Established 1879 | Columbus, Mississippi

CDISPATCH.COM 75 ¢ Newsstand | 40 ¢ Home Delivery

Friday | March 27, 2020

Some international students have no way home

Arush Aryal, senior bi-
ology student at the Stranded students face shocks lasted for two weeks, Upadhyay
camped outside in her backyard, not know-
Mississippi University
for Women, takes financial, emotional ing when the ground would stop trembling.
Five years later, that memory resurfac-
notes from his statis-
tics class instructed challenges as school halts es as Upadhyay, now a senior biology stu-
online Thursday dent at Mississippi University for Women,
afternoon because amid coronavirus outbreak is again alone and far from her family amid
of the coronavirus yet another crisis to which she can see no
outbreak. A Nepal BY YUE STELLA YU end.
native, Aryal can't syu@cdispatch.com As the global pandemic of COVID-19, a
go back to his home disease caused by the novel coronavirus,
country because it Arpana Upadhyay was left alone at home claims tens of thousands of lives world-
is under lockdown. in Nepal when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake wide, college students have been urged to
“There is no certainty shook the country in April 2015, interrupt-
that this situation go back to their permanent residence. Up-
would resolve very ing her last semester in high school. adhyay, who lives on campus, finds herself
soon,” he said. Her parents had gone to India for her with no way to return home.
Courtesy photo/Arush Aryal sister’s college graduation. While after- See INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, 3A

Reeves: Stricter
GOING ON A BEAR HUNT
local ordinances ‘Social-distancing safe’ teddy bear scavenger
don’t violate hunt takes hold in Golden Triangle
executive order
Turnage: Columbus
council to look at
reopening child care
facilities, which Reeves
lists as essential service
BY ISABELLE ALTMAN
ialtman@cdispatch.com

Gov. Tate Reeves

clarified Thursday
an executive order
he passed earlier
this week limiting
gatherings and busi-
nesses throughout
the state in order to Reeves
help curb the spread
of COVID-19 corona- INSIDE
virus, putting to rest n OUR VIEW:
concerns by local A failure
officials that the or- of leadership.
Page 4A
der would supersede
emergency restric-
tions previously passed by munici-
palities or counties. Photos by Garrick Hodge/Dispatch Staff

On Tuesday, Reeves issued Ex-
ecutive Order No. 1463, which man-
dated Mississippians “avoid social
or other non-essential gatherings
in groups of more than 10 people”
and that “restaurants, bars, or oth-
er dining establishments shall sus-
pend dine-in services unless able
to reduce capacity to allow no more
Top row, from left: A red and white Beanie Baby sits outside the home of Columbus resident Katherine Kerby on
Wednesday. Various homes throughout Columbus and Starkville have participated in a “teddy bear hunt,” which
serves as a scavenger hunt for families while also observing safe social distancing practices. A stuffed pink
bear sits on a window overlooking a home near the intersection of Cottonwood Drive and Douglas McArthur Drive
Wednesday in Starkville. Second row, from left: A large stuffed tan bear is perched on the window overlooking a
home near the intersection of Fifth Avenue South and Seventh Street South in Columbus Wednesday. A stuffed
black bear rests outside a home on the Southside of Columbus Wednesday.
BY GARRICK HODGE Lucyanne, what was her favorite children’s book “We’re Going On A
ghodge@cdispatch.com bear of all the stuffed animals she’d Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen and
seen. Helen Oxenbury. Participants are

than 10 people to be gathered in a
single space at the same time where
individuals are seated or otherwise
in close proximity to each other,”
among other restrictions.
The order also identified “es-
sential businesses,” such as health
See ORDINANCES, 3A
Social distanc-
ing is affecting
us all in
different ways.
We want to hear how you’re doing. The
Dispatch has set up a voicemail so our
readers can share their thoughts and
feelings during this unique time. If you
want to share, please call 662-328-
2424 and dial extension 101. You can
leave a message 24 hours a day. Cer-
tain messages will be selected to print
in the paper. Even if we don’t select
yours, know that someone is out there
listening and you’re not alone. We’re all
in this together.
T
he Jordan family was in the
middle of their Thursday
afternoon walk.
Or better put, their Thursday
afternoon scavenger hunt.
A few minutes after deciding on
a route from her home on Third
Avenue South in Columbus, Kris-
ten asked her 4-year-old daughter,
COVID-19 PUBLIC
NOTICES
Virus testing
Officials at Baptist Memorial Hos-
pital-Golden Triangle and OCH Re-
gional Medical Facility urge those
with COVID-19 symptoms or who
want testing to call their health
care provider for instructions. They
ask those with symptoms not to
visit ERs or urgent care facilities in
“The colorful one,” Lucyanne encouraged to place a stuffed bear
confidently exclaimed, much to inside a window for families to find
the amusement of Kristen and her on a walk or a drive as they leave
husband, Durham. the house while still adhering to
For the last week, Kristen has the social distancing recommen-
used social media to bring aware- dations by the Centers for Disease
ness to the Golden Triangle about Control and Prevention to slow the
what has turned into a nationwide spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.
teddy bear hunt based on the See SCAVENGER HUNT, 6A
person because that risks spread- uled events and group meetings. athletic and social events. We
ing the virus to others. For details on the new visitation intend to resume our normal cover-
policies, visit the OCH website at age after this crisis.
Hospitals change visiting www.och.org or the Baptist site at
www.baptistonline.org/locations/
policies COVID-19 Notices are being run
Both Baptist Memorial Hospi- golden-triangle. for non-profits and governmental
tal-Golden Triangle in Columbus entities as a public service during
this health crisis. To submit your
and OCH Regional Medical Center How The Dispatch is reacting to
in Starkville announced changes COVID-19 organization’s brief notice, please
to their visitation policies Monday, The Dispatch’s sports and life- email community@cdispatch.com
limiting hours and access to some styles sections are much smaller and include the subject line “Virus
entrances and canceling sched- than usual due to drastically fewer public notice.”

WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS A NOTE COMING SUNDAY PUBLIC

1 Which actress, daughter of a legendary di-
ON NEWS MEETINGS
rector named John and ex-girlfriend of an actor ■ Many April 6: Lowndes
named Jack, told all in her memoir “Watch COVID-19 corona- County Board of
Me”? virus related sto- Supervisors, 9
2 What mammal has the longest pregnancy — ries are changing a.m., Courthouse
elephant, kangaroo or squirrel? extremely quick- April 7: Columbus
3 What cup size, meaning “thirty” in Italian,
ly, sometimes City Council, 5
Mark Alexander was introduced by Starbucks for 31-ounce
cold beverages, like ice tea or ice coffee? as soon as we p.m., Municipal
First grade, Annunciation publish a print Complex
4 What peak, the highest in the United States,

84 Low 66
did 78-year-old Tom Choate climb to become edition of the April 13:
High the oldest person ever to reach its summit? paper. We want Columbus
Clouds and sun
5 What blonde rocker named her fashion line to assure our Municipal School
L.A.M.B. an acronym for her hit solo album readers that we District Board of
Full forecast on “Love, Angel, Music, Baby”?
page 3A. are making every Trustees, 6 p.m.,
Answers, 6B
attempt to print Brandon Central
accurate, timely Services
news. Online sto- April 17: Lowndes
INSIDE ries are updated County School
Classifieds 5B Dear Abby 3B throughout the Board, 12:30
Comics 3B Obituaries 5A day at cdispatch. Look for The Dispatch’s Home & Garden special p.m., Central
141st Year, No. 14 Crossword 6B Opinions 4A com. section in Sunday’s paper. Office

DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471

2A FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

CAC innovates to keep community connected to the arts

Arts council Papercrafts (scissors,
glue or tape and colored
the lights on at night. If
anybody sees something
brings music, kids’ paper). they want, just leave a
message at the arts coun-
classes to virtual Drive-by art cil, and we’ll be glad to
return their call.”
Passers-by the arts
format, offers center at 501 Main St.
In an uncertain time,
the arts council, which
‘drive-by’ art show will notice the new
“drive-by” art exhibit in
relies on community
support, hopes the inno-
BY JAN SWOOPE the windows. vations provide uplifting
jswoope@cdispatch.com “Everybody’s a little intermissions to the
stir-crazy, so we thought

L
ike other business-
es and nonprofits in
the Golden Trian-
gle, the Columbus Arts
Council is absorbing the
shock of measures to pre-
vent spread of COVID-19.
Art classes, concerts and
theatrical performances,
exhibits and gatherings
of writers, quilters and
music students have
been canceled in the
interest of public health.
The arts council’s
Rosenzweig Arts Center
in downtown Columbus
is closed for face-to-face
events until April 17.
Creativity, however, finds
a way.
Facebook Live music,
free virtual art classes
for kids and a “drive-by”
mini art show are recent
CAC innovations to
sustain the community’s
connection to its artists.
“The Columbus Arts
Council is
an advocate
for artists
and musi-
cians,” said
the orga-
nization’s
executive
director, Miller
Jan Miller.
“We have been con-
cerned about all their
cancellations of classes
and gigs. We wanted
them to know we know
what they’re going
through, and this was
A “drive-by” mini art show fills the windows of the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenz-
weig Arts Center Thursday. The center is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, but the
arts council is finding new ways to bring music, classes and artwork to the community.
one way to help them as
well as our nonprofit.”
Quarantine concerts
Tonight at 6:30 p.m.
the CAC debuts its Quar-
antine Concert Series
on Facebook Live, from
the arts center’s Omnova
Theater. A different area
musician will perform
each Friday evening.
Darren Henson of the
West Point-based band
The Quiet Calm kicks off
the series with an acous-
tic set of original rock ‘n’
roll songs.
“I support the arts ev-
ery chance
I get, no
matter
what form
that art
takes, so I
wanted to
be a part of
this,” said Henson
Henson.
“I want people to know
there is creativity out
there; it’s not going
away.”
Omnova Theater Man-
ager Shane
Kinder
said, “We
were in the
planning
stages of
ways to in-
clude local
musicians Kinder
in every-
thing we do when this
quarantine happened.
It’s not the best-case
scenario, but we have
that connection with the
local music scene and
plan to build on that for
the future.”
Other concerts
planned include April
3 with Mookie Wilson,
and April 10 with Drew
Dieckmann. “Attend” Fri-
day concerts at facebook.
public as well as forums
it would be fun to put a for artists and musicians,
‘show’ in the window of Miller said.
work by local artists that For more information,
people can see,” Miller visit columbusarts-org,
said. “They can drive by follow its Facebook page
or walk by; we’ll leave or call 662-328-2787.
Deanna Robinson/Dispatch Staff
com/columbusartscoun-
cil at 6:30 p.m.
Art with Amy
In addition to con-
certs, CAC will provide a
free children’s online art
class each Thursday at
11 a.m. on the arts coun-
cil’s Facebook page.
“We and local artist
Amy Ballard want to give
kids a free weekly art
project — and parents
a much-needed break,”
said Miller. “All you’ll
need to do is go to our
page a minute or so
before 11 a.m. Supplies
needed for each class
will always be basic
things we already have in
our homes.”
Planned classes in-
clude April 2, 3-D Optic
Drawing (pencil and pa- Art happens.
per); April 9, Zentangle
drawing (colored pencils
328-ARTS
and paper); and April 16,

US cases now most in world, US

capital sees more infections
BY YANAN WANG 800 million people.
The Associated Press In some parts of India,
people got rice rations or
TORONTO — The bank deposits from lo-
United States’ caseload cal authorities, and aid
of coronavirus infections groups were working to
surged to the most in the expand their reach. The
world and its capital re- nation’s vital and massive
ported more infections,
train system was also
as Italy shut most of its
halted, and jobless work-
industry and masses of
ers are now attempting to
Indian day laborers re-
walk hundreds of miles to
ceived food rations after a
their home villages from
lockdown put them out of
India’s major cities.
work.
Deaths from COVID-19
Increases in the num-
have surpassed 24,000,
ber of cases have been ex-
pected as testing becomes more than a third of them
more available. The U.S. in Italy, according to a
passed China with more Johns Hopkins University
than 85,000 cases, and It- tally. The U.S. had about
aly also exceeded 80,000, 1,300 deaths, almost a
the three countries to- quarter of them in New
gether accounting for York City, where hospitals
almost half of the world’s are overwhelmed.
infections from the new
virus.
Most of China’s pa-
tients have recovered,
while places where the
virus arrived later are
now dealing with over-
whelmed hospitals and
supply shortages and are
rushing to convert public
spaces for treating the
sick.
Washington, D.C.,
confirmed 36 new cases
Thursday, raising its total
to 267. The district is un-
der a state of emergency,
its major attractions like
the Smithsonian muse-
ums and National Zoo
closed and White House
and Capitol tours can-
celed. Police have blocked
off streets, bridges and
traffic circles to prevent
crowds coming to see
Washington’s blooming
cherry blossom trees.
The stay-home order
for India’s 1.3 billion peo-
ple threw out of work the
backbone of the nation’s
economy — rickshaw
drivers, fruit peddlers,
cleaners and others who
buy food from whatever
they can earn in a day. The
government announced
a $22 billion stimulus to
deliver monthly rations to
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 3A

International students
Continued from Page 1A
Upadhyay is one of many
college students in the Golden
Triangle area who are presented
with the same challenge. Many
students, some low-income or
international, are staying on or
near campus as school opera-
tions come to a halt.
Roughly 500 students at
Mississippi State University in
Starkville and 72 students at
MUW are still living on campus,
said both Regina Hyatt, vice
president for student affairs at
MSU, and MUW spokesperson
Anika Perkins.
For Upadhyay, going back to
Nepal is not an option because
the entire country is on lock-
down during the pandemic.
“I have nowhere to go here,”
Upadhyay said. “And I can’t fly
back home because … no one is
coming into (Nepal) anymore.”
Arush Aryal, senior MUW
biology student and Upadhyay’s
friend, also is from Nepal. Un-
like Upadhyay, Aryal lives off
campus but is nonetheless
stranded in Columbus.
Poised to graduate in May,
Aryal had planned to invite his
parents to the United States to
watch him at the ceremony. Now
with the graduation walk post-
poned, he said, everything is in
the air.
“This came at the worst pos-
sible time,” Aryal said. “It feels
terrible, but it’s something that
is not in my hands or in the uni-
versity’s hands.”
Also unsure about her grad-
uation in May, Upadhyay is re-
minded of her rocky experience
graduating high school because
of the earthquake.
“I don’t know what it is about
me graduating,” she said.
‘It’s even worse this time’
Upadhyay relied on her cam-
pus job as a supplemental in-
struction leader to pay the bills
before MUW moved classes
online. Now, she said, her job is
no more and her bank account is
feeling the pressure.
“I’m old enough that I can do
everything by myself,” she said.
“But if this goes on for another
month, which it probably will,
I’m probably going to rely back
on my parents again.”
Aryal shares the same con-
cern. Work couldn’t pay tui-
tion, he said, but it helped him
with out-of-pocket expenses on
supplies. Soon, he said, he will
have to cut his expenses, start-
ing with online subscriptions to
apps like Spotify.
“We have lost that source (of
income) now,” he said. “I think I
could go to my parents for extra
money for me to finish this se-
mester, because there is no cer-
tainty that this situation would
resolve very soon.”
For both Aryal and Upad-
hyay, this pandemic is much
worse than the 2015 earthquake.
Aryal remembers being in
Kathmandu preparing for his
SAT and English language test-
ing when the earthquake hit.
For days he lived in tents, wait-
ing for his father to arrange for
travelers to bring him home to
Chitwan, a city in central Nepal.
“Now it’s worse,” Aryal said.
“You couldn’t get into your
house back then. Now you can’t
get out of your house. ...We are
living it all over again.”
A sturdy building could sur-
vive an earthquake, Aryal said,
but cannot necessarily keep out
the virus.
“You can catch it from every-
one,” he said. “Unknowingly,
you can transmit it to someone
(else).”
Help is available
Fortunately, Upadhyay said,
some services at MUW are still
running. The school’s cafeteria
opens twice a day, allowing her
to order brunch and dinner to
go. For students struggling fi-
nancially, the school has set up
a student emergency fund on its
website for anyone who wishes
to apply, she said.
Aryal is among those who
applied for the fund. The money,
up to $250, can be used to help
cover some of his expenses.
“We give (the school) the es-
timate of the expenses,” Aryal
said, “and we tell them why we
are applying.”
In addition to the fund, the
school continues to offer ser-
vices online, including library,
counseling, writing center and
information technology ser-
vices, said Jennifer Miles, vice
president for student affairs at
MUW.
At MSU, all 16 residence
buildings are open to the rough-
ly 500 students who remain on
campus, Hyatt said. The cafe-
teria is open to students who
wish to order takeout food, and
online support services also
Resources
■ To reach out to be a part of
the MUW student government
association initiative, communi-
ty members can contact Miller
at jjmiller2@myapps.muw.edu
or Jessica Harpole, director of
student life at MUW, at jjharpole@
muw.edu.
■ Both universities have dedicat-
ed websites for coronavirus-relat-
ed information. Check out MSU’s
campus guidance at msstate.edu/
newsroom/article/2020/03/cam-
pus-guidance-covid-19 and MUW’s
page at muw.edu/disease.
■ To apply for the student relief
fund, contact dos@msstate.edu at
MSU or go to muw.edu/emergen-
cyaid/fund to apply at MUW.
■ Those in need for counseling
services can call 662-325-2091 to
schedule appointments with MSU
counselors and 662-329-7748 for
the MUW Counseling Center.
■ To access the community
resource list compiled by the
student government association at
MUW, go to the Facebook page of
the association at facebook.com/
muw.sga.
are available. School staff have
also received training on clean-
ing, she said, with a focus on
“high-touching areas” such as
doors and door knobs.
All 15 counselors at MSU are
providing counseling services
online, Hyatt said, and students
can schedule appointments over
the phone or via telemedicine.
To help students with all kinds
of expenses in emergency situa-
tions, Hyatt said the school has
opened up applications for the
student relief fund, which was
set up after Hurricane Katrina
hit in 2005. The fund is powered
by donations from school alumni
and friends, she said.
There is no cap to how much
a student can receive, Hyatt said,
and each case is evaluated on
an individual basis. The money
can cover gas, internet access as
well as other types of spending.
“We’ve had about 300 stu-
dents making requests of the
fund since this started,” she
said. “We’ve received donations
in this current situation of over
$13,000 to that fund to help sup-
port students.”
Aside from help from the
school, the student government
association at MUW is also help-
ing students, compiling a list of
available community resources
for those who remain on cam-
pus.
The list, kept online as a Goo-
gle spreadsheet and updated
daily, is a joint effort between
the association and the Office of
Student Life at MUW, said John
Jacob Miller, president of the as-
sociation.
“Originally we were looking
at building a list of what stores
have what items,” Miller said.
“Because toilet paper and bread
and milk was unable to be found.
… A lot of students were con-
cerned about food insecurity.”
But with information from
community partners, the proj-
ect developed into a running list
of available resources and where
to find them.
“We have gotten news that
it’s well received, and we believe
that’s useful, and people are us-
ing it,” Miller said.

Ordinances
Continued from Page 1A
care, grocery stores and
law enforcement, and
mandated local officials
could not further restrict
those services.
Reeves’ order, which
was less restrictive than
many local emergency or-
dinances already passed
in municipalities across
the state, raised alarms
among mayors and city
attorneys, including in
Columbus and Starkville.
Both Columbus’ city
council and Starkville’s
board of aldermen have
passed emergency resolu-
tions within the last week
suspending dine-in ser-
vices altogether and man-
dating restaurants serve
customers via takeout,
drive-through or delivery.
Columbus’ council went a
step further by enacting a
10 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew and
closing other businesses
it deemed nonessential.
At a press conference
Thursday, Reeves clari-
fied his order was meant
to be a statewide mini-
mum and that officials
in individual municipali-
ties and counties had the
option to enact further
restrictions, such as cur-
fews or the closings of
nonessential businesses,
if they felt it was the right
option for their communi-
ties.
“If you have a small
community restaurant in
Prentiss that has, includ-
ing employees, four or
five people dining there,
then you are in compli-
ance with the state EO,”
Reeves said. “If, howev-
er, the City of Prentiss
decides that they want
to limit all restaurants to
only dine-out services,
they have the authority to
do so.”
Both Starkville Mayor
Lynn Spruill and Colum-
bus City Attorney Jeff
Turnage said their prima-
ry concern with the order
had to do with the restau-
rants.
“I wanted clarification
on the restaurants and
the dine-in option that he
provided,” Spruill said.
“... He was pretty clear in
the press conference that
the cities are well within
our authority, even under
his executive order, to
ban dine-in restaurants.
That follows with our res-
olution that we passed on
(March) 20.”
Turnage said the press
conference and other board of aldermen has Smith said the curfew
talks with the governor’s passed. She said any fur- may be renewed again on
office also assured him ther action the board took Monday.
the city is in line with the with regard to essential
executive order, for the services “would need to”
most part. be in line with the order.
“I got clarification from Columbus Mayor Rob-
the governor’s office to- ert Smith has renewed
day that the city is not re- Spruill Turnage
the citywide 10 p.m.-6
stricted from prohibiting we are looking at that,” a.m. curfew through 6
dine-in services, so that Turnage said. “I don’t a.m. on Monday, accord-
was the main thing the think there’s any citations. ing to a city press release.
city is concerned about,” The mayor and city coun- The city council enact-
he said. cil will take that up when ed the curfew Saturday,
they meet next time. along with closing “non-
Essential services “We’re not planning essential” businesses,
Turnage said the only to violate the governor’s passing restrictions on
part of the order that may orders with that, in a nut- others and limiting gath-
not line up with Colum-
shell,” he added. erings to 10 people or few-
bus’ emergency resolution
Spruill said none of the er. City officials hope the
relates to essential busi-
essential businesses list- new restrictions will limit
nesses or services. Reeves
stressed during his press ed in Reeves’ order clash person-to-person trans-
conference that local gov- with anything Starkville’s mission of the virus.
ernments did not have the
right to restrict those ser-
vice’ operations.
Included in the order’s
list of essential business-
es is child care facilities,
which the city of Colum-
bus ordered closed by
March 21 at 5 p.m., along
with other non-essential
businesses such as con-
vention centers, hair sa-
lons, tattoo parlors, night-
clubs and gyms.
“Child care (facilities),

SOLUNAR TABLE
The solunar period indicates
peak-feeding times for fish and game.
Fri. Sat.
Major 3:15a 3:59a
Minor 9:22a 9:55a
Major 3:36p 4:22p
Minor 10:00p 10:55p
Courtesy of Mississippi Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

The Dispatch
The Commercial Dispatch (USPS 142-320)
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:
The Commercial Dispatch, P.O. Box 511, Columbus, MS 39703 Website: cdispatch.com/help
Published by Commercial Dispatch Publishing Company Inc.,
516 Main St., Columbus, MS 39703
Report a news tip: news@cdispatch.com
Opinion
4A FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020
PETER BIRNEY IMES Editor/Publisher
BIRNEY IMES III Editor/Publisher 1998-2018
BIRNEY IMES JR. Editor/Publisher 1947-2003

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

ZACK PLAIR, Managing Editor

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

OUR VIEW
A failure of leadership
I
n his first crisis as Mis-
sissippi’s governor, Tate
Reeves’ performance in
meeting the challenge of
COVID-19 is best character-
ized as slow to respond and
confusing in direction.
Reeves did not issue his first
executive order detailing what
restrictions would be put in
place in the state until Tues-
day, almost two weeks after
the first confirmed case in the
state. In the absence of that
guidance, cities and counties
from one end of the state to
the other had already start-
ed implementing their own
restrictions, some as much as a
week ago.
Without a uniform policy or
clear direction from the state,
local governments were left
to their own devices, which
meant the rules varied widely.
Local governments im-
plemented a range of new
policies, from placing restric-
tions on restaurants, ordering
non-essential businesses to
close or reduce hours, ban-
ning social gatherings of 10 or
more people and establishing
curfews.
Had the governor moved
more quickly in establishing
state-wide policy, those local
governments could have used
it as a model to craft their own
policies, ensuring that the
citizens throughout the state
would know what is expected
of them.
To make matters worse,
section 3b of Reeves’ original
order nullified more restrictive
policies already implemented
by many local governments.
For example, multiple local
governments dictated that
restaurants could not serve
dine-in customers. Reeves’
order overruled that policy and
allowed dine-in service as long
as there were no more than 10
customers dining at any given
time. The order also classified
a wide range of businesses in
the state as “essential.”
Some cities — Oxford and
Tupelo, for example — be-
gan rolling back policies that
appeared to be in conflict with
the governor’s order imme-
diately. Other city/county
leaders maintained they were
entitled to enact policies that
are more stringent than those
outlined in the order.
The confusion was such that
Reeves issued an amendment
to his order Thursday after-
noon, less than 48 hours after
his original order, stating that
local orders can be more strin-
gent than those outlined in the
executive order, but not less.
Reeves’ amendment
stressed no local orders
can interfere with essential
businesses, however, which
affirms the supremacy of the
executive order over local. As
it stands, any local government
order closing or limiting hours
of many businesses is unen-
forceable.
The lack of consistency and
clear direction we see in our
state is sadly on display on the
national level as well.
Given two months to pre-
pare for the inevitable large
scale arrival of the virus in the
U.S., the Trump administration
moved slowly and ineffectively
in the critical early weeks.
Supplies, including tests and
basic safety equipment (mask,
gloves, shields, ventilators),
are only now being produced
and deployed in anything ap-
proaching sufficient numbers.
Reports lamenting the lack of
leadership on this pandemic
from the Centers from Disease
Control and Prevention have
also surfaced.
The number of U.S. cases
now exceeds those of China.
America simply wasn’t
ready. That’s unconscionable.
Throughout the pandem-
ic, the President has often
minimized the severity of the
crisis, contradicted health
experts and squabbled with
media and other perceived
enemies at a time our nation
needed clear and reliable
leadership.
There has been no national
unified response to the pan-
demic. As we have seen, states
have largely been left on their
own to establish and imple-
ment policy.
In our state, the absence of
clear-eyed, decisive leadership
has forced local governments
to take matters into their own
hands.
We commend local lead-
ers throughout the state for
making the tough decisions
necessary to help flatten the
curve, especially when state
leaders failed to do so. Unfor-
tunately, with an enemy such
as a virus, social distancing is
most effective when we’re all
on the same page. Leadership
at the state level and above has
consistently failed to define
what that page is.

“
A MOMENT OF CALM CARTOONIST VIEW
In life, we think that the point is to
pass the test or overcome the prob-
lem. The real truth is that things don’t
really get solved. They come together
for a time, then they fall back apart. Then they
come together again and fall apart again. It’s just
like that.
Personal discovery and growth come from let-
ting there be room for all this to happen: room for
grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.
Suffering comes from wishing things were dif-
ferent. Misery is self inflicted when we are expect-
ing the “ideal” to overcome the “actual”, or need
things (or people, or places) to be different for us
so we can then be happy.
Let the hard things in life break you. Let them
affect you. Let them change you. Let those hard
moments inform you. Let this pain be your teacher.
The experiences of your life are trying to tell you
something about yourself. Don’t cop out on that.
Don’t run away and hide under your covers. Lean
into it.
What is the lesson in this wind? What is the
storm trying to tell you? What will you learn if you
face it with courage? With full honesty and-lean
into it.
Pema Chödrön

STATE OF THE NATION

March 26: “This is Evelyn Hunter. I just want-

ed to share that this is my third week of quarantin-
In Trump they trust
“We have it totally under control. human “Have you no sense of decency? At
ing myself. I’m doing good. I’m staying in. I live by
It’s going to be just fine.” trait, not long last, have you left no sense of
myself. I’m 87 years old and I’m doing real good. I
­— Donald Trump, an ideolog- decency?”
would urge other people to quarantine themselves
Jan. 22, 2020 ical one. But that would be a waste of
and not stand a chance of catching this virus any
But you time. We know the answer already.
worse than it is. I just wanted other people to know
“One day — it’s like a miracle — always They surrendered any claim to de-
that you can do it and save yourself from getting
it will disappear.” think cency in their unwavering support
the virus and other people too. Thank you.”
­— Donald Trump, there will of a man who daily debases us as
Feb. 27, 2020 come a a people, as a force for good. The
Social distancing is affecting us all in different
moment of issue is not his policies, odious as
ways. We want to hear how you’re doing. Call Voices
“Anybody that wants a test can reckoning, many of us consider them. After
from Home at 662-328-2424 x101 and leave us a
get a test.” a moment all, some people found George
voicemail. Selected messages will be reprinted here.
­— ­Donald Trump, Leonard Pitts when even W. Bush’s and Barack Obama’s
Know that someone is out there listening, and you’re
March 6, 2020 the most policies odious, too, yet they were
not alone. We’re all in this together.
truth-pho- able to attend the Kennedy Center
“No, I don’t take responsibility bic and logic-allergic will have Honors without controversy and
at all.” to face reality. Where Trump is athletes did not refuse to shake
­— Donald Trump, concerned, however, it turns out their hands. Trump daily debases
TODAY IN HISTORY March 13, 2020 — apologies to “Porgy and Bess” us not because of what he legis-
— it ain’t necessarily so. lates, but because of what he is: a

Today is Friday, March 27, the 87th day of 2020.
There are 279 days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On March 27, 2006, Al-Qaida conspirator
Zacarias Moussaoui (zak-uh-REE’-uhs moo-SOW’-
ee) testified at his federal trial that he was sup-
posed to hijack a fifth airplane on Sept. 11, 2001,
and fly it into the White House.
On this date:
In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon
(hwahn pahns duh LEE’-ohn) sighted present-day
Florida.
In 1933, Japan officially withdrew from the
League of Nations.
In 1945, during World War II, General Dwight
D. Eisenhower told reporters in Paris that German
defenses on the Western Front had been broken.
In 1958, Nikita Khrushchev became Soviet
premier in addition to First Secretary of the Com-
munist Party.
In 1964, Alaska was hit by a magnitude 9.2
earthquake (the strongest on record in North
America) and tsunamis that together claimed
about 130 lives.
SOURCE: The Associated Press
A
nd yet, many of us still
believe.
Meaning the ones who
whine how the “fake news” is
being mean to Trump when they
call him to account for bungling
the coronavirus pandemic. Mean-
ing the ones who think the real
illness is “Trump Derangement
Syndrome”: an inability to appreci-
ate the genius of a man who is, as
presidents go, “the best one we’ve
had.” Quoth Joanne, a reader from
Ohio.
As has often been argued in
this space, reasoning with Trump
believers is a waste of time. They
lack the willingness and the
capacity. But one still can’t help
marveling at their ability, at this
late date and with their lives on
the line, to continue to deny the
evidence of their senses.
Yes, we all deny reality some-
times; all of us are loath to change
our minds even when the facts
dictate that we should. That’s a
Consider that at this writing,
there are 78,000 coronavirus cas-
es in the United States, hospitals
in New York City are bracing to
be overrun, newly unemployed
people are wondering how they
will pay their rent, the man who
blundered us into this wants the
country to re-open by Easter
— not because the science says
so, but because that would be “a
beautiful time” and yet . . . and yet
. . . Joanne from Ohio thinks he’s
“the best one we’ve had.”
Not Lincoln, mind you. Not
Washington, Jefferson, Reagan or
either one of the Roosevelts. No,
Trump.
Nor is Joanne the only one.
Trump’s approval rating stands
at 44.7 percent, according to the
authoritative FiveThirtyEight
blog — historically low, to be sure,
but also astonishingly high, given
the circumstances. And you want
to ask them all, as Joseph Welch
asked Joe McCarthy in 1954,
mixture of bluster, egocentrism,
ignorance, ineptitude and plain
nastiness that now has led us
smack into catastrophe.
Yet the people who still believe
are sanguine. In Trump they trust.
Well, the rest of us better bat-
ten down the hatches and count
the days till November. Because
you cannot keep denying the
truth, pledging allegiance to the
lie, without incurring a price. If
you don’t impose consequences
— and we haven’t — then you’d
better believe consequences will
impose themselves. And sadly,
they won’t discriminate between
those who believed and those who
did not. That’s the moral of this
moment.
Karma is here and she’s in a
foul mood.
Leonard Pitts Jr., winner of the
2004 Pulitzer Prize for commen-
tary, is a columnist for the Miami
Herald. Email him at lpitts@
miamiherald.com.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 5A

A new beat for police across US: Enforcing social distance

Health officials say enforcing social distancing
guidelines are critical to containing COVID-19
BY TOM HAYS
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — In New York
City, they’ve started disman-
tling basketball hoops to pre-
vent people from gathering in
parks and playing. In Lakewood,
New Jersey, police broke up a
wedding being held in violation
of a ban on large gatherings.
And in Austin, Texas, officers
are encouraging people to call
a hotline to snitch on violators
of the city’s orders for people to
stay home.
Police departments are tak-
ing a lead role in enforcing so-
cial distancing guidelines that
health officials say are critical
to containing COVID-19. Along
with park rangers, fire inspec-
tors and other public servants,
officers more accustomed to
chasing suspects and solving
crimes are spending these trou-
bled days cajoling people to stay
at least 6 feet apart.
“We’re used to crowds, we’re
used to lines, we’re used to be-
ing close together,” New York
City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at
a briefing this week. “No more.”
The no-more mandate has
forced the New York Police De-
partment — a squad that nor-
mally prides itself on protecting
packed crowds like the ones at
the Times Square New Year’s
Eve celebration — into service
dispersing small groups of peo-
ple on city streets and public
spaces.
Instead of the threat of ter-
rorism, they’re trying to stop
the spread of a silent killer that
as of Thursday had left more
than 1,000 people dead in the
U.S., at least 280 of them in New
York City — all while trying to
avoid using a heavy hand.
For starters, the nation’s
largest police department made
thousands of visits to bars and
restaurants to make sure they
were observing a shutdown of
dine-in services imposed this
month, resulting in warnings
but only a handful of citations.
Now comes an effort to im-
pose restrictions in parks, play-
grounds, housing project court-
yards and sidewalks, where
some people to congregate out
of habit or indifference as tem-
peratures rise. On Wednesday,
de Blasio said the city was re-
moving basketball hoops at 80
of its 1,700 public courts — plac-
es where he said people were ig-
noring instructions not to shoot
around with anyone outside
their household.
Enforcement also will in-
clude marked patrol cars driv-
ing through Brooklyn’s Pros-
pect Park and other popular
outdoor escapes around the
city, broadcasting recorded re-
minders about the importance
of social distancing.
NYPD video shot in Manhat-
tan’s Lower East Side and post-
ed on Twitter showed a squad
car slowly rolling down a nearly
empty street — occupied by just
two people running on opposite
sides of the street — and play-
ing a message that implores,
“Please help us keep you safe.”
In addition, the city is mobi-
lizing departments to form rov-
ing enforcement teams for the
effort, including members of the
fire and parks departments and
the mayor’s community affairs
unit.
People are not being dis-
couraged from getting out for
a breath of fresh air solo, as
couples or as families. But oth-
er activities like team sports or
gatherings like outdoor family
barbecues are going to be shut
down, de Blasio said.

COMMERCIAL DISPATCH
OBITUARY POLICY
Obituaries with basic informa-
tion including visitation and
service times, are provided
free of charge. Extended obit-
uaries with a photograph, de-
tailed biographical information
and other details families may
wish to include, are available
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 newspa-
per no later than 3 p.m. the
day prior for publication Tues-
day through Friday; no later
than 4 p.m. Saturday for the
Sunday edition; and no later
than 7:30 a.m. for the Monday
edition. Incomplete notices
must be received no later than
7:30 a.m. for the Monday
through Friday editions. Paid
notices must be finalized by 3
p.m. for inclusion the next day
Monday through Thursday; and
on Friday by 3 p.m. for Sunday
and Monday publication. For
more information, call 662-
328-2471.
William Wood
WEST POINT — Dr.
William Horace Wood,
86, died March 24,
2020, at his residence.
A private family ser-
vice will be at Calvert
Funeral Home, with the
Rev. Darian Duckworth
officiating. Burial
will follow in Red Bay
City Cemetery of Red
Bay, Alabama. Calvert
Funeral Home of West
Point is in charge of
arrangements.
Dr. Wood was born
March 17, 1934, in
Red Bay, Alabama, to
the late Elmer E. and
Hester Blanton Wood.
He was a graduate of
Oxford High School,
Southwestern College
and Vanderbilt Univer-
sity. He was formerly
employed as a profes-
sor at Coastal Carolina
University and a mem-
ber of the Methodist
Church. In addition to
his parents, he was pre-
AREA OBITUARIES
ceded in death by his Annette Jackson Martha Alice William, the late Andrew J. Rob- Japan. She was formerly
wife, Sandra McCord Lillie B. Word, Earline inson Sr. and Ella M. employed as a seam-
STARKVILLE —
Wood; and brother, Annette Lynn Jackson, W. Smith, Shannon Lee Hairston Sturdivant. He stress with Bobbie’s
Kermit Wood. 47, died March 18, McKissick and Joyce was formerly employed Fashions.
He is survived by 2020, in Starkville. Ann Moore. at General Tire. She was preceded in
his son, Dr. William Graveside services He is survived by He is survived by is death by her parents;
D. Wood II of Oxford, will be at 11 a.m. his children, Gary children, Andre Rob- and sister.
United Kingdom; and Saturday, at Greater T. Eckford, Erica T. inson III, Alphonzo She is survived by
sister, Kay Wood Powell Ebenezer Cemetery of Johnson, Johnny Oneal Moore DeAndre White, her son, David Boykin
of West Point. Starkville. Visitation is III and Cornisha Webb; Jeanetta Robinson, Glo- of Brooksville; one
Memorials may be from 1-5 p.m. today, at siblings: Rena M. Pen- ria Smith and Rebecca sister; one brother; and
made to Special Olym- West Memorial Funeral nington, Willie James Brown all of Columbus; five grandchildren.
pics, AT TN: Web Gifts, Home. West Memo- Williams and Julie Ann siblings, Lee Roberston
1133 19th Street NW, rial Funeral Home of McKissick; and seven of Phenix City, Alabama
12th Floor, Washing- and AlFonzo Hair-
Starkville is in charge grandchildren.
ton, D.C. 20036-3604, of arrangements. ston of Jackson; four
by calling (800) 380- Mattie Porter grandchildren; and two
She is survived by
3071 Donor Services, COLUMBUS — Mat- great-grandchildren.
her children, Quenton
or online at donorser- tie L. Porter, 73, died
Evans,Trenton Evans,
vices@specialolympics.
Alexis Jackson and March 26, 2020, at her James Conner
org. residence. COLUMBUS —
Whitney Evans; and
siblings, Juanita Gra- Arrangements are James Conner, 65, died
Clara Jones ham Brown , LaRhonda incomplete and will be March 25, 2020, at his
NOXUBEE COUN- Jackson ,Vicki Robinson announced by Carter’s residence.
TY — Clara Jones, 63, and Freddie Williams. Funeral Services of Arrangements are
died March 21, 2020, at Columbus. incomplete and will be
Baptist Memorial Hos- announced by Carter’s
pital-Golden Triangle.
Chekita Stewart Funeral Services of
Private services will
COLUMBUS — Charlie Burgin Columbus.
Linda Latham
Chekita Stewart, 43, COLUMBUS — Visitation:
be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Private Family Visitation
died March 25, 2020, at Charlie E. Burgin, 80,
Carter’s of Macon
her residence. died March 26, 2020, at Bobbie Boykin College Street Location
Graveside Services:
Funeral Home Chap- BROOKSVILLE — Friday, March 27 • 2 PM
Arrangements are his residence.
el, with Curtis Jones Bobbie Naoko Boykin, Living Faith Tabernacle Cemetery
incomplete and will be Arrangements are College Street Location
officiating. Burial will 89, died March 26,
announced by Carter’s incomplete and will be
follow at Macedonia 2020, at her residence.
Funeral Services of announced by Carter’s
Cemetery. A private
Columbus. Funeral Services of A private graveside
visitation will be from service will be at 1 p.m.
Columbus.
2-5 p.m. Saturday, at Saturday, in Brooksville
Carter’s Funeral Home. Andrew Thompson Jr. Cemetery. Cockrell Fu-
Carter’s Funeral Home COLUMBUS — An- Andrew Robinson neral Home of Macon
of Macon is in charge of drew Lee Thompson Jr., COLUMBUS — is in charge of arrange- memorialgunterpeel.com
arrangements. 67, passed Andrew “Popeye” ments.
Mrs. Jones was born away. Robinson, Mrs. Boykins was
June 18, 1956, in Noxu- Grave- 71, died born Feb. 14, 1931, in
bee County, to the late side March
Bennie Lee Jones and services 16, 2020,
Ora Lee Jones. In addi- will be at at Baptist
tion to her parents, she noon Sat- Memorial
was preceded in death urday, at Hospi-
by her siblings, Bennie Sandfield Thompson tal-Golden
Robinson
Price, Bennie Jones and Cemetery. Triangle.
Mary Brown. Visitation is from 4-6 Grave-
She is survived by p.m. today, at Lee- side services will be at
her siblings, Betty Sykes Funeral Home. 11 a.m. Saturday, at Me-
Smith of Cleveland, Lee Sykes Funeral morial Gardens Ceme-
Ohio, Ann Graves, Home of Columbus is tery, with the Rev. Joe
Resa Robinson, Aldean in charge of arrange- L. Peoples officiating.
Jones and Geraldine ments. Visitation is from noon-
Green all of St. Louis, Mr. Thompson was 5 p.m. today, at Cen-
Missouri, Julie Gillett
of Moss Point, Linda
born Dec. 29, 1952,
to the late Katherine
tury Hariston Funeral
Home. Century Hair- Walter Bjorklund Jr.
King of Macon, Debbie Knowles and Andrew ston Funeral Home of
Swagerty of Portland, Lee Thompson Sr. Columbus is in charge Walter “Bob” Robert Bjorklund, Jr., 78, of
Oregon, L.C. Jones of In addition to his par- of arrangements. Columbus, MS passed away Monday, March 23,
Macon, Marvin Jones ents, he was preceded Mr. Robinson was 2020, at Garden Hill Assisted Living, Columbus,
of Macon and Curtis in death by his siblings, born Aug. 10, 1948, in MS.
Jones of Jackson. Archie Pearl Griffin, St. Louis, Missouri, to A private family funeral service was held
Thursday, March 26, 2020, at 11:00 AM in the
Lowndes Funeral Home chapel, with Father
Jeffrey Waldrip officiating. Interment will be at
Memorial Gardens, Columbus, MS at a later date
with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Bjorklund was born July 26, 1941, to the
late Walter and Betty Bjorklund in Duluth, MN.
He was a member of Annunciation Catholic
Church in Columbus, MS. Mr. Bjorklund served
in the United States Air Force retiring after 20
years of service as a Tech Sergeant. He was a 4th
degree Knight of Columbus, served as the CFO
for American Legion Post 69 for over 20 years,
Elvis impersonator and enjoyed performing
at many nursing homes, a dedicated donor to
multiple charities and a very loving husband,
father and grandfather.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Bjorklund is
preceded in death by his wives, Helen Diane
Bjorklund and Mary Yvonne Bjorklund.
Mr. Bjorklund is survived by his daughter,
Sherri (Andy) Pettit of West Point, MS; son,
Tony (Cindy) Bjorklund of Columbus, MS;
granddaughter, Maegan Diane Pratt; sister,
Patricia Bjorklund; brother, Greg Bjorklund.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members
of Knights of Columbus, members of American
Legion Post 69 and members of Sons of American
Legion.
Compliments of
Lowndes Funeral Home
www.lowndesfuneralhome.net
6A FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020
Scavenger hunt
Continued from Page 1A
“I was scrolling
through Facebook be-
cause I have so much ex-
tra time these days,” said
Kristen, a special educa-
tion teacher at Caledonia
Middle School. “I think it
came from a COVID-19
teachers resource group.
I just thought I’d take my
two little girls on walks
multiple times a day to
get us out of the house. I
just saw that and thought,
‘That would be really
fun.’”
Residents of Colum-
bus’ Southside have
bought in, with dozens
of households placing
stuffed bears in their win-
dows for families to find
when passing through
the neighborhood. Prop-
erties from Columbus’
Northside are also slowly
starting to join the fray.
Some houses have
gotten a little more
creative, displaying plush
toys ranging from rabbits
wearing sunglasses, a
monkey hanging from
a balcony, Snoopy and
Yoda.
“We’ve gotta have
more smiles and more
sunshine,” said Columbus
resident Katherine Ker-
by, who placed a red and
white Beanie Baby on a
sign outside her home.
While the scavenger
hunt can be merely a
source of fun for some,
it’s an escape from reality
for others.
Starkville resident
Kayla Graviet was
temporarily laid off by
her employer Thursday
until the national pan-
demic ceases. She has
two children: Maggie, 3,
and Lonnie, 1. Graviet
said she’s taking what-
ever positives she can
from the setback, most
notably her availability to
spend more time with her
family. The bear hunt has
been a welcome sight in
that regard.
“It’ll be difficult for us
financially, but I’d rather
stay home with the kids
and make sure we’re not
getting sick,” Graviet
said. “If there’s one posi-
tive, I am spending more
time with the kids, we’re
trying to get outside and
not stay cooped up.”
Two MSU employees, student have confirmed cases of COVID-19
BY ISABELLE ALTMAN
ialtman@cdispatch.com
At least two employees
and one student at Missis-
sippi State University have
been confirmed to have
COVID-19 coronavirus,
university officials said in
a press release Thursday.
The three individuals,
including a faculty mem-
ber and a staff member,
are in isolation, university
Chief Communications
Officer Sid Salter said in
the release. University
officials are investigating
the cases and have sani-
tized the areas the indi-
viduals may have recently
had contact with on cam-
pus.
Additionally, an MSU
Extension Service em-
ployee in Pike County is
in self-isolation and being
treated for the virus.
Another student is hos-
pitalized out-of-state with
what health professionals
believe is COVID-19, but
The Jordan family poses outside their home in Columbus Thursday after completing
a teddy bear scavenger hunt. Pictured from left, Durham, Kristen, Ella Ruth, Lucy-
anne and their dog, Deuce.
Parish Potts, an insurance agent for ALFA Insurance in
Starkville, poses with a stuffed teddy bear Wednesday
inside the ALFA Insurance office in Starkville. The teddy
bear is being displayed outside the window as part of a
“teddy bear hunt” in Starkville.
A little homework,
a little history
The movement is
even inspiring homework
assignments.
Columbus native
Charles Glenn, 7, who is
homeschooled, was given
a task this week from his
mother to find out the
origin of the teddy bear.
“He hasn’t done his full
report yet. He’s asked Siri
about it, but that’s about
it,” Frances Glenn said
with a laugh.
The Glenn family has
searched for bears every
day since Monday and is
getting a little creative
with their own display
inside their home.
“We have a bunch
of bears. We’re going
to make a tea party,”
has not been confirmed.
The student was last on
campus on March 18
while moving out of fra-
ternity housing, and had
“little to no contact” with
others during that time,
the release said. The fra-
ternity has been notified,
and university officials
are taking appropriate
sanitation measures and
reaching out to anyone
the student may have
come into contact with
while moving.
At least three other uni-
versity employees are in
self-isolation awaiting re-
sults on COVID-19 tests.
“Under the direction
of Mississippi State Uni-
versity President Mark
E. Keenum and senior
administrators across the
campus, MSU has during
the COVID-19 national
emergency maintained a
commitment to keeping
our students, faculty and
staff as safe as possible,”
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
Garrick Hodge/Dispatch Staff
Charles said. “It’s pretty
fun, because I love
playing with bears, but
my friend always makes
me play a tea party with
Barbies, so this will be
better than that.”
Charles said his favor-
ite bear displayed is his
neighbor’s, as it applauds
the stuffed animal taking
the pandemic seriously
by donning a mask as
visitors walk by.
Some stuffed animals
have more wear and tear
than others, but it’s going
to be difficult to find one
older than Columbus his-
torian Rufus Ward’s, who
is displaying a stuffed
bear that was made in
the 1920s. Ward writes a
weekly opinion piece for
The Dispatch.
“It was a childhood
Salter said in the release.
“One way that safety can
best be accomplished is
through offsetting rumor
and gossip with factual
and timely information.”
The press release said
university officials expect
the number of MSU-re-
lated cases to increase,
which the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Preven-
tion and Mississippi State
Department of Health
both said is likely for all
essential institutions, the
release says.
As of Thursday, the lat-
est update the Mississippi
Department of Health has
provided by press time,
there have been 485 con-
firmed cases in the state,
including 10 confirmed
cases in Oktibbeha Coun-
ty, six in Lowndes County
and one each in Clay and
Noxubee counties.
There have also been
six deaths, in Hancock,
Holmes, Webster, Wilkin-
Garrick Hodge/Dispatch Staff
bear of an individual
I used to practice law
with,” Ward said. “He and
my father had grown up
together … his niece and
nephew wanted me to
have it and gave it to me.”
Small businesses have
taken notice of the social
media trend. Parish Potts,
an ALFA insurance agent
in Starkville, said he
was given a suggestion
by his coworker, Leslie
Blakely, to rearrange the
placement of a bear that
was already inside the
office after seeing various
Facebook posts.
“I thought we’d defi-
nitely put it out,” Fellow
ALFA insurance agent
Potts said.
Potts had returned
to the office on Wednes-
day for the first time all
week and was admittedly
relieved to return to a
semblance of normalcy.
He said he can only imag-
ine what it’s doing for
families around the area.
“The kids are going
stir crazy,” Potts said.
“The parents are going
stir crazy. Everybody is
going stir crazy. … In
times like these, anything
that can keep people’s
minds off it or getting
them out of the house
while still maintaining so-
cial distancing is a good
thing.”
son, Tunica and Rankin
counties. All the individ-
uals who died were 60
years or older, and most
had underlying health
conditions.
DeSoto (49) and Hinds
(43) counties have report-
ed the most cases in the
state.
The United States now
leads the world in the
number of confirmed cas-
es with more than 85,000,
according to national me-
dia outlets. More than
1,200 Americans have
died from the virus.
Sports ‘THAT’S JUST SORT OF LIKE SEEING THE PRESENTS UNDER THE TREE’
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020
B
SECTION

HOW THE CORONAVIRUS IS IMPACTING MIKE LEACH’S FIRST SPRING

Jim Lytle/Dispatch file photo.

Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach prepares to throw the first pass of his air raid offense at Humphrey Coliseum during a time out in the first half of Mississippi
State Men’s basketball game with Georgia on Jan. 18 in Starkville.

BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE — As
Mike Leach and his wife,
Sharon, rode their bikes
down the roads of Key West
in recent weeks, the small
island 90 miles from Cuba
has quickly emptied.
Vacationers have up and
gone. Beaches are bare.
Hotels have few, if any, oc-
cupants. The supermarkets
in town are among the only
places that remain open.
What is normally a
small, but bustling beach
town, the Conch Republic
has become a shell of itself
following the worldwide
outbreak of COVID-19.
“We’re not really a place
where there’s just mass
crowds at the beach,” Leach
explained. “You know, you
have your space and all
that. But I don’t know — it
just seems like fresh air,
breeze and salt water would
be pretty good at attacking
this thing. You know?”
For Leach, his well-doc-
umented haven has become
a home office of sorts since
he departed Starkville for
spring break nearly three
weeks ago. An avid reader,
he’s delved into the works
of famed Mississippi writer
Willie Morris. Documen-
taries have also filled the
hours. But more pressing,
it’s preparations for the
2020 season that have cap-
tured the largest compo-
nent of Leach’s extended
jaunt to paradise.
“I do think it’s kind of
a good time to reset, sort
your thoughts, sort your pri-
orities and what you want to
do, need to do and reassess
what’s really important,”
Leach told The Dispatch.
“Now that doesn’t change
the fact that everybody is
ecstatic, and biting at the
bit and incredibly eager to
get out there on the field
and to practice — which we
desperately need.”
Having spent the bet-
ter part of the past month
in Key West, adjusting to
MSU has been all the more
difficult for Leach as he is
a literal ocean away from
Starkville and the majority
of his players. Technology
has helped him keep in
touch with his staff. Twice
weekly meetings with Ath-
letic Director John Cohen
and the other MSU head
coaches have also helped.
That said, it’s still a chal-
lenge for Leach to learn a
roster that he’s only been
able to observe in passing
during offseason workouts
and varying team activities
— though he remains up-
beat about its potential.
“I wish I could give you
a more complete answer,”
he conceded. “It was fun
during the offseason to a
point, but that’s just sort of
like seeing the presents un-
der the tree.”
Beyond the obvious
transition from a run-pass-
option attack to an air raid
offense — one that saw
Washington State quarter-
backs attempt 710 passes
last season compared to the
315 thrown by MSU signal
callers — the biggest ques-
tion mark remains at quar-
terback.
Speaking with reporters
at his first media availabili-
ty at MSU on Feb. 5, Leach
said he hoped to use spring
practices as an evaluation
period before whittling the
competition to two finalists.
But with the spring session
canceled, the quarterback
competition is likely to run
well into fall camp.
At present, the Bull-
dogs currently boast five
scholarship quarterbacks
heading into the summer.
Vanderbilt import Allan
Walters will also join the
squad as a walk-on initially,
though he is expected to sit
this season due to NCAA
transfer rules.
Following a year in
which he completed 88
passes for 1,170 yards and
eight touchdowns, rising
sophomore Garrett Shrad-
er was expected to take the
reins ahead of former coach
Joe Moorhead’s firing. But
with Moorhead now off to
Oregon as the new offen-
sive coordinator in Eugene
and Stanford graduate
transfer KJ Costello in the
fold, Shrader will have his
work cut out for him.
For one, Costello and
Leach’s ties run deep.
Leach previously recruited
the California product out
of Santa Margarita High
School during his tenure at
Washington State. He also
coached four of Costello’s
former Eagle teammates
during his time in Pullman
— including Cougar stand-
outs River Cracraft and
Kyle Sweet.
A veteran passer, Costel-
lo completed 495 of 791
passes for 6,151 yards and
49 touchdowns to 18 inter-
ceptions in 29 career games
at Stanford. More impor-
tantly, his 62.6 completion
percentage in parts of four
years is over five points bet-
ter than Shrader’s in one
season of work.
“I thought he was tough,
I thought he threw the ball
well,” Leach said of his im-
pressions of Costello in two
career games against him.
See LEACH, 2B

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NCAA revises financial

For area’s uncommitted seniors, virus-suspended
season has made it hard to turn recruiters’ heads
BY THEO DEROSA
tderosa@cdispatch.com
Caledonia center
fielder Thomas Tucker
was hitting his stride
when his baseball world
unraveled.
Tucker, teammate
Westlee Honeycutt and
the Confederates were in
the midst of a road game
at Gordo (Alabama) on
March 12 when the team
got word the Lowndes
County School District
had shut down athlet-
ics until further notice
due to concerns about
the spread of COVID-19
coronavirus.
“It shocked a lot of
us,” said Tucker, a senior
transfer from Starkville
High School, who was
hitting .512 on the sea-
son with seven doubles
and a home run for the
’Feds at the time of the
stoppage.
Tucker, like his team-
mates, thought the
shutdown would be tem-
porary — a few days at
worst.
But the course of pan-
demic quickly acceler-
ated, causing Gov. Tate
Reeves to close all Mis-
sissippi public schools
through April 17 — put-
ting sports on hold for
more than a month and
possibly longer.
Tucker, who had re-
cruiting interest from
Itawamba Community
College and East Central
Community College, was
hoping a standout senior
season could earn him
a collegiate scholarship
offer. But he has had to
come to terms with the
fact that the contest in
Gordo might just be the
last baseball game he
ever plays.
“It could cost me my
career,” Tucker said.
He’s one of several se-
nior baseball and softball
players in the Golden Tri-
angle area trying to nab
a spot on a college roster,
and the cancellations the
virus has caused have
brought recruiting to a
standstill. Talent show-
cases have been wiped
off the schedule; college
coaches have “stopped
the looking” for players,
Honeycutt said.
West Point senior
Baker Watson summed
it up well: “It’s hard to be
recruited when you can’t
play.”
Watson said he would
have participated in
whatever showcases to
distribution plan, will
dole out $225 million to
support college athletes
which he could earn an
invite, but there’s noth- BY BEN PORTNOY $50 million will come
ing on the horizon and bportnoy@cdispatch.com from NCAA reserves.
nothing on the Green The NCAA also boasts a
Wave’s schedule for at STARKVILLE — $270 mil-
least three more weeks. The financial ramifi- lion event
cations of the NCAA’s cancel-
“It’s difficult just
canceled seasons is be-
thinking about not being lation in-
ginning to be felt.
able to finish the last sea- surance
Thursday, the
son after working hard policy —
NCAA’s board of gover-
through the first four the pro-
nors voted unanimously
years,” he said. ceeds of
to distribute $225 mil-
New Hope catcher which are
lion in June to Division I Capilouto
Stallone Shelton, who schools to help support planned
was at home when he college athletes. to be
found out through his “Our priority is to used to pay off the re-
church that his senior ensure that we are able maining distribution
season was on hold, said to support student-ath- within 12 months.
he and his teammates letes and continue to “We are living in
had the same feeling. provide opportunity as unprecedented times
“‘Man, I can’t believe broadly as possible,” Di- not only for higher ed-
it might be over,’” Shel- vision I board chair and ucation, but for the en-
ton and his teammates president at Kentucky tire nation and around
said. “I pray to God ev- Eli Capilouto said in a the globe as we face
ery day that we resume news release. the COVID-19 public
the season.” Of the $225 million health crisis,” Michael
See SENIORS, 2B slated for distribution, See NCAA, 2B
2B FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020
Leach
Continued from Page 1B
“It does kind of laser out of
his hand and he’s a smart
guy.”
Though Costello and
Shrader are undoubtedly
the front-runners for the
starting gig, junior Key-
taon Thompson and mid-
year enrollee Will Rogers
could also figure into the
mix. Thompson redshirt-
Seniors
Continued from Page 1B
New Hope, the defend-
ing Class 4A champion,
isn’t the only team with
championship hopes
at least temporarily de-
ferred. The Columbus
High School softball team
was 4-1 before the March
12 stoppage.
“I was really looking
forward to this season,”
senior star C’Asia Grayer
said. “I had so much hope.
It’s just hard.”
Grayer, who also runs
track, was supposed to
be competing in a meet in
New Orleans this coming
weekend, but she’s stuck
at home, where she can’t
do much. Area gyms have
been closed; Grayer and
her teammates have tried
practicing at local parks
but have been asked to
leave.
“There’s been so much
going on that everybody’s
been staying away from
each other,” she said.
Grayer has scholarship
offers from Holmes and
NCAA
Continued from Page 1B
V. Drake, chair of the
board of governors and
president of The Ohio
State University, said in
a news release. “As an
Association, we must ac-
knowledge the uncertain-
ties of our financial situa-
tion and continue to make
thoughtful and prudent
ed last season after losing
out on the starting job to
Penn State graduate trans-
fer Tommy Stevens, while
Rogers — like Costello —
was previously recruited by
Leach at Washington State
before he settled on MSU.
Now 21 days since MSU
departed for spring break,
it remains to be seen when
Coahoma community col-
leges and has an invitation
to play at the Mississippi
University for Women,
and she had to postpone
her visit to Holmes due to
the virus as she plays the
waiting game at home.
“Without softball,
I’ve been so bored,” she
said. “That was my go-to
thing.”
It’s even harder for
players like Starkville
Academy seniors for Kam-
den Upchurch and Justin
Rook, neither of whom
currently has a college of-
fer. When the Volunteers
play against the state’s top
teams, college scouts will
fill the stands and could
take notice; without those
opportunities, it’s difficult
for Rook, Upchurch and
the Vols’ other uncommit-
ted seniors to earn looks.
“If we have a good game
against those teams, then
we’re gonna be on their
radar, but without being
able to play these games,
decisions on how we can
assist conferences and
campuses in supporting
student-athletes now and
into the future.”
The NCA A’s an-
nouncement comes less
than two weeks after it
decided to cancel the
men’s and women’s bas-
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
Leach, his staff and the rest
of the Bulldogs will return
to Starkville. And while the
first-year head coach con-
tinues to make use of his
extended stay in the south-
ernmost point in the United
States, bike rides and books
haven’t quelled his desire to
get back on the field.
“All you have is full
it’s really, really hard to
do,” Rook said.
He knows college
coaches who express in-
terest in players they ha-
ven’t seen are “taking a
risk” — and he hopes it’s
one they’re willing to take
in the absence of compe-
tition.
“They don’t know ex-
actly what they’d be get-
ting, whereas if the sea-
son does continue, then
they could actually come
watch me play, come
watch Kamden play, come
watch all the other play-
ers on our team play who
still want to play college
ball,” Rook said.
While Upchurch ex-
pressed optimism about
a possible return to play
in late April or early May,
he said being unable to
play for the time being is
“devastating” — none of
the players was confident
they would be able to sal-
vage their senior years.
“I hope I get to play,”
ketball tournaments in
the wake of the coronavi-
rus outbreak. The men’s
tournament specifical-
ly accounts for a major
chunk of the NCA A’s
revenue each season, in
addition to championship
ticket sales.
“The Association has
steam ahead,” Leach said
of whether he’s con-
cerned the season could
be delayed. “Just stick in
the present and that’s re-
ally all you have. I guess
I’m worried, but I’m going
to cross that bridge when
I come to it. I’m optimistic
we’ll get to the bottom of
this and get rolling.”
Tucker said. “That’s what
I’ve been working for my
whole life.”
For Tucker and his
fellow area seniors, hope
still springs eternal de-
spite a spring that feels
eternal without baseball
and softball.
Grayer still wants to
take her visit to Holmes.
Honeycutt said he thinks
Caledonia will take the
field again and build on
its 8-4 start. Rook wants
‘a chance to do something
special,’ while Upchurch
hopes for playoff revenge
against rival Heritage
Academy, which bounced
the Vols in the 2019 post-
season. Watson said he’d
walk on to a college team
“if worst comes to worst.”
Shelton said he’d play at
any school that would
take him.
“That’s the strongest
thing that you can have is
hope,” Tucker said.
prepared for a financial
catastrophic event like
the one we face now,”
Drake said. “While we
certainly have chal-
lenges ahead, we would
be in a far worse posi-
tion had it not been for
this long-standing, for-
ward-focused planning.”

Twinbills? Winter windup? Baseball’s 2020 could be creative
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX — It’s been
another ideal week of
March weather in central
Arizona, with highs in the
70s and plenty of sunshine.
Perfect for an open-
ing day baseball game
between the Arizona Di-
amondbacks and Atlanta
Braves that isn’t happen-
ing as planned because of
the coronavirus pandemic.
That reality was starkly
apparent on Thursday, as
a nearly deserted Chase
Field sat in strange silence.
But the pleasant weath-
er was also a reminder of
what could happen when
and if the games resume.
After all, it’s a lot like what
November or even Decem-
ber baseball would feel like
in this part of the world.
Comics & Puzzles
DILBERT
ZITS
GARFIELD
CANDORVILLE
BABY BLUES
BEETLE BAILEY
MALLARD FILLMORE
In the upside-down
universe of Major League
Baseball — which is on
hold until at least mid-May
and quite possibly longer
as the world fights the
coronavirus spread — just
about anything is possible
if the 2020 season ever be-
gins.
“Every year, you hope
to host the World Series,”
Arizona owner Ken Kend-
rick said earlier this month
when discussing options
for a pushed back season,
including neutral sites in
the playoffs.
“Maybe we have a little
edge in that happening,”
he said.
His comment drew a
few laughs and Kendrick
grinned, too, but he add-
ed that he wasn’t trying to
FAMILY CIRCUS
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
make jokes about a seri-
ous situation like the coro-
navirus spread. While a
neutral-site World Series
seems a bit far-fetched,
these are strange times,
and the sport must adjust
as it figures out what the
season might become.
“There are still a lot of
unknowns, and our leader-
ship team is working tire-
lessly to make sure our or-
ganization is handling this
situation the best we can,”
Washington GM Mike Riz-
zo said. “It’s a very, very
fluid situation, and this
thing is not in the general
manager’s manual.”
While no one knows
exactly what will happen,
here are a few options if
games can be played:
Let’s play two
It’s hard to envision
teams playing the tradi-
tional 162-game season if
games don’t begin until
mid-summer. But one way
to squeeze in action would
be a throwback option:
Scheduled doubleheaders.
Doubleheaders were
once a regular part of
MLB’s schedule but have
mostly faded away with
the exception of make-up
games due to weather. The
2020 season could be dif-
ferent, with teams playing
eight or even nine games
in a week.
If that’s the case, there
would be talk of expand-
ing rosters to help keep
players — especially pitch-
ers — from getting over-
worked. MLB had already
Dear Abby
D
EAR ABBY: I
was sexually
abused by
a sibling for 10
years during my
childhood. I never
told anyone what
happened to me
until I confided in
my fiance after we
were engaged. I
have gone through
counseling ses-
sions and am at
a place in my life
where I am happy
and healthy.
Currently, I
Dear Abby
have a relation-
ship with my parents, but not
with my sibling. My parents
often express their wish for
me to have a relationship with
my sibling, but I always refuse.
I feel that telling them what
happened at this point would
only cause hurt for them. But I
also feel that if I tell them, I can
stop getting asked uncom-
fortable questions. What do
you suggest? ­— SURVIVOR IN
SOUTH DAKOTA
DEAR SURVIVOR: I suggest
you tell your parents everything.
It’s something you should
have done years ago. Do not
worry about hurting them. Once
they have all the facts, they
will understand why you want
nothing to do with your sibling
and stop pushing you to have a
relationship with your abuser,
and that’s the goal.
DEAR ABBY: I have been
Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (March
27). You are important to a
community, and you’ll take this
responsibility to the next level.
Many prosper because of your
decisions. Your heart will be
open for different kinds of love
to drop in, and drop it will, like
rain in a garden. You’ll make
plans and serve goals. There
will be a steep learning curve
in regard to how those goals
are best served. Capricorn and
Sagittarius adore you. Your
lucky numbers are 8, 20, 14, 4
and 18.
ARIES (March 21-April 19).
When was the last time you
heard no one you had to answer
changed the rules to allow
26 players on the active
roster this season and that
number could jump to 28
or even 30 in a condensed
situation.
Twins pitcher Taylor
Rogers said the teams and
the players would want to
play as many games as
possible.
“It’s in both of our best
interests to do that and it’s
in the fans’ best interest,”
Rogers said. “So, I think
whatever thing we can put
together to get the most
games in, everybody’s
going to win on that ac-
count.”
Past time
Baseball has made
schedule adjustments on
the fly before. Nearly 40
in a relationship
with a man for
five years, and
we are deeply in
love. We want to
spend the rest of
our lives together,
but it bothers me
that he wants
to go into the
military for three
to five years. He
says he wants
me to wait for
him, but three to
five years seems
like a lifetime to
me. I can’t help
but feel like he is
prioritizing his desire to serve
his country over me and years
of our life together. — CIVILIAN
IN THE EAST
DEAR CIVILIAN: It would
be interesting to know how old
you and your boyfriend are. I
assume you are both young and
graduating from high school.
This is not necessarily a
question of where his priorities
lie. While three to five years
seems like a large chunk of
time, the military may provide
your boyfriend with the chance
to decide what he wants to
do career-wise with his life. It
would also provide benefits that
could positively affect his future
— and yours — once his term
of service is finished. If you
feel unable to wait for him, you
should let him go.
DEAR ABBY: My mother
is 88 and in a nursing home.
to, saw no issue that needed
solving, felt no pressure at all?
It’s been a while. Go where
you can create the illusion of
tranquility.
TAURUS (April 20-May
20). Social awkwardness can
be blamed for 90% of today’s
stress. Whatever you do to
make interactions easy will im-
prove the day for anyone within
a 10-yard radius of you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21).
The exceptional work you do
may be awarded in the future,
but it’s the daily stuff that really
deserves mention and yet may
not get it for a while. Know your
value.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 3B
years ago, there was a
strike in the middle of the
1981 season that wiped
out games for nearly two
months from of a sea-
son known for Fernando
Valenzuela’s electric rook-
ie season and the Dodg-
ers’ World Series win.
The season was split
into two halves and the
playoffs expanded to
eight teams from the
usual four. The division
winners from each half
played each other before
eventually moving on to
the league championship
series and World Series.
Teams played around 110
games in the regular sea-
son — Pete Rose breaking
Stan Musial’s NL career
hits record was among the
highlights.
While cleaning out her apart-
ment, I found her will. With it
there was a handwritten note
stating that my son should get
my mother’s diamond ring. The
ring is unique and special. The
note specifically said that my
sister’s kids should not get the
ring because they didn’t act like
they loved her, while my son
did. The note instructed my son
to give the ring to his wife.
I have not shown the note to
my sister because I know she
will be upset. I want to give the
ring to my son. I know my sister
will see the ring on my daugh-
ter-in-law’s finger and know it
was my mom’s. My sister will
wonder how she got the ring.
What should I do? — HURT IN
OHIO
DEAR HURT: Do not
approach your sister with this
information until you have
spoken to an attorney. Show
him or her the will you found in
your mother’s apartment and
the note that was with it. If your
mom is able, have the ring de-
tails added to the will. In order
to avoid any misunderstandings
and a possible rift in the family,
your sister should be given a
copy of both. After that, take
your lead from the attorney.
Dear Abby is written by
Abigail Van Buren, also known
as Jeanne Phillips, and was
founded by her mother, Pauline
Phillips. Contact Dear Abby
at www.DearAbby.com or P.O.
Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA
90069.
CANCER (June 22-July 22).
The usual work you do may,
unfortunately, go unmentioned.
You know the quantity and
scope of what you’ve done, and
that gives you a private feeling
of accomplishment.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). In
sports and in life, people tend
to root for the underdog. In
business, not so much. When it
comes to money, many need to
have a confident feeling they’ll
be getting theirs back. Use this
concept to your advantage.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
There will be something to cut
out, many things to organize
and several things to align. All
the magic comes from focusing
in a particular direction.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
Making other people change is
hard and, ultimately, unsatisfy-
ing. Changing yourself though
— that usually feels like soul
sunshine. Start with small
things. You’ll be surprised how
they add up.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.
21). The sun burns the sky, not
because it’s angry but because
things naturally combine in this
way. Make a point to be around
the people who won’t be offend-
ed by what you do naturally.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
21). When you know something
is better than the thing that
other people are accepting, you
feel it’s your duty to speak up,
and you will speak up today.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). Life is a privilege that you
can’t feel past a few years in-
side it. It’s not our fault that our
brains get used to the status
quo, although we might be able
to feel better about things by
simply repeating this: Life is a
privilege.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18). What is truth? You’ll grap-
ple with this today, as there are
many ways to account for what
happened and some of those
ways include feeling your way
through.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March
20). You’ve anticipated this
moment. It’s probably nothing
like what you thought it would
be. But here you are, at this age
in this time, and it’s the most
interesting thing to witness.
Up the creek without a paddle
SOLUTION:
4B FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Are gun shops ‘essential’ Ethanol plants seek

businesses during a pandemic?
‘When there’s a national emergency, people
are looking for food, water, shelter ... They
are also looking for the Second Amendment
to protect their families.’
Michael Cargill, owner of Central Texas Gun Works in Austin
BY LISA MARIE PANE
AND JIM VERTUNO
The Associated Press
In some parts of the U.S., au-
thorities say gun shops aren’t
essential businesses and should
close during stay-at-home orders
meant to slow the coronavirus. In
other places, officials are stop-
ping background checks for con-
cealed carry permits. Elsewhere,
city leaders have invoked emer-
gency powers allowing bans on
gun sales.
As the nation grapples with a
pandemic that has upended daily
life, some gun rights advocates
are concerned about an erosion
of Second Amendment rights just
as Americans are buying fire-
arms in record numbers to try to
ensure their safety.
“When there’s a national
emergency, people are looking
for food, water, shelter — that
part is important to the survival
of our nation,” said Michael Car-
gill, owner of Central Texas Gun
Works in Austin. “They are also
looking for the Second Amend-
ment to protect their families.”
He’s scaled back how long he’s
open each day but said he won’t
close his shop and doesn’t be-
lieve he should be forced to.
In recent weeks, firearm sales
have skyrocketed. Background
checks — the key barometer of
gun sales — already were at re-
cord numbers in January and
February, likely fueled by a pres-
idential election year. Since the
coronavirus outbreak, gun shops
have reported long lines and runs
on firearms and ammunition.
Background checks were up
300 percent on March 16 com-
pared with the same date a year
ago, according to federal data
shared with the National Shoot-
ing Sports Foundation, which
represents gunmakers. Since
Feb. 23, each day has seen rough-
ly double the volume over 2019,
according to Mark Oliva, spokes-
man for the group.
“When people aren’t able to
provide for their own security or
their own safety, they’re going to
take measures to make sure that
they can. That’s why we have that
Second Amendment,” Oliva said.
“This is a public safety issue.”
The federal background check
system has been overwhelmed by
the massive increase in firearm
sales. What might normally take
a few minutes is taking much
longer, and a backlog on back-
ground checks has ballooned to
about 80,000, Oliva said.
If a background check takes
longer than three business days,
gun dealers are permitted to al-
low the sale to go through unless
a state has stricter waiting peri-
ods. But the National Shooting
Sports Foundation has advised
gun dealers not to feel beholden
to complete the sale if they have
concerns about the potential buy-
er.
“We are cautioning retailers
that they may want to exercise
patience and prudence,” Oliva
said.
rule changes to
resupply hand sanitizer
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DES MOINES, Iowa — As hospitals and nursing
homes desperately search for hand sanitizer amid
the coronavirus outbreak, federal regulators are pre-
venting ethanol producers from providing millions of
gallons of alcohol that could be transformed into the
germ-killing mixture.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s road-
block has been frustrating the health care and ethanol
industries, which have been calling for a relaxed reg-
ulation to deal with the public health care emergency.
“Hand sanitizer is a big part of our lives,” said Eric
Barber, CEO of Mary Lanning Healthcare, a hospital
in Hastings, Nebraska. “We can’t get any. We order it
and it’s just not available.”
The problem for the ethanol industry is that most
plants make food-grade ethanol, one step below the
highest pharmaceutical grade. But since the plants ar-
en’t certified to comply with stringent production stan-
dards designed to protect quality of medicines, food
ingredients and dietary supplements, the FDA doesn’t
want the alcohol used for a product to be applied to the
skin.
In addition, the alcohol is not denatured or mixed
with a bitter additive to make it undrinkable. The FDA
insists this step is “critical” because of cases of poison-
ing, sometimes fatal, among young children who have
accidentally ingested hand sanitizers.
An FDA spokesman said Thursday that regulators
have already seen a rise in poisonings linked to hand
sanitizers in recent weeks, “heightening this public
concern.”

CANCELED Western
Oktibbeha County
Singing Convention
NewBell Zion United Meth-
odist Church, 3743 Highway
25 South, canceled its West-
ern Oktibbeha County Singing
Convention for March 28-29.
For more information, contact
Lena Gandy Smith, 662-324-
4674 or 662-617-3892.
CANCELED 46th Annual
Choir Day
The Gospel Choir of True-
vine M.B. Church, 5606 Arte-
sia Road, canceled its 46th
Annual Choir Day at 6 p.m.
April 4. Fore more information
call 662-272-5888.
Church Conference
The Peter’s Rock Family
Worship Center COGIC hosts
its church conference April
6-8. The conference will
feature workshops, seminars,
keynote speakers, youth
activities, special music and
more. For more information
call 662-323-5119.
Love Benefit
& Appreciation
Program
True Worship Holiness
Church, Bigbee valley, hosts
a Love Benefit and Apprecia-
tion Program for Sis. Shirley
Windham at 6 p.m. March 28.
The public is invited. For more
information, call Sis Queen
Harris, 662-738-4204.
Spring Revival
Northside M.B. Church,
1501, 9th Ave. N, hosts its
Spring Revival at 7 p.m. April
1-3. Guest Evangelist will be
Dr. R.L. White Jr. For more in-
formation, call 662-327-0587.
School of Ministry
Enrollment
Mississippi State School
of Ministry is now taking ap-
plications for enrollment. Earn
a certification, associates,
bachelor, master or doctoral
degree in divinity. For more
information, call Dr. Michael T.
Boyd, 662-425-8443.
Forgive and Live
Forgive and Live meets
from 6-7 p.m. every 2nd and
4th Tuesday of each month
in the downtown YMCA Board
Room and every 3rd Wednes-
day at Vibrant Church Cafe.
Inquire and seek informa-
tion to succeed spiritually,
physically and financially and
be eager to be a blessing to
the community, churches and
families through the Word of
God. The public is invited to
attend. For more information,
call Pat Fisher Douglas, 662-
251-5899.
Fellowship Dinner,
Youth Service
Pleasant Ridge Faith Cen-
ter, 923 Ridge Road, hosts a
fellowship dinner and youth
service every 3rd Sunday.
Gospel Book Club
Friendship M.B. Church,
1102 12th Ave. S., invites the
public to join its Community
Gospel Book Club from 6-7
p.m., on the fourth Friday of
each month, to study and
share views of the Holy Bible.
Open to all ages and ethnic-
ities. For more information,
call Barbara Mattison or Lillian
Murray, 662-570-5595.
Grief Support Group
The Oil of Joy for Grief
and Mourning offers a grief
support group at 6 p.m. every
RELIGIOUS BRIEFS
2nd Thursday of the month 5th Saturday. For information,
at United Christian Baptist contact Jesse Slater, 662-
Prayer Ministry Fitness
Church, 232 Yorkville Road 328-4979.
New Beginning Everlasting Transformations
Outreach Ministry invites the
East. “Making your grieving
public to call in with their
The Transformational
journey easier.” For more in- Radio Program prayer requests at 662-327-
Church, 2301 Jess Lyons
Road, hosts boxing lessons
formation, call 662-327-0604 Apostles Patrick Perkins
or e-mail unitedchristian@ 9843. Mondays and Wednesday
invites the public to tune in to
cableone.net. from 5-7 p.m., weight-loss
WTWG, radio 1050 AM for Per-
fecting the Saints Broadcast,
Prayer Service boot camp Tuesdays and
Celebrate Recovery Wednesdays 8:30 a.m.
Church of the Eternal
Word, 106 22nd. St. S., Co-
Thursdays 5-7 p.m. and both
on Saturdays 9-11 a.m.
The Assembly Church,
2201 Military Road, and lumbus, holds prayer service
Meadowview Church, 300 Lin- Women Prayer, Thursday nights 5-6 p.m. Youth Fellowship
den Circle in Starkville, host Worship Service Contact Marie Nabors, 662- The Transformational
Celebrate Recovery at 6 p.m. Church of the Eternal 549-4322. Church service Church, 2301 Jess Lyons
every Sunday at The Assembly Word, 106 22nd St. S., holds times: Sunday school 10 a.m.; Road, hosts Youth Fellowship
Church (next to Lowe’s) and a prayer and worship service Sunday worship 11:15 a.m.; from 7-8:30 p.m. every Tues-
at 6 p.m. every Tuesday at every Thursday from 5-6 p.m. Tuesday Bible study 7 p.m. day. Games, prayer, service,
Meadowview Church. Get help, Call Marie Nabors, 662-549- For information, call Pastor food, & more. Transportation
healing and support for any 4322 or 662-329-1234, for District Elder Lou Nabors, available. For information, call
habit, hurt or hang-up using prayer requests. 662-329-1234. Iris Roberson, 662-295-7456.
the Christ-centered 12 steps.
Divorce Recovery
The DivorceCare Recovery
support group meets from
4:30-6 p.m. each Sunday
beginning Jan. 12-April 5 at
Meadowood Baptist Church,
1512 Hatley Road in Amory.
Child care provided through
5th grade. Standalone
seminar sessions topics are
“Facing My Anger”, “Facing My
Loneliness”, “New Relation-
ships”, and “Forgiveness”.
For more information, call
Meadowood Baptist Church,
662-256-5616, or email
meadowoodamory@gmail.
com.
Prayer for Youth
Every 2nd and 3rd Sat-
urday, Pleasant Ridge Faith
Center hosts a prayer for the
youth from 2-3 p.m.
Prayer, Free Coffee
Mount Zion Missionary
Baptist Church, 2221 14th
Ave. N., hosts free coffee and
a prayer community outreach
service from 8-9 a.m. every
Classifieds
Section 1: Effective at 5:00 it and/or reduce the spread of Voted

ADS APPEAR IN THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH,

P.M. on March 24, 2020, and
continuing until further action
by the Lowndes County Board
infectious disease, and espe-
cially Covid-19. To the extent
the enforcement of this Sec-
Yes/No

Harry Sanders

THE STARKVILLE DISPATCH AND ONLINE

of Supervisors, all restaurants
shall only serve food using
drive-through, curbside (only)
tion 3 might impair or impede
the practical and safe opera-
tion of essential service busi-
voted
Yes

pick-up, or delivery methods, nesses, including, hospitals, Trip Hairston

and shall not allow the use by
the public of interior or exterior
To place ads starting at only $12,
call 662-328-2424 or visit ads.cdispatch.com
common dining or bar facilities.
Section 2: Because of the like-
lihood of close person-to-per-
son contact, which THEincreases
DISPATCH
dramatically the likelihood of
the spread of infectious dis-
ease, effective at 5:00 P.M. on
March 24, 2020, and continu-
Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal
ing Notices
until further action by the
nursing homes, health clinics,
drug stores, pharmacies,
voted
Yes
banks, grocery stores, conveni-
ence stores, and gas stations, John Holliman
military installations, security voted
and emergency response oper- Yes
n CDISPATCH.COM
ation, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 n 5B
such operation andnser-
vices shall be exempted from Jeff Smith
this Section 3. However, noth- voted
ing in this Section 3 shall oth- Yes
erwise limit the enforceability
ofLegal Notices 1, 2 and 3 above. Leroy
Sections Legal Notices
Brooks

LEGALS
CALL US: 662-328-2424
Legal Notices
The following vehicles have
been abandoned at Marty's
Service Center, 1233 Gardner
Blvd, Columbus, MS.
2010 LINCOLN MKS
VIN# 1LNHL9FT7AG604570
2003 FORD EXPLORER
VIN# 1FMZU62K03ZB04772
2007 GMC YUKON
VIN# 1GKFC13J97R146905
2005 DODGE STRATUS
VIN# 1B3EL46X55N599658
2016 TOYOTA RAV4
VIN# 2T3ZFREV9GW240278
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA
VIN# 1N4AL21E69C155932
2001 FORD MUSTANG
VIN# 1FAFP40471F242885
2007 NISSAN TITAN
VIN# 1N6AA06A97N229143
1999 HONDA CIVIC
VIN# 2HGEJ8644XH507650
IF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT
CLAIMED THEY WILL BE PUT
UP FOR PUBLIC SALE ON THE
14TH DAY OF APRIL, 2020, AT
10:00 A.M. AT MARTY'S SER-
VICE CENTER, 1233 GARDNER
BLVD, COLUMBUS MS.
PUBLISH: 3/13, 3/20, &
3/27/2020
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ROBERT
TODD WALDROP, DECEASED
CAUSE NO. 2020-0027-DE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
Letters of Administration have
been granted and issued to the
undersigned upon the Estate of
Robert Todd Waldrop, de-
ceased, by the Chancery Court
of Lowndes County, Missis-
sippi, on the 9th day of March,
2020. This is to give notice to
all persons having claims
against said estate to probate
and register same with the
Chancery Court of Lowndes
County, Mississippi, within
ninety (90) days from the first
publication of this Notice to
Creditors. A failure to so pro-
bate and register said claim
will forever bar same.
This is 23rd day of March,
2020.
Brandy Waldrop
Administratrix
PUBLISH: 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, &
4/17/2020
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN THE MATTER OF THE ES-
TATE OF FRANCES VIRGINIA
BROWN, formerly known as
FRANCES VIRGINIA HARRIS,
DECEASED
CAUSE NO. 2019-0210-JNS
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
TO: All Unknown Heirs-at-Law of
Frances Virginia Brown, also
known as Frances Virginia Har-
ris, deceased, and Any Un-
known Parties In Interest, and
You have been made a defend-
ant in the Petition for Adjudica-
tion of Heirs-at-Law of Resid-
uary Estate, Discharge and Oth-
er Relief [Doc. No. 14] filed
herein by Brittany Brown, Ad-
ministratrix c.t.a., on March
12, 2020, seeking to determ-
ine the heirs-at-law of the resid-
uary estate of Frances Virginia
Brown, also known as Frances
Virginia Harris, deceased, dis-
charge and other relief. Other
than you, the only other inter-
ested parties in this action are
Brittany Brown, Melissa Helton,
Peggy McDaniel and Deborah
Lynn Trussell.
You are summoned to appear
and represent your interests
against said Petition before the
Honorable Joseph N. Studdard,
Chancellor of the 14th Chan-
cery District at 9:00 a.m. on
the 7th day of May 2020, at
the Lowndes County Court-
house in Columbus, Missis-
sippi, and in case of your fail-
ure to appear your interest in
this matter will not be con-
sidered.
You are not required to file an
answer or other pleading, but
you may do so if you desire.
Issued under my hand and the
seal of said Court, this the
25th day of March 2020.
CINDY E. GOODE, CHANCERY
CLERK
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
(SEAL)
BY: /s/ Tina Fisher, D.C.
PUBLISH: 3/27, 4/3, &
4/10/2020
All notices must be
emailed to
classifieds@
cdispatch.com.
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
RENEA LYNN WILLIAMS
PLAINTIFF
v.
JOHNNIE CARL WILLIAMS, SR. 2019 Capital Fund Program.
DEFENDANT
CAUSE NO. 2019-0560
SUMMONS
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
TO: JOHNNIE CARL WILLIAMS,
SR.
ADDRESS UNKNOWN
You have been made a Defend- South Frontage Road, P.O. Box continuing until further action
ant in the suit filed in this
Court by RENEA LYNN WILLI-
AMS, Plaintiff, seeking DI-
VORCE. Defendants other than (hearing and speech impaired) assemblages and gatherings
you in this action are NONE.
You are required to mail or
hand deliver a written re-
sponse to the Complaint filed
against you in this action to
Gail P. Thompson, Attorney for ted until 4:00 p.m. local time
Plaintiff, North Mississippi Rur- on April 20, 2020 at the
al Legal Services, whose post
office address is P. O. Box
1107 Clarksdale, MS 38614
and whose street address is
504 De Soto Street Clarksdale, The Housing Authority will use
MS 38614.
YOUR RESPONSE MUST BE
MAILED OR DELIVERED NOT
LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS
AFTER THE 13TH DAY OF
MARCH, 2020, WHICH IS THE
DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICA-
TION OF THIS SUMMONS. IF
YOUR RESPONSE IS NOT SO
MAILED OR DELIVERED, A
JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT WILL
BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU
FOR THE MONEY OR OTHER
RELIEF DEMANDED IN THE
COMPLAINT.
You must also file the original
of your Response with the
Clerk of this Court within a
reasonable time afterward.
Issued under my hand and the 3/31/2020
seal of said Court, this the 4th
day of March, 2020.
Cindy E. Goode By Tina Fisher
Clerk of LOWNDES County, Mis- GENERAL PROVISIONS
sissippi
TINA FISHER
Deputy Clerk (Seal)
Gail P. Thompson, NMRLS
P. O. Box 1107
Clarksdale, MS 662-627-4184 continuing until further action
x 2303
PUBLISH: 3/13, 3/20, &
3/27/2020
Read local.
cdispatch.com
Lowndes County Board of Su- voted
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS pervisors, all bars, nightclubs, Section 5: Effective at 5:00 Yes
ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGIN- meetings of fraternal and civic P.M. on March 24, 2020, and
EERING SERVICES organizations, child care facilit- continuing until further action The president then announced
ies, bowling alleys, recreation-
The Mississippi Regional Hous- al buildings, skating rinks, tat-
by the Lowndes County Board
of Supervisors, there is in ef-
that the ordinance passed
upon a vote of 5 to 0 and is ef-
ing Authority IV is soliciting pro- too parlors, gyms, barber- fect a general curfew from fective and to be enforced im-
posals for Architectural and En- shops, hair/beauty and nail 10:00 P.M. until 6:00 A.M. ex- mediately.
gineering Services for modern- and tanning salons, spas, con- cept for essential travel by
ization activities under the vention centers, community those over the age of 18 years. SO ORDERED, ADOPTED AND
centers, and parks shall be APPROVED FOR IMMEDIATE EF-
Work sites will generally in- closed for business. This Sec- Section 6: The County, through FECT ON, this the 23rd day of
clude developments located in tion also applies to govern- future action of the Lowndes March, 2020.
Columbus, Crawford and Louis- ment owned convention County Board of Supervisors,
ville, Mississippi. spaces, community centers may order a shelter-in-place ap- /s/ Harry Sanders
and parks and persons who plicable to such geographical HARRY SANDERS, PRESIDENT
Request for Qualifications have rented municipally owned areas of the county, or to the LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF
(RFQs) packages, which con- facilities shall be entitled to a county as a whole, as advis- SUPERVISORS
tain the information necessary full refund of any rental sums able, an applicable during such
for submitting a proposal, can and deposits paid. hours of the day or night as ne- (SEAL)
be obtained from the headquar- cessary in the interest of the
ters of the Mississippi Region- Section 3: Effective at 5:00 public safety and welfare, with /s/Cindy E. Goode
al Housing Authority IV, 2845 P.M. on March 24, 2020, and such curfew only to remain in BOARD SECRETARY
effect for a period not to ex-
1051, Columbus, MS 39703- by the Lowndes County Board ceed five days, or an earlier PUBLISH 3/27 & 3/29/2020
1051, (662) 327-4121 ext. of Supervisors, all churches, date of rescission as may be
8033 [or (662) 327-8114 temples and places of worship, ordered by the Lowndes County
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
Board of Supervisors.
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
or 7-1-1 or 1-800-582-2233 within Lowndes County shall
SIPPI
Mississippi Relay Service (hear- adhere to the guidelines of the Section 7: The County may is-
ing and speech impaired)]. Centers for Disease Control sue such other orders as are
(CDC) and the Mississippi De- necessary for the protection of IN RE: THE ESTATE OF PEGGY
HAYNES, DECEASED
Bound Proposals will be accep- partment of Health and limit life and liberty.
crowds, assemblages or gath-
ering to no more than 10 Section 8: PENALTIES - The vi- BY: HELEN HAYNES, PETITION-
ER
headquarters of the Missis- people. Such entities and as- olation of any such rule, order,
sippi Regional Housing Author- semblages and gatherings are or regulation shall be punished
CAUSE NO.: 2019-0185-PDE
ity IV, 2845 South Frontage reminded and encouraged to by a fine not exceeding
Road, Columbus, Mississippi. use live-streaming services or $1,000.00 or imprisonment, in
other electronic means of the discretion of the Court, SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
the Qualifications-Based Selec- broadcasting or recording. THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
tion (QBS) procedures to evalu- EFFECTIVE DATE
ate all proposals properly re- Section 4: Effective at 5:00
TO: THE KNOWN AND UN-
ceived and will select the most P.M. on March 24, 2020, and The Lowndes County Board of
KNOWN HEIRS of Peggy
qualified competitor by using continuing until further action Supervisors finds that this or-
by the Lowndes County Board dinance is adopted for the im- Haynes, Deceased.
established selection factors,
subject to negotiating a fair of Supervisors, all businesses, mediate preservation of the
agencies, and units of govern- public peace, health and safety You have been made a Re-
and reasonable fee. spondent in the suit filed in
ment located within Lowndes of the residents of Lowndes
this Court by Helen Haynes in
The Mississippi Regional Hous- County and employing 10 or County. For the reasons set
Motion to Determine Heirship.
ing Authority IV reserves the more employees in any one forth in the Resolution Declar-
right to reject any or all propos- business location shall take all ing a Civil Emergency adopted
You are summoned to appear
als received and to waive any reasonable measures to en- at their specially called meet-
sure that such businesses ing on March 23, 2020, the and defend against the com-
formalities and informalities. plaint or petition filed against
comply with CDC recommenda- Board further finds that this or-
tions and guidance and imple- dinance shall be effective im- you in this action at 9:30 A.M.
Mississippi Regional Housing on the 20th day of April, 2020,
Authority IV ment appropriate safeguards to mediately upon its adoption by
prevent the spread of infec- unanimous vote for the in the courtroom of the
Lowndes County Courthouse at
BRIAN D. POWER tious disease, including but not Lowndes County Board of Su-
limited to: mandating social pervisors. Columbus, Mississippi, and in
Executive Director case of your failure to appear
distancing, sending home and
PUBLISH: 3/27/2020, actively encouraging sick em- The above ordinance having be- and defend a judgment will be
ployees to stay home, separat- ing first reduced to writing and entered against you for the
ing and sending home employ- read and considered section by money or other things deman-
ORDINANCE OF LOWNDES ees who appear to have respir- section at a public meeting for ded in the complaint or peti-
atory illness symptoms, em- the governing authorities of tion.
COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI
phasizing work-from-home Lowndes, County, Mississippi
where possible, mandating res- on motion of Supervisor You are not required to file an
piratory etiquette and proper SANDERS, seconded by Super- answer or other pleading, but
hand hygiene, maintaining visor HAIRSTON, and the roll you may do so if you desire.
BE IT ORDERED BY THE
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF clean and sanitary workplaces, being called, the vote is as fol-
ISSUED UNDER MY HAND AND
SUPERVISORS AS FOLLOWS: cautioning employees regard- lows:
ing travel and taking all such THE SEAL OF SAID COURT¸ this
the 4th day of March, 2020.
Section 1: Effective at 5:00 additional measures to prohib- Supervisor
P.M. on March 24, 2020, and it and/or reduce the spread of Voted
infectious disease, and espe- Yes/No /s/ Cindy E. Goode by Tina
Fisher, DC
by the Lowndes County Board cially Covid-19. To the extent
CINDY GOODE, Chancery Clerk
of Supervisors, all restaurants the enforcement of this Sec- Harry Sanders
Lowndes County, Mississippi
shall only serve food using tion 3 might impair or impede voted
drive-through, curbside (only) the practical and safe opera- Yes
tion of essential service busi- PUBLISH: 3/13, 3/20, &
pick-up, or delivery methods, 3/27/2020
and shall not allow the use by nesses, including, hospitals, Trip Hairston
the public of interior or exterior nursing homes, health clinics, voted
common dining or bar facilities. drug stores, pharmacies, Yes
banks, grocery stores, conveni-
Section 2: Because of the like- ence stores, and gas stations, John Holliman
lihood of close person-to-per-
son contact, which increases
military installations, security
and emergency response oper-
voted
Yes
ation, such operation and ser-
dramatically the likelihood
the spread of infectious dis-
of
vices shall be exempted from Jeff Smith
ease, effective at 5:00 P.M. on this Section 3. However, noth- voted
March 24, 2020, and continu- ing in this Section 3 shall oth- Yes
ing until further action by the erwise limit the enforceability
Lowndes County Board of Su- of Sections 1, 2 and 3 above. Leroy Brooks
pervisors, all bars, nightclubs, voted
meetings of fraternal and civic Section 5: Effective at 5:00 Yes
organizations, child care facilit- P.M. on March 24, 2020, and
ies, bowling alleys, recreation- continuing until further action The president then announced
al buildings, skating rinks, tat- by the Lowndes County Board that the ordinance passed
too parlors, gyms, barber- of Supervisors, there is in ef- upon a vote of 5 to 0 and is ef-
shops, hair/beauty and nail fect a general curfew from fective and to be enforced im-
and tanning salons, spas, con- 10:00 P.M. until 6:00 A.M. ex- mediately.
vention centers, community cept for essential travel by
centers, and parks shall be those over the age of 18 years. SO ORDERED, ADOPTED AND
closed for business. This Sec- APPROVED FOR IMMEDIATE EF-
tion also applies to govern- Section 6: The County, through FECT ON, this the 23rd day of
ment owned convention future action of the Lowndes March, 2020.
spaces, community centers County Board of Supervisors,
and parks and persons who may order a shelter-in-place ap- /s/ Harry Sanders
have rented municipally owned plicable to such geographical HARRY SANDERS, PRESIDENT
facilities shall be entitled to a areas of the county, or to the LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF
full refund of any rental sums county as a whole, as advis- SUPERVISORS
and deposits paid. able, an applicable during such
hours of the day or night as ne- (SEAL)
Section 3: Effective at 5:00 cessary in the interest of the
P.M. on March 24, 2020, and public safety and welfare, with /s/Cindy E. Goode
continuing until further action such curfew only to remain in BOARD SECRETARY
by the Lowndes County Board effect for a period not to ex-
of Supervisors, all churches, ceed five days, or an earlier PUBLISH 3/27 & 3/29/2020
temples and places of worship, date of rescission as may be
assemblages and gatherings ordered by the Lowndes County
within Lowndes County shall Board of Supervisors.
adhere to the guidelines of the
Centers for Disease Control Section 7: The County may is-
(CDC) and the Mississippi De- sue such other orders as are
partment of Health and limit necessary for the protection of
crowds, assemblages or gath- life and liberty.
ering to no more than 10
people. Such entities and as- Section 8: PENALTIES - The vi-
semblages and gatherings are olation of any such rule, order,
reminded and encouraged to or regulation shall be punished
use live-streaming services or by a fine not exceeding
other electronic means of $1,000.00 or imprisonment, in
broadcasting or recording. the discretion of the Court,

Section 4: Effective at 5:00 EFFECTIVE DATE

P.M. on March 24, 2020, and
continuing until further action
by the Lowndes County Board
of Supervisors, all businesses,
agencies, and units of govern-
ment located within Lowndes
County and employing 10 or
more employees in any one
business location shall take all
reasonable measures to en-
sure that such businesses
comply with CDC recommenda-
tions and guidance and imple-
ment appropriate safeguards to
prevent the spread of infec-
tious disease, including but not
limited to: mandating social
distancing, sending home and
actively encouraging sick em-
ployees to stay home, separat-
ing and sending home employ-
ees who appear to have respir-
The Lowndes County Board of
Supervisors finds that this or-
dinance is adopted for the im-
mediate preservation of the
public peace, health and safety
of the residents of Lowndes
County. For the reasons set
forth in the Resolution Declar-
ing a Civil Emergency adopted
at their specially called meet-
ing on March 23, 2020, the
Board further finds that this or-
dinance shall be effective im-
mediately upon its adoption by
unanimous vote for the
Lowndes County Board of Su-
pervisors.
The above ordinance having be-
ing first reduced to writing and
read and considered section by

Just a click away!

atory illness symptoms, em- section at a public meeting for
phasizing work-from-home the governing authorities of
where possible, mandating res- Lowndes, County, Mississippi
piratory etiquette and proper on motion of Supervisor
hand hygiene, maintaining SANDERS, seconded by Super-
clean and sanitary workplaces, visor HAIRSTON, and the roll
cautioning employees regard- being called, the vote is as fol-
ing travel and taking all such lows:
additional measures to prohib-
it and/or reduce the spread of Supervisor
infectious disease, and espe- Voted
cially Covid-19. To the extent Yes/No
the enforcement of this Sec-
tion 3 might impair or impede Harry Sanders
the practical and safe opera- voted
tion of essential service busi- Yes
nesses, including, hospitals,
nursing homes, health clinics, Trip Hairston
drug stores, pharmacies, voted
banks, grocery stores, conveni- Yes
ence stores, and gas stations,
military installations, security John Holliman
and emergency response oper- voted

ads.cdispatch.com
ation, such operation and ser- Yes
vices shall be exempted from
this Section 3. However, noth- Jeff Smith
ing in this Section 3 shall oth- voted
erwise limit the enforceability Yes
of Sections 1, 2 and 3 above.
Leroy Brooks
Section 5: Effective at 5:00 voted
P.M. on March 24, 2020, and Yes
continuing until further action
by the Lowndes County Board The president then announced
of Supervisors, there is in ef- that the ordinance passed
fect a general curfew from upon a vote of 5 to 0 and is ef-
10:00 P.M. until 6:00 A.M. ex- fective and to be enforced im-
cept for essential travel by mediately.
those over the age of 18 years.
SO ORDERED, ADOPTED AND
Section 6: The County, through APPROVED FOR IMMEDIATE EF-
6B FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
Medical / Dental

REAL ESTATE VEHICLES ON THE WEB

IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN RE: THE ESTATE OF PEGGY
HAYNES, DECEASED
BY: HELEN HAYNES, PETITION-
ER
CAUSE NO.: 2019-0185-PDE
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
TO: THE KNOWN AND UN-
KNOWN HEIRS of Peggy
Haynes, Deceased.
You have been made a Re-
spondent in the suit filed in
this Court by Helen Haynes in
Motion to Determine Heirship.
You are summoned to appear
Legaldefend
and Notices against the com-
plaint or petition filed against
you in this action at 9:30 A.M.
ADS STARTING AT $25
Houses For Sale: East
3BR/1BA @ 1521
Shepherd Rd.
Sold as is, needs work.
Serious inquiries only,
769−274−4110.
BARGAIN: 2BR/2BA in
Columbus. LR, DR/KIT &
step down den. Large lot.
Needs work but is livable.
Price reduced. Must sell.
$9,500. 662−574−2617
Houses For Sale: New Hope
16 WIDNER IN NEW HOPE
Apts For Rent: Other
Newly remodeled. 3BR/
2BA home. Approx. 1,500
ADS STARTING AT $12 Visit www.cdispatch.com
Campers & RVs for a printable copy of
2012 JAYCO EAGLE 5th
these puzzles.
WHEEL, 39ft, 4 slide−outs.
2BR, 48" TV & 27" TV.
$26,500. 662−386−9605.
For Sale: 2004 Sierra
5th Wheel Camper. 34 ft.
One slide. $3000.
Call 662−242−2570.
Motorcycles & ATVs
1993 KAWASAKI
VOYAGER XII Only 25,500
miles. Runs & looks good.
No problems. $3000 OBO.
Can be seen local.
501−545−7750.
1999 ROADSTAR 1600
Only 45k miles. Hard bags,
rider & passenger back
rests w/ luggage rack, has
windshield. Ready to ride!
$3000 OBO. Can be seen
local. 501−545−7750.

Sudoku
on the 20th day of April, 2020, sq. ft. Has 25’x30’ wired
in the courtroom of the metal shop w/ roll−up front 2 RACING GO KARTS, YESTERDAY’S ANSWER
Lowndes County Courthouse at & side door. $158,500. extra tires & gears,
Sudoku
Columbus, Mississippi, and in
Sudoku is a number- Yesterday’s answer
662−549−9298. $2,500. Call between
case of your failure to appear
and defend a judgment will be Lots & Acreage
8a−7p, 662−328−0028. placing puzzle based on
entered against you for the Sudoku
a 9x9 gridis a several
with num- 8 5 2 1 3 6 7 9 4
money or other things deman-
1.75 ACRE LOTS. Good/ 2017 Harley Davidson CVO ber-placing
given numbers.puzzle
The object 4 3 7 9 5 2 6 8 1

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

ded in the complaint or peti- Street Glide Special
tion. Bad Credit Options. Good
Starfire Black. Beautiful based onthe
is to place a 9x9
numbers 1 9 6 8 7 4 3 5 2
You are not required to file an
credit as low as 10% down,
$299/mo. Eaton Land, Bike with 2 luggage racks grid with several
1 to 9 in the empty spaces 6 2 5 7 4 9 1 3 8
answer or other pleading, but 662−361−7711. and saddle bag inserts. given
so thatnumbers. The 3 8 1 2 6 5 9 4 7
each row, each
you may do so if you desire. Excellent Condition. object
column and each 3x3 the
is to place box 7 4 9 3 8 1 2 6 5
$25,500.00
ISSUED UNDER MY HAND AND LOT FOR SALE @ 406 662−574−9663 numbers
contains the1same
to 9 number
in
THE SEAL OF SAID COURT¸ this Cherry Street. $5,000. the empty spaces so 5 7 4 6 1 3 8 2 9
the 4th day of March, 2020. only once. The difficulty 9 6 8 4 2 7 5 1 3
Call 662−328−5063 or
2015 Harley Davidson that each row, each
662−436−6238, level increases from
/s/ Cindy E. Goode by Tina leave message. VROD Night Rod Edition. column and each 2 1 3 5 9 8 4 7 6
Fisher, DC Monday
Dark Red with 8,000 miles. 3x3 boxtocontains
Sunday. Difficulty Level 3/26

CINDY GOODE, Chancery Clerk

Lowndes County, Mississippi
Excellent Condition.
the same number only once. The difficulty level
GARAGE SALES
$8,500.00
662−574−9663 increases from Monday to Sunday.
PUBLISH: 3/13, 3/20, &
3/27/2020
DOWNTOWN: 2BR/1BA 2014 Harley Davidson CVO
CH&A, 1 story, W/D, TWO FREE SIGNS Limited. Silver and Sunset

EMPLOYMENT
CALL US: 662-328-2424
General Help Wanted
historic district, 1 block Orange, approx. 20,000
from downtown. Garage Sales: New Hope miles, new front and rear
$575/mo. + $575 dep. tires and battery.
NO PETS. 662−574−8789. 2212 NEW HOPE RD. Fri/ Excellent Condition.
Peaceful & Quiet area. Sat/Sun, 6am−6pm. $15,500.00
Coats, clothes, tools, furn, 662−574−9663
COLEMAN
etc. 901−293−7608.

COMMUNITY
CARPENTER NEEDED w/ at
RENTALS
MERCHANDISE
least 4 yrs. of experience. TOWNHOUSES & APARTMENTS
Ideal candidate will have an
eye for detail, be depend- 1 BEDROOM
able, have good communic- ADS STARTING AT $12
ation skills, reliable trans- 2 BEDROOMS ADS STARTING AT $12
portation & basic tools. We 3 BEDROOMS Travel & Entertainment
specialize in home remod- Farm Equipment & Supplies
els & new construction. LEASE,
© The Dispatch

Call 662-570-9464 for info. PUBLIC CATFISH POND

DEPOSIT JOHN DEERE MODEL M
TRACTOR. A set of one row
@ 130 Hillcrest Drive.
AND cultivators w/ hydraulic lift,
Open Wed, Thur & Sat.
7am−6pm
RENTALS CREDIT CHECK has been repainted, looks For rates call
good & runs good, $3500. 662−386−8591
662-329-2323
Call 662−436−2037.
ADS STARTING AT $25
Apts For Rent: South
2411 HWY 45 N
Furniture
Looking for
a new pet?
LIVING ROOM SET
COLUMBUS, MS Loveseat & chaise for sale.
3BR/1.5BA TOWNHOME @ NEW!! $300.
1705 Bell Ave, beside Commercial Property For Rent 662−242−2884. Leave a
MUW. $600/mo + $600 message.
dep. 678−949−6877. FOR RENT LOCATED NEAR
DOWNTOWN. 3,000 sq. ft. General Merchandise
Apts For Rent: West truck terminal, 9,500 sq.
ft. shop & 3,200 sq. ft. WANTED FREON R12.

VIP
office/shop. Buildings can We pay CA$H.
be rented together or R12 R500 R11.

Rentals
separately. All w/ excellent Convenient.
access & Hwy. 82 visibility. Certified professionals.
662−327−9559. 312−291−9169
Apartments & Houses RefrigerantFinders.com/ad
Houses For Rent: North
1 Bedrooms
2 Bedroooms
HOUSE FOR RENT
2−3 Bedroom w/ 1.5 Bath
WHITE POSTER
BOARDS. Five Question:
3 Bedrooms Fenced in yard. $675. 24"x23"
662−549−9555. $0.50 each

1 Angelica
100 in stock
Furnished & Unfurnished Ask for Glenn or text.
Visit 516 Main Street
1, 2, & 3 Baths Mobile Homes for Rent or call 662−328−2424 ACROSS
Lease, Deposit Huston1 Home run, in
RENT A CAMPER! Lawn & Garden slang
& Credit Check CHEAPER THAN A MOTEL!
6 Refers to
Utilities & cable included, Garden Tiller Earthquake,
viceinvestments.com from $145/wk − $535/mo rear tines, with reverse and
2 Elephant 11 Less than
327-8555 Columbus & County School 6.5hp Kohler engine.
locations. 662−242−7653 Excellent condition. May
right
12 Seize by force
or 205−442−2011.
Apts For Rent: Other have five hours run time. 13 Satchel part
3 Trenta
Kept under cover. $300.00 14 Singer Mel
662−328−9223
1ST MONTH − RENT FREE! RV/MOBILE HOME SITE 15 Malleable
1−2 BR Apt: $350−435 East or West Columbus or
1−2BR TwnHm: $625−650 near CAFB, Caledonia metal
schools. 601−940−1397. 16 François’s
4 Denali, or Mt.
Lease, Dep, Credit Check.
friend
Shop
Coleman Realty
Office Spaces For Rent
18 Writer Anaïs
McKinley
662−329−2323
19 Genesis
Classifieds
OFFICE SPACE FOR
Find the perfect LEASE. 1112 Main St., name
Ste. 5. 3700 sq. ft. 20 Scathing
home.
5 Gwen Stafani review
Plenty of private parking.
662−327−9559.
21 Terminus 42 Daughter of sal of general

SERVICE DIRECTORY
22 Show shame Lear opinion
24 Mid-month 43 Passover 9 Kingly fur
time meal 10 Shells out
25 Agony 44 Skilled 17 Artificial
27 Tennis great 45 Canary chow 23 Buck’s mate
Arthur 24 Bank acct.
PROMOTE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS STARTING AT ONLY $25 29 Patriot’s tune DOWN addition
32 Once called 1 Winery worker 26 Infinite
Automotive Services Childcare General Services Lawn Care / Landscaping 33 Find a sum 2 On the go 27 Soft yarn
FOR ALL YOUR SPRING & 34 Quarterback 3 Made a fresh 28 Blackened
Auto Sales
JEWELRY REPAIR
CHILDCARE SERVICES
LE S
WHO ALE New & Used Look No Further!! SUMMER NEEDS CALL Manning start 30 On cloud nine
Tires Quality Childcare Services K
R RSE ROBINSON LAWN 35 Ravine 4 Seventh Greek 31 Ore workers
Maintenance Are Available For The PA SERVICES. 36 Hair goo letter 33 Bond, for one
ON

Brakes Golden Triangle Area!! We also specialize in

J.

UT Insurance 662.343.8386 or landscaping services. 37 Earth color 5 Give the walls 39 Keg need
O CENTE
A

100 Russell St. 38 Make a a new look 41 Spike of film

662-605-5125 662.813.3672. Serious E
W E L E R Starkville, MS
662−435−8746 or
J

speech
S

7596 Hwy 45 Alt N • West Point

Building & Remodeling
REMODELING, BRICK
work, painting, storm
damage or additions.
Free estimates.
40 years experience.
662−570−3430
Carpet & Flooring
DAVID’S CARPET &
UPHOLSTERY
CLEANING AND
DISINFECTING
1 Room − $50
2 Rooms − $70
Inquiries Only, Please!!
662-268-8058
662−272−8746. 6 Interrupt
Free estimates available. 40 Superior
General Services 7 Equal: Prefix
group 8 Make a rever-
A & T TREE SERVICES MONOGRAMMING Lawn Care / Landscaping
Bucket truck & stump
removal. Free est.
Serving Columbus
since 1987. Senior
Just for Ladies JESSE & BEVERLY’S
LAWN SERVICE
Mowing, cleanup,
citizen disc. Call Alvin @ Mossy Oak Mall • West Point landscaping, sodding,
& tree cutting.
242−0324/241−4447 662-492-4221 • Mon.-Sat. 662−356−6525
"We’ll go out on a limb for CHILDREN’S & LADIES’ CONSIGNMENT
you!" SAM’S LAWN SERVICE
CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY No lawn too large or too
WORK WANTED: $545 plus Filing Fee small. Mowing, trimming &
Licensed & Bonded. CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY weedeating.
Carpentry, minor electrical, All Attorney Fees Through The Plan Call 662−243−1694
minor plumbing, insulation,
painting, demolition, Jim Arnold, Attorney Painting & Papering
gutters cleaned, pressure 662-324-1666 • 601-656-6914
washing, landscaping, 104 South Lafayette Street, Starkville SULLIVAN’S PAINT
cleanup work, moving help. SERVICE. Special Prices.
662−242−3608. Interior and Exterior
Painting. 662−435−6528
GRAVEL, $360 OR LESS!
Local delivery, 14 yd truck.
Backhoe & Dozer work.
Mobile Home Pads &
Driveways.

Grow your
3+ Rooms − $30 EA 662−497−1388
Rugs−Must Be Seen
Car Upholstery

business.
Cleaning Available Got leaky pipes? Find a Are you a painter? Advertise here
662−722−1758 plumber in the classifieds. to grow your business.