YMCA weathering COVID-19 by feeding first responders, going ‘virtual’

When Jimmy Woodruff was invited to speak to the Columbus Rotary Club shortly after he took over as director of the Frank P. Phillips YMCA on Feb. 17, he had a pretty good idea of what he wanted to talk about.

Slimantics: Two kinds of fear redux

A while back I wrote about two kinds of fear COVID-19 has caused: The healthy fear that serves to keep us safe and what FDR called the “nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror” that only serves to make things worse.

A ‘missed opportunity’: Cedarhill director pans ‘Tiger King’ series, fears negative light cast on big cat sanctuaries could hurt Caledonia facility

There’s no such thing as bad publicity, P.T. Barnum famously said.

Nancy Gschwendtner, director of Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary in Caledonia, isn’t so sure about that.

A popular Netflix series on the world of big cat sanctuaries has created enormous publicity about those who keep and care for big cats — most of it negative, Gschwendtner said.

Pandemic causes families, funeral homes to greatly alter normal memorial service plans

Before his death, Boswell Kennard had already put together a detailed plan for his funeral arrangements.

He had plenty of time to consider them, after all. Kennard, a retired dairy farmer who spent his whole life in the Oktoc community of Oktibbeha County, passed away on March 30, less than two months before what would have been his 102nd birthday.

Recovered from COVID-19: MUW’s Baptist Student Union director speaks out about symptoms, dealing with coronavirus

For Sam Ivy, it didn’t start with a nagging cough or a fever.

It started with a bad glass of sweet tea.

Monday Profile: Starkville native provides ingredients, Asian recipes at family-owned market and restaurant

When the first wave of COVID-19 panic buying swept through Starkville about a month ago, there was no run on toilet paper at Asian Foods Market on Highway 12.

Social distancing cause churches to turn to digital, drive-thru Easter services

Ask even longtime pastors if they have ever encountered a disruption to their ministries like that of COVID-19 and you’ll get a singular response: No.

Families adapt to COVID-19 Easter

Mott Ellis has been playing the role of Easter Bunny for more than 20 years, visiting nursing homes, schools, Easter egg hunts and parties. She’s worn out two costumes already and is now on her third.

“I do it just for the joy it brings,” said Ellis, 66. “I have so many stories.”

Nonprofits seeing lull; prepare for rush

Steve Greenough and Carla Formel stood behind a table employed for social distancing, each wearing face masks, as they waited for people to arrive for lunch at Loaves and Fishes in Columbus on Monday.

Carolyn Sullivan, Starkville’s unofficial ‘Matriarch of Main Street’ and co-founder of Sullivan’s Office Supply, passes away at 89

For someone who grew up on a small farm in Pontotoc, Carolyn Sullivan didn’t seem to retain very much of her rustic roots.

Slimantics: Sticking your head out in the middle of a tornado

There has long been an unwritten rule that columnists don’t use their columns to take shots at what other columnists have written. That’s a position I have always embraced, but there are exceptions.

Slimantics: Gimme shelter?

Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Tate Reeves issued a state-wide “shelter in place” order, one of three such orders made that day, along with Florida and Georgia. Only five states have yet to announce such orders, so Mississippi was not dead last to the party, which I suppose is something to be congratulated.

Local State Farm agent, CRA chair dies Tuesday

John Acker, chairman of the Columbus Redevelopment Authority and longtime State Farm agent, died Tuesday evening from an apparent medical condition.

Supplies scarce, fear ‘palpable’ for respiratory compromised residents

Leigh Walker’s workspace moved a few weeks ago.

Then, she worked mainly out of an office in the back of the OxyCare Plus building on Wilkins Wise Road. Now she spends most of her time in the front lobby of the building, watching through locked doors for customers.

Yokohama shutting down for 2 weeks because of coronavirus

Yokohama Tire Corporation is shutting down production at its West Point manufacturing plant for two weeks, beginning Saturday, in response to the COVID-19 virus, the Japan-based company announced Friday.

Area hospitals stocked up on masks, other COVID-19 supplies

During Gov. Tate Reeves’ teleconference with county supervisors throughout the state Wednesday, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency director Greg Michel provided an update on the medical supplies needed to fight the COVID-19 virus.

Paccar halts production at Columbus plant through April 6

Paccar Engine Company became the first local industry to close operations in response to the COVID-19 virus.

Slimantics: Letter-writing in the time of COVID-19

It’s only been a couple of weeks since Americans have been “sheltering at home,” yet some folks are already showing signs of discontent.

Monday Profile: Phinisey turns lifelong love of fitness into inspiration for others

Tony Phinisey has been a full-time personal trainer for about three years now, but his passion for fitness goes back 50 years or more.

Governor closes all schools through April 17

Gov. Tate Reeves signed an executive order Thursday morning to close all public schools in the state until April 17 in light of the spread of COVID-19.