Roses and thorns 3-21-10

Army National Guard Alpha Battery 2-114 Strike Battalion; Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman; Leslie Frazier; organizers and visitors for the Mississippi Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship’s 16th Annual State Conference; and city leaders

Shannon Bardwell: Computer dummy

I know I’m too stupid to have a computer, and I really don’t care; but if I want to keep one finger in the world I have to have one.

David Creel: Painting the town beautiful

Whoever said making up was hard to do? It’s a cinch, especially with all of the makeup brushes available now.

Three ways to improve health care

The health care reform debate has gripped the public’s attention. Some people like the reform, others dislike it because it either does too much or not enough. In my opinion, this reform is way too broad and sweeping to really do what people expect or want it to do. Instead of a massive bill, I have a simple, three step plan to correct health care in the United States.

Domtar closing: Sad and painful news

The Domtar Columbus paper mill closing is tragic and a blow to the local economy. The facility, forever known by many as simply “Weyerhaeuser,” has for decades been an economic cornerstone of Lowndes County, and its employees have played a significant role in the civic life of this community. This is sad news, indeed.

South Lamar softball will try to overcome injuries

The South Lamar High School softball team overcame injuries last season to make it to the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class A state championship series.

South Lamar coach Tony Seals hopes the Lady Stallions (1-2) can overcome injuries and make it back to the state championship series.

SHS’ silver sensation

JACKSON — Edward Townsel rediscovered his shooting touch Saturday afternoon to help the Starkville High School boys basketball team claim the Mississippi High School Activities Association Grand Slam Championship.

After being held to four points Friday in the semifinals against West Bolivar, the senior guard scored a game-high 25 points to lead Starkville past Jackson Callaway 61-45 at Mississippi Coliseum.

Perkins, Townsel make good on promise

JACKSON — Rashad Perkins and Edward Townsel helped deliver on a promise Saturday afternoon.

The seniors were instrumental in helping the Starkville High School boys basketball team beat Jackson Callaway 61-45 in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Grand Slam Championship.

Perkins’ block saves Starkville vs. West Bolivar

JACKSON — If ever a player was instrumental in carrying his team to a victory, Rashad Perkins did it Friday afternoon.

Perkins was a stalwart on both ends of the court to help the Starkville High School boys basketball team slip past West Bolivar 57-56 in the semifinals of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Grand Slam Championship at Mississippi Coliseum.

David Creel: Yellow, yellow everywhere!

Buttercups are popping up everywhere on the Southside. Okay, buttercups are not exclusive to my neck of the woods and are, in fact, beginning to bloom all over the South, from my mama’s little country roadside in my hometown of Richton to my old stomping grounds all over Jackson.

Vaughan becomes clutch hitter for EMCC

If the East Mississippi Community College baseball team needs a clutch hit, Coach Tony Montgomery wants Drew Vaughan at the plate.

Montgomery has confidence in Vaughan in clutch situations with the way he’s swung the bat this season.

Vaughan, a sophomore second baseman who is a 2008 graduate of Heritage Academy in Columbus, gave Montgomery a reason to have confidence in him when he belted a game-winning, two-run homer against Arkansas Baptist on Feb. 20.

Harry’s Baaack …

That was quick. What appeared to be a political shakeup in the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors ended practically before it started.

David Creel: Happy Birthday, my beautiful friend

She is, quite simply, the personification of class. She doesn’t need to shout to be heard. When she speaks, people intuitively listen.

Thanks, Harry

In an interview on Page 1 today, outgoing Lowndes County Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders offers a bit of advice for whomever is chosen to lead the body next: “You can’t please everybody. They’re going to have to realize the word ‘no’ is a complete sentence.”

Friends’ book sale set, volunteers needed

The annual spring Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held at Leigh Mall in Columbus Friday, March 26, from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday, March 27, from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Board President Leroy Brooks

Kinda has a nice ring to it, don’t ya think? After 20-plus years as a Lowndes County Supervisor, he deserves it! Why not vote for Mr. Brooks to be the new president of the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors? Mr. Brooks should demand that he be voted in as the new president! If they don’t vote for him as Board president, then he should sue (then settle for a raise and a chunk of cash).

Pickens Academy baseball has high expectations for this season

Brach White has high expectations entering his second season as the baseball coach at Pickens Academy in Carrollton, Ala.

White and the Pirates have set a goal to win the Alabama Independent School Association Class AA state championship.

Curry wills Pickens County to title

Deion Curry and the Pickens County High School boys basketball team weren’t meant to be denied.

Curry was instrumental this past Thursday in helping Pickens County win its first state championship in school history.

The 5-foot-11 junior guard scored a game-high 31 points and had four rebounds, two assists and a steal to lead Pickens County past Houston County 88-86 in triple overtime in the Class 2A championship game of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Final 48 Championships at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center in Birmingham, Ala.

Heritage’s Ford selected to play in all-star game

After playing against the best players in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, Madison Ford gets a chance to be their teammate.

The Heritage Academy senior gets that priviledge Saturday when she plays in the MAIS Class AA-AAA Girls All-Star Basketball Game.

Ford will play for the North, which will play the South at 2:30 p.m. at A.E. Wood Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi College in Clinton.

Heritage’s Hardy selected an MAIS All-Star

Boyd Hardy received a pleasant surprise when he learned he will get to take his place alongside the best soccer players in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools.

The Heritage Academy senior earned that distinction by being selected to play in the MAIS All-Star Soccer Game.

Hardy was one of 18 players chosen to play for the North squad.

The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Friday at Raider Field at Jackson Academy. The admission is $8.