Little Artesia to hold fourth annual Artesia Day

Next weekend, Artesia will have another chance to prove its motto, “The small town that does big things.”

The fourth annual Artesia Day festival will take place on Main Street in downtown Artesia Friday through Sunday. Admission will be free.

Burttram to represent Lowndes County at state Junior Miss

Rachel Burttram, of Columbus, the daughter of Dawn and Tim Burttram, leaves today for Meridian to participate in Mississippi’s Junior Miss scholarship program.

PAWS project educates future animal owners

MISSISSIPPI STATE — Mississippi State University veterinary students are not satisfied learning about animals themselves; they want to lay the educational foundation for future pet owners, as well.

Carol Littlejohn: Lucky

Does it seem to you, as it does to me, that more and more friends are leaving this earth? Two people that were long time friends of mine died this past two weeks and I find myself, yet again, thinking, “I cannot believe they are gone.” Gen Colvin Bennett and Carl Jaynes were not the closest friends I have, but they shared some of my days, some long ago and some recent. It seems that “puff” and they were gone.

3,000-pound sculpture delights MC Law School audience

JACKSON — Sam Gore’s newest masterpiece attracted art patrons, legal scholars, students and scores of other admirers of his craft to the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson.

New book of essays on Faulkner probes global themes

OXFORD — A new book on the writing of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner offers a new angle to explore the Mississippi native’s work.

Columbus 7-year-olds win South State title

GRENADA –– Prior to playing in the Dizzy Dean 7-year-old South State Invitational, the Columbus All-Stars paid special attention to hitting in practice.

It paid dividends as Columbus didn’t lose a game en route to winning the tournament.

Columbus averaged 23.3 runs per game in beating Batesville 25-9 on Friday, Grenada 25-10 on Saturday, and Starkville 20-12, and Grenada 23-8 on Sunday.

Polk, Palmeiro inducted into College Baseball Hall of Fame

LUBBOCK, Texas — New inductees from the fourth class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame expressed gratitude Friday for long careers and for the people who helped them achieve college baseball’s highest honor.

The Class, which included former Mississippi State coach Ron Polk and former Mississippi State outfielder Rafael Palmeiro, brought the Hall’s membership to 44.

In addition to Polk and Palmeiro, the group includes outfielder Joe Carter and pitcher/designated hitter Darren Dreifort (Wichita State), pitcher Kirk Dressendorfer and catcher/utility Keith Moreland (Texas), shortstop Barry Larkin, Michigan; and second baseman Todd Walker (LSU).

Columbus Nationals win South State Tournament opener

WINONA –– The Columbus Nationals won their opening two games Thursday in the Dizzy Dean 12-year-old South State Tournament.

The Nationals beat West Point 14-7 and Ackerman 12-1 to advance to Saturday.

The Nationals, coached by Marty Stillman, had seven hits against West Point and eight against Ackerman.

Diversified dining: Unique dishes, tableside cooking and mariachi bands

Eating out in Columbus and Starkville is less and less about wolfing down Southern staples.

Three recently established restaurants in the cities offer food or experiences that may be new to people.

Robbie Coblentz: Requiem for a Camp

Dan Camp has served this city as a community developer, a member of the Starkville School District Board of Education and, most recently, mayor.

Kosciusko earns berth in World Series championship game

During the 2008 Dizzy Dean High School World Series, Kosciusko finished one win shy of reaching the championship game by losing to New Hope in the semifinals.

But on Sunday night, Kosciusko had what it took to make it to this year’s championship game by beating Holmes County, of Bonifay, Fla., 16-6 in six innings at New Hope High School’s Trojan Field.

It was the second year in a row for Kosciusko to eliminate Holmes County from the World Series.

Big innings do in New Hope in two losses

New Hope was sitting pretty with a 7-0 lead going into the fourth inning against Ridgeland on Saturday night in game three of the Dizzy Dean High School World Series.

But Ridgeland rallied with 16 runs the next two innings to beat New Hope 16-10.

Ridgeland scored 12 runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by three home runs.

Columbus drops two games on first day of World Series

With only a few days to regroup and rest after a grueling camp at Delta State University, the Columbus Falcons encountered the effects of sweltering heat and potent offensive opponents in the Dizzy Dean High School World Series on Friday.

Columbus lost 10-3 to Center Hill and 9-5 to defending Dizzy Dean World Series champion Ridgeland on the opening day of the tournament.

Columbus coach Jeff Cook was well aware of the difficulties of keeping his team on task during the World Sereis..

Volunteers needed for Fireworks on the Water

The mouthwatering smell of the slow-smoking grill, the familiar feel of the Tombigbee River and fireworks dancing in the sky will help us celebrate our nation’s birthday this Fourth of July, and organizers are asking for the community’s help.

About Town

Community announcements and events

Asthma doesn’t deter the Comer family

MERIDIAN –– Members of the Comer family, of Caledonia, caught the attention of State Games of Mississippi officials when their names kept showing up on the list of participants and medalists from various sports.

Jessica Comer, 16, claimed the gold medal in the 15- to 19-year-old division of the 5-Kilometer Run with a time of 21 minutes, 16 seconds.

Right on her heels was her sister, Anna, 18, with a time of 25:13.

In between the girls was their younger brother, Jonathan, 13, who finished fifth in the 10-14 division with a time of 24:18.7.

Youngest brother Caleb, 10, would have been in the mix as well, but he was involved in the State Games Soccer competition while his siblings were running.

Always be sun-wise after sunrise

STARKVILLE — Who doesn’t enjoy spending hot summer days splashing in a pool, fishing at the lake, playing volleyball in the sand, or grilling hot dogs on the patio?

Public invited for rare view of U.S. Grant Collection Tuesday

The public will be offered a rare opportunity Tuesday, June 23, when a special open house at the Mississippi State University Mitchell Memorial Library unveils material related to the military career and presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, a figure historians often consider one of the most complex in America’s history.

Former Marvel Comics editor, national dance champ among arts camp instructors

MISSISSIPPI STATE — Youth who enjoy drama, theater, music, art or literature and want to learn how computing can enhance creativity should attend the 4-H Technology and Expressive Arts Camp July 21-24 at Mississippi State University.