Marty Wiseman: Is Mississippi becoming more like America, or vice versa?

The annual rhetorical outburst that is fast becoming customary during the sweltering month of August has certainly served as the impetus for more than a few moments of reflection. Perhaps the highlight this year was conservative commentator Glenn Beck’s dusting off of the spot where Dr. Martin Luther King made his classic “I have a Dream Speech” to make a national religious call to arms.

Siren test Wednesday

The Columbus-Lowndes Emergency Management Agency will test the tornado warning siren system Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Pregnant woman shot, Clay man held

WEST POINT — A Clay County man faces aggravated assault charges for allegedly shooting a pregnant woman in the head.

Oktibbeha County schools unhappy with state test scores

The Oktibbeha County school board was unhappy with their district’s test scores Monday when Superintendent James Covington gave the board a partial analysis of the district’s performance on the state standardized tests.

Berry’s confidence pay off with a win by West Lowndes

Bobby Berry never doubted his players.

Even though the West Lowndes High School football team trailed Caledonia by one point in the second quarter, Berry knew his team’s big-play potential gave it the ability to turn the momentum in a hurry.

Having Antonio Wilson and Brandon Clark as weapons makes things a little easier.

Heritage Academy takes control early to beat Starkville Academy

STARKVILLE — The Heritage Academy Patriots took control early on the road and never looked back Friday night en route to a 22-7 victory against Starkville Academy.

“They (Starkville Academy) caused us a ton of problems with their defense,” Heritage Academy second-year head coach Brad Butler said. “In the second half they never gave up and stuck with it, and their quarterback (Kyle Henson) was a great athlete for them tonight.”

Aberdeen shuts out previously undefeated Pontotoc

ABERDEEN — Shock was the operative word Friday following the Aberdeen High School football team’s 34-0 victory against the previously undefeated Pontotoc Warriors.

“I’m shocked by the outcome,” Pontotoc High veteran head coach Charlie Dampeer said. “Nobody has challenged us at the line of scrimmage like Aberdeen did, and I don’t remember getting whipped this bad in a long, long time.

Oktibbeha County battle all Timberwolves

CRAWFORD — With the exception of a spirited third-quarter push from the home team, Friday’s West Oktibbeha-East Oktibbeha rivalry game was all Timberwolves.

West Oktibbeha’s receiving corps quickly introduced itself to East Oktibbeha’s secondary on the third play of the team’s first drive with an 80-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Von Smith to junior receiver Dwight Quinn. The relationship proved fruitful, as Smith racked up 370 yards and four touchdowns to help West Oktibbeha earn a 29-20 victory.

Pickens County gets off to good start en route to win

REFORM, Ala. — Sometimes football games are over long before the final horn sounds.

Seventh-ranked Pickens County scored 34 points in the first quarter Friday night en route to a 48-7 victory against Shades Mountain Christian.

The Tornadoes (2-0) ran only 22 offensive plays in the first half to amass their point total. Pickens County finished with 353 yards offense, including 261 rushing yards.

Ellis scores four touchdowns to lead Victory Christian

MILLBROOK, Ala. — Landon Ellis scored all four of his team’s touchdowns Friday night to lead the Victory Christian football team past New Life Christian 27-6.

Ellis scored on a 10-yard run and caught touchdown passes of 81 and 43 yards from Marcus Sims in the first quarter. He scored on a 23-yard run in the second quarter.

Ellis rushed for 112 yards on 11 carries and caught three passes for 148 yards.

Table Talk revisits where it all began

The Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library continues its September Table Talk series with a discussion of influential childhood books Wednesday. Panelists Nina Ferrante, George Hazard and Jo Shumake join moderator Margo Bretz Sept. 8 at noon in the library meeting room, 314 Seventh St. N.

McDaniel exhibit opens at Macon Welcome Center

Through September, the Macon Welcome Center will feature the artworks of Dora Taff McDaniel, a Southern artist with roots in Noxubee County. McDaniel has attained a solid reputation among designers and art collectors for her exquisite watercolor interpretations, as well as for her skills in oil and acrylics.

Noxubee Refuge dedicates new trail off Highway 25

Refuge Manager Henry Sansing and the Friends of Noxubee Refuge invite the public to visit Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge’s newly finished Craig Pond Trail for a dedication and ribbon cutting Saturday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. to noon.

PTO to bring parenting expert Rosemond to Columbus

Immanuel Center for Christian Education’s Parent Teacher Organization will present nationally-syndicated columnist, best-selling author and recognized parenting expert John Rosemond for a day of parenting seminars Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Columbus library hosts ‘Creating Modern America’ exhibit

The national touring exhibition, The Age of Progressive Reform: Creating Modern America, 1900-1917, is on display at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N., through Sept. 30.

New Hope rebounds to beat Amory

AMORY — Terrance Dentry rushed for 146 yards, including an 88-yard touchdown run in the second half, Friday night to lead the New Hope High School football team to a 37-6 victory against Amory at Longenecker Field.

Governor signs bill banning synthetic marijuana

Synthetic marijuana is now illegal in Mississippi.

Monroe County woman reported missing

A 51-year-old Monroe County woman has been reported missing, according to County Sheriff Andy Hood.

4-County to host second Energy Efficiency Expo

Are you looking for ways to save energy and save money on your power bill? If so, you’ll want to attend the 4-County Energy Efficiency Expo Saturday, Sept. 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. at East Mississippi Community College in Mayhew. The event, free and open to the public, is designed to help people learn all about energy efficiency.

Community invited to sign thank-you card for first responders

Members of the Salute to Lowndes County’s Finest Committee unveiled a huge thank-you card Thursday for the community to sign and share their thanks to first responders in Lowndes County. Sales manager by day and creative thinker by night, Andy Shurden rolled up his artistic sleeves and created the giant card in his garage.