Clarksdale Lee defeats Starkville Academy

STARKVILLE — Senior running back Devyn Shing had 166 yards and three touchdowns Friday night to lead the Clarksdale-Lee Academy football team to a 33-14 victory against Starkville Academy.

Aberdeen defeats Mooreville on homecoming

ABERDEEN — A tradition that dates back nearly a century, homecoming is an annual event designed to be a joyous occasion that brings a town or community together as they welcome back friends and former students.

‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ will play to Lyceum audiences

A classic tale of justice, childhood innocence and the South comes to life at Mississippi State University Oct. 21 when the Montana Repertory Theatre brings its dramatization of “To Kill a Mockingbird” to campus.

Floral open house, tips mark MSU Florist’s 75th year

STARKVILLE — The center of Mississippi State university’s unique floral management academic program celebrates its 75th anniversary Oct. 30 with several special public activities.

‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ will play to Lyceum audiences

A classic tale of justice, childhood innocence and the South comes to life at Mississippi State University Oct. 21 when the Montana Repertory Theatre brings its dramatization of “To Kill a Mockingbird” to campus.

Hamilton softball team advances to state championship series

HAMILTON — While the Hamilton High School slow-pitch softball team was gleefully chanting “Going to the ’ship, going to the ’ship” after its impressive sweep Thursday in the Class 2A North State, championship series, Baldwyn softball coach Jessica Taylor and her Lady Bearcats couldn’t help but wonder why the Lady Lions have proven to be such a formidable roadblock in their quest to reach the state championship series in Jackson.

Hamilton took the series with 12-3 and 12-1 victories.

Louisville football team establishing its identity on defense

LOUISVILLE — Even before the season kicked off, Louisville High School head football coach Brad Peterson said his team was looking for its identity, especially on defense.

Now, nine weeks into the season, the 6-2 Wildcats may finally be finding themselves.

“We knew we were gong to have a young defense,” Peterson said. “We only had three true starters coming back and a lot of those guys back there are so young.”

Bassmaster event hits Columbus this weekend

Practice for the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series Southeast Regional Championship in Columbus started Monday to prepare the anglers for the two-day tournament, which begins Friday.

Walters’ interceptions help New Hope hold on

LAKE CORMORANT — Raymond Walters intercepted two passes in the fourth quarter to help the New Hope High School football team hold off Lake Cormorant 32-21 in a Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A, Region 1, District 2 game on Saturday.

J.Z. George beats West Lowndes in final minute

The West Lowndes High School football team lost to J.Z. George 14-8 in the final 25 seconds of a rescheduled game Saturday night.

Jackson Academy blanks Heritage Academy

Payne Kellum rushed for 102 yards and Michael Martin rushed for three touchdowns Friday to lead the Jackson Academy football team to a 33-0 victory against Heritage Academy in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA, District 1 game.

Aberdeen misses tornado, beats Water Valley

WATER VALLEY — Not even a tornado could stop the Aberdeen High School football team.

After driving through thunderstorms and just missing a tornado on the ride to Water Valley, the Bulldogs stormed past the Blue Devils 42-13 Friday night at Bobby Clark Field for their fifth consecutive victory and second consecutive Class 3A, Region 2 road win.

Starkville beats Horn Lake to go to 3-0 in district

STARKVILLE — Despite wet and slippery field conditions, the Starkville High School football team found confidence in its passing game Friday.

After trailing 6-3 in the first quarter, Starkville scored 31 unanswered points en route to a 34-6 victory against Horn Lake in a Class 6A, Region 1, District 2 game.

Main Street Columbus announces Holiday Market

The Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market Advisory Board and Main Street Columbus announce the 2009 Hitching Lot Holiday Market. The second annual event will be held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, on Nov. 21, from 7-10 a.m.

Freedom and controversy visit the library

To most people, the public library evokes images of quiet halls, mountains of books and studious librarians. But libraries can also be the setting for raucous controversy, especially relating to freedom of speech and the First Amendment. Libraries and the First Amendment, a new exhibit at the Columbus Public Library provided by the Chicago-based McCormick Freedom Project, explores the library’s role in enabling and protecting First Amendment freedoms.

Guest artist recital adds a touch of ‘bon appetit’

The Mississippi University for Women Department of Music and Theatre is sponsoring a guest artist recital Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Artz Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church, 602 Main St., in Columbus.

Chinacenterstage in annual International Series

Mississippi University for Women’s annual International Series will open with a screening of the award-winning Chinese documentary “Last House Standing” (2004) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in Martin Hall, Room 220, on the MUW campus.

Get inside/out with landscape design symposium

The Mississippi State University Department of Landscape Architecture and the Garden Clubs of Mississippi Inc. will present the 54th annual Edward C. Martin Jr. Landscape Design Symposium Wednesday, Oct. 21.

MSU series explores ‘End of the Roman Empire’

STARKVILLE — Noted British historian and author Adrian Goldsworthy will be guest speaker Wednesday when Mississippi State University’s Institute for the Humanities launches its 2009-10 Distinguished Speaker Series.

Pulitzer-winning poet, noted authors tapped for 21st annual Welty Writers’ Symposium Oct. 22-24

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and Mississippi native Natasha Trethewey will be joined by 12 other authors in honoring the legacy of Mississippi University for Women alumna Eudora Welty during the 21st annual Eudora Welty Writer’s Symposium Oct. 22-24 on the MUW campus.