Established 1879 | Columbus, Mississippi
CDISPATCH.COM
Asst. superintendent sues Lowndes school district
for gender discrimination over Allison’s hiring
Johnson argues two female finalists were more
qualified than Allison to be superintendent
BY YUE STELL A YU
syu@cdispatch.com
Susan Johnson, assistant
superintendent of Lowndes
County School District, is su-
ing the district for gender dis-
crimination in the selection of
its superintendent in Novem-
ber 2019, court documents
show.
Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II (2) and linebacker Drew Sanders (20) tackle Mississippi State wide receiver JaVonta
Payton (0) during the Bulldogs’ game against Alabama on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Once again, Mississippi State
struggled to get its offense going in a 41-0 loss to the Crimson Tide. The Bulldogs are 1-4 and return to Starkville to host
Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Second Baptist leaders claim they
followed majority of congregants’ will
Trial enters third week after Stone, Miller
spend four days on stand
BY TESS VRBIN
tvrbin@cdispatch.com
Pastor Joseph Stone and
Head Deacon Terry Miller
of Second Baptist Church in
Starkville denied wrongdo-
ing from the witness stand
last week in a civil trial over a
church dispute over the failed
construction of a new sanctu-
ary.
Stone and Miller testified
in Oktibbeha County Cir-
cuit Court from Monday af-
ternoon to Friday morning.
Both face allegations from
WEATHER
Audrey Abrams
Third grade, Annunciation
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page 3A.
141st Year, No. 200
Johnson, who filed the law-
suit in federal court in Aber-
deen on Oct. 14, alleged in the
complaint she was passed over
for the superintendent posi-
tion because she is female, de-
spite her doctoral degree and
her experience “at the district
level.” She stated the school
board also handpicked a panel
of community members who
TIDE ROLLS
the church’s board of trust-
ees that they negotiated a
May 2013 contract with Long
Beach-based TCM Construc-
tion to build a new sanctuary
without the trustees’ approval
and withheld money collect-
ed through church offerings
from the trustees.
Both defendants claimed
all their decisions in the build-
ing project aligned with the
church’s constitution and by-
laws and with the will of the
majority of the congregation.
Stone said that by 2011, the
See SECOND BAPTIST, 3A
FIVE QUESTIONS
1 Which sport, played with a broom, is
often referred to as “chess on ice”?
2 What state is the home of Palo Duro
Canyon and also a 14-foot-tall squirrel
statue named Ms. Pearl?
3 Name the 2017 follow-up movie
to Al Gore’s 2006 “An Inconvenient
Truth.”
4 In 2017, what ancient civilization
was discovered to have had the
world’s oldest trigonometry table?
5 Which dance is associated with the
Brazilian Carnival — samba, salsa or
tango?
Answers, 5B
INSIDE
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Comics 4B Obituaries 4A
Crossword 3B Opinions 6A
Dear Abby 4B Sports 1B
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“The real reason that (John-
son) was not selected was her
Wright, who had served in
that role for eight years. After
gender, female,” the complaint
states. “(LCSD) preferred a
several rounds of interviews
between the candidates, board
male in the position and, there- members and a 15-member
fore, arranged for persons who citizen panel, the board select-
were likely to support the far ed Allison in November out of
less qualified male applicant, three finalists, including John-
Allison.” son and Starkville-Oktibbeha
Johnson Allison School boards are required Consolidated School District
knew Sam Allison — who was to appoint their superinten- Deputy Superintendent Chris-
selected as superintendent — dent after a state law took ef- ty Maulding. Allison began as
to offer recommendations on fect in 2017. LCSD began its superintendent in January.
the hire and therefore help search in 2019 for a new su- School board members
with his appointment. perintendent to replace Lynn See LCSD, 5A
MDAH approves
permit to
relocate
Confederate
monument
Hairston wants to start
moving monument
‘as quickly as we can’;
Calvert estimates project
will take six months
BY SLIM SMITH
ssmith@cdispatch.com
Efforts to relo-
cate the Confed-
erate monument
which has stood on
the grounds of the
Lowndes County
Photo by Rodger Champion/Crimson Tide Photos courthouse to a site
at Friendship Cem-
etery cleared its last Hairston
procedural hurdle on
Friday.
During its regular
meeting, the board
of directors for the
Mississippi Depart-
ment of Archives and
History approved the
needed permit that Calvert
will allow the county to proceed
with the relocation.
“My thought is that we should
move it as quickly as we can,”
Lowndes County Board of Super-
visors President Trip Hairston said
after the MDAH board approved
the permit unanimously and with-
out discussion. “We voted to move
it by a unanimous vote, so it’s time
to follow through.”
County engineer Bob Calvert,
who has been working with MDAH
officials to develop a plan for mov-
ing the monument erected on the
courthouse site in 1912 over the
past month, said he expects the
board to move quickly to authorize
Tess Vrbin/Dispatch Staff advertising for bids.
From left, Second Baptist Church Pastor Joseph Stone, Jack- “We’ll have to get the permit
son-based attorney Lindsay Roberts and Judge Jim Kitchens and look at it to see if there are pro-
watch a video of a 2015 church meeting in which Stone tried visions we have to follow, but once
to defy an order from Kitchens not to make changes to the
we’ve done that, we can follow the
church’s board of trustees. Roberts and the other plaintiffs’
attorneys showed the video Tuesday during the Oktibbeha state law for bidding out the con-
County Circuit Court trial against Stone and Head Deacon tracts,” he said.
Terry Miller for their roles in a failed construction project. See MONUMENT, 5A
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC
■ Did you remember to set your MEETINGS
clocks back one hour? Nov. 2: Lowndes
County Board of Su-
pervisors meeting, 9
a.m., Lowndes County
Courthouse, facebook.
CALENDAR com/LowndesCounty-
Mississippi/
Thursday Nov. 3: Columbus
■ Exhibit reception: The Columbus
Arts Council hosts a free reception
from 5:30-7 p.m. opening an art exhibit
City Council, 5 p.m.,
Municipal Complex,
facebook.com/Cityof-
by Bruce Hufford, Kathy Honeycutt, ColumbusMS/
Steve Garner and Billy and Sonya Price
Nov. 16: Lowndes
at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501
County Board of Su-
Main St. 662-328-2787.
■ CLHS online auction: A 6 p.m. pervisors meeting, 9
Facebook Live auction @ Brass Gavel a.m., Lowndes County
Auction benefits the Columbus-Lown- Courthouse, facebook.
des Humane Society. Visit the CLHS Rose Taylor, of Columbus, com/LowndesCounty-
Facebook page to view items. works at Walmart. Mississippi/
2A SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

After year of disruption, America set to choose a path ahead

‘There’s more than just your standard ideological difference means for the nation,” said
Jeffrey Engel, director of the
which have been stacked with
a generation of conservative
between the two candidates. There’s a fundamentally different view Center for Presidential History
at Southern Methodist Univer-
jurists during Trump’s tenure,
would veer further to the right.
of what the presidency is and what leadership means for the nation’ sity.
Voters appear to recognize
Victory for Biden would
be as much a repudiation of
Jeffrey Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University
the moment: More than 86 mil- the incumbent as it would be
BY JULIE PACE temic racial inequity. dent challenging the legitima- lion people have already cast a win for the longtime Demo-
AP Washington Bureau Chief But the two men on the bal- cy of the outcome even before ballots, shattering records for cratic politician, a former vice
lot, President Donald Trump Election Day and law enforce- early voting. president and senator. Though
WASHINGTON — After a A Trump victory would Biden has outlined an agenda
and Democrat Joe Biden, offer ment agencies braced for the
year of deep disruption, Amer- deepen the anti-establishment, that envisions a more robust
ica is poised for a presidential more than just differing solu- possibility of civil unrest. inward-facing approach to the role for the federal government
election that renders a verdict tions for the country’s most “There’s more than just nation’s challenges that he has in American life and a more
on the nation’s role in the world pressing problems. The choice your standard ideological dif- ushered in over the past four aggressive effort to combat the
and the direction of its econo- before voters is a referendum ference between the two candi- years — an approach enthusi- pandemic, the core of his cam-
my, on its willingness to con- on the role of the presidency it- dates. There’s a fundamentally astically embraced by the pres- paign centered on him being
tain an escalating pandemic self and a test of the sturdiness different view of what the pres- ident’s supporters and loathed a temperamental contrast to
and its ability to confront sys- of democracy, with the presi- idency is and what leadership by his critics. The courts, Trump.

Who is voting? Who is winning? Early vote only offers clues

As of Friday afternoon, 86.8M people half of the elections in
which they were eligible.
ter of the electorate didn’t
vote in the previous presi-
increases in the tight bat-
tlegrounds can make a
are registered Democrats,
compared to a quarter
had voted in the presidential election It sounds like a big num-
ber, but it’s not too much
dential election.
Still, the number may
difference.
A rise in that num-
who are Republicans. The
remaining third are reg-
BY NICHOLAS RICCARDI according to AP’s analy- greater than past years. well grow, as new and in- ber appears to be good istered as independents
AND ANGELIKI K ASTANIS sis. Those are voters who The Democratic data firm frequent voters tend to news for Democrats. For- or with a minor party — a
The Associated Press have never voted before Catalist found that, in vote close to, or on, Elec- ty-three percent of the group that tends to favor
or voted in fewer than 2016, roughly one quar- tion Day. And even small infrequent and new voters Democratic candidates.
As early voting breaks
records across the U.S.,
political analysts and
campaigns are reviewing
reams of data on the vot-
ers, looking for clues to
key questions: Who is vot-
ing? And who is winning?
On one level, the an-
swers can be simple.
Registered Democrats
are outpacing registered
Republicans significant-
ly — by 14 percentage
points — in states that are
reporting voters’ party af-
filiation, according to an
Associated Press analysis
of the early vote.
But that doesn’t tell
the whole story. Many
Americans’ choices don’t
align with their party
registration. Meanwhile,
polls show Republicans
have heeded President
Donald Trump’s baseless
warnings about mail vot-
ing, and large numbers
intend to vote on Election
Day. That means the early
Democratic surge could
give way to a Republican
surge on Tuesday.
The picture is further
clouded by the unprec-
edented nature of how
Americans are voting.
While Democrats are
hungry for signs that key
parts of their coalition
— young voters, Black
voters, new voters — are
engaged, comparisons to
2016 are difficult.
Here’s a closer look
at what we know — and
don’t know — about early
voters:

Early voting spikes

As of Friday afternoon,
86.8 million people had
voted in the presidential
election. That’s 63 percent
of the total who cast bal-
lots in the 2016 race. Most
election experts think the
United States will see 150
million to 160 million bal-
lots cast in 2020, which
would mean that we are
likely more than halfway
through voting. In one
state, Texas, more votes
have already been cast
than in all of 2016.
Democrats have a big
lead in the early vote over
the GOP — 47 percent to
33 percent — according
to the AP analysis of data
from the political data
firm L2.
That doesn’t mean
Democrats are going to
win. But it does increase
the pressure on Republi-
cans to have a similar ad-
vantage — or higher — on
Election Day.

New voters
are showing up
The big turnout ques-
tion in all elections is:
Which side is bringing
in new voters? The data
shows Democrats are ac-
complishing that — but
not necessarily as dramat-
ically as some of the big
overall numbers might
suggest.
More than 1 out of 4 of
all ballots — 27 percent
— were cast either by
new or infrequent voters,
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020 3A

Dueling medical marijuana measures on Mississippi ballot

Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Wednesday
that he opposes Initiative 65 and is worried people will vote for one
of the measures without knowing fully what they are supporting
BY LEAH WILLINGHAM
Associated Press/Report for America
JACKSON — After years of
seeing medical marijuana pro-
posals shot down by the Mis-
sissippi Legislature, support-
ers decided to try something
else: adding it to the state con-
stitution.
Citizens collected signa-
tures of more than 100,000
Mississippi residents to force
the issue onto the ballot. In
response, Republican legisla-
tors drafted their own, more
restrictive medical marijuana
ballot measure.
The result is two dueling
medical marijuana ballot ques-
tions and a process that is
causing confusion even among
voters who have been following
the issue closely. Mississippi-
ans will choose either one —
or neither — of two medical
marijuana ballot measures. Ini-
tiative 65 and Alternative 65A
would both amend the state
constitution to legalize medi-
cal marijuana in some capacity,
but with different approaches.
Initiative 65 would allow
the prescription by a doctor of
up to 5 ounces (142 grams) of
marijuana per month for peo-
ple with at least one of more
than 20 medical conditions.
The Mississippi Department
of Health would issue identifi-
cation cards to let patients ob-
tain medical marijuana from
licensed treatment centers.
Marijuana sales could be
taxed at the current state sales
tax rate of 7 percent. The pro-
gram would be required to be
up and running within the next
year.
Alternative 65A, written by
members of the Mississippi
Legislature, would allow peo-
ple with debilitating illnesses
to access medical marijuana.
Smoking of the drug would
be reserved for terminal pa-
tients. The alternative leaves
tax rates, possession limits
and other details to the Legis-
lature.
Mississippi State Health Of-
ficer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said
Wednesday that he opposes
Initiative 65 and is worried
people will vote for one of the
measures without knowing ful-
ly what they are supporting.
“There are a lot of miscon-
ceptions, a lot things people
don’t understand,” Dobbs said.
“It could change the makeup of
our state.”
Proponents of Initiative 65
said Alternative 65A was an
attempt to confuse voters and
deny them a fair up-down vote
on medical marijuana.
Others, including Dobbs,
say Initiative 65 would allow
the marijuana business to oper-
ate “unfettered” in Mississippi.
He said it would be difficult to
regulate where dispensaries lo-
cate and how many could come
to the state. In addition, Initia-
tive 65 would allow marijuana
to be purchased in a variety of
forms, including in joints and
edibles that could be abused
for recreational purposes.
“Gummy bears and blunts
are not medication,” Dobbs
said. “Are there some potential
therapeutic effects of cannabis
plants? Yes. It would be better
to do it in a medically standard-
ized way than just giving peo-
ple loose-leaf marijuana given
out by a pot store barista.”
Dobbs said such binding pol-
icies around medical marijuana
should not be “etched in stone”
in the constitution, where the
program can’t be constrained
or changed later by the Health
Department or the Legislature.
He also does not agree with
the Health Department being
in charge of regulating the
medical marijuana program.
He said getting a program run-
ning in the next year would be
a “major distraction” from ef-
forts to curb the spread of the
coronavirus.

Second Baptist
Continued from Page 1A
congregation had grown
to the point that multiple
services filled the sanc-
tuary, so he initiated the
project to build a new one.
“When it comes to
church business, I’m al-
most certain that I would
not have made a major de-
cision without coming to
the church for approval,”
he said Monday.
Stone and Miller often
hesitated or refused to
give straight answers to
yes-or-no questions from
the trustees’ attorneys, to
the frustration of Judge
Jim Kitchens.
The trustees paid
TCM’s owner, Donald
Crowther, more than
$454,000 for the work he
was supposed to do, but all
that was ever completed
was preliminary dirt work,
and the project has not
been touched since 2015.
Crowther has since plead-
ed guilty to fraud and is
scheduled to be sentenced
Monday.
Kitchens issued an or-
der soon after the trustees
first filed suit in late 2015
to prohibit the church from
making changes to the
board of trustees. How-
ever, a video from a Dec.
1, 2015, church meeting
shows Stone proposing a
vote to remove the entire
board of trustees despite
Kitchens’ order.
Board chairman Ben-
nie Hairston and Charles
Ware, the board’s adviser
and spokesman, mention
the court order in the vid-
eo, but Stone ignores their
concerns. He proceeds to
declare “shame” on mem-
bers who he says did not
show up to church services
but did show up to meet-
ings where they would
have a chance to vote.
“The only time I see
your passion for this
church is when it comes
to something to stop the
growth,” Stone says in the
video, which the trustees’
ings in 2017 because he church. Stone refused church a commitment let-
did not believe it was their to acknowledge their at- ter for a loan in 2013, but
place to try to end the law- tempts to speak and in- the letter expired and the
suit. stead began praying over loan was never issued.
“It was said that I re- the commotion. Starks asked Stone
port back to the enemy,” Stone and Miller’s de- why he believed the trust-
Whitson said. “The ene- fense attorney, William ees sued him, and Stone
my (was) anyone who was Starks of Columbus, asked said he believed their goal
not favorable to what Rev. Stone on the stand if he was to remove him as pas-
Stone and the rest of the had any regrets about how tor. The church’s constitu-
deacons wanted.” he handled the failed con- tion allows the removal of
In the video from De- struction project. Stone a pastor with a two-thirds
cember 2015, members said he would not have majority vote from the
of the Second Baptist con- recommended Crowther congregation.
gregation tried to make as the contractor or bro- “There’s a minority
their voices heard at the ken ground on a project that does not support my
Tess Vrbin/Dispatch Staff
Plaintiffs’ attorney Dorsey Carson, left, questions end of Stone’s speech without absolute certainty leadership, but they don’t
Second Baptist Church treasurer Jackie Lindsey, who declaring “shame” on that the church had a loan. have the majority to vote
testified via Zoom on Friday in the civil trial against certain members of the Renasant Bank wrote the me out,” Stone said.
Pastor Joseph Stone and Head Deacon Terry Miller. The
church’s board of trustees filed suit against Stone and
Miller in 2015, alleging they mishandled church funds
and undermined trustees during the failed construction
project for a new church sanctuary.
attorneys showed Tues- of which deacon came up
day. “I don’t see you get with the idea to open the
happy about (the) new accounts. Former deacon
members that have joined Ron Whitson testified
the church. I don’t see you Friday that opening the
get happy about the lives accounts was “absolutely
that are being changed. not” within the deacons’
It’s only when you don’t purview.
like something that you’re Carson also asked Mill-
passionate and your so- er whose side he would
called love for this church take if Stone’s will clashes
comes out.” with that of the congrega-
The trial will contin- tion, especially if he be-
ue into its third week on lieves Stone is not acting
Monday. in the church’s best inter-
est.
‘Loyalists’ and dissent “I choose what God
Stone and Miller faced leads me to do, not Rev.
several questions about Stone,” Miller replied.
how they handled the Church meeting min-
church’s money, especial- utes from 2013 showed
ly after the suit was filed. that Stone told the con-
In a July 2017 con- gregation that anyone
tempt hearing, trustees who disagreed with him
claimed Stone and Miller should resign or the
had authorized deacons to church could vote to re-
open two bank accounts move them. Under some
to which trustees did pressure from Kitchens
not have access. Though and plaintiffs’ attorney
Kitchens did not hold the Lindsay Roberts to give
defendants in contempt, a straight answer, Stone
he did order them to give admitted that the minutes
access to the accounts to were accurate.
trustees and the church’s Whitson said many of
finance committee. the other deacons were
Miller refused to an- “loyalists” to Stone, who
swer plaintiffs’ attorney pushed them to exclude
Dorsey Carson’s question Whitson from their meet-

SOLUNAR TABLE
The solunar period indicates
peak-feeding times for fish and game.
Sun. Mon.
Major 1:16a 1:59a
Minor — 7:30p
Major 1:37p 2:22p
Minor 8:37a 9:33a
Courtesy of Mississippi Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

The Dispatch
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Published daily except Saturday. Answers to common questions:
Entered at the post office at Columbus, Mississippi.
Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, MS Phone: 662-328-2424
POSTMASTER, Send address changes to:
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Published by Commercial Dispatch Publishing Company Inc.,
516 Main St., Columbus, MS 39703
Report a news tip: news@cdispatch.com
4A SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020
From left, Raaghav Zope and Vanathi Shankar, both 3, Saindhavi Shankar, 10, and Rubesh Thirumalai, 5, play in
the parking lot across the street from the Starkville Community Market, which held Halloween festivities Satur-
day morning. Children wore costumes, played games, painted pumpkins and could gather candy and have their
pictures taken in Fire Station Park. Vanathi and Saindhavi are the children of Anandi Varadarajan and Shankar
Shanmugam, Raaghav is the son of Ruta Narkadhe and Anup Zope, and Rubesh is the son of Elakiya Jayaraman
and Rooban Thirumalai.
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
provided by The Commercial
Dispatch. 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
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Incomplete notices must be re-
ceived no later than 7:30 a.m.
for the Monday through Friday
editions. Paid notices must be
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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.
Mary Graham
MILLPORT, Ala. —
Mary Elizabeth Gra-
ham, 87, died Oct. 29,
2020, a Baptist Memo-
rial Hospital-Golden
Triangle.
Graveside services
will be Sunday, in
Shiloh Cemetery of
Hightogy, Alabama.
Dowdle Funeral Home
of Millport is in charge
of arrangements.
Mrs. Graham was
born March 7, 1933,
in Millport, to the late
B. Willie and Gladys
(Stapp) Graham. She
was a graduate of
Millport High School
and Druid City Hospi-
tal School of Nursing.
She was formerly
employed as a recovery
room nurse with Druid
City Hospital and as
a charge nurse with
Lamar County Hospital.
‘Obamacare’ sign-ups begin as millions more are uninsured
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — people will have at least
Millions of Americans
who have lost health in-
surance in an economy
shaken by the coronavi-
rus can sign up for taxpay-
er-subsidized coverage
starting Sunday.
It’s not a new COVID
relief program from the
government but the re-
turn of annual sign-up sea-
son under the Affordable
Care Act, better known
as “Obamacare.” Open
enrollment lasts through
Dec. 15.
The Centers for Medi-
care and Medicaid Ser-
vices, which runs Health-
Care.gov, says premiums
A THOUSAND WORDS
AREA OBITUARIES
She was a member of
Shiloh United Method-
ist Church.
In addition to her par-
ents, she was preceded
in death by her siblings,
Marion Graham, Gene
Graham and Harrell
Graham.
She is survived by
her siblings, Edward H.
Graham and Billy Joe
Graham.
Memorials may be
made to Shiloh United
Methodist Church or
Shiloh Cemetery Fund,
c/o David Guyton, 377
Webster Circle, Vernon,
AL 35592.
Bobby Thompson
WEST POINT —
Bobby Donald Thomp-
son, 81, died Oct. 29,
2020, at his residence.
Graveside services
with U.S. Air Force
Honors will be at 10
a.m. Monday, at Memo-
rial Gardens. Memorial
Gunter Peel Funeral
Home and Crematory,
Second Avenue North
location is in charge of
arrangements.
Mr. Thompson was
born Sept. 27, 1939,
in Ruleville, to the
late Grover Leon and
Jessie Beatrice Burnley
Thompson. He was a
veteran of the U.S. Air
Force and was previ-
ously employed as the
owner and operator of
Quality Auto Service.
In addition to his
parents, he was preced-
ed in death by his wife,
Zerelda Mims Thomp-
son; and siblings, Mavis
Evelyn Everitt, Grady
Leon Thompson, Billy
Wayne Thompson and
Kenneth Floyd Thomp-
son.
He is survived by his
children, Gail Thomp-
son of West Point
and Donald Burnley
Thompson of Orange
Park, Florida; siblings,
are down slightly on av-
erage for 2021 and most
three insurers from which
to pick plans. Lower-in-
come people and even
middle-class families may
qualify for tax credits that
can greatly reduce what
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
Francis Troxler, Roy
Doug Thompson and
Dale S. Thompson; and
six grandchildren.
Minnie Howard
ALICEVILLE, Ala.
— Minnie Pearl “Tiny”
Howard, 56, died Oct.
25, 2020, at Northwest
Medical Center of Win-
field, Alabama.
A graveside home
going celebration is at
noon today, in St. John
Baptist Church Ceme-
tery of Pickensville, Al-
abama, with Talya Ball
officiating. Visitation
was from noon-5:30 p.m.
Saturday, at Lavender’s
Funeral Service. Laven-
ders’ Funeral Services
of Aliceville is in charge
of arrangements.
Ezell Williams Jr.
PANOLA, Ala. —
Ezell Williams Jr., 83,
died Oct. 28, 2020, at
Hospice of West Ala-
bama in Tuscaloosa.
A graveside going
home celebration will
be at 1 p.m. Saturday, in
Zion Valley Missionary
Baptist Church Ceme-
tery, with the Rev. Mar-
vin Washington offici-
ating. Visitation will be
from 2-6 p.m. Friday, at
Lavender’s Funeral Ser-
vice. Lavender’s Funer-
al Service of Aliceville,
Alabama is in charge of
arrangements.
Laura Clark
COLUMBUS — Lau-
ra Jean Mize Clark, 71,
died Oct. 29, 2020, at
her residence.
A graveside service
was held Saturday,
in Butler Cemetery
of Shuqualak, with
Charles Eubanks offici-
ating. Cockrell Funeral
Home of Macon was
in charge of arrange-
ments.
Mrs. Clark was
born June 13, 1949,
they pay monthly for pre-
miums.
But President Donald
Trump, unrelenting in his
opposition to President
Barack Obama’s signa-
ture domestic program, is
asking the Supreme Court
to overturn the entire law.
Tess Vrbin/Dispatch Staff
in Macon, to the late
Charles R. and Maudie
C. Woods Mize. She
attended school in Ma-
con. She was formerly
employed in retail with
TWL Store, in the auto
repair business, and as
a librarian at Shuqual-
ak Library. She was a
member of the River
Church.
In addition to her par-
ents, she was preceded
in death by her brother,
William Clyde Mize.
She is survived by
her husband, Billy
Clark; children, Billy R.
Clark of Columbus and
Amy Gaunt Fincher of
Macon; siblings, JoAnn
Barlett of Toomsuba and
Charles Mize of Bowl-
ing Green, Kentucky;
five grandchildren; and
three great-grandchil-
dren.
Memorials may be
made to Butler Ceme-
tery Fund, c/o Willis
Jones, 991 Johnny Hig-
ginbotham Rd, Shuqual-
ak, MS 39361.
Catherine Wilson
CALEDONIA —
Catherine Kelly Wilson,
81, died Oct. 31, 2020, at
her residence.
Arrangements are
incomplete and will be
announced by Memori-
al Gunter Peel Funeral
Home and Crematory,
College Street location.
Bobby Thompson
Graveside Services:
Monday, Nov. 2 • 2 PM
Memorial Gardens Cemetery
2nd Ave. N. Location
Dorothy Ray
Incomplete
2nd Ave. N. Location
memorialgunterpeel.com
State leaders facing
second wave resist
steps to curb virus
Number of new infections reported
daily is on the rise in 47 states
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DES MOINES, Iowa — Even as a new surge of
coronavirus infections sweeps the U.S., officials in
many hard-hit states are resisting taking stronger
action to slow the spread, with pleas from health
experts running up against political calculation and
public fatigue.
Days before a presidential election that has
spotlighted President Donald Trump’s scattershot
response to the pandemic, the virus continued its
resurgence Friday, with total confirmed cases in
the U.S. surpassing 9 million.
The number of new infections reported daily
is on the rise in 47 states. They include Nebraska
and South Dakota, where the number of new cases
topped previous highs for each state.
The record increases in new cases have eclipsed
the spikes that set off national alarms last spring
and summer. During those outbreaks, first in the
Northeast and then in Sun Belt states, many gover-
nors closed schools and businesses and restricted
public gatherings.
But this fall’s resurgence of the virus, despite be-
ing far more widespread, has brought a decidedly
more limited response in many states. Most are led
by Republican governors backing a president who
insists, falsely, that the country is getting the virus
under control.
Over the past two weeks, more than 76,000 new
virus cases have been reported daily in the U.S. on
average, up from about 54,000 in mid-October, ac-
cording to Johns Hopkins University. Deaths, which
usually lag case numbers and hospitalizations, are
also rising, from about 700 to more than 800 a day.
Pat McCarty
Patsy “Pat” McCarty, 80, of Columbus, MS
passed away Thursday, October 29, 2020, at her
residence.
A graveside service will be Monday, November
2, 2020, at 1:00 PM at Providence Cemetery,
Chester, MS with Bro. Tommy Gillon officiating
and Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS
directing.
Mrs. McCarty was born on August 18, 1940,
in Vardaman, MS to the late Clara Mae Morris
and Harold “HK” K. Morris. She attended
Fairview Baptist Church. Mrs. McCarty enjoyed
crocheting and walking her dog- Leah.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. McCarty is
preceded in death by her husband, James Lewis
McCarty; daughter, Amanda McCarty; brothers,
Jessie Morris and Carl Morris; and sister, Nell
Carlisle.
Mrs. McCarty is survived by her sons, David
McCarty of Columbus, MS and James McCarty
of Pearl, MS; six grandchildren; five great-
grandchildren; brother, Ellis (Geneva) Morris;
and sister, Sue Kellum.
Pallbearers will be Nathan McCarty, Gabriel
McCarty, Jacob McCarty, Matthew McCarty and
Randy Wilson.
Memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist
Church Senior Adult Ministry 127 Airline Road
Columbus, MS 39702 or to Columbus Lowndes
Humane Society P.O. Box 85 Columbus, MS
39703.
Compliments of
Lowndes Funeral Home
www.lowndesfuneralhome.net

Lowndes County NAACP President Lavonne Latham Harris serves up a hamburger to Columbus Mayor Robert
Smith as Mevela Andrews waits her turn outside the Lowndes County courthouse Saturday. The NAACP, in
partnership with other community groups, sponsored the cookout in its effort to turn out the vote for Saturday’s
last day of in-person absentee voting. Oktibbeha County’s NAACP chapter also held events Saturday to promote
voting in Starkville. Those who wish to vote absentee by mail can still cast their ballots as long as they are post-
marked by Monday. The general election is Tuesday.
LCSD
Continued from Page 1A
told The Dispatch in No-
vember one reason they
selected Allison was his
performance as the prin-
cipal of New Hope Middle
School. Allison, a New
Hope native who began
his teaching career in
1993, had been principal
at the school since 2006
following two years serv-
ing as assistant principal
there. During Allison’s
tenure as principal, the
school’s Mississippi De-
partment of Education’s
accountability rating —
which measures student
performance on state
benchmark exams — im-
proved from a C to a B.
However, Johnson
said in her complaint
Allison’s experience as
principal alone should not
have made him the best
ca ndidate,
because
Maulding
had similar
exper ience
as princi-
pal. Mauld-
ing joined
SOCSD in Maulding
July 2017
after serving eight years
as a “building level” prin-
cipal and seven years as
assistant superintendent
of Rankin County School
District, according to
SOCSD’s website.
The board members
chose Allison, Johnson
argued, because they pre-
ferred a man in the role.
Allison, she said in the
complaint, lacked work
and educational experi-
ence compared to John-
son and Maulding, both
Monument
Continued from Page 1A
After bids for disas-
sembly, transport and site
preparation are award-
ed, the relocation will be
done in stages, County
Administrator Jay Fisher
said.
“The first phase will
be taking
down the
monument,
then clean-
ing and stor-
ing it,” Fish-
er said. “At
that point,
the con- Fisher
tractor will
have to look at what kind
of footing the monument
was placed on and a new
footing will be poured
at the site at Friendship
Cemetery. When the
footing is ready, the mon-
ument will be moved and
reassembled.”
The new site will be lo-
cated at a section near the
Get promoted? Win an award? Send us your business brief.
news@cdispatch.com
subject: Business brief
TURNING OUT THE VOTE
of whom hold doctoral
degrees.
“(Allison) was sub-
stantially less qualified
because he only had a
master’s degree, and, fur-
thermore, had no experi-
ence at the District level,”
the complaint says.
Johnson received a
doctoral degree in edu-
cational leadership from
Mississippi State Univer-
sity in 2013 and began
serving as the district’s
assistant superintendent
in 2017, according to
her LinkedIn page. In a
charge of discrimination
she filed with the Equal
Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) in
January, Johnson said she
had more than 35 years of
experience in education,
including 11 years at the
district level.
“(Johnson) was the
most qualified candidate,
because she not only had
a Ph.D., (she) had sub-
stantial experience at the
District level serving the
previous superintendent
and providing advice to
the former superinten-
dent, Lynn Wright,” the
complaint states.
Allison told The Dis-
patch on Friday he re-
ceived his master’s de-
gree from MSU in 1999
and is currently pursuing
a doctoral degree. He de-
clined to respond to any of
Johnson’s claims or speak
on how the lawsuit affect-
ed the work relationship
between them.
Additionally, Johnson
argued in the complaint
the board favored Allison
graves of Confederate sol-
diers. Fisher said an ar-
chaeologist from MDAH
will be on site to ensure
that no remains of bodies
buried at or near the site
are disturbed during the
relocation.
Under state law, any
contracts in excess of
$50,000 must be awarded
through the bid process.
Fisher said it’s possible
the county might avoid
the bid process if the con-
tract is awarded to multi-
ple bidders for the sepa-
rate phases, something
Calvert said is unlikely.
Columbus Marble
Works relocated the Con-
federate monument on
the University of Missis-
sippi campus this sum-
mer and seems to be a
logical choice for the job,
Calvert said.
“I don’t know of any-
one else in Mississippi
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020 5A
Slim Smith/Dispatch Staff
by handpicking communi- clined to comment fur-
ty members to sit on the ther on the details of the
15-person citizen panel lawsuit but said the hiring
and offer advice on the of Allison was damaging
matter. to Johnson.
“(LCSD) chose per- “It’s very devastat-
sons (who) were likely to ing to a person to work
know the male applicant, as hard as Ms. Johnson
Sam Allison, who had re- has and gather the qual-
sided in the New Hope ifications that she had,
community and served as
and then have somebody
a principal at a New Hope
(else) hired as superinten-
school for a lengthy peri-
dent,” Waide said. “ … It’s
od of time,” the complaint
states. not in the best interest of
School board members the school district.”
each chose three commu- Smith declined to com-
nity members from their ment on the case. Neither
respective elected dis- Johnson nor any of the
tricts to sit on the panel, school board members
The Dispatch reported at could be reached for com-
the time. ment by press time.
In her EEOC charge,
Johnson said that school
board attorney Jeff Smith
asked both her and Depu-
ty Superintendent Robin
Ballard to remain in their
roles after Allison was
hired, which she believed
to be proof that the dis-
trict needs her expertise.
“The logical reason …
was because the board
knew the new superin-
tendent would not know
how to do the job without
either me or (Ballard) be-
ing there,” Johnson said.
Johnson, who says she
has suffered “lost income
and mental anxiety” af-
ter Allison was hired as
superintendent, is asking
for monetary damages as
well as “reasonable” attor-
ney fees in the case.
Jim Waide, Johnson’s
attorney, told The Dis-
patch he has confidence
in winning the case if it
gets a jury trial. He de-
who’s doing this kind of
job,” he said.
Calvert said no cost es-
timates have been devel-
oped for the project, but
Hairston said it’s likely
the cost will be $100,000
or more, based on the re-
moval of the monument at
Ole Miss.
The Lowndes County
monument is bigger than
the one at Ole Miss and
will be moved a greater
distance at a site less ac-
cessible than that at Ole
Miss.
“I can’t imagine it
would be any cheaper,
let’s put it that way,” Hair-
ston said.
Fisher said that while
the board hasn’t autho-
rized funds, it’s likely the
money would come from
the county’s general fund.
Calvert estimated the
project should take about
six months to complete.
Opinion
6A SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 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

PARTIAL TO HOME

Trash retrieval outing offers unexpected delights

What’s the
difference between
a graveyard and a
cemetery? A friend
asked me this ques-
tion Friday, and I, a
lifelong habitué of
burial places, large
and small, had no
idea. More on that
in a minute. First,
some context.
Thursday morn- Birney Imes
ing as I was drag-
ging my kayak through the
underbrush near the Lewiston
Bridge preparing to launch on
the Sipsey River southeast of
Aliceville, Alabama, I hap-
pened upon four trash bags of
household garbage.
Someone stopped here,
perhaps under the cover of
darkness, and gave heave ho
the family trash. Mother Na-
ture be damned.
And so it was Friday morn-
ing, armed with oversized
contractors’ trash bags, I set
the autopilot for Aliceville
with intentions of righting that
wrong.
Besides it was
another oppor-
tunity to check
the status of the
swollen streams
between here and
there, in particular
Lubbub Creek, a
stream that runs
north-south east of
Reform, Carrollton,
Aliceville into the
Tenn-Tom.
Lo and behold,
just as I was getting under-
way, on Pickensville Road just
after “S Curve” and before the
Luxapalila Bridge, was a man
picking up trash. A Halloween
apparition, surely.
I pulled to the side of the
road and shouted thanks.
Turns out he works for the
county. But it’s good to be
appreciated, he said.
“It’s a shame humans don’t
have any more respect for the
planet,” he said.
“You telling me,” I said.
“This is the best job secu-
rity you could have,” he said,
brandishing his trash grabber.
On Highway 69 less than
a mile past Minnie Vaughan
Road comes a small, country
graveyard, Murrah Chapel
Cemetery.
I guess it was the massive,
moss-covered post oak that
provoked a U-turn. I parked
at a rusty gate, secured by an
equally rusty chain. Another
giant oak, a red oak — it’s
leaves brown in contrast with
the bare post oak — stood sen-
tinel over the small, well-tend-
ed burial place. Some of the
tombstones bore dates from
the mid-1800s. Lovely.
Particularly touching was
the joint tombstone of Betty S.
and Cecil L. Peacock. Pre-
sumably Betty is still with us;
Cecil died in 2018. Betty had
engraved on the back of their
joint tombstone, which bears
a photograph of them in what
looks to be their early years,
“Your wings were ready, but
my heart was not.”
As I was leaving the cem-
etery, Lawton Harrison, a
childhood friend who lives in
Texas, called. I told him about
the cemetery.
“Do you know the difference
between a graveyard and a
cemetery?” he said.
I thought for a minute. I love
cemeteries and have visited a
ton of them; this is something I
should know, but didn’t.
“A graveyard is connected
to a church,” Lawton said. “A
cemetery is not.”
Yes, of course.
In Aliceville while gassing
up the truck, I admired the
car of a man, who was doing
likewise, a Kia sedan. “Yeah,
it gets 35 miles to a gallon,” he
said. “All I do is keep the oil
changed.”
I asked where in town he
gets that done, the truck long
overdue for an oil change.
“CarQuest,” he said,
“they’re reasonable and they’re
quick.” He gave directions.
The office manager was
away delivering a vehicle, so I
struck up a conversation with
the only person around, Ronnie
Jones, a tall, soft-spoken me-
chanic.
Around the corner, no more
than 50 yards away, I could see
smoke wafting from a cooker
beside a barbecue stand, Mac’s
BBQ Place. I asked Ronnie
about it.
“I like the turkey tails,” he
said.
And so it was, as acorns
from the surrounding oaks
popped like firecrackers as
they ricocheted off parked util-
ity trucks, I sat at a picnic table
in the dappled sunlight savor-
ing Mac’s barbecued chicken
and turkey tails while, around
the corner, a small, dusty
pickup loaded with four bags of
garbage got its oil changed.
When Mac came out to
check his grill, I complimented
him on the turkey tails.
“We’ve got pigtails, too,” he
said. I told him I’d never had
them.
Shortly afterwards a server
brought to the table a small
aluminum parcel. The contents
had been cut into four pieces. A
barbecued pigtail.
Birney Imes (birney@
cdispatch.com) is the former
publisher of The Dispatch.

OUR VIEW

Roses and thorns

A rose to all those who helped
make Thursday’s Loaves and Fishes
fund-raiser a success despite diffi-
cult circumstances. Normally the
community soup kitchen’s annual
fund-raiser features a sit-down
dinner. As has been the case with the meals it
serves daily, this year the fund-raiser became a
take-out dinner. Even so, by Thursday — the day
of the event — all 400 tickets had been sold. With
ticket sales, donations and sponsorship, the event
raised a little more than $9,000, money critical to
keeping Loaves and Fishes in operation. COVID-19
has made providing those meals more costly as it
converted from meals prepared and served at its
facility to pre-packaged take-out meals. At a time
when circumstances were most difficult, Loaves
and Fishes and its volunteers, along with all those
who bought tickets, rose to the occasion.

A rose to Golden Triangle voters

as we head into Tuesday’s election.
All indicators point to a vote turnout
of record proportions throughout the
nation and here in our communities
as well. The U.S. Election Project
predicts 150 million Americans will vote in the
election, a 65 percent turnout. That would be the
highest turnout rate since 1908. Much of that pro-
jection is based on the unprecedented number of THE NATION
Happy endings in US history
people who have already voted. Estimates are that
almost a third of registered voters have already
cast their ballots during the early-voting period
available in all states except Mississippi. Despite
that, Mississippians are voting in staggering num-
bers by casting absentee ballots. In Lowndes and
Oktibbeha counties, absentee voting is almost dou-
are not guaranteed
ble what it was in 2016. Circuit clerk offices were America is not guar- right now. and venal man ever to occupy
open all day to accommodate voters on the last day anteed. It is a moment long that office, we live in the grip of a
to cast absentee ballots in person. We encourage There is, in other in coming, a reckoning deadly plague, fascism is on our
those who didn’t or couldn’t vote by absentee ballot words, nothing fore- long deferred, a show- very doorstep, and 40 percent of us
to go to the polls. This will be a historic election. ordained about this down between the bet- think all that is just fine.
Make sure you’re a part of it by going to the polls country someday ter angels of our nature Someday, this news, too, will
Tuesday. returning to anything and the worst, and we become history. But if there’s a
approximating normal. have marched toward happy ending here, it will not be
A rose to all those who have taken That’s important to it blithely, numbly, con- because that was inevitable. No,
up the fight against breast cancer. keep in mind as we cession by concession, it will be because of what we do,
An estimated 42,000 people will die await results of the deferral by deferral, for right here and right now, in polling
from breast cancer by the end of the most critical U.S. elec- decades. We saw test places across the country.
year, a grim reminder of the chal- tion since 1860, when Leonard Pitts scores fall, our children Not that anything that happens
lenge before us. There is, however, Abraham Lincoln came growing dumber by this week will be a magic bullet
good news. Breast cancer survival rates continue to power in an America pulling the school year. We saw income in- for what ails America. It bears
to climb. A diagnosis is not a death sentence as apart. Not unlike the America we equality rise, a 40-hour workweek repeating: 40 percent of us are fine
was often the case, 30, 40, 50 years ago. Much of live in now. insufficient to guarantee a roof with this disaster. Sending the
the progress in making breast cancer a treatable When you read history in over one’s head. We saw Ameri- present president home — or to
disease is based on medical advancement. But books, events can seem as if cans retreat to information silos, prison — does nothing to mitigate
another key factor is early detection. That’s why they were destined all along. It until alternate realities became that. Those people will be a force
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which ended becomes easy to think, albeit sub- less a comic-book trope than a fact — which is to say, a problem — for
Saturday, is so important. The Dispatch is proud consciously, that the happy ending of daily life. We saw tribal hatreds years to come. But if not a mag-
to be a supporter of this effort. Each Friday during was inevitable — if only because that once shamed decent people ic bullet, getting rid of this guy
the month of October, we reported the stories of the unhappy one is unthinkable. given prime-time slots on cable would at least be a promising start.
breast cancer survivors, whose experiences serve So, of course the Union routed the news. We saw critical thinking America is a decision, an
as a reminder of the importance of early detection Confederacy. Of course the Great eroded, statesmanship debased, amalgam of the choices we make.
and treatment. Their courage and strength are Depression eased. Of course we civil debate denigrated, bizarre Greatness and goodness, liberty
an inspiration to all who may someday find them- won World War II. Of course. conspiracies elevated. We saw and justice, all the virtues we like
selves in a similar fight. We salute our breast can- But when you read the contem- America become the Stupid Giant to think of as defining our national
cer survivors and all those who rally in the support poraneous accounts, the letters of planet Earth. character, none of them comes to
of this important cause. and news stories written as Amer- And we did little to stop it. us just for standing here. No, each
ican boys were being chewed up at Instead, we routinely assured our- generation must earn them, renew
Shiloh, as American families were selves that we were — to misquote them, vindicate them for itself.
being evicted from their homes, as Sean Hannity only slightly — the That’s the task — and privilege
American ships and sailors were bestest, greatest, most gosh darn — handed down to us by our
Local journalism matters burning at Pearl Harbor, there is wonderful country God ever cre- forebears. They saved this country
no “of course.” In the desperate ated on the face of planet Earth. more than once.
Support The Dispatch by and uncertain time before news Even as our greatness rusted It’s our turn now.
subscribing or advertising becomes history, there is only the and our wonderfulness began to Leonard Pitts Jr., winner of the
662-328-2424 or cdispatch.com sobering realization of how much tarnish. 2004 Pulitzer Prize for commen-
there is to lose — and how easily it Until here we are in the Year tary, is a columnist for the Miami
could all be lost. of Our Lord 2020. Our president Herald. Email him at lpitts@
We are living in such a time is objectively the most witless miamiherald.com.
Lifestyles LIFESTYLES EDITOR
Jan Swoope: 328-2471
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020 n 7A

Main Street

Poets, in uncertain times Columbus

announces
holiday
activities
BY JAN SWOOPE
jswoope@cdispatch.com

M
ain Street Columbus is
hard at work ensuring
the “Grinch” doesn’t steal
away a festive community holiday
season. Yes, signature downtown
events looked forward to each
year will have a different look, but
every effort is underway to deliver
holiday cheer.
“While sitting in the office one
day, the ‘Grinch’
popped into my head
and seemed to offer
the perfect theme for
this holiday season,”
said Main Street
Columbus Executive
Director Barbara
Bigelow. “We had Bigelow
already decided we
were not going to cancel one event;
we would just modify them where
necessary for this year, and that is
what we have done.”

Open House
Each year, Christmas shopping
begins at the Christmas Open
House, and 2020 is no exception.
Columbus downtown merchants
will showcase holiday items and
specials Nov. 6-8. Hours Friday
and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, are 10 a.m.-
Jan Swoope/Dispatch Staff 5 p.m. Some downtown stores will
Three area poets, C.T. Salazar, left, Thomas Richardson, standing, and Kendall Dunkelberg, seated, gathered briefly open Sunday, Nov. 8, from 1-5 p.m.
outside the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science Thursday. Several poets share thoughts about the “You’ll find yourself in the
global pandemic’s impact on creativity; some share poems. Visit the cdispatch.com Lifestyles link to view all poems.
holiday spirit as you walk through
historic downtown Columbus to

A sampling of poets reflect on their begin your holiday gift-buying,”

said Bigelow. “And, who knows,
the ‘Grinch’ may make appearanc-

craft in challenging times es throughout downtown hoping to

‘snatch’ a few goodies of his own.”
Downtown merchants will again
donate gift certificates worth
BY JAN SWOOPE to them. For some, it surfaces ■■■ hundreds of dollars, and one lucky
jswoope@cdispatch.com in current work. Others are ab- shopper will have the opportunity

I
“ feel like there should be a word
for this ... ”
That thought from Nao-
mi Buck Palagi emerged as she
considered the effects
of months of global
pandemic on her
craft — the writing of
poetry. Palagi moved
to Columbus from
Sewanee, Tennessee,
this past summer. In
a way, it was a home- Palagi
coming; she’d lived in
Mississippi for a time after college.
In essence, she said, it’s often a
challenge to write much these days
that isn’t colored, overtly or not, by
the pervasive state of COVID-19.
“You can’t write anything that’s
not about the pandemic,” she said.
“Even if you want to write a love
poem, it’s like, a love poem during
pandemic times. Or, going to the
farmers’ market — during pandem-
ic.”
Palagi and several other area
poets share some insights, as well
as poems, today. They are part of a
creative community that has been
interpreting the pandemic impact
in ways that come most naturally
sorbing, processing, storing away
impressions that will nurture future
poems, paintings or songs.
“I have a notebook that I keep,
and I’m always adding notes in my
phone,” said poet
Catherine Pierce of
Starkville. “I hope
someday I’ll be able
to sit down with these
notes and make some-
thing out of them.”
There have been
fewer quiet hours Pierce
for writing in re-
cent months, Pierce said. She is a
professor of English at Mississippi
State University and co-director
of the university’s creative writing
program. Her recent focus has been
on the Oct. 15 release of “Danger
Days,” her latest collection of
poems. The pandemic also sent her
6- and 9-year-old children home for
virtual learning, and that requires
more hands-on parent time.
“But I like to think I’m storing
things up,” said Pierce. “Writing
has always been a way to process
how I’m feeling about everything. I
like poems that don’t offer answers.
I like poems where I see the think-
ing on the page.”
For poet and music producer to win that grand prize.
Teon Taylor of Columbus, the “Who doesn’t enjoy gift certif-
pandemic has icates at Christmas time or any
actually given him other time of the year? The annual
more creative time Christmas Open House is an ex-
because his job hours citing and unique opportunity for
changed. the many downtown merchants to
“Even though showcase their products, including
COVID is like a great food, clothing, gifts, jewelry,
dangerous time for
See HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES, 8A
people, it’s also like a Taylor
coin with two sides,
a double-edged sword,” he said,
describing the additional free time
he has to devote to his passions. He
began writing poetry seven or so
years ago, mainly inspired by music
and his intense interest in lyrics.
“I guess poetry was kind of like
my outlet, writing and expressing
my mind,” he summed up.
Thomas Richardson is an
English instructor at the Missis-
sippi School for Mathematics and
Science and also teaches a creative
writing class. During the pandem-
ic, he has been editing his original
poems he anticipates will be out in
book form next year. Like Pierce,
recent changes at work and home
have reduced writing time.
Courtesy photo
“When we switched to all virtual The Grinch has been spotted in
See POETS, 8A downtown Columbus. “Don’t Let
the Grinch Steal Your Christmas” is
the seasonal theme of downtown
holiday events.

Assisted living community seeks ‘Feel Great Again’ letters for elders
SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH there’s currently no evidence rington seeks handwritten have to say and share with Plantation Pointe Retirement
that COVID-19 is being spread personal correspondences our residents and healthcare Community provides a broad

P
lantation Pointe Retire-
ment Community in
Columbus announces
that The Arrington assisted-liv-
ing community is accepting
“Feel Great Again” letters of
encouragement for its assisted
living residents and healthcare
heroes. The Arrington asks
the community to support its
isolated elders to fight depres-
sion and loneliness with a blind
letter-writing campaign.
“The CDC, World Health
Organization and surgeon
general have determined that
by the mail,” said Ken Phillips,
administrator of The Arrington.
“However, to ensure resident
safety, we added another layer
of safety by requiring that all
correspondences be opened,
read and shielded from resi-
dents by Arrington healthcare
heroes and staff. Physical isola-
tion is essential for public health
during a pandemic, especially
for our elders. But they also
deserve to feel unforgotten.”
Letter guidelines
To participate, The Ar-
that tell its residences and
healthcare heroes about
yourself, maybe tell a joke or a
riddle and let them know how
much they are loved. Write in
a manner that’s similar to a
conversation with a newfound
friend or acquaintance.
n Address letters to “Feel
Great Again,” c/o Connie
Blackwell, Activities Director,
The Arrington, 234 Windsor
Boulevard, Columbus, MS
39702.
n Make letters legible. We
want to understand what you
heroes.
n Avoid controversial top-
ics. Letters should resonate
with anyone.
n Be creative. People of all
ages like colors, images, pho-
tos, crosswords and drawings.
n Become a penpal. There
are many great reasons to
have someone share personal
insights, news, experiences
and knowledge. Penpals are
a perfect means to bridge
distances, quarantines and
pandemics.
Established in 1997,
range of healthcare services
and specialized care options
for assisted living, recuper-
ation, skilled nursing and
rehabilitation, occupational,
physical and speech patholo-
gy therapy and Alzheimer’s/
Dementia.
For more information, visit
the website Plantation-Pointe.
net, or telephone Blackwell
662-241-0001.
Plantation Pointe Retire-
ment Community is locally
owned and operated by the
Phillips Family Columbus.
8A SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Poets
Continued from Page 7A
in March, that was pretty world-changing at school,”
he said. His 3-year-old son also was at home full-time
when his preschool closed. Richardson believes,
though, that poets have an important role to fill.
“I think what poets can do is help us kind of take a
step back from how quickly the news cycle is spinning
... To me, that’s the poet’s task in the moment that we’re
in right now, to help, I think, slow us down and value
mourning. I think one thing we don’t do very well in
our culture is we don’t do a very good job of national
mourning. ... We see we’re up to 220,000 (lost), and I
don’t think we have really dealt with that. We just keep
seeing it as a number. I think we’re just looking at num-
bers and taking in data and charts, and there’s a real
human loss on a huge scale.”
Poets, he continued, are truth-tellers.
“They should be able to take what’s around us and
cut to the core of what’s happening.”
Other poets, such as Kendall Dunkelberg and C.T.
Salazar, both of Columbus, join Richardson and fellow
wordsmiths in recognizing the power of poetry to re-
flect, interpret, inspire, console, heal. And, in the end,
help us look forward.
In reflecting not only on the pandemic but also a
larger civil unrest, Salazar, senior librarian at Colum-
bus Air Force Base, said, “I think (poets’) role is to help
us imagine a better future, to imagine where we live,
but in some better way. ... Poetry can help us humanize
each other ... I think the way that can happen is actually
realizing and respecting each other’s humanity.”
Editor’s note: Also read poems from C.T. Salazar and
Teon Taylor at cdispatch.com, Lifestyles link.
Ash Wednesday
for Jane
by Kendall Dunkelberg
Olive-green cedar waxwings,
brushed with red tips and black eyeliner,
form a stark contrast against the brilliant
blue morning sky as they feed on berries
in the bare branches of your dogwood.
This after weeks of heavy rain
and dark skies, when we haven’t
seen you letting the dogs out or
keeping watch over the neighbors
on Fourth street from your porch.
We don’t yet know that you lie
in a hospital bed, that the cancer
has recurred, followed by a stroke.
Your daughters haven’t told us
you’ll be able to come home to die.
How can we know that you will miss
the even darker days to come, the news
of global pandemic and our own social
distancing, when neighbors will only talk
over the fence or wave from the road.
How can we know, in the midst of it all,
the wren will still belt out his love song
from atop a water oak’s broken crown
or that fleabane and butterweed
will still bloom in profusion
in every spring ditch and field.
■■■
The Catalpa Tree Poem
in memoriam for a mentor, and others, June 2020
by Naomi Buck Palagi
Today I saw a catalpa tree in a field, the first
since my return to Mississippi, and I thought
Catalpa! — my heart!
As if I would run to it.
The word itself, catalpa, a joy, a puzzle on my tongue.
Yet there stands the tree, solitary in a field I cannot
enter.
Each leaf a giant heart dangling
mid-air. Each heart kindred to the negative space
where mine sits now numbed
from a death, deaths, so many deaths, so much
fragility.
Long black seed pods like so many guns
aimed at so many souls. And the flowers that will
come, ahh!-
flowers I so admire, cream
dotted with burgundy slid down the throat, deep
solid cups, strewn
like the aftermath of a wedding, raided
mid-festivity.
I want to write an ode to the catalpa tree,
which grows so fast, so wily and strong by city sidewalk
or by southern field, tall, twisting, confident,
silhouette to wintered streetlamp or to open,
orange moon. I want to write an ode, I want
to write an ode, and
I have sorrow,
where this ode should be.
Catalpa,
generous heart, hardy seed, showering
of summer flowers, wait for me.
Sorrow is a season —
I shall sing to you soon.
CALENDAR
Thursday, Nov. 5
Exhibit reception — The Columbus Arts Council
hosts a free reception from 5:30-7 p.m. opening an art
exhibit by Bruce Hufford, Kathy Honeycutt, Steve Garner
and Billy and Sonya Price at the Rosenzweig Arts Center,
501 Main St. 662-328-2787.
CLHS online auction — A 6 p.m. Facebook
Live auction@Brass Gavel Auction benefits the Colum-
bus-Lowndes Humane Society. Visit the CLHS Facebook
page to view items.
Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 5-7
Art ’n Antiques Show and Sale — Columbus
Cultural Heritage Foundation presents decorative arts
and antiques at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main
St. Complimentary wine and cheese preview party Nov. 5,
5:30-7:30 p.m.; antiques show and sale Nov. 6 10 a.m.-5
p.m., Nov. 7 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For complimentary tickets, go
to visitcolumbus@visitcolumbusms.org, 662-329-1191.
Friday through Sunday, Nov. 6-8
Downtown Christmas Open House — Partici-
pating downtown Columbus merchants offer promotions
and a grand prize drawing during this holiday shopping
weekend, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 6-7; 1-5 p.m. Nov. 8 (select
stores only). Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Thursday, Nov. 12
Community concert — The MSU Center for En-
trepreneurship and Outreach presents a free community
concert featuring student and professional musicians
at 6 p.m. at Cadence Bank Plaza, 301 University Drive.,
Starkville. Student performers recently made their own
guitars at The Idea Shop in Starkville. Mom & Pop Food
Truck on site.
Saturday, Nov. 14
Symphony postponed — The Starkville-MSU
Symphony Association’s “L’Histoire du soldat” concert
previously in this calendar has been postponed indefinitely
due to required quarantines for COVID-19 exposure.
Sunday, Nov. 15
Blood drive — Knights of Columbus Blood Drive is 8
a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Activity Center across from Annun-
ciation Catholic Church at 823 College St. Appointments
encouraged; Bill Adams, 662-370-9534, or go to vitalant.
org. Face coverings required. Visit vitalant.org/health to
start health history questionnaire.
Saturday, Nov. 21
Hitching Lot Holiday Market — Find locally
homegrown, homemade and handcrafted items and more
from 9 a.m.-noon at this annual event at the Hitching
Lot Farmers’ Market, Second Street and Second Avenue
North, Columbus. 662-328-6305.
■ For more Lifestyles content, including
MSMS hosting virtual activities for kids and
Felder Rushing, go to cdispatch.com.

Holiday activities
Continued from Page 9A
art and more,” Bigelow
remarked. “It’s also a
time when our commu-
nity can show its support
for small, local business-
es, which in turn helps to
boost our local economy.”
Holiday Farmers’
Market
The Holiday Farmers’
Market will offer locally
homegrown, homemade
and handcrafted holiday
food and gifts Saturday,
Nov. 21 from 9 a.m.-noon
at the Hitching Lot Farm-
ers’ Market at Second
Avenue and Second
Street North. Get vendor
applications for the 13th
annual market at Main
Street Columbus, 107
Fifth St. N., or at colum-
busmainstreet.com or the
Hitching Lot Farmers’
Market Facebook page.
Or call 662-328-6305.
Space is first-come, first-
served.
“We will also be ob-
serving Small Business
Saturday Nov. 28, the Sat-
urday following Thanks-
giving,” Bigelow said.
“From 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
your downtown small
businesses will be open
so be sure to pay them a
visit while shopping for
your Christmas needs.”
Tree lighting
The annual lighting of
the community Christ-
mas Tree takes on a new
look as a virtual celebra-
tion on Facebook Live
Monday, Nov. 30.
“Join Mayor Robert
Smith and the ‘Grinch’ as
we ‘flip the switch’ and
illuminate the tree lights
around 6 p.m. with Santa
and Miz Claus standing
by,” said the Main Street
director.
Following the lighting,
Santa will take requests
or questions from chil-
dren via the “Chat” box
for about 30 minutes.
Grinch Fest in Whoville
“We know one of the
favorite holiday activities
in downtown Columbus
is Wassail Fest,” Bigelow
said. “We also know it
would be difficult this
year to enjoy wassail in
the same way as the past.
However, that ‘Grinch’ is
not going to take away
the fun of our holidays.
We invite you downtown
to ‘Grinch Fest in Who-
ville’ Friday, Dec. 4, from
5 to 8 p.m.”
Participants can pick
up a “Whoville Pass-
port” at a participating
merchant and have it
stamped for a chance to
win a grand prize worth
several hundred dol-
lars in gift certificates,
provided by Main Street
Columbus. Have a picture
taken with a “Whoville”
visitor, dine in a down-
town restaurant and ex-
plore historic downtown.
Bigelow added, “Dress
in costume as a ‘Who-
ville’ character. Who
knows? We may even
have a costume contest,
so begin making plans
now.”
Whoville Cruisin’
Instead of the tradi-
tional Christmas Parade
of years past, downtown
streets will host “Who-
ville Cruisin’” Saturday,
Dec. 12. (Time to be
announced.)
“Decorate your
vehicles ‘Grinch’ style,
watch for the route on
media outlets and join the
excitement as we cruise
in downtown Columbus,”
Bigelow remarked. “How
many people can honest-
ly say they have never
gone ‘cruisin’?”
All events will follow
state and local mandates
in effect at the time.
Bigelow said, “No sir,
that ‘Grinch’ is not going
to steal our Christmas.
Stay tuned to all media
outlets for details as
each event draws nearer.
Start now getting your
costume ready and plan
to participate in the
fun times in downtown
Columbus this holiday
season.”

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Sports
COMMENTARY
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020
B
SECTION

Hodge: Alabama currently miles ahead of Mississippi State

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — You don’t Alabama career receiving touchdown
have to be a total genius to figure this record (31) after hauling in four touch-
out, but trying to compare Alabama and down passes. The Crimson Tide defense
Mississippi State is a fool’s errand. has looked susceptible at times in 2020
Saturday’s 41-0 decision in favor of but certainly not on Saturday against
the No. 2 team in Mike Leach’s air raid offense.
the nation spells Which brings us to Mississippi State.
everything out. Leach was held scoreless for the first
The Crimson time in his nearly two decades as a head
Tide look every coach, and has now set a career low in
bit like a cham- points scored twice in the first year of
pionship -caliber his MSU tenure.
team, boasting an “I thought we played hard,” Leach
offense both ca- said. “I thought we played sloppy and
pable of stretch- dumb at times.”
ing the field with The good news is Leach has a prov-
a vertical passing en track record of success at both Texas
Garrick Hodge
game and gain- Tech and Washington State after endur-
ing hard-earned ing a difficult first two years. So maybe,
yards between the tackles. Mac Jones brighter days are ahead in Starkville
would probably win the Heisman Trophy once he goes through a few recruiting
Gary Cosby Jr./The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports
if the season ended today, although his classes.
Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2), Alabama defensive back Brian Branch
wide receiver DeVonta Smith was the The bad news is, Leach’s debut sea-
(14) and Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore (13) combine to tackle Mississippi
star of the night, tying Amari Cooper’s See HODGE, 4B State running back Jo’quavious Marks (21) during the second half Saturday.

MSU offense NO. 2 ALABAMA 41, MISSISSIPPI STATE 0

bottoms out
in loss to
Alabama
Bulldogs routed by Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa
BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.
— Mike Leach is no
stranger to record-break-
ing.
During a two-year
spell as the offensive co-
ordinator at Kentucky be-
tween 1997 and 1998, the
Wildcats broke six NCAA
records, 41 Southeastern
Conference records and
116 school records.
In his first game at
MSU, even, Bulldogs
quarterback K.J. Costello
passed for an SEC high of
623 passing yards against
then-No. 6 LSU and be-
came the first player to
ever eclipse the 500-yard
mark passing at Tiger
Stadium.
But in a run of losses to
Arkansas, Kentucky, No.
8 Texas A&M and, now,
No. 2 Alabama on Satur-
day, the Bulldog offense
has suddenly fallen off a
Grand Canyon-sized cliff.
“I mean, this would not
be the standard,” Leach
See OFFENSE, 4B
Matt Corral
throws 6 TD
passes; Ole
Miss beats
Vanderbilt
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NASHVILLE, Tenn.
— It was a record Satur-
day for Ole Miss quar-
terback Matt Corral
and wide receiver Elijah
Moore.
Corral threw for 412
yards and six touch-
downs, Moore had 14
catches for 238 yards, and
the Rebels beat Vander-
bilt 54-21 to snap a three-
game losing streak.
“Matt and Elijah were
lights out,” Rebels coach
Lane Kiffin said. It was
good to see that.”
It was the second con-
secutive win for Ole Miss
(2-4, 2-4 Southeastern
Conference) over Vander-
bilt (0-4, 0-4). The Rebels
won 31-6 last season.
Kiffin liked the way
his team performed,
especially after a disap-
pointing loss last week to
Auburn.
“I was really pleased
with our performance
with our ones,” Kiffin
said. I wish our twos had
played better. We have to
get better there because
See OLE MISS, 4B
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) torched the Mississippi State secondary on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Smith had four
touchdowns, including three in the first half alone, as the Crimson Tide imposed its will on the Bulldogs with a 41-0 win.
BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.
— On a night in which
liquored-up undergrads
dressed as ghouls and
goblins sat scattered
in the stands at Bry-
ant-Denny Stadium, it
was Alabama wide re-
ceiver DeVonta Smith
who left Mississippi
State with nightmares
in the Bulldogs’ 41-0 loss
on Halloween night.
Facing a Mississippi
State defense that sat
atop the Southeastern
Conference in pass de-
fense entering Satur-
day’s duel down Highway
82, Smith totaled 159
yards on nine catches
and a hat trick of touch-
downs in the opening 30
minutes alone.
“He’s obviously an
explosive guy — every-
body knew that,” MSU
head coach Mike Leach
said postgame. “But the
other thing that I was im-
pressed with is how com-
petitive he is from one
snap to the next. He’s a
very good example to
pretty much anybody on
our team.”
For MSU, it was an-
other anemic night in a
string of offensive out-
puts that would make
Sylvester Croom, the
last Bulldog head coach
to win in Tuscaloosa 13
Alabama linebacker Christopher Allen (4) celebrates with Will Anderson Jr. (31)
after he sacked Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) for a loss Saturday.
years ago, shudder at the
sight.
Head coach Mike
Leach’s air raid was held
to less than 280 yards
passing for the third
straight game despite
a bye week to prepare,
as Bulldog signal call-
ers K.J. Costello — who
left the game midway
through the second quar-
ter with an undisclosed
injury and did not return
— and Will Rogers com-
pleted a combined 7 of 16
passes for 20 yards in the
first half.
“We had a tough time
getting in a rhythm,”
Leach said. “Anytime
you change quarter-
backs, that’s going to foul
Photo by Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports
your rhythm up some.”
While the Crimson
Tide sliced and diced
the Bulldog defense to
the tune of 27 first-half
points, MSU didn’t earn
a first down until 9:24
remained in the second
quarter and failed to find
another until the open-
ing drive of the third
quarter.
In all, the Bulldogs
combined for more punts
(seven) in the first half
than Alabama quarter-
back Mac Jones had in-
completions (six).
Following the break,
MSU showed brief signs
of life. An unsportsman-
like conduct penalty
on Alabama linebacker
Photo by Rodger Champion/Crimson Tide Photos
Dylan Moses moved the
Bulldogs across the 50-
yard line for just the sec-
ond time all night.
A 12-yard fourth down
completion to freshman
running back Jo’quavi-
ous Marks moved MSU
into the red zone for
the first and only time
all game before Rogers
forced a pass in the mid-
dle of the end zone to
Osirus Mitchell that was
batted around and cor-
ralled by Moses for an
interception.
Smith put the final
nail in the Bulldogs’
proverbial coffin as he
caught a 10-yard pass
from Jones for his fourth
score of the night, tying
him with Amari Cooper
for Alabama’s all-time
career touchdown recep-
tions with 31.
“Obviously Smith is
a great receiver, great
playmaker,” senior de-
fensive end Kobe Jones
said. “But what stood out
most, I would say, is con-
fidence. When he plays,
he plays with great con-
fidence and he obviously
came through in a big
way for the Tide tonight
so props to him.”
As the All Hallows’
Eve festivities in Tus-
caloosa came to a mer-
ciful end, MSU walked
off the field with its 13th
straight loss to Alabama
and seventh in a row on
the road.
It also marked the
first time Mike Leach’s
high-flying aerial assault
has ever been held score-
less and marked the sec-
ond instance this season
in which the Bulldogs
set a career low scoring
output for their first-year
head coach.
“Our message to
the guys is going to be
there’s no time to weep
and cry about this game
or any game in the past,”
senior linebacker Erroll
Thompson said. “You get
a whole new game next
Saturday. It’s just time to
punch the clock.”
2B SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020
PREP FOOTBALL
West Point plays ‘flawless’ game in rout of New Hope
BY THEO DEROSA
tderosa@cdispatch.com
NEW HOPE — It was
the night before Hallow-
een when the four-headed
monster emerged.
That’s what West Point
running backs Camer-
on Young, JaKobe Pate,
Chris Ivy and Keshawn
Henley call themselves,
anyway.
And after their fear-
some performance Friday
night at New Hope, the
moniker is likely to stick.
All four backs scored
touchdowns — including
two for Henley — and
the Green Wave defense
cracked down in a dom-
inant 41-0 win over the
Trojans (2-7).
“We played flawless,”
West Point coach Chris
Chambless said.
All evening, it was true.
Henley ran for two touch-
downs in the first six min-
utes as the Green Wave
(6-3) scored 21 points in
the first quarter alone to
put the Trojans in a hole.
“It’s always huge when
you start fast,” Chamb-
less said. “That’s what we
try to do each week: start
fast and then stay on top.”
West Point managed
that with an excellent
combination of sustained
drives and big plays on
offense and a defense
that pitched a shutout
and allowed only XX first
downs. The Green Wave’s
defense even outscored
the Trojans’ offense
thanks to an interception
returned for a touchdown
by Daveon Rice in the sec-
ond quarter.
“Offense put a lot of
points on the board,” said
Ivy, a junior. “Defense put
seven on the board. We
did our thing.”
As West Point rebound-
ed from two straight loss-
es with its second straight
win, those on the home
Collins throws 4 TDs as Rice beats Southern Miss
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HAT TIESBURG — a short pass that Jake Bai-
Mike Collins and Austin
Trammell combined for
three touchdowns and
Rice beat Southern Mis-
sissippi 30-6 on Saturday.
Collins was 12 of 17
for 233 yards passing and
four touchdowns. Tram-
mell finished with seven
catches for a career-high
143 yards.
Rice (1-1, 1-1 Confer-
ence USA) rolled to a 23-6
halftime lead, scoring two
Columbus boys basket-
ball earns tournament
win to open season; girls
fall to Northeast Lauder-
dale in Philadelphia
The Columbus High
School boys basketball
team started its season
with a win at a tourna-
West Point’s Keshawn Henley (3) runs for a touchdown Friday night against New Hope. West Point won 41-0.
sideline experienced a
familiar feeling: being
beaten soundly by the
powerhouse Green Wave.
Chambless and New
Hope coach Wade Tackett
even agreed on a running
clock for the second half
with West Point up 35-0 at
halftime.
“We just ran up against
a better team tonight,”
Tackett said.
Itawamba Agricultur-
al, Center Hill, Lafayette
and Lake Cormorant are
among the more talent-
ed teams to have defeat-
ed the Trojans this year,
but as usual, West Point
stands out, Tackett said.
“They’ve got all 11
guys on either side of
the ball going after it
hard every play,” he said.
“In high school football,
that’s hard to beat.”
It was for a depleted
Trojans team — already
hurt by injuries on de-
fense — that had to deal
with another obstacle Fri-
day. Tackett said five of-
fensive starters — a tight
end, two offensive guards,
a running back and a wide
touchdowns 11 seconds
apart. After Collins threw
ley turned into a 72-yard
score down the left side-
line, the Owls recovered
a fumble off a pooch kick-
off. On the next play Col-
lins threw a 25-yard score
to Trammell to lead 16-0.
A fumble recovery set
the Owls up at the South-
ern Miss 17 and a 13-yard
pass to Trammell made it
a 20-point second quarter
for Rice. The third Col-
ment Saturday, but the
Falcons’ girls couldn’t do
the same.
Jaquarius Williams had
17 points, Tre Dismuke
had 14, and Willie Young
had 10 as the Falcons’
boys beat Yazoo County
57-47 at the Holmes Coun-
ty Classic in Goodman.
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
receiver — were all out
due to COVID-19 contact
tracing guidelines.
The losses certainly af-
fected the Trojans, Tack-
ett said, but New Hope
readied its reserves for
such situations and didn’t
perform up to par.
“We prep for it, and
these guys had their op-
portunity,” Tackett said.
Most of the Trojans’
opportunities Friday,
though, came with New
Hope already trailing big.
A short kickoff by New
Hope gave West Point the
ball at the Trojans’ 43, and
it took just five plays be-
fore Henley went right for
a 23-yard score.
New Hope went for it
on fourth-and-12 from its
own 25 on the ensuing
possession, and an incom-
plete pass gave the ball
back to West Point. It was
one of several occasions
on which Tackett and the
Trojans refused to punt
on fourth down, figuring
they needed to alter the
course of the game early
on.
“We’ve got to do some-
lins-to-Trammell TD con-
nection came on a 14-yard
pass in the fourth quarter.
Juma Otoviano fin-
ished with 111 rushing on
25 carries for the Owls,
who outgained the Gold-
en Eagles 412-269.
Southern Miss (1-5,
1-2) is on its third head
coach of the season with
assistant head coach Tim
Billings taking over for
Scotty Walden. Walden
announced Tuesday he
was taking the head
The girls lost 35-30 to
Northeast Lauderdale at
the Choctaw Classic at
Choctaw Central High
School in Philadelphia.
DJ Jackson had 14
points, four rebounds and
six steals to lead Colum-
bus. China Stewart had
seven points and two re-
thing to try and change
the momentum game and
all that,” Tackett said.
Instead, West Point set
up deep in Trojans terri-
tory, and Henley’s 6-yard
score to double the lead
came just three plays lat-
er.
The sophomore back
finished with four carries
for 39 yards and earned
some praise from his head
coach for stepping up.
“He’s come along for
us,” Chambless said of
Henley. “He’s doing what
we needed him to do. To
give us that added depth,
it helps us keep our other
guys this late in the sea-
son healthy. That’s been
huge for us to be able to
count on somebody else
to keep our other guys
from getting banged up
so much. Our running
backs, they take a beating
when we play the tough
football we play.”
But if the Green Wave
rushers are indeed tak-
ing a beating, they’re not
showing it.
Ivy had 116 yards, in-
cluding a 6-yard score on
coaching job at Austin
Peay. Walden had been
serving as the Golden
Eagles’ interim head
coach since Jay Hopson
resigned following a loss
to South Alabama in the
team’s opener on Sept 3.
Billings oversaw the Ea-
gles in their loss at Lib-
erty last weekend after
Walden tested positive for
COVID-19. Billings will
serve as interim coach
the remainder of the sea-
son.
bounds, Makayla Rieves
had five points and seven
rebounds, and Charity
Yeates had four points
and two rebounds.
Both teams will play at
Center Hill next Saturday.
SOURCE: From
Special Reports
Garrick Hodge/Dispatch Staff
the first play of the fourth
quarter, on seven carries.
Young had 33 yards and
a 6-yard touchdown on
four attempts, and Pate
finished with 15 yards on
three carries, including a
3-yard touchdown.
“Our offense did well
tonight,” Chambless said.
“I was real pleased with
all our backs. The O-line
did a great job.”
West Point’s defense
performed just as well,
Chambless said. Wesley
Blanchard made a cou-
ple of touchdown-saving
tackles, Rice seized a
pass off a New Hope re-
ceiver’s hands and took it
20 yards to the house, and
the Green Wave pitched
a shutout that was truly a
team effort.
“That’s even more spe-
cial when everybody’s got
a piece of it,” Chambless
said. “No matter who was
on the field, they all cared
about it.”
Tackett pointed to his
opponent’s all-around
performance Friday as
what New Hope could
soon be — if it matures
correctly.
“We’ve got to grow up,”
Tackett said. “We’re still
a young team. We had
12 seniors out here for
senior night tonight, and
that’s not a whole lot.”
But with large junior
and sophomore classes
and a “good-sized” group
of ninth graders, Tackett
hopes that will change
with time. The Trojans
have one final game at
Grenada to wrap up the
regular season.
“It’ll be a good oppor-
tunity for those guys to
get some reps and grow
up a little bit,” he said.
West Point, too, is
still growing. The Green
Wave’s resilience after
an uncharacteristic pair
of losses is what Chamb-
less hoped to see, and his
players are growing excit-
ed for what’s to come —
an essential “must-win”
game against Center Hill
next week; the MHSAA
Class 5A playoffs beyond.
Just ask 25 percent of
the “four-headed mon-
ster.”
“It feels good,” Ivy said.
“We’ve just got to keep
working. We’re going to
make it to the champion-
ship.”
West Point 41, New Hope 0
WP 21 14 0 6 — 41
NH 0 0 0 0 — 0
First quarter
WP — Keshawn Henley 23 run (Alex Harper kick),
clock 9:15
WP — Keshawn Henley 6 run (Harper kick), clock
6:41
WP — JaKobe Pate 3 run (Harper kick), clock 0:33
Second quarter
WP — Cameron Young 6 run (Harper kick), clock 8:29
WP — Daveon Rice 20 interception return (Harper
kick), clock 4:52
Fourth quarter
WP — Chris Ivy 6 run (kick failed), clock 11:47
Team statistics
First downs
WP
16
NH
4
Rushes-yards 22-226 37-91
Passing yards 68 0
Comp.-att.-int. 7-9-1 0-3-1
Penalties-yards 5-58 6-40
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-0
Individual statistics
RUSHING: West Point — Chris Ivy 7-116, Keshawn
Henley 4-39, Cameron Young 4-33, Montavious
Edwards 2-17, JaKobe Pate 3-15, Jamarquez Petty
1-3, Jaquontis Harris 1-3; New Hope — Ladarius Tate
12-47, Ty Crowell 6-21, Tre’ Doughty 10-9, Immanuel
Jones 7-8, Eddie Jefferson 2-6.
PASSING: West Point — Corbin Kelley 7-9, 68; New
Hope — Ty Crowell 0-3, 0.
RECEIVING: West Point — Jamarquez Melton 3-54,
JaKobe Pate 3-10, Trey Ryland 1-4; New Hope —
none.

Starkville Academy downs Simpson
Academy in first round of playoffs
BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE — Academy lined up for its
Starkville Academy of-
fensive tackle Karsten
Upchurch emerged from
Friday’s 26-21 MAIS first-
round playoff win over
visiting Simpson County
Academy with a career
first — a touchdown.
Following a long run
by star running back
CJ Jackson, the usual-
ly sure-handed tailback
coughed up the ball just
before crossing the goal
line on his next touch.
Falling on the ball, Up-
church leapt from the
ground holding the lost
carry. With it, he helped
the Volunteers to their
first win of the postsea-
son.
“I didn’t know what
to do,” Upchurch said
through an ear-to-ear
grin. “I just held the ball
up and started running.
I forgot we had to kick a
field goal.”
In a game in which
Jackson was largely held
at bay, it was Upchurch’
fumble recovery and
the Starkville Academy
special teams unit that
pushed the Volunteers to
PREP FOOTBALL ROUNDUP
Columbus can’t finish upset of Lafayette
BY THEO DEROSA
tderosa@cdispatch.com
OXFORD — The Co-
lumbus High School foot-
ball team delivered one
of its best performances
of the season in Friday’s
road game against Lafay-
ette.
Still, it wasn’t enough.
Jay Reed scored with a
minute and nine seconds
to go, and the Commo-
dores beat the Falcons
24-18. Reed had three
touchdowns for Lafayette
on Friday.
Columbus had pulled
ahead 18-13 with 5:44 to
go on a 13-yard touch-
down pass from Ethan
Conner to Omari Wil-
liams.
The Falcons’ other
touchdown came when
Michael Mosley returned
the second-half kickoff for
an 80-yard score.
Columbus also earned
points on a safety and a
field goal.
The Falcons (1-8) fin-
ish their season at home
next week against Saltillo
(1-7).
Itawamba Agricultural
42, Caledonia 28
FULTON — Caledonia
lost a 14-0 lead in a 42-28
road loss to Itawamba Ag-
ricultural on Friday.
Despite going ahead
by two scores late in the
first quarter, Caledonia
(3-5) couldn’t secure a
chance to host a playoff
game for the first time in
school history. Itawamba
answered with two touch-
downs in the second quar-
ter to tie the game at 14-
14 and scored on the first
Lombardi helps Michigan State stun No. 13 Michigan
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ANN ARBOR, Mich.
— Outside of Michigan
State’s football program,
few expected the Spar-
tans to beat No. 13 Mich-
igan.
The people who mat-
tered, though, had all the
confidence they needed
to pull off the upset.
Rocky Lombardi threw
for 323 yards, including
196 to Ricky White, and
three touchdowns to help
Michigan State stun the
Wolverines 27-24 on Sat-
urday.
“I know we were
three-touchdown under-
dogs, but everybody on
this team knew going into
the game that we had a
chance and we had a good
chance,” Lombardi said.
a 12-point halftime lead.
Seconds after Up-
church’s score, Simpson
third punt of the night.
Racing off the edge, Bro-
dy Pierce slapped the ball
out the air as it rumbled
end over end toward the
Cougars’ goal line. Roll-
ing into the end zone,
Charlie Nicholas fell on
top of the ball for the third
Starkville Academy score
of the night.
Following a brief
Simpson Academy run in
which running back Car-
ter Cockrell scored on
runs of five and 69 yards
to pull the Cougars within
a score, Volunteers quar-
terback Randall Futral,
who played Friday night’s
game with a cast on his
non-throwing hand, car-
ried Starkville Academy
deep into Simpson Acade-
my territory as the clock
neared zero.
After a short carry by
Jackson came up inches
short, Futral found Brody
Pierce on a screen pass on
the far side of the field to
put the Volunteers ahead
26-14 heading into the
break.
“They were playing
man coverage, and he
drive of the third quarter
to take the lead.
Caledonia tied the
game at 21-all, but the
Indians scored three
straight touchdowns to
pull away.
Darrius Triplett had
an 83-yard touchdown as
part of a seven-carry, 132-
yard night for Caledonia.
Quarterback Daniel Wil-
burn had 13 carries for 60
yards, including a 21-yard
touchdown run.
Anthony Fason ran
twice for 50 yards, includ-
ing a 7-yard touchdown,
and Karsten Gullette had
a 5-yard score.
Caledonia will travel to
top-ranked Louisville for
an MHSAA Class 4A first-
round playoff game next
Friday.
Humphreys Academy
34, Columbus Christian
Academy 14
BELZONI — Colum-
bus Christian Academy
was tied with Humphreys
Academy through three
quarters of Friday’s MAIS
Class 2A first-round play-
off game in Belzoni.
But the fourth quarter
cost the Rams a chance to
move on.
Humphreys scored
three touchdowns, includ-
ing a pick-six of Rams
quarterback Luke Phil-
lips, to earn a 34-14 win
and end Columbus Chris-
tian’s season.
Phillips had a 33-yard
touchdown pass to Tyler
Looney in the first quar-
ter, and Beau Kemp ran
for a touchdown in the
second quarter.
Kemp finished with
The Spartans (1-1, 1-1
Big Ten) appeared to be
the better team all after-
noon on both sides of the
ball in Mel Tucker’s debut
as coach in the rivalry.
Tucker became just
the second coach to beat
Michigan in his first at-
tempt with the Spartans,
joining Alabama coach
Nick Saban, who did it
in 1995. The former Col-
orado coach started his
career as a graduate as-
sistant for Saban at Michi-
gan State in 1997.
“Just to be mentioned
in the same breath with
coach Saban is humbling
for me,” Tucker said. “But
it’s more about our play-
ers and our staff coming
together.”
The Wolverines (1-1,
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020 3B
was standing wide open,” Simpson Academy
Starkville Academy head was also left without its
coach Chase Nicholson preeminent playmaker
said. “That was a great in Cockrell after he was
heads-up play by your ejected following an alter-
quarterback and your cation between him and a
wideout being on the Starkville Academy play-
same page at the same er.
time.”
With just over a min-
After racing up and ute and a half remaining,
down the field in the open-
backup quarterback Col-
ing 24 minutes of play, the
by Allen narrowly con-
Volunteer offense fell si-
lent in the second half.
verted a fourth-and-2 on
a draw up the middle to
Sudoku YESTERDAY’S ANSWER
Jackson, who notched
a 51-yard run to set up send Starkville Acade-
my into a second-round
Sudoku
Sudoku is a number-
placing puzzle based on
Yesterday’s answer
Upchurch’s touchdown, Sudoku 9 1 3 4 7 2 8 6 5
matchup with rival Heri- a 9x9 gridis witha several
num-
had his ankle rolled over ber-placing
given numbers.puzzleThe object 8 4 2 5 6 9 1 3 7
2020 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
and was helped off to tage Academy.
based onthe
is to place a 9x9
numbers 6 7 5 3 1 8 2 9 4
the sideline early in the “That’s what we want-
grid
1 to 9with
in theseveral
empty spaces 1 9 7 6 5 3 4 2 8
fourth quarter. He did not ed,” Upchurch said of given
facing the Patriots. “We so that numbers.
each row, eachThe 5 3 8 2 9 4 7 1 6
return. object
always want to play them column and each 3x3 the
is to place box 4 2 6 7 8 1 9 5 3
In his place, Nicholson numbers
and his offensive staff in the playoffs, and we’re contains the1same to 9 number
in
7 6 1 8 2 5 3 4 9
the empty spaces so
dialed up quarterback going to come out and do only once. The difficulty 2 5 4 9 3 7 6 8 1
that each row, each
counter after quarter- what we do, and hopeful- level increases from
column and each 3 8 9 1 4 6 5 7 2
back counter in hopes of ly we’ll just go to the next Monday
3x3 boxtocontains
Sunday. Difficulty Level 10/30
finding some kind of run- round.” the same number only once. The difficulty level
ning room. Instead, the increases from Monday to Sunday.
Volunteers were stymied Starkville Academy 26,
throughout. Simpson County Academy 21
Simpson Academy, too, SCA 0 14 7 0 — 21
SA 7 19 0 0 — 26
was largely unproductive First quarter
SA — CJ Jackson 3 run (John Dylan Miller kick)
in the second half. Quar- Second quarter
terback Brentley Berry’s SA — Karsten Upchurch 0 fumble recovery (Miller
kick)
10-yard touchdown run SA — Charlie Nicholas 0 blocked punt (kick failed)
SCA — Carter Cockrell 5 run (Jaden Wedgeworth
on fourth down to bring kick)
SCA — Cockrell 69 run (Wedgeworth kick)
the Cougars within five SA — Brody Pierce pass 3 from Randall Futral (pass
offered the lone score of failed)
Third quarter
the half. SCA — Brentley Berry 10 run (Wedgeworth kick)
88 yards rushing, and
Lahndon Townley had
(Ala.) 48, Pickens
36. Townley had the two- Academy (Ala.) 0
point conversion on Loo- BUTLER, Ala. — Pick-
ney’s early score and kept ens Academy (Alabama)
the Rebels out of the end wrapped up its regular
zone on another two-point season with a 48-0 loss at
try. Patrician Academy (Ala-
Townley led Colum- bama) on Friday.
bus Christian with seven Chandler Box led the
tackles, while Kemp had Pirates (5-5) with 18 car-
six, Caleb Farlow had ries for 90 yards and two
five, and Logan Bandre catches for 17 yards.
had three. Bodhi Parham added
The Rams’ season 20 carries for 61 yards.
came to an end with a 1-10 Aidan Johnson was 2
record. of 6 passing for 17 yards
with both completions to
Box. He led the team with
Delta Streets Academy six tackles, and Drake
40, Hebron Christian 0 Lowery had five.
MOORHEAD — He-
bron Christian was also
eliminated from the Linden (Ala.) 34,
MAIS Class 2A playoffs Aliceville (Ala.) 6 ACROSS
with a 40-0 loss to Delta ALICEVILLE, Ala. — 1 “Little Caesar”
Streets Academy on Fri- Aliceville (Alabama) lost role
day at Mississippi Delta Friday’s home game to 5 Track count
Community College in Linden (Alabama), 34-6,
Moorhead. to fall to 6-4 on the sea-
9 Summary
No statistics were avail- son.
10 Heartburn
Tyjarian Williams
12 On the ball
able from the contest.
was 10 of 21 passing for 13 Bullfight bulls
The Eagles’ season
ended with a record of 71 yards and the Yellow- 14 Halloween
scarer
3-8. jackets’ lone touchdown,
16 Crumb carrier
a 5-yard scoring pass to
17 H look-alike
Russell Christian Thomas Barnes in the
second quarter. 18 Halloween
Academy 44, Victory JaBoree Jones was scarer
Christian Academy 0 Aliceville’s leading rush- 20 Canine-re-
MERIDIAN — Victory er with six carries for lated
Christian Academy also 20 yards, and Jermaine 22 Flying: Prefix
saw its season end Friday Brewer had nine yards on 23 Poe’s middle team 21 Mountain lake
night at Russell Christian eight carries. name 44 Hardy 24 Tried to hit
Academy in Meridian. Jamarree Linder was 25 Mix up heroine 25 Bridges
The Eagles were shut the Jackets’ top receiver 28 Fancy shirt DOWN 26 Flung
out 44-0 in the first round with two catches for 32 pin 1 Tell tales 27 “My thoughts
of the Christian Football yards. Landon Ball had 32 Halloween 2 Old deliverer exactly”
Association playoffs. four catches for 19 yards, scarer 3 Complain 29 Block-drop-
Camron Henley, Kaden and TyQuan Simon had
Barksdale and Anthony
34 Big bird 4 Best ping game
three grabs for 15 yards. 35 Neighbor of
Frierson each had five 5 Grow toward 30 Changes, in
Aliceville will host Uru.
tackles for Victory. evening a way
Hatton in the first round 36 Halloween 6 In the past 31 Hex
of the AHSAA Class 2A
scarer 7 Halloween 33 Russian
Patrician Academy playoffs next week.
38 Bellini opera costume choice rulers
40 Fixes socks 8 High fellow 37 Job for a
41 Cuss 9 Gushed lawyer
42 Stage com-
ment
11 Texas player 39 Yoga need
15 Desk type
1-1) were favored to win victory. 43 Brooklyn 19 Rational
by 20-plus points and end- Lombardi completed
ed up needing a late score 17 of 32 passes and Hey-
to avoid losing by double ward caught two of his
digits. TD passes. White, who
Jim Harbaugh’s team averaged 24.5 yards on
never led and didn’t ap- eight receptions against
pear to have much ener- a shaky secondary, also
gy in front of family and scored on a catch in a
breakout performance
friends in their mostly
from a freshman wide re-
empty stadium that holds
ceiver.
110,000-plus fans when
there isn’t a pandemic.
Running back Has- Play of the day
san Haskins scored on Late in the first half,
a 2-yard run with 37 sec- a pivotal play helped the
onds left to help Michigan Spartans pull off the up-
pull within three points. set.
The onside kick was re- Linebacker Antjuan
covered by Michigan Simmons, playing across
State running back Con- the street from where he
nor Heyward. Lombardi played in high school,
converted a fourth-and-2 broke up Haskins’ pass in
from the Michigan 36 the end zone intended for
with a sneak to seal the tight end Carter Selzer.
4B SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Bulldog Bullets: Leach shut out for first time in career

BY GARRICK HODGE
ghodge@cdispatch.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. —
These Bulldog Bullets are go-
ing to be relatively short.
Let’s start with what we al-
ready know. Alabama is every-
thing it’s billed to be: a cham-
pionship-caliber team loaded
with ridiculous amounts of
talent. Mac Jones is playing at
another level. Najee Harris is
electric. The offensive line is
intimidating. The defense is
a work in progress, but it sure
shut down Mike Leach’s air
raid.
It would be surprising if the
Crimson Tide didn’t earn one
of the four coveted spots in the
College Football Playoff at this
rate.
As such, nobody was tak-
en aback by their 41-0 victory
against Mississippi State on
Saturday in Tuscaloosa.
The Bulldogs, a week after a
mini roster purge, looked out of
sorts offensively and defensive-
ly struggled to contain one of
the most talented wide receiv-
ers in the country.
Four losses later, that LSU
win feels like years ago.
As always, for those that
are new to Bulldog Bullets,
The Commercial Dispatch will
bring you an instant reaction
blog of Mississippi State foot-
ball games posted immediately
after the final gun filled with
short observations and com-
mentary.
To the Bulldog Bullets:
— Hey, at least the next op-
ponent on the schedule is Van-
derbilt, which looked absolute-
ly hapless against Ole Miss on
Saturday. If MSU somehow los-
es that game, gulp.
— First time a Leach-
coached team has ever been
shut out. His previous low was
the two points MSU scored in
its loss against Kentucky earli-
er this season.
— First time since 2008
MSU has gone three straight
games with less than 300 yards
of total offense.
— It appears MSU’s defen-
sive strategy of hoping DeVonta
Smith drops touchdown passes
only works once a game.
— Smith in the first quar-
ter: six catches, 130 yards, two
touchdowns. He ended with
four receiving touchdowns, giv-
ing him 31 career touchdown
catches, which tied Amari Coo-
per for the most ever for a play-
er at Alabama. Pretty incredi-
ble company.
— The first five MSU drives:
five three-and-outs.
— Scary situation with K.J.
Costello taking a knee to the
helmet and staying on the
ground for several minutes.
Never want to see anyone en-
dure that.
— Bulldogs finally picked up
a first down with 9:24 left in the
second quarter.
— MSU total yards in the
first half: 38. Woof.
— At least the offensive line
played marginally better than it
did against Texas A&M? Kind
of?
— Just when MSU was get-
ting a smidge of momentum in
the third quarter, Will Rogers
throws a red zone interception
after Dylan Moses takes away a
ball from Osirus Mitchell. Mo-
ses somehow ran the ball out of
the end zone and was tackled at
the 1-yard line instead of taking
a touchback, but a long comple-
tion from Mac Jones made that
irrelevant anyway.
— Leach had one of his
full-team speeches at the start
of the fourth quarter. It didn’t
seem to matter much.
—Incredible stat: 203 of
Jones’ 291 passing yards went
to Smith.
— If the Costello injury isn’t
serious, I think you have to ride
Rogers the rest of the season.
Neither Costello or Rogers, a
true freshman, has been all that
spectacular, but at this point,
you know what Costello is. You
might as well see what you have
in Rogers for a few games be-
fore deciding if you want him to
be in the mix for a starting spot
next season.

Hodge
Continued from Page 1B
son is shaping up to be a
dysfunctional mess, espe-
cially on offense.
After shocking the
nation by scoring 44
points against defending
national champion LSU,
the Bulldogs haven’t
even scored 44 combined
points in four straight
defeats, only amassing
30 in losses to Kentucky,
Arkansas, Alabama and
Texas A&M.
Nobody was expecting
Leach’s team to march
into Tuscaloosa and take
down the powerhouse
Crimson Tide, but com-
ing off a bye, fans were
hoping to see any kind of
progress. Instead, what
they saw was an anemic
offense that didn’t pick
up a first down until 9:30
remaining in the sec-
ond quarter and failed to
reach at least 300 total
yards of offense for the
third consecutive con-
test. Of course, a myriad
of players entering the
transfer portal this week
didn’t help much in this
capacity, nor did Leach’s
admission that he’d ex-
pect more to follow before
the year is out.
In the latest chapter
of offensive inefficiency,
K.J. Costello earned an-
other start at quarterback
and was unproductive, as
the offense went three
and out in all five of his
series. Unfortunately,
Costello took a knee to
the head that made any-
one watching feel queasy,
thrusting true freshman
signal caller Will Rogers
into mop-up duty for the
third consecutive week.
Rogers occasionally
delivered a spark, leading
Leach to praise his signal
caller in certain moments
considering he “should
have just gone to his se-
nior prom.” Nevertheless,
Rogers looked every bit
like a wide-eyed quarter-
back. Rogers threw a red
zone interception that
might as well have been
highway robbery after
Dylan Moses stole a pass
from the arms of Osirus
Mitchell, then later threw
a pick-six late in the con-
test.
“In the end, I think the
reps and experience are
going to pay off,” Leach
said of his young players.
Assuming Costello’s
injury is not serious,
Leach may be best served
starting Rogers for the
rest of the season to both
give the freshman game
reps and to find out if he
could be a focal point of
the offense for years to
come.
A 1-0 start has turned
into 1-4, but perhaps a
cure-all-ails potion is
coming in the form of a
lifeless Vanderbilt team to
Davis Wade Stadium next
week. If MSU can’t find a
way to pull out a victory
there, oh boy.
As the first-year coach
said it himself, his team
has miles to go before
it’s capable of staying in
a contest with a team like
the Crimson Tide.
“Alabama is a team
that has been put togeth-
er over a decade … We’re
a program trying to get
there,” Leach said.
If Saturday is any indi-
cation, it’s going to take a
while.

Offense
Continued from Page 1B
said postgame. “But, as
far as battling, that sort of
thing, I was pleased with
that portion of it. But you
know, we certainly have
miles to go.”
Facing an Alabama de-
fense that ranked No. 65 in
the nation entering Satur-
day, the Bulldogs weren’t
expected to be world beat-
ers, but the Crimson Tide
boasted enough holes to
be prodded.
Instead, MSU provided
an offensive display that
dwarfed anemic outings
of weeks past.
In a first half in which
the Bulldogs account-
ed for just a single first
down, they mustered
just 20 yards through the
air on 7 of 16 passing be-
tween quarterbacks K.J.
Costello and Will Rogers
en route to a season-low
163 yards on 48 attempts
as they fell 41-0 in Tusca-
loosa.
Following suit in its
recent ineptitude on third
down, MSU concluded the
contest an abysmal 2 of 15
and is now 18 of 64, or 28.1
percent, on third down
since the Week 1 win over
LSU.
Most of all, Saturday
further cemented the
Bulldogs’ continuing in-
ability to score. After
notching 44 points in the
season-opening win over
LSU, MSU has since to-
taled just 30 points over
three games.
The Bulldogs have also
twice set career lows for
Leach in total points in a
game, culminating with
Saturday night’s shutout
in Tuscaloosa — the first
time in his 19-year coach-
ing career his squad didn’t
land a single point.
“We obviously know
we have more potential,
we can do more,” junior
receiver Austin Williams,
who caught three pass-
es for 32 yards Saturday,
said. “We all believe in
ourselves and each other,
our brothers next to each
other.”
For weeks usual coach-
ing clichés have run
rampant from the usu-
ally unique Leach. The
offense is close. The exe-
cution wasn’t quite there.
There were windows of
opportunities that weren’t
capitalized on. But follow-
ing a game and stretch
in which the passing pro-
duction — the avenue in
which Leach’s offense’s
live and die by — has
steadily declined in every
game this season, worry
persists whether it will
ever find a level of produc-
tivity in 2020.
Speaking with the me-
dia postgame Saturday,
Leach again leaned on a
subtle optimism the sys-
tem will produce, though
when and to what degree
remains to be seen.
With an offensive line
that boasts the 95th-best
pass-blocking grade na-
tionally from Pro Football
Focus, the former Wash-
ington State head coach
noted his quarterbacks
haven’t had ample time
to throw but also could
be quicker in their deci-
sion-making.
Leach also maligned
his receiving corps which,
by his count, leads the
country in touchdowns
ripped away in the end
zone, resulting in in-
terceptions — a belief
bolstered when Rogers
forced a third quarter
pass to Osirus Mitchell
in the Alabama end zone
that was snatched away
by linebacker Dylan Mo-
ses and later turned into
a DeVonta Smith touch-
down reception.
“It’s a combination of a
lot of things,” Leach said
of MSU’s inability to hold
onto passes around the
goal line. “Some is bad
decisions to throw it; a
number of them are not
taking care of the football
at the receiver position
— whether it’s tipping it
up or getting it torn away
— and then others, obvi-
ously, bad play calls on my
part.”
“Over the years, I’ve
had the chance to set a lot
of records,” he continued.
“And I fear to tell you, we
might set this one. But it’s
unbelievable.”
For Leach, 2020 fig-
ured to be a rebuilding
project of sorts given the
lack of spring practices
amid the COVID-19 pan-
demic and the complete
overhaul of a Joe Moor-
head offense predicated
on RPOs to a system that
perennially leads the na-
tion in passing.
But if Saturday’s loss
in Tuscaloosa proves any-
thing, it’s that the Missis-
sippi State offense feels as
far away from clicking as
it did four weeks ago.
“Obviously, there’s
frustration,” Williams
said. “But we’re positive,
we’re optimistic. We’re
gonna try to move on to
the next play, the next
game, and better things
are going to come in the
future.”

Ole Miss
Continued from Page 1B
we are going to need them
at some point.”
Vanderbilt had not
played since Oct. 10 and
had several players deal-
ing with COVID-19.
“We looked a step slow
and a little bit behind,”
Vanderbilt coach Der-
ek Mason said. A lot of
our kids came back this
week. Maybe it just wasn’t
enough time. Maybe I
overestimated how they
would be coming back.”
Corral completed
19 consecutive passes,
breaking Eli Manning’s
program record of 18
straight against Murray
State in his debut his
sophomore season.
Corral’s six touchdown
passes also tied Man-
ning’s record for touch-
down passes in a game set
against Arkansas in 2001.
Corral set the school re-
cord for touchdown pass-
es in regulation since
five of Manning’s passes
came in overtime.
Corral completed 31
of his 34 pass attempts
against the Commodores.
“I really didn’t know
anything about the record
until the fourth quarter,”
Corral said. I don’t think
about the record book.
I was just playing with
what Vanderbilt was giv-
ing me.”
Moore had 12 catches
for 223 yards just in the
first half on his way to sur-
passing A.J. Brown’s 233
yards receiving against
South Alabama in 2017.
“Records are meant to
be broken,” Moore said.
But the overall goal is to
win.”

Dear Abby

D
EAR ABBY: My mother died
two years ago. Both of my
parents traveled extensive-
ly before their declining health
prevented it. They purchased a
prepaid cremation package that
included shipping the cremains
back to their home.
My mother was cremated,
but we had to wait more than six
weeks for her cremains so we
could have a funeral. Waiting for
the funeral devastated my dad.
While he was able to commu-
nicate and make decisions, he
stated that he did not want to
be cremated. So I took Dad to a
funeral home and selected a fu-
neral package that included a traditional burial, he wanted to be cremated after all. I think it
and called to cancel the cremation package.
My sibling, who is the power of attorney, talked
him out of it and reactivated the
package!
Now my father has been diag-
nosed with severe dementia and
cancer. We don’t know how long
he has, but I’m concerned that his
final wishes won’t be followed. If
he is cremated, I am considering
skipping his funeral. How can I get
through to my sibling that this was
wrong, and I won’t be a part of
not following his wishes? — NOT
WHAT HE WANTED
DEAR NOT: Your father appoint-
ed your sibling to be his power
of attorney for a reason. I will
Dear Abby assume that your father was in his
right mind when he decided that
would be in your interest to calmly discuss this
with your sibling and find out why your father
changed his mind after telling you he preferred
to be buried. Could the reason have been finan-
cial, that burials are expensive and he wanted
to leave more to his children? You won’t know
until you ask.
If you do not attend your father’s funeral
service, I am concerned that it will cause a
permanent rift in the family and be something
you may regret for the rest of your life.
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I took in our
almost 20-year-old step-grandson, “Philip.” He
has been with us almost a year. He was really
appreciative when he moved in and when my
husband helped him get a car.
Philip has said in the past that my hus-
band’s political views scare him, and I can
understand that. Today when my husband and
I were at lunch, he mentioned that when Philip
came in this morning, he ignored him. My
husband asked me if he had done something
wrong, so I explained the political thing.
I can understand the difference in political
views. What I can’t understand and don’t know
how to handle is the sudden show of disre-
spect. This isn’t the first time my husband has
mentioned this to me, and it’s not the first time
I have brought it to Philip’s attention. — KEEP-
ING THE PEACE IN ARIZONA
DEAR KEEPING: Allowing yourself to be the
go-between apparently hasn’t worked, so step
out of the middle. Tell your husband the next
time your step-grandson is rude that HE should
take it up with the young man.
Philip has enjoyed your hospitality for nearly
a year, and what he’s doing is not only rude but
also ungrateful. Because the reason for his
behavior is your husband’s political beliefs, he
needs to realize that your husband’s views are
as valid as his are. Philip should either find a
better way to deal with it or move.

Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 1).
You no longer need a certain pro-
tective armor. A changed relation-
ship with the world transforms old
defenses, which you will release
into the atmosphere like so many
butterflies. Domestic projects bring
beauty and good fortune to your daily
life, as will improved relationships
and new friendships. A fresh revenue
stream opens in February. Leo and
Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers
are: 6, 20, 1, 15 and 42.
ARIES (March 21-April 19).
We’re taught to look out for red
flags, but don’t be so focused there
that you miss the green ones.
Feeling happy and safe in someone’s
company is a major green flag.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It is
said that you we train people how
to treat us. In that case, it makes
no sense to give rewards willy-nilly.
Save your rewards for instances
when a behavior pleases you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21).
You’re looking for an intangible thing
that you can’t yet describe or define.
Perhaps it’s more of a feeling or a
concept that’s still in an extremely
early form. Yet, you’ll know it when
you see it.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You
are surrounded by indulgences;
though they are so commonplace
you may not see them this way. Easy
pleasures are often unrewarding,
as a good part of pleasure is feeling
you’ve earned it.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Things
get off-balance rather quickly today,
and you’re best to take this as an
invitation to return to the basics.
What is entirely within your control?
Focus there and enjoy immediate
improvements.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Con-
flict happens in good relationships
as well as bad ones. A connection
doesn’t have to be perfect to be via-
ble. Where there’s love, respect and
support, there is also hope.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). What
costs little will help much. A smile,
a kind look, an extra moment given
over to listening to another person --
these all fall into that category. You’ll
add value to an exchange without
losing any.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21).
You pay respect knowing that you
will also be respected; however,
that’s not the reason you do it. In
all things, your personal reasons
for following through will be more
important than any net result.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).
Would you rather be bored doing
what’s popular or be lonely doing
what you like but no one else can
relate to? Today’s choices make
you appreciate all the times going
along with the crowd was genuinely
enjoyable.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19).
You’ll be in a position to meet many
people. The ones you resonate with
will be few and far between, but they
are out there. You just have to be
willing to play the numbers game
until you find them.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18).
Loving one person teaches you how
to love in general. The lesson never
goes away even after the relation-
ship has hit its expiry date. The more
you love, the more you know how to
love.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20).
There are those who act so cool that
you doubt they’d be responsive to
trust and encouragement. Give it
anyway though, because chances
are they need it even more than the
others.
Classifieds
Columbus Light and Water
Columbus, MS

Columbus Light & Water

Ads appear in The Commercial Dispatch,
Department (CL&W) is a
public utility system serving The Starkville Dispatch and Online
over 13,000 customers,
providing electric, and wa-
ter and wastewater ser- To place ads starting at only $12,
vices in Columbus, Ms. call 662-328-2424 or visit ads.cdispatch.com
CL&W seeks to contract a
consultant Coach to coun- THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020 n 5B
sel CL&W employees on
both personal and employ-
ment issues. The Coach
will counsel employees on
practices to improve per-
General Help Wanted Apts For Rent: South Apts For Rent: Other Lots & Acreage Sporting Goods Pets

Employment
sonal and employment rela-
tionships. The Coach must
identify and implement em-
ployee action plans,
Call us: 662-328-2424 provide on-going feedback
and follow up with each
General Help Wanted employee. A Coach must
be able to maintain confid-
OFFICE MANAGER needed ential records, be access-
for local Construction com- ible at odd hours, be able
to communicate effectively
pany. Job includes man-
aging Pay Roll, QuickBooks, both written and orally and
Downtown Loft: Very nice 1
bdrm loft, wood floors, tall
ceilings, above a downtown
business. Great location.
Call before 9:00 p.m.
$650. 662−364−1610
Large 2−bedrm apartment.
Recently renovated, very
COLEMAN
PICKENS COUNTY, AL Crawford Army Surplus Big Puppies For Sale:
180 acres in Liberty on Main in Crawford. Two large breed Standard
RENTALS Community. Good hunting Now for sale: Metal Ammo Poodle cross, 12 wk old
TOWNHOUSES & APARTMENTS & road systems. $850/ac. cans 30&50 cal, $10; puppies for sale. Wormed,
Other tracts available. Call .155mm Howitzer treated vaccinated, vet checked
1 BEDROOM 205−799−9846 or 205− wood ammo boxes, and very healthy. They have
695−2248. $5&10; Army steel long white curly hair with
2 BEDROOMS bunkbeds, $125; Field tan and gray spots around
3 BEDROOMS Artillery camo nets with the face and ears. 1 male,
Garage Sales
spreader poles, $225; 1 female, very smart with
LEASE, Unissued camo (BDU/ gentle temperament and

© The Dispatch
nice, includes washer /
Spreadsheets, Accounts be able to work with all dryer, lots of closets, great ACU/ABU) military 6− lots of energy. Located in
Payable & Receivable, Pur- levels of CL&W’s organiza- location. Must see inside. DEPOSIT pocket fatigues, $35 & M− Crawford, MS. $350.
chasing & Social Media. tion. This position will re- $850. 662−364−1610 AND Two free signs 65 field coats & fire− 626−590−2584
Single position in small port directly to CL&W’s retardant coveralls, $50;
business with nice atmo- Board of Directors. CREDIT CHECK polypro col weather under
Apts For Rent: West Auctions
sphere. Mail resume to garment, $18;
Minimum Qualifications in-
662-329-2323 Need a new
VIP
Blind Box 677 c/o The Columbus Lowndes OCP T−shirts, $5.
Commercial Dispatch clude: Must have a Bachel- Call 662.769.1889
companion?
or’s of Science Degree pre- Humane Society Online
PO Box 511 2411 HWY 45 N
Rentals
ferred Psychology, pre- Facebook Auction:
Columbus MS 39703. Follow Brass Gavel ED SANDERS GUNSMITH
ferred Master’s Degree in COLUMBUS, MS Auctions on Facebook Open for season!
Counseling. Licensed Pro-
THE COMMERCIAL fessional Counselor in the Apartments & Houses Houses For Rent: East
Thursday, Nov. 5th @ 6pm Tue−Fri: 9−5 & Sat: 9−12
Over 50 years experience!
DISPATCH seeks a motiv- State of Mississippi or Na- for the live auction.
ated, contracted carrier for tionally Certified Counselor 1 Bedrooms 3BR/1BA, stove, refrig−
Items can be viewed on
CLHS FB page.
Repairs, cleaning, refin−
ishing, scopes mounted &
the Caledonia area. Excel- and must have (8-10) years
lent opportunity to earn of field counseling experi- 2 Bedroooms erator, fresh paint & hard−
wood floors. Available
zeroed, handmade knives.
Estate Sales
3 Bedrooms
money for college. Must ence. Located: Hwy 45 Alt, North
11/1. $600/mo + $500 of West Point, turn right on
have good transportation, dep. No HUD, no pets.
Qualified applicants must Yokahama Blvd, 8mi & turn
valid driver's license & in- Furnished & Unfurnished 662−295−3022. Orr Estate Sale left on Darracott Rd, will
surance. Delivers on submit a resume to Linda 810 1st St. North see sign, 2.5mi ahead
Sunday morning and Mon- Triplett, Columbus Light & 1, 2, & 3 Baths Mobile Homes for Rent Reform, AL 35481 shop on left.
Fri afternoons. Apply at The Water Department, and
Commercial Dispatch, 516 P.O. Box 949, Columbus, Lease, Deposit 3BR/2BA MH in New Hope.
Fri. Oct. 30, 9am−5pm 662−494−6218.
& Credit Check
Sat. Oct. 31, 9am−5pm
Main Street in Columbus. MS 39703-0949. $650 dep + $650/mo. No Sun. Nov. 1, 1pm−5pm
No phone calls please. pets, quiet area. Leave full
viceinvestments.com
Vehicles
Mon. Nov.2, 9am−1pm
name & message,
327-8555 When looking
Selling the estate of

Rentals
205−712−6697.
EMPLOYEE COACH Leon & Shirley Orr,
See photos
Ads starting at $12
Columbus Light and Water
for a new pet,
@www.estatesales.net

Real Estate
Columbus, MS Apts For Rent: Other Stewart’s Antiques &
Ads starting at $25 Estate Sales Autos For Sale
adoption is
Columbus Light & Water Benny Shelton
Department (CL&W) is a Apts For Rent: North Columbus, MS
public utility system serving Ads starting at $25 662−251−1515 2004 CHEVY IMPALA LS,
3.8 liter engine, 4 door,
over 13,000 customers,
providing electric, and wa-
ter and wastewater ser-
FOX RUN APARTMENTS
1 & 2 BR near hospital.
$595−$645 monthly.
Houses For Sale: East
automatic, leather interior,
sunroof, & AM/FM/ always a
Merchandise
cassette. $2,000.
vices in Columbus, Ms. Military discount, pet area,
pet friendly, and furnished
CL&W seeks to contract a corporate apts.
3BR/2BA in 55+
community of Plantation
Pointe. For more info call
662−251−3001.
good option.
consultant Coach to coun- 24−HOUR PROFESSIONAL 2006 FORD Ranger FX4
sel CL&W employees on GYM. ON SITE SECURITY.
after 5pm, 662−251−
7664. Ads starting at $12 ext. cab, 4.0 L Eng. with
both personal and employ- ON SITE MAINTENANCE. only 208K miles. Has
ment issues. The Coach ON SITE MANAGEMENT. Houses For Sale: Southside Firewood / Fuel camper shell, bed rug,
will counsel employees on 24−HOUR CAMERA brush guard with light bar,
practices to improve per- SURVEILLANCE. Benji &
sonal and employment rela- Ashleigh, 662−386−4446.
1512 WASHINGTON AVE
3BR/1.5BA, living room w/
FIREWOOD FOR SALE.
Various lengths.
new tires in Sept, cold air
intake, new water pump in Five Questions:
tionships. The Coach must gas log−heat, dining room, 662−295−2274. Oct, and new A/C in 2019.
identify and implement em- front/back porch, natural Has 3 coats of ceramic
Medical /action
Dental plans,
1 Curling
ployee gas heat, window units− General Merchandise coating. Looks & runs
provide on-going feedback cooling, storage bldg & good. Only $8500.
and follow up with each carport. 1,230 sq ft. Mobile Home Frames 501−545−7750 in
employee. A Coach must Call 662−425−9451. 2 Mobile Home Frames for Columbus.
be able to maintain confid-
2 Texas
Houses For Sale: Other $500 Each. 30 Free
ential records, be access- Concrete Blocks w/ Each

Community
ible at odd hours, be able The Military Square Frame
to communicate effectively Apartments are now FSBO: 4BR/4.5BA
both written and orally and accepting applicants! 10,000+sqft, situated on
2 Electric Tongue Jacks
3 “An
be able to work with all We have 1, 2, and 3 13 ac in South Lowndes Co
levels of CL&W’s organiza- bedroom units available. @ 627 Canfield Rd. New $150 Each
For More Info. Contact Ads starting at $12
tion. This position will re- Hope school district. 50x
Inconvenient
All apartments are newly Jessie Brooks @
port directly to CL&W’s remodeled, and include: 100 shop, in ground pool Travel & Entertainment
w/pool house & 1.5 acre 662−272−8711
Board of Directors.
Sequel”
New Washer/Dryer, New
Refrigerator, New A/C Unit! stock pond. Ideal place for
Minimum Qualifications in- mini farm! $675,000. ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIDES PUBLIC CATFISH POND
clude: Must have a Bachel- We also offer rent 662−327−3477 Leather chaps, genuine 130 Hillcrest Dr
or’s of Science Degree pre- discounts for: buffalo, XL, new. $40. Catfish contest Oct. 1−
Lots & Acreage
4 Babylon
ferred Psychology, pre- −Active Military Motorcycle riding boots, 31. $200 for most
ferred Master’s Degree in −Veterans waterproof/insulated, worn weight. $100 for Big
1.75 ACRE LOTS Good/ very little, size 10. $70.
Counseling. Licensed Pro- −Seniors Bad Credit Options. Good
Fish. 2 drawings for
fessional Counselor in the Call us at: 662−205−0005 credit as low as 20% down, One piece rain suit by $50 valued prizes. Call
State of Mississippi or Na- Gear, L, new. $35. 662−386−8591 for
5 Samba
$499/mo. Eaton Land, For sale locally.
tionally Certified Counselor 662−361−7711.
details.
and must have (8-10) years 501−545−7750.
of field counseling experi-
ence. Approx. 7 acres located
between Dale Road and

Read local. cdispatch.com

Qualified applicants must Buck Egger Road at end of
submit a resume to Linda Have a rental property? Renon Lane. $30,000
Triplett, Columbus Light & Call; leave message.
List it here for fast results. 662−549−0696
Water Department, and
P.O. Box 949, Columbus, ads.cdispatch.com
MS 39703-0949.

Service Directory
Houses For Sale: Other

Promote your small business starting at only $25

Carpet & Flooring General Services Lawn Care / Landscaping Plumbing

JESSE & BEVERLY’S

LAWN SERVICE ACME, INC.
Mowing, cleanup, tree Stan McCown
cutting, landscaping, "We fix leaks."
sodding & bush hogging. Natural gas & water.
662−356−6525 662−386−2915

Painting & Papering

QUALITY PAINTING.
Did you
?
Fall Special: 4 Rms $99
know
Ext/Int Painting.
1 Room − $50 Sheet Rock Hang, Finish &
2 Room − $70 Repair. Pressure Washing.
3 Rooms − $90 Free Estimates. Ask for
Carpet−Rugs−Tile−Cars specials! Larry Webber,
DAVID’S CARPET & 662−242−4932.
UPHOLSTERY
CLEANING
SULLIVAN’S PAINT
Call for more info!
SERVICE Our website is the
662−722−1758
Are you a painter? Special Prices. most-visited news website
Advertise here!
Interior & Exterior Painting.
662−435−6528
in the Golden Triangle.
General Services
Automotive Services
A & T TREE SERVICES
Bucket truck & stump
removal. Free est.
Serving Columbus
since 1987. Senior
citizen disc. Call Alvin @
242−0324/241−4447
"We’ll go out on a limb for
you!"

WORK WANTED: Licensed

& Bonded. Carpentry, minor
electrical, minor plumbing,
One call will bring you results. insulation, painting, demo−
lition, gutters cleaned,

662-328-2424
pressure washing, land−
scaping, cleanup work.
662−242−3608.

Buy. Sell. Discover. In the Classifieds section.

On the web: ads.cdispatch.com • Or call: 662-328-2424
6B SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Religion
It’s worth the wait
W
e all have
things that
we’re wait-
ing for: a dream to
come to pass, prob-
lems to turn around
or maybe even
opening up a new
business. When it
takes longer than
we think it should,
it’s easy to become
impatient. Yet, if we
have patience and
wait on God, it will be worth
the wait. “Wait patiently for
the Lord. Be brave and coura-
geous. Yes, wait patiently for
the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14) NLT
Lately we have been going
through a lot of struggles.
Nevertheless, our a change yet, it doesn’t mean Sometimes we don’t find will make you ruler over many
struggles are over. that God is not going to do it our true love right away. It things. Enter into the joy of
God is getting nor has He forgotten. So keep takes a while to figure out your lord.” (Matthew 25:21)
ready to do some praying and believe God is who we are or what we want, K JV
new things in our working it out on your behalf and almost a lifetime to find So be encouraged today
lives. They will be and the change He’s doing will it. Once we find our true and always remember: when
bigger and better be worth the wait. love, it will be worth the wait. we wait on God it will always
than we can ever “Therefore I say unto you, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth be worth the wait. “The Lord
imagine, and they what things soever ye desire, a good thing, and obtaineth is good to those who wait for
will be worth the when ye pray, believe that ye favour of the Lord.” (Proverbs him, to the soul who seeks
wait. “Behold, I receive them, and ye shall 18:22) K JV him.” (Lamentations 3:25)
Sherry Ivy will do a new thing; have them.” (Mark 11:24) K JV There will be times on our NK JV
now it shall spring Nothing that is good in life Christian journey when we Minister Sherry Ivy is a Min-
forth; shall ye not ever comes easily, but if we re- will want to throw in the towel ister of The New Providence
know it? I will even make a ally want it, we can have it! All and say we quit. However, we M. B. Church (Healing & Yoke
way in the wilderness, and we need to do is work towards can’t give up, we have to keep Destroying Ministry) in Macon
rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah it and it will be worth the wait. working for Jesus because it Mississippi, under the lead-
43:19) K JV “But let patience have her will be worth the wait to hear ership of her husband, Pastor
If you have been praying perfect work, that ye may be Him say; “Well done, good Willie J. Ivy Sr. You can contact
to God concerning a difficult perfect and entire, wanting and faithful servant, you were her via email at minsivy@
situation and you haven’t seen nothing.” (James 1:4) K JV faithful over a few things, I yahoo.com

For our complete church directory listing, visit us online at www.cdispatch.com/religion

Due to local restrictions, churches likely have modified service types and hours. Please contact a church before attending a service.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is F eatured C hurch

“There is Liberty”
Ke nne th Mo ntg o m ery www.memorialgunterpeel.com
Proudly serving our community 716 Second Ave. N. • Columbus, MS • 662-328-4432
for over 30 years 903 College St. • Columbus, MS • 662-328-2354

2500 Military Road Suite 1

Columbus, MS
662-328-7500 WEST REALTY COMPANY
westrealtycompany.com
Don West, Broker/Owner

MAIN STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) — Main and 7th St. N. Sunday School 9:30
a.m., Worship 10:40 a.m. and 6 p.m., Wednesday Fellowship Supper 5:30 p.m., Bible Study 6
p.m. Rev. Todd Matocha, Pastor.

If you would like your church to be the featured church of the week,
submit a photo by emailing it to community@cdispatch.com.
Photos should be horizontal and high quality.
• RECYCLING SINCE 1956 •
Specializing in industrial accounts The Dispatch will publish photos at no charge as space permits.
662-328-8176 973 Island Rd. 1-800-759-8570

R Free Estimates
LER OO 1721 Hwy 45 N
EE FIN Licensed
& Insured Columbus, MS
W H INC. G ®

COMMERCIAL 662.848.0919
“A Family Business Since 1946” RESIDENTIAL Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm
662-328-3625 • 662-328-7612 In Style. In Reach. Sunday 1pm-5pm

Support Our Community Churches When Caring Counts... SHELTON’S TOWING, INC. TRINITY PLACE
by advertising here.
Call Beth, Mary Jane,
Since 1960 RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
or Luther to
24 Hour Towing Offering independent living apartments, personal
care/assisted living suites, and a skilled nursing home
schedule your ad. FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY 1024 Gardner Blvd. 300 Airline Road • Columbus, MS • 327-6716
328-2424 1131 Lehmberg Rd., Columbus • 662-328-1808 328-8277 “Our Bottom Line Is People”

Hunting • Fishing
Northeast Exterminating Working Or Stepping Out — We Have A Complete
Line Of Clothing For You And Your Family
If it Jimmy Linley • Richard Linley
LLC
Oktibbeha County Co-Op
crawls, Columbus
Check Out Our Boot & Cap Section
662-323-1742
call... 662-329-9992 201 Pollard Rd., Starkville

BRISLIN, INC. Insurance Services:

Young
Sales • Service • Installation Shelton Cleaners Personal
Auto Insurance Agency
Residential • Commercial • Industrial Home GEORGE F. YOUNG
Since 1956 3189 Hwy 45 N. • 328-5421 Commercial Office-662.570.1688
www.brislininc.com Final Expense Cell-662.251.3563
1702 6th St. N. • 328-5361 gfyoung08@gmail.com
4051 Military Road • 662-328-5814 1205 Gardner Blvd.,Columbus, MS

APAC-MISSISSIPPI, INC.
Michael Bogue & Employees
Lake Norris Rd. 328-6555

INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, INC The McBryde Family

www.hydrovaconline.com 1120 Gardner Blvd. • 328-5776

Jarrett’s Towing This ad space can be yours

Wrecker Service for only $10 per week.
5209 N. Hwy 182 E. • Columbus, MS 39702
329-2447 We unlock Telephone: 662-327-1467 Call today 328-2424
If no answer 251-2448 cars P.O. Box 1278 • 1616 7th Ave. S., Columbus, MS 39703 to schedule your ad.

If you need to change your church’s online listing or would like to add
your church information, call 328-2424 or email changes to tinap@cdispatch.com
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020 7B

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8B SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

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