaken! treasures as to be invisible, but in its enormity of the new one. At 67th I went
But I’d started off on the wrong naked state, reminding me schools are straight to the guy with the aluminum
foot. I had no mask, and naked faces closed and with them school yards for pans like, “Hi! It’ll soon be lunchtime,”
were becoming rarer. Starting out, I farmers’ markets. (As I write, from over and bought two portions of lasagna
saw Chris in a black mask-muffler. His my left shoulder ... or field hospitals.) that’s to write home about. From the
eyes widened at my lack of such, but he However, one enterprising farmer Big Time Amazonian vendor, three of
managed a muffled, “Have a nice day.” seemed to have commandeered a pro- his reddest, rock hard tomatoes and
At once reminding me of our somewhat duce truck from California then staked again, lined up, masked, like everybody
habituated Saturday routine. He knew out the public sidewalk beside the yard else to pay.
I was going to the market, that when I for his own display. “Locally Grown”? Chris saw me coming. He smiled
returned I’d lay a peach or pear on his I’d doubt it! But visually, it’d stop you in behind his mask as I reached for his
desk. As for masks, I’d hoped to find your tracks — and food supply, mid-pan- tomato. “Sanitize,” I said, making the
them at the comer pharmacy, but a sign demic is hardly to be sneezed at! Still, it wash-your-hands motion. He returned
on the door said “Open today at 10.” was as if Amazon.com had cornered the the gesture smiling and waved me
I hardly had time to drape my scarf farmers’ market on 67th Street. Alas for down the hall and home. In some mys-
casually over my face to wait for the attractive displays under frayed beach terious way, I was back on track.
M15 when I saw it coming. I stood, tran- umbrellas, plates of bite-size tastings I sharpened the knife and com-
sit card in hand, but it was rolling slowly and neighborhood greetings spoken menced to chop the kale.
past me! When it did stop, only the rear with a smile. I hid my face, ambled Marion Whitley, who grew up in Cale-
exit door unfolded ten inches from my through the maze of color, spotted the donia and Columbus, lives in Manhattan
face. Having learned to read, I obeyed glorious green of kale that managed a where she reads, writes and remembers.
the sign, “Please use this exit door for “home-grown” freshness and joined the Her email address is Whijmar8@aol.
entering and leaving the bus.” I obeyed maskers in line to pay. com.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 7A

As US piles up debt to aid

economy, even usual critics cheer
‘I’m not especially concerned about deficit and
debt now. ... Immediate health and economic
concerns must take precedence.’
Donald Marron, director of the Tax Policy Center
BY PAUL WISEMAN
AND MARTIN CRUTSINGER
AP Economics Writers
WASHINGTON — The U.S.
government has opened the spigots
and let loose nearly $3 trillion to
try to rescue the economy from the
coronavirus outbreak — a river of
debt that would have been unthink-
able even a few months ago.
And yet the response, even from
people who built careers as skep-
tics of federal debt, speaks to the
gravity of the crisis: Almost no one
has blinked.
With the U.S. economy in a
frightening free-fall, they say, the
government has no choice but to
pour trillions into an emergency
operation. Doing less would risk
a catastrophe — a recession that
could devolve into a full-fledged
depression. And if that were to hap-
pen, the government’s fiscal health
would end up far worse.
What’s more, the lessons of
World War II and the 2008 financial
crisis suggest to many that a com-
bination of ultra-low interest rates
and eventual economic growth can
keep government debts manage-
able and prevent a budget crisis.
In a sign that investors worry
more about a deep recession than
about whether the government
might eventually struggle to repay
its escalating debt, the yield on
the benchmark 10-year Treasury
note remains well below 1 percent.
Many analysts say that while soar-
ing federal debt may end up slowing
an eventual recovery, there won’t
be any recovery if the government
doesn’t borrow and spend aggres-
sively now.
“Like most folks, I’m not espe-
cially concerned about deficit and
debt now,” said Donald Marron,
director of the Tax Policy Center,
a Washington think tank. “Interest
rates remain low. Immediate health
and economic concerns must take
precedence.’’
Nonetheless, the numbers are
shocking. After Congress passed
four programs to sustain the econ-
omy through the COVID-19 crisis,
the budget deficit — the gap be-
tween what the government spends
and what it collects in taxes — will
hit a record $3.7 trillion this year,
according to the Congressional
Budget Office.
On Monday, the Treasury De-
partment announced that it will
borrow $2.99 trillion in the April-
June quarter, blowing away the
previous quarterly record of $569
billion, set in the recession year of
2008, and eclipsing the $1.28 tril-
lion it borrowed in the bond mar-
ket in all of 2019. By the time the
budget year ends in September, the
government’s debt — its accumulat-
ed annual deficits — will equal 101
percent of the U.S. gross domestic
product, according to the CBO.
Policymakers are trying to fend
off catastrophe. The lockdowns and
travel curbs meant to contain the
virus are battering the economy.
GDP is expected to fall at a 40 per-
cent annual rate from April through
June. That would be the worst quar-
ter on record dating to 1947. Thir-
ty million Americans have sought
unemployment benefits since the
virus struck.

Service sector shrinks; first time since Great Recession

Growth in only two service sector industries last month,
public administration, as well as finance and insurance
BY MARTIN CRUTSINGER
AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON — reading since March of
The U.S. service sector
shrank for the first time
in a decade last month as
the pandemic forced shut-
downs and layoffs nation-
wide.
The Institute for Sup-
ply Management said
Tuesday that its ser-
vice-sector index fell to
41.8 in April, compared
with a March reading of
52.5.
Any reading below 50
signals that the service
sector, where the major-
ity of Americans work,
is in a contraction. It was
the first time the services
index has been in con-
traction since December
2009 and it was the lowest
that year with the nation
mired in the Great Reces-
sion.
In April, all major cat-
egories fell sharply with
the business activity in-
dex dropping to 26, the
lowest reading on record.
The new orders index fell
to 32.9, and the employ-
ment index dropped to 30.
The survey found
growth in only two ser-
vice sector industries last
month, public adminis-
tration, as well as finance
and insurance, while 16
industries reported de-
clines.
In the agriculture sec-
tor, survey respondents
said that the virus had
created significant chal-
lenges with milk prices
plunging 29 percent in a
just a few weeks. “Milk is
being dumped on farms
because of the loss of
markets,” the ISM survey
found.
The Congressional
Budget Office is forecast-
ing that the overall econ-
omy, as measured by the
gross domestic product,
will plunge by a record
annual rate of 40 percent
in the current April-June
quarter.
Last week, the ISM
also reported that its man-
ufacturing index was in
contraction territory with
a reading of 41.5 in April.
While the Trump ad-
ministration is hoping
for a big rebound this
summer if and when the
economy re-opens, many
economists believe the
recession could drag on
until a vaccine is widely
available.
“Social distancing
measures are being grad-
ually lifted, but it will take
time to undo the econom-
ic damage,” said Oren
Klachkin, lead U.S. econ-
omist at Oxford Econom-
ics. “Significantly weaker
demand, supply chain dis-
ruptions ... and uncertain-
ty over the virus’ trajecto-
ry will pose considerable
headwinds to an econom-
ic rebound.”

Woman arraigned in killing of security guard over virus mask

Family Dollar guard shot after refusing 43, at a Family Dollar near
downtown Flint.
Friday afternoon, Leyton
said Monday. Two men
to allow woman’s daughter inside Larry Teague and
Bishop have yet to be ar-
later came to the store,
and one of them shot
since she wasn’t wearing a face mask rested and were believed
to be on the run, prosecu-
Munerlyn in the back of
the head. Witnesses iden-
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Sharmel Teague, 45, tor David Leyton said. tified Bishop as the man
was arraigned via video The three defendants who shot Munerlyn, ac-
FLINT, Mich. — A Tuesday in district court, also face gun charges. cording to Leyton.
Michigan woman was according to the Genesee Larry Teague also is No information has
formally charged Tues- County prosecutor’s of- charged with violating been released about
day in the fatal shooting fice. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s the daughter, who has
of a store security guard Teague, her husband, executive order requiring not been charged in the
who refused to allow her Larry Teague, 44; and all customers and employ- shooting.
daughter inside because her son, Ramonyea Bish- ees to wear face coverings Sharmel Teague was
she wasn’t wearing a face op, 23, face first-degree inside grocery stores. denied bond Tuesday and
mask to protect against premeditated murder Sharmel Teague ar- was scheduled for a May
transmission of the coro- charges in Friday’s kill- gued with Munerlyn 14 probable cause confer-
navirus. ing of Calvin Munerlyn, before leaving the store ence.
8A WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Books-A-Million
Continued from Page 1A
ment returned calls and messages from
The Dispatch by press time to clear the
issue.
The bookstore has been in Colum-
bus since at least 1989, according to fi-
nancial records at the Lowndes County
Tax Assessor’s Office, but Tax Assessor
Greg Andrews said Tuesday the store
may have been in business longer than
that. The only other bookstore in Colum-
bus is at the Mississippi University for
Women.
Books-A-Million is only the latest
retailer to close at Leigh Mall. Origi-
nal anchors Sears and JCPenney have
already departed, and the mall has also
been steadily losing smaller tenants
including RadioShack, Reed’s Jewelry,
Payless ShoeSource, The Cookie Store
and Kirkland’s, all of which have perma-
nently closed, since 2017. Hobby Lobby, Theo DeRosa/Dispatch Staff
Planet Fitness and a few other tenants The Books-A-Million store at Leigh Mall in Columbus has closed. Books-
remain. A-Million announced the closure Friday in an email to customers.

Council
Continued from Page 1A
distance in between par-
ticipants.  Restart Columbus Steering Committee members
However, the city is
still prohibiting organized
games and practices, he
said, after city and coun-
ty directors of Parks and
Recreations departments
heard concerns from al-
most two dozen coaches.
“Most of them said that
they just didn’t feel safe at
the present time as for the
kids being out there prac-
ticing,” Smith said.  firmed cases, according to
Restaurants have the
option to resume opera-
tions every day until 10
p.m. as long as they follow
state guidelines in the lat-
est executive order, Smith
said. Bars that only offer
liquor and live music ven-
ues will remain closed.  Amy Bogue, Executive Director of Allegro Clinics
Reeves’ executive order
on Monday allowed restau-
rants and parks to reopen
and set out restrictions for
them to follow, including
a mandate that restaurant
employees wear masks
and the businesses oper-
ate at no more than 50 per-
cent of the allowed capac-
ity. High-contact areas in
restaurants and tabletop
items must be deeply san-
itized, and customers will
be screened upon entering
the restaurants. The order
will last through Monday,
unless Reeves chooses to
renew it.
Smith and the city’s
newly-formed Restart Co-
lumbus Committee made
the decision to reopen
Columbus restaurants
after speaking to several
restaurant representatives
Tuesday afternoon, includ-
ing owners of Harveys,
Mugshots Grill and Bar
and Glenn’s BBQ.  assign additional officers
While some restau-
rant owners are ready to
Mayor Robert Smith, Chairman
Chief Operations Officer David Armstrong, Vice Chairman
Jeff Turnage, City Attorney
Amy Bogue, Executive Director of Allegro Clinics
Carla Lowery, Mississippi University for Women
Dr. Rita Felton, Columbus Air Force Base
Kenny Wiegel, Director of Columbus Inspection Department Gavin Beard
Glenda Buckhalter Richardson, Community Outreach Director
Fred Shelton, Police Chief deaths. As of Monday eve-
Martin Andrews, Fire Chief ning, the state has seen
Joe Dillon, Public Information Officer 342 COVID-19-related
Cindy Lawrence, Emergency Management Director deaths and 8,207 con-
Restaurant/Hotel/Bar Subcommittee Members Mississippi State Depart-
(including some Steering Committee members) ment of Health.
John Bean, Chairman, Eat With Us Group “They have the right to
Jim Hicks, Owner of Mugshots
remain closed … until we
Wayne Cothran, General Manager of Holiday Inn Express
see these numbers start
Jay Patel, Owner of Best Western
Glenn Baldwyn, Owner of Glenn’s BBQ
to go down,” Beard said. 
Deborah Thompson, Owner of Baby Dudes “(The numbers) should
Henrietta Johnson, Manager at Wendy’s alert people that this thing
is not under control.
Nancy Carpenter, CEO of Visit Columbus “I understand people
Glenda Buckhalter, City of Columbus are looking at it from an
Carla Lowery, MUW Representative economic standpoint,” he
Dr. Rita Felton, CAFB Representative added. “But a life is just as
Source: City of Columbus important as a dollar.”
Conflict disclosure:
reopen, Smith said, some nances, which could lead Managing Editor Zack
remain hesitant. to a fine between $300 and Plair took part in editing
“It was left up to them $1,000, or up to 90 days in this article. He is currently
as to when they decide to jail. involved in legal proceed-
open because several of Ward 6 Councilman ings with the city of Colum-
them said they just didn’t Bill Gavin, who sits on bus.
feel safe to open up the the steering committee
restaurant at this time,” of Restart Columbus, told
Smith said. The Dispatch reopening
Violations of the reg- the restaurants gradually
ulations will likely result would help relieve the bur-
in strong penalties as the den on food suppliers, who
Columbus Police Depart- are feeling the pressure of
ment announced its plan to a large demand in prod-
strengthen enforcement ucts such as meat. 
efforts in the city Tuesday “If you all open at the
morning. The department same time and (get) calls
has cited Walmart and for these orders,” he said,
Lowe’s because of employ- “that’s a lot of food.”
ees who didn’t wear masks Ward 4 Councilman
properly, Chief Fred Shel- Pierre Beard said he
ton told The Dispatch. thinks it’s too soon to re-
Shelton said he plans to open businesses, espe-
cially when the state has
to patrol shifts to check seen upticks in confirmed
for violations of city ordi- cases of COVID-19 and

Officer
Continued from Page 1A
Tuesday.
The city council voted 3-3 on the
suspension during executive session of
Tuesday’s regular meeting, and Mayor
Robert Smith broke the tie in favor of the
disciplinary action, City Attorney Jeff
Turnage told The Dispatch.
The suspended officer is Corporal
Tabertha Hardin, according to a source
present for the closed session vote.
Hardin used inappropriate language
on a house visit when she was attacked
by the dog, the source said. She threat-
ened to kill the dog, but did not do so.
The dog bruised Hardin badly enough
during the attack that she had to go to
the hospital, the source said.
Police Chief Fred Shelton refused to
confirm the identity of the officer when
reached this morning.
Hardin, formerly a member of the in-
vestigation division, was recommended
for suspension in 2018 for insubordina-
tion, but the council voted against it, The
Dispatch reported.
Conflict disclosure: Managing Editor
Zack Plair took part in editing this article.
He is currently involved in legal proceed-
ings with the city of Columbus.

Supes
Continued from Page 1A
year as a trainee starting
May 1.
But during the Monday
executive session, Sand-
ers cited “disrespectful”
behaviors from Billingsley
in his effort to oust him
immediately, sources said.
“Harry said Ralph
called him a liar,” one of
the sources told The Dis-
patch. “He said there was
a meeting and Ralph disre-
spected him.”
Hairston, multiple
sources said, worried
about fissures between
Billingsley and Fisher.
“(Hairston) was (ini-
tially) concerned about
the environment in the
office that, if Ralph was
not willing to work with
(Fisher), it would … make
things difficult for not just
him, but the
rest of the
office,” one
source told
The Dis-
patch.
Sanders,
Hairston
Hairston Brooks Smith
and Billing-
sley offered no on-the- truth,” he shouted at Sand-
record comment on the ers.
matter, pointing to the District 4 Supervisor
confidentiality of issues Jeff Smith told The Dis-
discussed in closed ses- patch, “Billingsley needs
sions. to be left alone to do his
District 5 Supervisor job.” He said it is high time
Leroy Brooks, who had ac- the county moved forward
cused Sanders of leading and created an environ-
the effort to oust Billing- ment where Billingsley
sley, did not comment on could help train Fisher on
the record. But during the his new job.
Monday session, Brooks’ District 3 Supervisor
voice could be heard John Holliman could not
through the door. be reached for comment
“You won’t tell the by press time.
Sports
BREAKING DOWN MISSISSIPPI STATE’S DEFENSIVE
BACK DEPTH CHART HEADING INTO THE SUMMER
Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Jarrian Jones (2) reacts after Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon (2) fails to catch a pass
during the first quarter at Kyle Field on Oct. 26.
BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE — Over the next week-
With Spring Com-
mencement at Missis-
sippi State now officially
passed, summer has ar-
rived in Starkville.
And while the MSU
football team has yet to
endure their usual reg-
imen of spring practic-
es due to the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic,
there remains a growing
optimism a 2020 football
season will be played —
though when that would
With recruiting camps and showcases rare, Caledonia
linebacker Brandon Chrest among those turning to Twitter
BY THEO DEROSA
tderosa@cdispatch.com
Brandon Chrest’s Hudl
page is getting plenty of
hits these days.
He hopes so, at least.
Before the COVID-19
pandemic hit, the Cale-
donia High School inside
linebacker occasional-
ly tweeted out a link to
the 3-minute, 45-second
highlight tape from his
junior season in 2019 in
response to coaches who
put out social media feel-
ers for recruits champing
at the bit to play college
football.
Chrest is one of those,
and as of April 10, he’s
upped the frequency,
sharing that same Hudl
MISSISSIPPI STATE FOOTBALL ANALYSIS
happen and the logistics
behind such an occur-
rence.
plus we’re going to dive
into the Bulldogs’ depth
chart heading into the
summer and what it
might look like once
competition is allowed
to begin. With that said,
let’s get things started
with the MSU defensive
backs:
Cornerback
Replacing a two-year
starter is never easy.
link with dozens of coach-
es nationwide — from
FBS schools Texas Tech
to Fresno State to FCS
Northwestern (Louisi-
ana) State and Division
II Northwest Oklahoma
State.
Currently unable to
participate in recruiting
camps and showcases due
to the outbreak of the pan-
demic, his social media
blitz is all but necessary
to catch the eyes of any
coaches who will have
him.
“That’s really the only
way right now,” he told
The Dispatch on Monday.
The strategy doesn’t al-
ways work; it rarely does, Caledonia linebacker Brandon Chrest has turned to social media in a push to get
in fact. Chrest said only recruited to play college football. Chrest, who will graduate in December, has touted
See CHREST, 2B enrolling early as one reason he’d fit in well with a collegiate program.
Replacing one as pro-
ductive as Cameron
Dantzler is even more
difficult.
With Dantzler now
off to the professional
ranks after being select-
ed in the third round of
the NFL Draft by the
Minnesota Vikings, cor-
nerbacks coach Darcel
McBath will be tasked
with replacing his pro-
duction and leadership
come fall, though he
boasts a host of youthful
options to do so.
Most notably, sopho-
mores Martin Emerson
Jr. and Jarrian Jones
will see increases in
their playing time af-
ter standout freshman
campaigns in coach Joe
Moorhead’s final year at
the helm.
Emerson profiles
much the same way Dan-
tzler did given his lanky
6 -foot-2, 195-pound
frame. In his inaugu-
ral season in Starkville
he flashed shut-down
corner-type traits and
was named an honor-
able mention Freshman
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020
John Glaser/USA TODAY Sports
All-American by Pro
Football Focus for his
efforts.
Alongside Emer-
son is his roommate
and proclaimed best
friend in Jones. Though
the former Northwest
Rankin defensive back
struggled in coverage
at times — particularly
during SEC play — he
showed flashes of speed
and physicality in the
defensive backfield.
“I haven’t ever seen
a pair of corners like
See MSU, 2B
Courtesy of Jason Chrest
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000
MSU lands
B
SECTION
four-star
recruit
Montgomery
BY GARRICK HODGE
ghodge@cdispatch.com
After losing its top four
scorers from a season
ago, the Mississippi State
men’s basketball team
continues its restructure
for the 2020-2021 season.
The Bulldogs land-
ed a 6-foot-6 small for-
ward prospect Keondre
Montgomery, a Forest
Hill standout. Montgom-
ery signed his National
Letter of Intent at his
high school Tuesday af-
ternoon. According to
247Sports, Montgomery
is a four-star recruit and
the No. 1 rated player in
the state of Mississippi
for the class of 2020. He’s
the 122nd best recruit na-
tionally.
“Keondre is a great
addition to our basket-
ball family and already
possesses an excellent
offensive skill package,”
MSU coach Ben How-
land said in a news re-
lease. “He’s an outstand-
ing three-point shooter,
a strong finisher at the
basket and can create
for others. When I watch
Keondre on film, I see his
love for the game of bas-
ketball. He plays hard on
both ends of the floor and
plays with a good inten-
sity level. I look forward
to seeing his continued
growth and development
as a player in our pro-
gram.”
In his senior year at
Forest Hill, Montgomery
averaged 28.1 points, 8.5
rebounds and four assists
per game.
“Keondre has a high
motor, plays with a lot of
passion and led us in ev-
ery statistical category
last season,” Forest Hill
coach Jerry Currie said.
“Offensively, he’s an ex-
tremely gifted scorer that
can score at all three lev-
See MBB, 2B
Korean
baseball
league
begins in
empty
stadiums
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SEOUL, South Korea
— The new baseball sea-
son began in South Ko-
rea on Tuesday with the
crack of the bat and the
sound of the ball smack-
ing into the catcher’s mitt
echoing around empty
stadiums.
After a weeks-long de-
lay because of the corona-
virus pandemic, umpires
wore protective masks
and cheerleaders danced
beneath rows of unoccu-
pied seats as professional
baseball got back on the
field.
There were many fac-
es in the stands in at least
one stadium, but they
were pictures instead of
real people because fans
aren’t allowed into the
See BASEBALL, 2B
2B WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

MSU
Continued from Page 1B

that,” former MSU safe-
ty Jaquarius Landrews,
now with the New York
Giants, said of the pair
last fall. “They’re hun-
gry, they have a close
bond. Those boys are go-
ing to be top notch later
on in life.”
Incoming freshman
Decamerion Richardson
could also factor into
the equation. Richard-
son was among the final
additions to MSU’s 2020
class after he was under-
recruited for much of the
process. Soon after his
commitment, 247sports
bumped him to a four-
star ranking in their in-
house rankings given
his stature at 6 -foot-2,
176 pounds and track-
like speed.
Other names to watch
include senior Tyler Wil-
liams — who played ma-
jor snaps in 2019 — class-
mates Korey Charles,
Taury Dixon and sopho-
mores Jaylon Reed and
Dylan Lawrence.
Safety
Like at corner, MSU
must replace experi-
enced talent in Jaquarius
Landrews and Maurice
Smitherman. But with
junior West Point native
Marcus Murphy and se-
nior C.J. Morgan return-
ing in 2020, the Bulldogs
have logical replace-
ments at both spots.
Murphy returns in
full after being suspend-
ed for eight games last
season for his involve-
ment in the academic
misconduct scandal that
implicated 10 football
players and one men’s
basketball player having
a tutor complete course-
work for them.
After contributing
as a freshman on spe-
cial teams, the former
high school quarterback
starred in limited oppor-
tunities in 2019 — includ-
ing an interception return
for a touchdown against
Arkansas that helped the
Bulldogs keep their bowl
aspirations alive.
As for Morgan, he en-
dured a season ending
lower-body injury against
Alabama and was carted
off the field but appeared
in all 10 games to that
point. Should his rehab
go according to plan, he’ll
start opposite Murphy.
Other youngsters to
keep in mind include
freshman Janari Dean,
junior Landon Guidry and
senior Fred Peters.
Dean, who played both
running back and defen-
sive back at South Panola,
could slide into the nick-
elback spot vacated by
Brian Cole II given his
compact build at 5-foot-11
and 185 pound, while Pe-
ters should be the third
safety in the rotation be-
tween Murphy and Mor-
gan.
“The kids have been
great and just very wel-
coming,” new safeties
coach Jason Washington
told The Dispatch in Feb-
ruary. “I’m excited about
moving down the road
and working with them.”

Chrest
Continued from Page 1B
about one in 20 times does a
coach respond, thanking him,
asking him to fill out a ques-
tionnaire and inquiring about
availability for camps down the
road.
But Chrest knows all it takes
is one.
The inside linebacker has no
official offers on the table, but
he expects one to come soon.
Head coach Terry Harrison
of Bethel College, an NAIA
school in Kansas, took a liking
to Chrest, who said he expects
an offer to come when Bethel
can begin offering 2021 pros-
pects in June.
So far, though, Chrest con-
tinues to fight for opportunities
in a pandemic-altered recruit-
ing world.
He was scheduled to attend
recruiting camps at Mississip-
pi State, Northwestern State
and Austin Peay; the latter two
schools also extended him an
invitation to their junior days,
which were both canceled.
“I can’t go see the coaches
and prove to them that I can
compete with people at higher
levels than our school,” Chrest
said.
He’s still scheduled to play in
the Offense-Defense All-Amer-
ican Bowl in late June in Dallas,
hoping the event will still hap-
pen so he can prove his worth
against tough competition.
The linebacker, who touts
that he will graduate this De-
cember and can enroll early
with a college, got a taste of that
when he grappled with 5-star
offensive linemen in the 2019
Football University (FBU) Top
Gun camp in Rock Hill, South
Carolina.
“It was a higher competition
level, and they had really good
coaches there,” Chrest said.
“They explained what I needed
to do there really well.”
Chrest has tried to take that
instruction to heart. On Friday,
he posted a video of himself
running a “5-10-5” — the 20-
yard shuttle at the NFL com-
bine — and received a message
from the combine prep coach at
sports powerhouse IMG Acad-
emy about switching his hands
during the drill. Chrest did,
posting another video with the
correct technique.
To stay in shape, he works
out roughly 1½ to 2 hours a
day, using exercises sent to
him by former Caledonia offen-
sive lineman Logan Canerdy.
Canerdy, who played at Jones
County Junior College for the
past two seasons, earned a spot
on Northwestern State’s roster
for his junior year this fall.
Chrest, who finished with 89
tackles, six sacks and 18 tack-
les for loss in a junior season
that earned him a first-team
all-division nod on defense,
hopes he can follow a similar
path.
If not — he knows that’s a
possibility — he hopes to earn
an ROTC scholarship and ma-
jor in kinesiology or sports sci-
ence. As for the school?
“I think I’d like to go to Mis-
sissippi State or somewhere
close by for that so I’m not too
far away from home,” Chrest
said.

Baseball
Continued from Page 1B
venues — at least for now.
Instead, it was easy
to hear players cheering
and shouting from the
dugouts. And it was a re-
lief to fans watching from
home in a country that is
now attempting to slowly
return to pre-COVID-19
normalcy amid a waning
caseload.
The country’s profes-
sional soccer leagues
will kick off Friday, also
without spectators in the
stadiums.
As one of the world’s
first major professional
sports competitions to
return to action amid
the pandemic, the Korea
Baseball Organization
has employed various
preventive measures
aimed at creating safe
playing environments.
Players and coaches
will go through fever
screenings before enter-
ing stadiums, while um-
pires and first- and third-
base coaches must wear
masks during games.
Players are prohibited
from signing autographs
or high-fiving teammates
with bare hands.
Also, chewing tobacco
was banned to prevent
spitting, while masks
and latex gloves will be
required at training facil-
ities.
Fans will be barred
from games until the
KBO is convinced the
risk of infection has been
minimized. If any mem-
ber of a team tests posi-
tive for the coronavirus at
any point of the season,
the league will be shut
down for at least three
weeks.
“I feel great,” said Cho
Ki-hyun, a 65-year-old SK
Wyverns fan who shared
a mattress with three
other fans outside the
walls of the team’s sta-
dium in Incheon, watch-
ing the game against the
Daejeon-based Hanwha
Eagles with a tablet com-
puter. “I am delighted
just to hear the sounds
of a baseball game from
outside.”
The teams tried to cre-
ate a festive atmosphere
in the empty stadiums.
In a game in the cap-
ital, LG Twins defeated
crosstown rival and de-
fending champion Doo-
san Bears 8-2 at Jamsil
Stadium, where the out-
field seats were decked
with huge banners of the
Twins’ cheering slogans.
Twins outfielder Kim
Hyun-soo, who spent
some time with the Bal-
timore Orioles, hit the
league’s first home run
of the season in the third
inning, a two-run shot off
Bears starter Raul Alca-
ntara. As he rounded the
bases, Kim extended a
hand toward third-base
coach Kim Jea-gul, who
raised his arm but stayed
out of contact.
“The players just re-
ally wanted to play base-
ball, and we are delight-
ed to do just that,” Kim
Hyun-soo said.
The Wyverns imitated
a home crowd in Incheon
by covering their outfield
seats with rows of hori-
zontal banners showing
faces of fans wearing the
team’s hats and masks.
They still lost 3-0 to the
Eagles, who won their
first season opener in 11
years with former Detroit
Tigers pitcher Warwick
Saupold hurling a two-
hit, complete game shut-
out.
In Daegu, the city
worst hit by the virus,
the Samsung Lions used about 500 new virus in- trols and active efforts schools, starting with
their huge scoreboard fections a day, forcing to test and isolate virus high school seniors on
to play video messages the KBO to postpone its carriers and trace their May 13.
from players, celebrities March 28 season open- contacts using medical, Barring any virus-re-
and fans thanking doc- ers. banking and immigra- lated suspension, the
tors and medical staff But South Korea re- tion records and location KBO plans to maintain
fighting the outbreak, ported only three new information provided by a 144-game regular sea-
which overwhelmed the
cases on Tuesday, its police and telecommuni- son schedule. But it de-
city’s hospitals in late
lowest daily jump since cations companies. cided to scrap its all-star
February and March be-
fore slowing in recent infections surged in late Officials have start- game and shorten the
weeks. The Lions fell to February. Experts credit ed relaxing social dis- first round of the playoffs
the Changwon-based NC the downward trend to tancing guidelines and from best-of-five to best-
Dinos 4-0 in a game that tightened border con- are preparing to reopen of-three series.
was broadcast on ESPN.
“It would have been
better if they could be
with us, but I am glad
that we delivered some-
thing good to fans watch-
ing TV,” said Dinos out-
fielder Na Sung-bum,
who went 2 for 3.
Considered one of the
best players in the KBO,
the 30-year-old Na is a
client of American su-
per-agent Scott Boras
and has aspirations for
Major League Baseball.
Also, the Seoul-based
Kiwoom Heroes routed
the host Kia Tigers 11-2
in Gwangju, handing
former San Francisco
Giants slugger Matt Wil-
liams his first loss as a
manager in the KBO.
Park Byung-ho, who
had a short stint with
the Minnesota Twins,
smacked a two-run shot
for the Heroes in the
eighth and used his
gloved right hand to slap
the hands of his first-
and third-base coaches
before switching to fist
bumps and elbow dabs in
the dugout.
The Busan-based
Lotte Giants defeated the
KT Wiz 7-2 on the road in
Suwon.
A full season of base-
ball seemed doubtful in
early March when South
Korea was reporting

MBB
Continued from Page 1B

els. ‘Dre is a knockdown Bulldogs. His signing forward and graduate

three-point shooter, has a
great midrange game and
can finish at the rim. How-
ever, one of his best offen-
sive attributes, is his pass-
ing ability. He has a real
knack for setting team-
mates up for easy scores.
Last summer, he started
working on his low post
game and consistently
took smaller guards to the
low block all season.”
Montgomery had of-
fers from Auburn, Clem-
son, Ole Miss and Seton
Hall in addition to the
gives the Bulldogs the top
two players from the Mis-
sissippi 2020 recruiting
class (three-star forward
Cameron Matthews being
the other), and marks the
second four-star recruit
MSU coach Ben Howland
has signed for 2020 after
Georgia product Deivon
Smith signed with the
Bulldogs last fall.
MSU could go the
graduate transfer route
to fill out its roster, as the
Bulldogs have already
acquired Louisiana small
transfer Jalen Johnson,
according to Stadium’s
Jeff Goodman. A season
ago, Johnson averaged 15
points for Louisiana.
A scouting report on
Montgomery from a
source close to the
MSU basketball team
“Talented scorer. Can
score at all three levels.
Good vision/feel as a
passer. Can guard multi-
ple positions with his size
and athleticism.”
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
Tight end contracts could be next to see significant rise
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ceivers have an average players on the team,” the NFC East title on the
annual salary above $10 agent Leigh Steinberg line in a loss at Philadel-
Several tight ends in million while only two told The Associated phia in December.
the NFL are centerpiec- tight ends — Hunter Press. Kittle, Kelce, Ertz and
es of the offense. Henry and Austin Hoop- The Los Angeles Gronkowski, when he
Now, it’s time they get er — make that much. Chargers gave Hen- played in New England,
paid like it. Kittle, Kelce, Ertz, ry the franchise tag in would be go-to guys in a
Guys such as George Darren Waller and Mark March. Hooper left At- critical spot such as that.
Kittle, Travis Kelce, Andrews led their teams lanta for Cleveland, sign- Kittle had 85 catches
Zach Ertz and Rob Gron- in catches and yards re- ing a four-year contract for 1,053 yards and five
kowski — before he sat ceiving last season. They worth $42 million with TDs in 2019. He played
out a year — are more also play a position that $23 million guaranteed. more than 90 percent of
productive than many requires them to block Meanwhile, the Dal- San Francisco’s offen-
wide receivers but make in pass protection and las Cowboys gave wide sive snaps in 14 games,
far less money. on running plays. Some, receiver Amari Cooper and 97 percent in the
The franchise tag for like Kittle, excel at it. a five-year, $100 million playoffs when the 49ers
tight ends is $10.6 mil- “In many cases, the contract with $40 million lost to Kelce and the
lion. By comparison, it’s tight end is much more guaranteed. Kansas City Chiefs in
$17.9 million for wide critical to the offense Cooper caught 79 the Super Bowl.
receivers. Only running than the wide receivers passes for 1,189 yards Kelce (97 catches,
backs, at $10.3 million, and in the case of Ertz, and eight touchdowns 1,229 yards, five touch-
have a lower number Kelce, Kittle and Gronk, last season. But he was downs) played a whop-
among non-specialists. those are franchise-type on the sideline, subbed ping 92.5 percent of of-
According to over- players who are arguably out for Tavon Austin, on fensive snaps.
thecap.com, 24 wide re- one of the best three a fourth-down play with Ertz (88 catches,
Comics & Puzzles
DILBERT
Dear Abby
D
EAR ABBY: I
just divorced
my husband.
We were together
for 13 years. The
last three weren’t
great. After my
divorce — which
was grueling — I
reconnected
with my son’s
father, and we
ZITS are in love. Our
romance was
doomed before
it started back
then. Our son is
now 18, and we
Dear Abby
are in our 40s.
Today, our situation is very
different. We are both doing
well financially and individually.
We are blissfully happy and
don’t rehash the past. I feel
like we were interrupted when
we were young. Am I crazy for
feeling he is THE ONE? I really
GARFIELD want it to work. — IN LOVE IN
NEVADA
DEAR IN LOVE: You aren’t
crazy, but you are recently
divorced and didn’t mention
how long you have been
“reconnected” with your
son’s father. I urge you to
put the brakes on and take
the time to get to know each
other again. I also think you
SHOULD rehash the past be-
cause unless the problems of
years ago are resolved, they
may be repeated. Time will tell
CANDORVILLE
Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (May
6). You’ll wish, work, repeat
— a successful combo that
pushes your life in an adventur-
ous direction. You’ll develop a
stronger stomach for risk and a
well-researched venture will pay
off better, but also differently,
than expected. In relationships,
a softness takes over — a
cushion of safety from which
great bonds are born. Scorpio
BABY BLUES and Capricorn adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 4, 44, 20,
33 and 11.
ARIES (March 21-April 19).
If you don’t ask, the answer is
almost always no. But there
are those rare moments when
providence itself seems to be
reading the wish of your mind,
BEETLE BAILEY
MALLARD FILLMORE
FAMILY CIRCUS
916 yards and six TDs)
played 80.5 percent of
offensive snaps while
missing one game for
the NFC East champion
Eagles.
Waller (90 catches
1,145 yards, three touch-
downs) played 90.6 per-
cent of offensive snaps
for the Raiders.
Agent Jack Bechta,
who represents Kittle,
pointed to three reasons
tight ends were left be-
hind while other posi-
tions saw significant sal-
ary increases.
“One, none of the top
tight ends rarely ever
make it to free agency be-
cause teams won’t them
let go and, thus, as a po-
sition group, they lost the
chance of resetting the
if he is, indeed,
“The One,” and
fortunately, you
both have plenty
of it. I wish you a
happy ending.
DEAR ABBY: I
have five nieces
and nephews.
With the excep-
tion of one neph-
ew, my wife and
I have attended
all of their
weddings. They
were all invited
to and attended
our daughter’s
wedding.
The last nephew is being
married next year. All of his
cousins are invited, with the
exception of my daughter.
Why? Even though she is the
same age as the rest of his
cousins, he says he doesn’t
know her that well.
Should my wife and I
attend his wedding? If we do,
I will insist he invite my daugh-
ter as well. Kindly provide
your opinion. — EXCLUDED IN
CONNECTICUT
DEAR EXCLUDED: Exclud-
ing your daughter so glaringly
guarantees that your nephew
and his wife will never get to
know her. However, you can-
not, and should not, attempt
to control your nephew’s
guest list by threatening not
to attend if your daughter
the want of your heart. It is
granted before it is verbalized. O
glory day!
TAURUS (April 20-May
20). Grit is the quality most
associated with success in the
current atmosphere. It takes a
good deal of the stuff to perse-
vere when things get weird, and
twice as much to soldier into
the unknown.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21).
Power can be acquired in more
than one way now. For instance,
you can gain leverage, shed
dependencies or more likely
a combination of both. Much
depends on the opposition. How
much might do you need?
CANCER (June 22-July 22).
The life you love comes to you
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 3B
market with their true
value,” Bechta said.
“Two, the premium
tight ends did contract
extensions with any-
where from a year or two
years left on their rookie
deals. Because of that,
they were forced to take
steep discounts to their
true value. Three, they
used to be valued as a
safety valve or a third op-
tion in the passing game
but they’re not an acces-
sory or complements to
the playbook anymore.
Kittle, a fifth-round
pick in 2017, has one year
remaining on his rookie
deal. Bechta declined to
comment on contract dis-
cussions with San Fran-
cisco but all eyes will be
on Kittle’s next deal.
isn’t invited. If you would feel
uncomfortable accepting
the invitation under these
circumstances, send your re-
grets on the RSVP card. If you
are asked why you won’t be
coming, feel free to express
yourself then.
DEAR ABBY: I have been
in a relationship for almost a
year. We connected in a way
I have never felt before, and
I tried to stay away from him.
He’s married, and his wife was
diagnosed with cancer last
year.
I have tried to end things
three times so he could focus
on his family. But he keeps
coming back to me and beg-
ging me to wait, give him time
and not abandon him. I feel
so guilty for the things I want
from him because of his wife’s
condition.
I don’t know what to do.
I want to be with him. But I
don’t want to cause his family
to struggle more on top of
everything else. Please help.
­— DIFFICULT SITUATION
DEAR SITUATION: If you are
sincere about not wanting to
cause this man’s family more
pain, STEP AWAY NOW. His
wife should be the focus of his
attention. If this relationship
is the real thing, it can be
restarted when he is free from
the responsibility he assumed
when he promised “until death
do us part.”
as you design it. You don’t have
to do everything today, as there
will be plenty of times when life
meets you in the middle, though
initiation will fall to you.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22).
You’re not the same person
with your family as you are
with friends. You even slightly
change yourself with each friend
— a sign of developed social
skills and an adaptive mind.
Even so, you’ll aim for more
uniformity.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
Your ideals are so lofty that
maybe there is no realistic hope
of catching up to your ambi-
tions. In many ways, you are
better because of this — not
happier, or more comfortable,
but better.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
You’re not doing what you do to
make money. You’re doing it to
shift lives, including your own,
toward the sunshine. Of all the
things exchanged today, money
will be the least significant.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.
21). No one gets through life
being good at one thing and
one thing only. This is why
you’re making it a point to gain
skills, try new things and figure
out what more you have to
contribute.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
21). It’s like you have a feelings
factory inside you, and today’s
production will depend on which
machinery you start up. You’ll
get whatever you yourself trig-
ger. Go for the joy levers.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-
Jan. 19). Your heart speaks
through attractions, interests,
generosity and deep feeling.
Fear speaks through judgment,
criticism, punishment and
anxious feelings. Stay in your
heart’s lane.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18). In every relationship, time
together has a unique quality to
it. Time apart also has a unique
quality to it. How you think
of the other person in those
gaps is an essential part of the
relationship.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March
20). You’ve recovered before.
Each time, the route back is
different. What’s the same is
that it goes one step at a time.
The direction doesn’t matter
today. Any step will do. It’s the
movement that counts.
Sixth sense
SOLUTION:
4B WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

States with few virus cases get big share of relief aid
Every state was to receive at least $1.25 billion, regardless of its size
BY GEOFF MULVIHILL
The Associated Press
Alaska, Hawaii, Montana and
Wyoming are not epicenters of
the coronavirus pandemic. Yet
these four states scored big this
spring when Congress pumped
out direct federal aid, while the
two hardest-hit states, New York
and New Jersey, got compara-
tively little given the vast num-
bers of cases and deaths they
have seen.
An Associated Press analy-
sis shows that some states with
small populations like these took
in an out-sized share of the $150
billion in federal money that was
designed to address coronavi-
rus-related expenses, when mea-
sured by the number of positive
tests for the COVID-19 disease.
Their haul ranged from $2
million per positive test in Ha-
waii to nearly $3.4 million per
test in Alaska. In Wyoming, with
less than 600 positive cases, the
$1.25 billion it received equates
to 80 percent of its annual gener-
al state budget.
By comparison, New York
and New Jersey received about
$24,000 and $27,000, respective-
ly, for each positive coronavirus
test. Other states with high num-
bers of cases, including Massa-
chusetts, Michigan and Illinois,
received less than $100,000 per
case.
“If there’s a fire, you don’t
spray the whole neighborhood.
You spray the house that’s on
fire,” said Bill Hammond, direc-
tor of public health policy at the
Empire Center for Public Poli-
cy, a nonpartisan government
watchdog in New York. He said
it doesn’t make sense in this case
to follow the normal political
procedure of giving every state
so much in the face of a public
health crisis.
To be sure, the lowest popula-
tion states often receive higher
dollar amounts per capita when
Congress doles out federal aid.
That’s due in part to political re-
ality: Small states have the same
number of U.S. senators as more
populous ones, and those sena-
tors lobby hard for their states’
interests.
The awards in the relief act
passed in late March were based
on population, but with a catch:
Every state was to receive at
least $1.25 billion, regardless of
its size. Lawmakers said setting
such a minimum was needed to
reach a deal in a divided govern-
ment.
In the coronavirus fight, the
disproportionate share going to
smaller states has consequenc-
es. States with high numbers of
infections and deaths say they
need that money for immediate
expenses related to fighting an
outbreak that threatened to over-
whelm their hospital systems,
from staff overtime to setting up
makeshift hospitals.
The money for state govern-
ments is a slice of a $2.2 trillion
federal stimulus. Governments
are supposed to use it for new
coronavirus expenses incurred
from March 1 through Dec. 30.
Under federal guidelines, the
money cannot be used for other
purposes, like making up for lost
tax revenue to keep general gov-
ernment services running.
Some states with relatively
few cases have been able to re-
open their economies faster and
have more options on how to
spend the federal largess. Many
are now trying to determine
how they can spend the windfall
while keeping within the federal
guidelines.
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon,
a Republican, is proposing using
a portion of the money to help
businesses that have suffered
because of government-imposed
shutdowns and shrunken de-
mand, even though other parts
of the federal aid are already
aimed at businesses.
Gordon noted neighboring
Idaho — which received more
than $600,000 per positive test
— already has a similar sys-
tem in place. In a public meet-
ing streamed on video, Gordon
said he knew the state would be
watched carefully. After all, the
state’s allocation is five times per
capita what New York received
and nearly 90 times as much per
positive coronavirus test.

Justice Ginsburg in hospital with infection, court says

87-year-old justice underwent non-surgical treatment for
what the court described as a benign gallbladder condition
BY MARK SHERMAN
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Jus-
tice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
was hospitalized Tuesday
with an infection caused
by a gallstone, but plans
to take part in the court’s
arguments by telephone
Wednesday, the Supreme
Court said.
The 87-year-old justice
underwent non-surgical
treatment for what the
court described as acute
cholecystitis, a benign
gallbladder condition, at
Johns Hopkins Hospital
in Baltimore.
She is resting comfort-
ably and expects to be in
the hospital for a day or
two, the court said.
Ginsburg took part
in the court’s telephone
arguments Monday and
Tuesday. She initially
sought medical care Mon-
day, when the gallstone
was first diagnosed.
She has been treated
four times for cancer,
most recently in August,
when she underwent ra-
diation for a tumor on her
pancreas.
Her most recent hospi-
tal stay was in November,
when she spent two nights
at Johns Hopkins Hospital
with a likely infection af-
ter suffering from chills
and fever.
The frail-looking liber-
al icon also bounced back
from lung surgery to re-
move cancerous growths
in December 2018. Her re-
covery from that surgery
forced her to miss court
arguments for the first
time since she became a
justice in 1993, appointed
by President Bill Clinton.
She has been doing
her usual workout with
a personal trainer at the
court, even as the justices
have canceled courtroom
arguments in favor of tele-
phone sessions because
of the coronavirus pan-
demic.
Ginsburg has said she
would like to serve until
she’s 90, if her health al-
lows.

COMMERCIAL DISPATCH
OBITUARY POLICY
Obituaries with basic informa-
tion including visitation and
service times, are provided
free of charge. Extended
obituaries with a photograph,
detailed biographical informa-
tion and other details families
may wish to include, are avail-
able for a fee. Obituaries must
be submitted through funeral
homes unless the deceased’s
body has been donated to
science. If the deceased’s
body was donated to science,
the family must provide official
proof of death. Please submit
all obituaries on the form pro-
vided by The Commercial Dis-
patch. Free notices must be
submitted to the newspaper
no later than 3 p.m. the day
prior for publication Tuesday
through Friday; no later than 4
p.m. Saturday for the Sunday
edition; and no later than 7:30
a.m. for the Monday edition.
Incomplete notices must be re-
ceived no later than 7:30 a.m.
for the Monday through Friday
editions. Paid notices must be
finalized by 3 p.m. for inclusion
the next day Monday through
Thursday; and on Friday by 3
p.m. for Sunday and Monday
publication. For more informa-
tion, call 662-328-2471.
Juliareen Williams
COLUMBUS — Juli-
areen “Julia” Miller Wil-
liams, 77, died May 2,
2020, at her residence.
Arrangements are
incomplete and will be
announced by Lee-
Watchdog concerned over Census
Bureau’s vetting of workers
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ORLANDO, Fla. — Al-
most 300 people working
for the U.S. Census Bureau
last year had “major” is-
sues with their background
checks and a lack of vetting
oversight could pose risk
to the public and the agen-
cy as it hires and deploys
hundreds of thousands of
census takers for the 2020
census, according to a
watchdog report released
last week.
About 70 of the workers
deemed to have “major” is-
sues were in the field last
fall, verifying addresses
ahead of the once-a-decade
head count of the U.S. More
than a dozen other workers
with some kind of deroga-
tory information in their
Sykes
Funeral
Home of
Columbus.
Mrs.
Williams
was born
Oct. 23, Williams
1942, in
Inverness, to the late
George H. Miller Sr.
and Laura Williams
Miller. She was a grad-
uate of Carver High
School She was former-
ly employed as a sec-
retary for the Interna-
tional Longshoremen’s
Association, a social
worker and assistant
director for the Jackson
County Civic Action
Committee. She was
a member of Asbury
A.M.E. Zion Church.
In addition to her
parents, she was pre-
ceded in death by her
siblings, James P. Mill-
er Sr., George h. Miller
Jr. and Frank Miller.
She is survived by
her children, Byron L.
Miller, Padraic L. Wil-
liams both of Columbus
and George A. Williams
III of Genessa, Texas;
siblings, Tandy Jerome
Miller, Brenda Miller
Johnson and Betty Mill-
er Mitchell; and two
grandchildren.
background checks had
access to Census Bureau
facilities and information
systems, and they included
employees working in posi-
tions deemed “critical” and
“high risk,” according to
the report from the Office
of Inspector General.
“Due to the lack of over-
sight of its background
check program, the Bureau
cannot reliably attest to the
suitability of its decennial
workforce — increasing
the risk of exposing the
public, the Bureau’s sys-
tems and facilities, and its
employees to individuals
who have not been prop-
erly vetted,” the Office of
Inspector General said in
a management alert sent to
the bureau.
AREA OBITUARIES
Howard Boatman
NOXUBEE — How-
ard Pearl Boatman, 73,
died May 4, 2020.
Arrangements are
incomplete and will be
announced by Carter’s
Funeral Services of
Macon.
Marie Blalock
KENNEDY, Ala.
— Marie Lareine
Blalock, 85, died April
30, 2020.
Graveside services
will be at 11 a.m.
Thursday, in Mill-
port Cemetery, with
the Rev. Ed Nabors
officiating. A private
visitation will be one
hour prior to services
at Dowdle Funeral
Home. Dowdle Funer-
al Home of Millport,
Alabama is in charge
of arrangements.
Mrs. Blalock was
born Dec. 16, 1934, in
Lamar County, to the
late Walter Lurid Ow-
ens and Connie Eliza-
beth Owens. She was
formerly employed as
a retail manager for
Eileen’s Boutique.
In addition to her
parents, she was
preceded in death by
her siblings, Herbert,
Lewis, Richard and
B.J. Owens; and one
grandchild.
She is survived by
her husband, Jimmy
N. Blalock; children,
Philip Blalock of
Plano, texas and Keith
Blalock of Hawaii; and
three grandchildren.
Grady Byrd
MONROE COUNTY
— Grady Jean “Gretta”
Morris Byrd, 74, died
May 4, 2020, at North
Mississippi Medical
Center of Tupelo.
Graveside services
will be at 11 a.m.
Thursday, in Hatley
Cemetery, with Robert
Earl Fowlkes offici-
ating. Tisdale-Lann
Memorial of Aberdeen
is in charge of ar-
rangements.
Mrs. Byrd was born
Jan. 5, 1946, in Ver-
non, to the late Eugene
Morris and Essie Mae
Benefield Morris. She
was formerly em-
ployed with Rose Hill
Furniture.
In addition to her
parents, she was
preceded in death by
her siblings, Tommy
Lee Morris and Jerry
Morris.
She is survived by
her children, Charlotte
Reiland, Chris Byrd
both of Aberdeen,
Darryl Byrd of Smith-
ville and Mike Byrd
of Hamilton; siblings, Betty Phillips
E.C. Morris of Ab- Graveside Services:
Thursday, May 7 • 2 PM
erdeen and Johnny Friendship Cemetery
Morris of Smithville; Burial
Friendship Cemetery
nine grandchildren;
College St. Location
and three great-grand-
children. Martha Halbert
Incomplete
Martha Halbert 2nd Ave. North Location
COLUMBUS —
Martha Jane Halbert, Chad Kingsbury
Incomplete
84, died May 5, 2020, 2nd Ave. North Location
at Trinity Healthcare.
Arrangements are
incomplete and will an-
nounced by Memorial
Gunter Peel Funeral memorialgunterpeel.com
Home and Crematory
Second Avenue North
location.
Betty Phillips
Betty Wilcox Phillips, age
79, of Columbus, MS, passed
away May 4, 2020, at The
Arrington. Graveside services
will be Thursday, May 7, 2020,
at 2:00 PM at Friendship
Cemetery with Father Jeffrey
Waldrep officiating. Memorial
Gunter Peel Funeral Home
& Crematory 903 College St.
location is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Phillips was born July 16, 1940, in
Ethelsville, AL, to the late Robert Wilbert and
Mazie Fulgham Wilcox. She was a graduate of
Liberty High School and was the co-owner of
Dutch Maid Equipment Company. Mrs. Phillips
was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in
death by her brother, Gerald “Buddy” Wilcox.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years,
Samuel Thomas Phillips of Columbus, MS; sons,
Kevin Anthony Phillips and his wife Gina of
Columbus, MS and Samuel Michael Phillips and
his wife Kimberly of Columbus, MS; daughter,
Melissa Phillips Harlow and her husband
Anthony of Pelham, AL; brother, Bobby Wilcox
of Russellville, AR, sister, Carolyn “Bicki”
Sansing of Columbus, MS, and grandchildren,
Elelia Phillips, Alex Phillips, Kristen Phillips,
Kyler Phillips, Peyton Harlow, Blake Harlow, and
Mackenzie Harlow.
Pallbearers will be Alex Phillips, Kyler
Phillips, Payton Harlow, Blake Harlow, Alan
Sansing, and Ashley Sansing.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis,
TN, 38105, or American Parkinson Disease
Association Mississippi Chapter, 1040 River
Oaks Dr. Suite 203A, Flowood, MS, 39202.
Sign the online guest book at
www.memorialgunterpeel.com
College Street • Columbus, MS
Food LIFESTYLES EDITOR
Jan Swoope: 328-2471
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 n 5B

An easy chicken parm

Marty Wages shares a scrumptious favorite

familyfeatures.com
Mix green apples with blueberries,
red grapes, pineapple and chopped
cooked chicken for this apple Wal-
dorf salad.

A spring
salad
celebration
FAMILY FEATURES

F
resh fruits and veggies are
often the flavors of spring,
and you can bring them all
together by celebrating National
Salad Month with a homemade
masterpiece.
This Steamboat Willie Green
Apple Waldorf Salad, created in
honor of Mickey Mouse’s 90th an-
niversary, is perfect for adopting
a diet rich in produce with green
Dispatch file photo
apples, pineapple, blueberries, Caterer Marty Wages of Columbus shares a recipe today for one of his popular dishes, Parmesan artichoke chicken.
grapes, celery and, of course, sal-
ad greens. With all the fresh fla-
vor, including Dole’s 50/50 Salad BY JAN SWOOPE “Don’t tell your husband (or green beans, all-butter croissants,
Blend — a robust and balanced jswoope@cdispatch.com kids) it has artichokes in it because Cowboy Cookies and, of course,

blend of delicate baby greens and
lettuces: tender baby spinach,
peppery radicchio and invigorat-
ing arugula and chard — it’s an
ideal recipe to honor National Eat
More Fruits and Vegetables Day.
Large salads like this make
for a nutritious yet filling meal
for the whole family and can be
enjoyed nearly any time of day as
a lunch, appetizer, snack or even
as a main course at the dinner
table.
Find more easy-to-make
recipes, kid-friendly activities,
inspiration for families spending
time together at home and more
at dole.com/at-home-resources.
STEAMBOAT WILLIE GREEN
APPLE WALDORF SALAD
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8
3/4 cup fat-free Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
16 ounces chopped, cooked chicken
1 cup chopped green apple
1 cup Dole blueberries
1 cup Dole red grapes, halved
See SALAD, 6B
W
hether feeding a few or
many, this Parmesan
artichoke chicken dish
from caterer and chef Marty
Wages of Columbus is, he said, “the
easiest recipe in the world, and it is
delicious.”
It’s one of his go-tos when
planning a menu for a large catered
event, or even advising young
brides just starting to cook.
“If I have 300 people to feed I
love it because it’s simple and uses
so few ingredients,” Wages said.
“And it’s a great low-carb dish.”
At the heart of the recipe are
boneless skinless chicken breasts,
butterflied and flattened. They can
be purchased frozen in a bag. Don’t
use overly large chicken breasts;
by the time the center cooks to
165 degrees, the rest can be over-
cooked.
The only other ingredients need-
ed are artichoke hearts, Parmesan
cheese, garlic powder and mayo.
some people are preconditioned
against them,” Wages joked. “But
everybody who’s had this says it’s
scrumptious.”
As for the garlic powder — the
recipe calls for 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon
— a tip from the chef: “When you
think you’ve got enough garlic pow-
der, put a little bit more in because
that’s what makes it really good.”
Coping with shut-down
All events at The Southern,
where Wages is chef, have been
canceled during the COVID-19
crisis. The downtown Columbus
venue hosts receptions and parties
of all kinds. Like the rest of the
food service industry, Wages has
looked for ways to adapt. Recent-
ly, he began offering some of his
signature foods by pre-order, for
pick-up on Friday afternoons.
This Friday’s order menu
includes smoked pork loin, chick-
en spaghetti, homemade pimento
cheese, corn salad, smothered
“Marty’s Famous Chicken Salad.”
Orders - by text message only
to 662-364-3021 - are due by 7 p.m.
each Wednesday. Once an order is
received, Wages will confirm with
a text reply.
Pick-up is between 3-5 p.m.
Fridays at The Southern, 513 Main
St. Cash only payment; no cards or
checks.
“We’ve been doing really well on
Fridays,” Wages said. “We’re con-
sistently selling out of nearly every
item offered and are very apprecia-
tive of everyone’s orders.”
Wages hopes social venues and
restaurants will soon be making
their way back to bustling activity.
But until then, continue to stay
safe, support local businesses,
enjoy more time with family and
try out the Parmesan artichoke
chicken.
“Anyone I’ve ever shown how to
do it says it’s the easiest,” Wages
said.
See CHICKEN PARM, 6B

Make-ahead breakfasts for easier mornings

FAMILY FEATURES

I
f you’re juggling a new set of respon-
sibilities right now, you’re not alone.
Those busy mornings may still pose
challenges even if your commute no
longer exists.
Making breakfast in advance can
give you a few extra minutes to move
your body, center your mind or simply
hit the snooze button one more time
and still put a delicious, nutritious
breakfast on the table. Aim to use culinary.net

ingredients with a mix of protein, fiber Fiesta snacks made with chopped
chicken, salsa, sour cream and
and good fats to keep you full and ener- guacomole can help extend the
gized for whatever the day has in store. Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Take morning meal prep off your
plate for days at a time by making a
batch of No-Bake Walnut, Cocoa and
Cherry Bars or Savory Walnut Egg
Stack a
Cups, which can be made with mostly
pantry staples or frozen ingredients to
help limit trips to the grocery store.
savory snack
FAMILY FEATURES
Find more make-ahead recipes for

H
any meal of the day at walnuts.org/
meal-prep. aving fun in the kitchen can
be an easy way to get kids
involved for a family-friendly
SAVORY WALNUT EGG CUPS activity. These Fiesta Snacks call
Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes for flavors many kids love stacked
Servings: 12
up in a way that allows them to aid
Nonstick cooking spray in the process.
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats familyfeatures.com Find more snack recipes at
3/4 cup chopped walnuts Oats, chopped walnuts, red bell peppers and sharp cheddar cheese add to the Culinary.net.
See BREAKFAST, 6B flavor of these walnut egg cups. See FIESTA, 6B
6B WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Giant cinnamon rolls raise money, feed ‘bellies and souls’

BY MARIAM FAM lies and souls” of health care her roll to be donated to ing page for the donations. Ore- takes the rolls to health care
The Associated Press workers — one giant cinnamon health care workers instead gon Food Bank CEO Susannah workers.
roll at a time. of delivered to her, the vast Morgan said the rolls bring “So many people are getting
WINTER PARK, Fla. —

S
cared for friends who
had contracted the new
coronavirus and worried
about her daughter’s schooling
and husband’s work, Whitney
Rutz cried and screamed into
her pillow.
Then, the Portland, Oregon,
resident started baking.
What began as an effort to
cheer herself up ended up lift-
ing the spirits of many others,
raising money for thousands of
meals and nourishing “the bel-
Rutz’s rolls have raised more
than $35,000 for the Oregon
Food Bank, enough for more
than 105,000 meals. At first,
she was auctioning the rolls
off — the first went for $300.
Now, Rutz, with some help,
bakes a giant roll—12 inches
across and weighing more than
five pounds—for every $500
raised. The highest contributor
of the day decides where the
roll goes.
Since a friend asked for
majority have gone to hospitals
and health or assisted-living
facilities.
“If I didn’t have this to focus
on ... I don’t know the state I
would be in right now emo-
tionally,” Rutz said on a recent
weekend when she woke up
before 6 a.m. and spent most of
her day in the kitchen knead-
ing, slicing and rolling dough
and spreading the filling.
Once the operation grew,
the food bank set up a fundrais-
something to the table besides
food: joy
“We’re all scared and hun-
kered down and worried about
our health and the health of
our loved ones and some of us
have lost our jobs and hunger
is spiking through the roof,”
she said. “Trying to tackle
this sort of massive, enormous
situation by baking giant
cinnamon rolls just makes you
smile.”
Jackie Enriquez, a nurse,
really creative,” she said.
“There’s many ways that you
can contribute and you don’t
have to be on the front lines.”
Enriquez took two rolls to
emergency room nurses to sur-
prise them after a particularly
rough shift.
“It just made their day. They
cried,” she said. Her voice
cracked with emotion. “I think
that they felt, like, really moved
and that people are still out
there cheering them on.”

Breakfast
Continued from Page 5B
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cold water
9 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 tablespoon stone ground Dijon mustard
1 cup baby spinach, coarsely chopped
1 small red bell pepper, diced
3/4 cup extra sharp shredded cheddar cheese
n Heat oven to 350 F and generously spray 12-
cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
n In bowl of food processor, pulse oats until
fine and flour-like. Add walnuts and pulse until
blended with oat flour. Pulse in olive oil, salt and
water until mixture comes together.
n Spoon walnut-oat crust mixture evenly (about
1 1/4 tablespoons each) into each muffin cup
and press into bottom and partially up sides.
Bake 25 minutes until crust begins to brown.
Cool on wire rack 10 minutes.
n In large bowl, whisk eggs, garlic powder,
oregano and mustard until well combined. Stir in
spinach, bell pepper and cheese.
n Fill each muffin cup evenly with egg-veggie
mixture and bake 20 minutes, or until eggs are
set. Cool slightly on wire rack before removing
egg cups by carefully inserting sharp knife
between crust and muffin pan.
NO-BAKE WALNUT, COCOA
AND CHERRY BARS
Total time:15 minutes
Servings: 9
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup (about 12) pitted medjool dates
1/2 cup shelled walnuts
1/2 cup unsweetened dried cherries
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
n In large food processor bowl, combine oats,
dates, walnuts, cherries, cocoa powder and salt.
Process 1-2 minutes, or until mixture resembles
crumbly dough.
n Turn mixture onto wax paper and shape evenly
into 1/2-inch thick rectangle.
n Chill at least 1 hour and cut into nine bars.

Chicken parm
Continued from Page 5B
PARMESAN ARTICHOKE
CHICKEN
4 boneless skinless chicken
breasts, butterflied, flattened
2 14-ounce cans artichoke
hearts, quartered
2 cups shredded Parmesan
cheese
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon garlic
powder (add what you think it
needs, then shake the bottle
a couple more times because
this is what makes the dish)
1/2 to 3/4 cup mayonnaise
(start with 1/2 cup because
you just want enough mayo to
bind the ingredients together)
■ Drain and coarsely chop
artichokes. Put artichokes in
large mixing bowl along with
the 2 cups Parmesan cheese,
garlic powder and then begin
adding mayo gradually until
mixture holds together so you
can mound on the chicken.
■ Spray your pan, pat dry the
chicken breasts; put breasts
in pan. Mound the artichoke
mixture on the chicken and
make sure it is spread over
the entire chicken surface.
■ In a convection oven, cook
at 350 F for 35 minutes,
or internal temperature of
chicken reaches 165 degrees.
In a conventional oven, cook
at 350 F for 45-50 minutes
or until internal temperature
reaches 165 degrees. Parme-
san chicken breasts should be
golden brown when completed.
(Source: Marty Wages, Co-
lumbus)

Fiesta
Continued from Page 5B

FIESTA SNACKS n In skillet, cook chopped

1 pound chicken, chopped
1/2 cup salsa, divided
1/4 cup sour cream
8 tortillas (8 inches)
1/3 cup refried beans
1/2 cup guacamole
6 ounces shredded cheese
n Heat oven to 350 F.
chicken until done.
n In medium bowl, mix cooked
chicken, 1/4 cup salsa and
sour cream until blended.
n In small bowl, mix refried
beans and remaining salsa
until blended.
n Lay two tortillas on baking
sheet lined with parchment
paper.
n Spread chicken mixture
over both tortillas. Place
second set of tortillas over
chicken mixture. Spread
guacamole over top tortillas.
Place third set of tortillas on
top and spread refried bean
mixture over tortillas. Place
fourth set of tortillas on top
and sprinkle shredded cheese
over tortillas. Bake 10 minutes
until cheese is melted.

Salad
Continued from Page 5B
1 cup chopped, fresh Dole
tropical gold pineapple
1/2 cup Dole celery, cut into
chunks
1 tablespoon freshly chopped
mint
1 package (5 ounces) Dole
50/50 Salad Blend
1/4 cup chopped pecans or
walnuts (optional)
n In medium bowl, stir yogurt
and mustard. Stir in chicken,
apples, blueberries, grapes,
pineapple, celery and mint.
Toss to evenly coat.
n Pour salad blend onto
serving platter. Arrange chick-
en mixture on salad blend
and sprinkle with pecans or
walnuts, if desired.
Tips: Can be served as salad
or spooned onto tortillas and
rolled up for wraps. Amount
of yogurt dressing can be If you don’t read The Dispatch, how are you gonna know?
adjusted based on personal
preference.

Classifieds
LEGALS
Call us: 662-328-2424
Legal Notices
Advertisement for Bid
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mation System Upgrade
Sealed Bids may be mailed to
the Office of Purchasing or sub-
mitted electronically via
https://www.muw.edu/re-
sources/purchasing/bids. The
bid opening will be held in the
Office of Purchasing, Whitfield
Hall, Columbus, MS at 2:00
p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020
at which time they will be pub-
licly opened and read. Specific-
ations may be obtained from:
Office of Purchasing
Whitfield Hall
1100 College Street, MUW
1628
Columbus, MS 39701
Telephone (662) 329-7126
https://www.ms.gov/dfa/con
tract_bid_search/Home/Sell
On this website, once you have
registered as a supplier, you
can find the open bid under
“Procurement Opportunities”.
Mississippi University for Wo-
men reserves the right to re-
ject any or all bids.
PUBLISH: 4/29 & 5/6/2020
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN THE MATTER OF THE CON-
SERVATORSHIP OF JORDAN
SMITH, A MINOR
SADONNA ARDOIN, PETITIONER LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
CAUSE NO.: 2020-0091
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
TO: Quaylan Smith, but not to
be found in the State of Missis- DOROTHY WILLIAMS LANG-
sippi on diligent inquiry and
whose post office address or
street address is not known to
the Petitioner after diligent in-
quiry.
You have been made a Defend-
ant in the suit filed in this
Court by Sadonna Ardoin,
Plaintiff(s), seeking Petition for Chancery Court of Lowndes
Appointment of Conservator,
For Establishment of Limited
Conservatorship, And For Au-
thority to Settle Doubtful
Claims of A Minor.
Defendant(s) other than you in
this action are none.
You are summoned to appear
then and there at 9:30 o'clock bate and Register said claim
A.M. on the 23rd day of July,
2020, in the Courtroom of the
Lowndes County Courthouse at THIS the 24 day of April, 2020. ee for Structured Asset Securit- 2020,
Columbus, Mississippi to show
cause, if you can, why the Peti-
tion filed in this civil action by
Sadonna Ardoin as natural
mother of Jordan Smith, and
exhibited against you should
not be allowed and approved
and the relief demanded
therein granted.
You are not required to file an
answer or other pleading but
may do so if you desire.
Issued under my hand and the
seal of said Court, this the
17th day of March, 2020.
Cindy E. Goode, Chancery Clerk
Lowndes County, Mississippi
(SEAL)
By: Shantrell W. Granderson,
D.C.
PUBLISH: 5/6, 5/13, &
5/20/2020
Sell idle items
with a quick action
classified ad.
Legal Notices
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN RE: THE ESTATE OF LOIS P.
NEYMAN, DECEASED,
MILTON C. NEYMAN, JR., EX-
ECUTOR
CAUSE NO. 2020-0068-DE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
Letters Testamentary have
been granted and issued to the TO: SUMMONS TO ALL HEIRS
undersigned upon the Estate of UNKNOWN, and CREDITORS OF John B. Dexter and wife, Cyn-
Lois P. Neyman, Deceased, by PHILLIP GARY HORTON, DE-
the Chancery Court of Lowndes CEASED
County, Mississippi on the
15th day of April, 2020. This is NOTICE TO RESPONDENT
to give notice to all persons
having claims against said es-
tate to probate and register
same with the Chancery Clerk
of Lowndes County, Missis-
sippi, within 90 (ninety) days
from the date of the first pub-
lication. A failure to so probate You are required to mail or
and register said claim will
forever bar the same.
This the 20th day of April,
2020.
Milton C. Neyman, Jr.
Executor of the Estate of Lois
P. Neyman, Deceased
Prepared by:
Jeffrey J. Turnage, Esq.
(MSB#9447)
Mitchell McNutt & Sams, PA
215 5th Street North
P.O. Box 1366
Columbus, MS 39703-1366
Telephone: 662-328-2316
PUBLISH: 4/22, 4/29 &
5/6/2020
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
SIPPI
IN THE MATTER OF THE ES-
TATE OF MARIE P. WILLIAMS,
DECEASED
NO. 2020-077-JNS
FORD, PETITIONER
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Letters Testamentary have
been granted and issued to
Dorothy Williams Langford, Ex-
ecutor of the Estate of Marie P. 2006, Samuel Lance Luckey
Williams, deceased, by the
County, Mississippi, on the 23
day of April, 2020. This is to
give notice to all persons
ing claims against said estate
to Probate and Register same
with the Chancery Clerk of
Lowndes County, Mississippi,
within ninety (90) days from
this date. A failure to so Pro-
will forever bar the same.
/s/ Dorothy Williams Langford
Dorothy Williams Langford, Ex-
ecutor
OF COUNSEL:
Crowell Gillis & Cooper, PLLC
Post Office Box 1827
Columbus, MS 39703
(662) 243-7329
wgillis@cgclawpllc.com
PUBLISH: 4/29, 5/6 &
5/13/2020
It’s a classified
rule-of-thumb:
We tell readers
what they need
to know to buy
what they need.
Just a click away!
made in the terms and condi-
tions of said deed of trust and
the entire debt secured thereby
Ads appear in The Commercial Dispatch,
having been declared to be due
and payable in accordance with
the terms of said deed of trust,
The Starkville Dispatch and Online
Wells Fargo Bank, National As-
sociation, as Trustee for Struc-
tured Asset Securities Corpora-
tion Mortgage Pass-Through
Certificates, Series 2007-BC1,
the legal holder of said in-
To place ads starting at only $12,
debtedness, having requested
the undersigned Substitute
call 662-328-2424 or visit ads.cdispatch.com
Trustee in said deed of trust,
will on May 21, 2020 offer for
sale at public outcry and sell THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 n 7B
within legal hours (being
between the hours of 11:00
a.m. and 4:00 p.m.), at the
main front door of the County
Looking for goods
Legal Notices Legal Notices of Lowndes County
Courthouse
in Columbus, Mississippi, to
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF the highest and best bidder for
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS- cash the following described
SIPPI property situated in Lowndes
or services?
IN THE MATTER OF THE ES-
County, Mississippi, to wit:
TATE OF PHILLIP GARY HOR- TRACT 1:
TON, DECEASED Lot Number Twenty-Two (22) of
Myers Estates, Lowndes
CAUSE NO.: 19-050-PDE County, Mississippi, as shown
by plat recorded in Plat Book 3,
BY: PHILLIP ED LEE HORTON page 61, in the Chancery
PETITIONER Clerk`s Office, Lowndes
County, Mississippi.
SUMMONS
SUBJECT TO those restrictive
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI covenants and conditions con-
tained in deed from Donald F.
Myers and Sid Myers, Jr. to
thia L. Dexter, dated Novem-
ber 5, 1978, filed for record
November 14, 1978 and ap-
pearing of record in Book 600,
page 495, of the land records
THE PETITION WHICH IS AT- in the office of the Chancery
TACHED TO THIS SUMMONS IS Clerk of Lowndes County, Mis-
IMPORTANT AND YOU MUST sissippi; and
TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO
PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. SUBJECT, ALSO, to the reserva-
tion or easements for utility
and drainage installation as set
hand-deliver a copy of a writ- forth in said restrictive coven-
Find it in classifieds
ten response to the Petition to ants and as shown by said re-
C. MARTY HAUG, the attorney corded plat.
for the Petitioner, whose mail-
ing address is 212 N. Jackson TRACT 2:
Street, Starkville, MS 39759. Beginning at the Southeast
Your response must be mailed corner of Lot 22 of Myers Es-
or delivered within thirty (30)
days from the date of delivery
tates, a residential community
in Lowndes County, Missis-
662-328-2424 ads.cdispatch.com
of this summons and com- sippi, as shown by plat thereof
plaint or a judgment by default recorded in Plat Book 3 Page
will be entered against you for 61 in the office of the Chan-
the money or other things de- cery Clerk of said county (said
manded in the Petition. corner being in the centerline
of a ditch) as the POINT OF BE-
You must also file the original GINNING; thence North 44 de-
of your response with the Clerk grees 47 minutes East along
of this Court within a reason- the East side of said lot for
able time afterward. 79.7 feet; thence South 59 de-
grees 38 minutes East for 34.6
Issued under my hand and the feet; thence South 29 degrees
seal of said Court, this the 03 minutes East along the
24th day of April, 2020. South side of a public road
known as Sanders Lane (as
/s/CINDY E. GOODE built) (20 feet from centerline)
CHANCERY CLERK for 67.8 feet; thence South 44
of Lowndes County, MS degrees 56 minutes East along
said South side of road for 57
By: /s/SHANTRELL W. feet; thence South 39 degrees
GRANDERSON 49 minutes West for 30 feet to
DEPUTY CLERK the centerline of a ditch;
thence North 59 degrees 10
PUBLISH: 4/29, 5/6 & minutes West along said
All legal notices must
5/13/2020 centerline for 163 feet to the
point of beginning, containing
0.2 acres, more or less, and ly-
be emailed to
SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S NO- ing in the Northeast Quarter of
TICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE the Southeast Quarter of Sec-
tion 8, Township 16 South,
classifieds@cdispatch.com
WHEREAS, on November 6, Range 17 West, Lowndes
County, Mississippi.
and Tammy Luckey executed a
I will convey only such title as
certain deed of trust to Vinh
Pham, Trustee for the use and vested in me as Substituted
Trustee.
benefit of Mortgage Electronic
Service Directory
Registration Systems, Inc. act-
hav- Jauregui & Lindsey, LLC
ing solely as nominee for BNC
Mortgage Inc, a Delaware Cor- Substituted Trustee
poration, which deed of trust is
of record in the office of the Jauregui & Lindsey, LLC
244 Inverness Center Drive
Chancery Clerk of Lowndes,
County, state of Mississippi, in Suite 200
Book 2006, Page 31982; and Birmingham, AL 35242
WHEREAS, Wells Fargo Bank,
Promote your small business starting at only $25
(205) 970-2233
National Association, as Trust- Publication dates: April 29,
Carpet &May 6, 2020, May 13,
Flooring General Services General Services Lawn Care / Landscaping
ies Corporation Mortgage Pass- 2020, May 20, 2020
ANNIVERSARY?
Through Certificates, Series A & T TREE SERVICES JESSE & BEVERLY’S
2007-BC1, the current holder Bucket truck & stump
LAWN SERVICE
and/or assignee, substituted removal. Free est. Mowing, cleanup,
Jauregui & Lindsey, LLC as RKERS CALL US!
Trustee by instrument recor-
Serving Columbus PA landscaping, sodding,
ON
since 1987. Senior & tree cutting.
J.
ded in the Chancery Clerk’s Of-
fice on November 5, 2018 in citizen disc. Call Alvin @ 662−356−6525
242−0324/241−4447
Book MORT 2018, Page E 100 Russell St.
W ELER
J
23508; and "We’ll go out on a limb for Starkville, MS SAM’S LAWN SERVICE
you!" 662-268-8058 No lawn too large or too
WHEREAS, Default having been
small. Mowing, trimming &
made in the terms and condi- DAVID’S CARPET & weedeating.
tions of said deed of trust and UPHOLSTERY WORK WANTED: CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY
the entire debt secured thereby Licensed & Bonded. Call 662−243−1694
CLEANING AND $545 plus Filing Fee
having been declared to be due Carpentry, minor electrical,
and payable in accordance with DISINFECTING 1 Room CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY Painting & Papering
− $50 minor plumbing, insulation,
the terms of said deed of trust, All Attorney Fees Through The Plan
Wells Fargo Bank, National As-
sociation, as Trustee for Struc-
2 Rooms − $70
3+ Rooms − $30 EA
painting, demolition,
gutters cleaned, pressure Jim Arnold, Attorney
Lloyd’s Painting
For All Your Residential
washing, landscaping,
tured Asset Securities Corpora- Rugs−Must Be Seen
cleanup work, moving help. 662-324-1666 • 601-656-6914 Interior & Exterior
tion Mortgage Pass-Through Car Upholstery 104 South Lafayette Street, Starkville Painting Needs,
Certificates, Series 2007-BC1, 662−242−3608.
Cleaning Available
the legal holder of said in-
debtedness, having requested
662−722−1758
Call Shelby Lloyd.
662−836−6016
HILL’S PRESSURE
the undersigned Substitute SKILLED CRAFTSMAN.
Trustee in said deed of trust, General Services WASHING. Commercial/ Any kind of work! We can SULLIVAN’S PAINT
will on May 21, 2020 offer for Residential. House, build, paint, drywall, clean SERVICE
sale at public outcry and sell
within legal hours (being
DUMP TRUCK HAULING.
Slag − $400
concrete, sidewalks &
mobile washing. Free est.
& cut grass. Reasonable
rates. Safe & Reliable.
Special Prices.
Interior & Exterior Painting.
between the hours of 11:00
a.m. and 4:00 p.m.), at the
main front door of the County
Clay Gravel − $250
Driveway & Trailer Park
662−386−8925. 662−386−3658. 662−435−6528
Courthouse of Lowndes County Grating. Columbus. Call
in Columbus, Mississippi, to Walter, 662−251−8664. Stay informed. Read local.
the highest and best bidder for
cash the following described
property situated in Lowndes
County, Mississippi, to wit:
TRACT 1:
Lot Number Twenty-Two (22) of
Myers Estates, Lowndes
County, Mississippi, as shown
by plat recorded in Plat Book 3,
page 61, in the Chancery
Clerk`s Office, Lowndes
County, Mississippi.
SUBJECT TO those restrictive
covenants and conditions con-
tained in deed from Donald F.
The best place for personalized
Myers and Sid Myers, Jr. to
John B. Dexter and wife, Cyn-
thia L. Dexter, dated Novem-
ber 5, 1978, filed for record
advertising in your community.
November 14, 1978 and ap-
pearing of record in Book 600,
page 495, of the land records
in the office of the Chancery
Clerk of Lowndes County, Mis-
sissippi; and
SUBJECT, ALSO, to the reserva-
ads.cdispatch.com
tion or easements for utility
and drainage installation as set
forth in said restrictive coven-
ants and as shown by said re-
corded plat.
TRACT 2:
Beginning at the Southeast
corner of Lot 22 of Myers Es-
tates, a residential community
CUSTOMIZE YOUR AD:
in Lowndes County, Missis-
sippi, as shown by plat thereof
recorded in Plat Book 3 Page
61 in the office of the Chan-
cery Clerk of said county (said
Featured ads $5
corner being in the centerline
of a ditch) as the POINT OF BE-
GINNING; thence North 44 de-
grees 47 minutes East along
Sponsored ads $3
Premium placement
the East side of said lot for
79.7 feet; thence South 59 de-
Preferred placement in search
on classifieds home page.
grees 38 minutes East for 34.6
feet; thence South 29 degrees results and highlighted online.
03 minutes East along the
Highlight $3 Graphic $10.50
South side of a public road
known as Sanders Lane (as
built) (20 feet from centerline)
for 67.8 feet; thence South 44
Highlight your ad
degrees 56 minutes East along
said South side of road for 57 Enhance your ad with
with a dash of color.
feet; thence South 39 degrees
49 minutes West for 30 feet to an attention getter.
the centerline of a ditch;
thence North 59 degrees 10 ADS STARTING AT
$12
minutes West along said
centerline for 163 feet to the
point of beginning, containing
0.2 acres, more or less, and ly-
ing in the Northeast Quarter of
the Southeast Quarter of Sec-
tion 8, Township 16 South,
Range 17 West, Lowndes
County, Mississippi.
tion 8, Township 16 South,
8B
RangeWednesday, May 6, 2020
17 West, Lowndes The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
County, Mississippi.

I Legal Notices only such title as

will convey Apts For Rent: Other Houses For Sale: Other

vested in me as Substituted
Trustee.
Jauregui & Lindsey, LLC
Substituted Trustee
Jauregui & Lindsey, LLC
244 Inverness Center Drive
Suite 200
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 970-2233
Publication dates: April 29,
2020, May 6, 2020, May 13,
2020, May 20, 2020
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
Employment
ON THE WEB
1ST MONTH − RENT FREE!
1−2 BR Apt: $350−435
1−2BR TwnHm: $625−650
Call us: 662-328-2424 Lease, Dep, Credit Check. Visit www.cdispatch.com
Coleman Realty
for a printable copy of
General Help Wanted 662−329−2323
CALEDONIA BUSINESS these puzzles.
needs General Laborer.
Valid driver's license,
transportation & experi-
ence helpful. Will train on
the job if needed. Call
Jesse & Beverly's Lawn
Service at 662-356-6525.

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

PLAINTIFF
VS.
MONICO MARTINEZ, a/k/a
MIKE MARTINEZ, a/k/a
MONICO MIKE MARTINEZ;
EMILY KAYE COURTEAU, solely
in her capacity as Substitute
Trustee; DEFENDANTS
CAUSE NO.: 2020-0083
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
THE COMMERCIAL
DISPATCH seeks a motiv-
ated, contracted carrier for
the Brooksville & Macon
area. Excellent opportunity
to earn money for college.
Must have good transporta-
tion, valid driver's license
& insurance. Delivers on
Sunday morning and Mon-
Fri afternoons. Apply at The
Commercial Dispatch, 516
Main Street in Columbus.
No phone calls please.

TO: Martinez a/k/a Mike Mar- Medical / Dental COLEMAN

tinez a/k/a Monico whose RENTALS
identity and current post office
Sudoku
Clinical Medical Assistant TOWNHOUSES & APARTMENTS
address and street address are YESTERDAY’S ANSWER
We are looking for a Clinic-
unknown to the Plaintiff after
al Medical Assistant for our 1 BEDROOM
diligent search and inquiry to
ascertain same. fast paced OB/GYN office
in Columbus, MS. Experi-
2 BEDROOMS
3 BEDROOMS
Sudoku
Sudoku is a number-
placing puzzle based on
Yesterday’s answer
The Complaint against you, ence as a medical assist- 4 5 8 6 1 3 9 2 7
which is on file at the Lowndes ant in an OB/GYN setting Sudoku
a 9x9 gridis witha several
num-
LEASE, ber-placing
given numbers.puzzle 2 3 9 5 7 4 6 8 1
© The Dispatch

County Chancery Clerk’s office or other clinical medical The object

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

in Columbus, Mississippi, in
the above numbered cause, is
setting is required. Re- DEPOSIT based onthe
is to place a 9x9
numbers 6 7 1 9 2 8 5 3 4
important and you must take
sponsibilities will include
AND grid
1 to 9with
in theseveral
empty spaces 3 6 7 8 5 1 2 4 9
patient care and office sup-
immediate action to protect
port. Full job description CREDIT CHECK given
so thatnumbers.
each row, eachThe 8 2 5 4 3 9 7 1 6
your rights.
object
column and each 3x3 the
is to place
Real Estate Vehicles
will be discussed at the box
numbers 1 9 4 2 6 7 3 5 8
662-329-2323 contains the1same to 9 number
in
You are required to mail or time of interview. This is a
hand deliver a written re- part-time or full-time posi- the empty spaces so 5 4 2 7 8 6 1 9 3
sponse to the Complaint filed tion. Availability needed only once. The difficulty 7 8 3 1 9 2 4 6 5
against you in this action to Monday-Friday. Benefits 2411 HWY 45 N Ads starting at $25 Ads starting at $12 that each row, each
level increases from
Kimberly D. Putnam, Attorney offered for full-time posi- column and each 9 1 6 3 4 5 8 7 2
for Plaintiff, whose address
tion after waiting period. COLUMBUS, MS Monday
3x3 boxtocontains
Sunday. Difficulty Level 5/05
855 S. Pear Orchard Rd, Ste Houses For Sale: East Campers & RVs
404, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Email resume to
Commercial Property For Rent
the same number only once. The difficulty level
job108@cdispatch.com
YOUR RESPONSE MUST BE
2BR/1BA @ 1521 2012 JAYCO EAGLE 5th increases from Monday to Sunday.
MAILED OR DELIVERED NOT
Shepherd Rd. WHEEL, 39ft, 4 slide−outs.
FOR RENT LOCATED NEAR Sold as is, needs work. 2BR, 48" TV & 27" TV.
LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS DOWNTOWN. 3,000 sq. ft.

AFTER THE -22nd DAY OF
APRIL, 2020 WHICH IS THE
DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICA-
TION OF THIS SUMMONS. IF
YOUR RESPONSE IS NOT SO
MAILED OR DELIVERED, A
JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT WILL
BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU
FOR THE MONEY OR OTHER
Rentals
Serious inquiries only, $26,500. 662−386−9605.
truck terminal, 9,500 sq. 769−274−4110.
ft. shop & 3,200 sq. ft.
Motorcycles & ATVs
office/shop. Buildings can Lots & Acreage
Ads starting at $25 be rented together or
separately. All w/ excellent 1.75 ACRE LOTS. 1993 KAWASAKI
access & Hwy. 82 visibility. Good/Bad Credit Options. VOYAGER XII Only 25,500
Apts For Rent: West 662−327−9559. miles. Runs & looks good.
Good credit as low as 10%
down, $299/mo. Eaton No problems. $3000 OBO.

VIP
RELIEF DEMANDED IN THE Mobile Homes for Rent Can be seen local.
COMPLAINT. Land, 662−361−7711.
501−545−7750.

You must also file the original
of your Response with the
Clerk of this Court within a
reasonable time afterward.
Issued under my hand and the
seal of said Court, this 8th day
of April, 2020.
Cindy E. Goode
LOWNDES COUNTY
CHANCERY COURT CLERK
P.O. BOX 684
COLUMBUS, MS 39703
(SEAL)
BY:Tina Fisher, D.C.
PUBLISH: 4/22/20, 4/29/20,
5/6/20
Did you
Rentals
4BR/2BA MH w/ private
setting & 1.5 acres in
Merchandise Community
Caledonia. Covered back
Apartments & Houses porch. No pets, no smok−
ing. Call 662−352−3205,
1 Bedrooms leave msg if no answer. Ads starting at $12 Ads starting at $12
2 Bedroooms Bargain Column
3 Bedrooms
RENT A CAMPER! Travel & Entertainment
CHEAPER THAN A MOTEL!
Utilities & cable included, Electric Hedge Trimmer
Furnished & Unfurnished from $145/wk − $535/mo 18 inch stainless steel PUBLIC CATFISH POND
Columbus & County School
1, 2, & 3 Baths
blade Made by weed eater. @ 130 Hillcrest Drive.
locations. 662−242−7653 Green in color. Used very Open Tues−Sat, 7a−5p
Lease, Deposit or 205−442−2011. little. $20 firm. Appointment Only, call
& Credit Check 662−244−5861. 662−386−8591
RV/MOBILE HOME SITE
viceinvestments.com East or West Columbus or Stationary Bike Like new
327-8555 near CAFB, Caledonia with large soft adjustable
seat, used only a few
Looking for
schools. 601−940−1397.

?
times. Has led instrument.
know Apts For Rent: Caledonia Office Spaces For Rent Firm at 35.00 Must see.
662−244−5861 a new pet?
This paper was 2 BR, 1 BA w/ W/D OFFICE SPACE FOR Farm Equipment & Supplies
printed in the connections. Application LEASE. 1112 Main St.,
basement of
The Dispatch
Fee, Background and Credit Ste. 5. 3700 sq. ft. JOHN DEERE MODEL M
The
Dispatch in downtown
Columbus.
Checks required. $500.00
662−436−2255
Plenty of private parking.
662−327−9559.
TRACTOR. A set of one row
cultivators w/ hydraulic lift,
has been repainted, looks
Medical / Dental good & runs good, $3500.
Call 662−436−2037.
General Merchandise

2018 40FT Gooseneck

Trailer w/ 5ft dovetail, 12
ton axles, 10−4inch straps
& tarps. $8,500. 662−251
−3001. Five Questions:
WANTED FREON R12.
ACROSS
1 Table tennis
We pay CA$H.
R12 R500 R11. 1 Storage spot
Convenient. 5 Cribbage
Certified professionals. markers
312−291−9169
9 Stately home
RefrigerantFinders.com/ad
2 Missouri 11 Charged
12 Without aid
WHITE POSTER BOARD 13 Mumbai’s
24"x23"
$0.50 each 3 Paul Shaffer nation
100 in stock 14 Singer Reed
Visit 516 Main Street 15 Falling behind
4 Grover
or call 662−328−2424
17 Gaiter
19 Geese
Cleveland formation
Shop 20 Tear into
tatters
Classifieds 5 A loaf a 21 Tie the knot
22 Singer Piaf
bread 24 Cow chow DOWN 24 Arrest
26 Monsoon 1 T-shirt choice 25 “Life of Pi”
weather 2 Luminous rings director
29 Team sup- 3 Sufficient 27 Kidman of
porter 4 Mafia head film
30 Timberland 5 Hunger 28 Medusa’s hair
business reminder 29 Whiskey
32 Schlepping 6 Salad green holder
34 “East of 7 Made headway 30 Script bit
Eden” son 8 Play place 31 Sharon of
Place an ad safely 35 Bold poker
bet
36 Conjure up
10 Depended
11 Tony winner
Diana
“Cagney &
Lacey”
33 Donate
from home with 38 Colander’s
kin
16 Fireplace
sight
37 Kilmer of “The
Doors”
39 Valleys
the Classifieds.
18 Dreary shade
40 Pants part 21 John Tyler,
41 Reduced for one
amount 23 Put a price on

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Buy. Sell. Discover. In the Classifieds section.

On the web: ads.cdispatch.com • Or call: 662-328-2424