The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee has planned a number of events to celebrating the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

The annual Image Award Banquet will be held Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Kosciusko High School Commons beginning at 7:00 pm. Tickets for the event are $20 and can by purchased from any member of the Dr. MLK Jr. Committee.

On Monday, Jan. 18, the activities will continue will a prayer service to be held on the south side of the historic downtown square at 9:00 am. The prayer service will be lead by James Phillips, publisher of The Star-Herald.

Following the prayer, there will be a birthday celebration at the Kosciusko High School gym at 10:00 pm. Rev. Haywood Hannah will be the keynote speaker for the program.

For more information on these events, contact any member of the Dr. MLK Jr. Committee.

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The MS State University Extension office in Attala County will host two training sessions for private pesticide applicators wishing to obtain certification.

The first session will be held on Friday, Jan. 22, at 9:00 a.m and the second training opportunity will be held Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 9:00 a.m.

The sessions will be held at the MS State Extension Office located at 715 Fairground Rd. in Kosciusko, MS.

The cost of the training is $10.00 and the registration fee is payable by check prior to the beginning of the class. Participants must be at least 18 years of age to receive certification.

Please contact the MS State University Extension Office at 662-289-1321 or e-mail taylor.casey@msstate.edu for registration and additional information.

Programs of MS State University Extension Service are open to all people, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or group affiliation. The MS State University Extension will provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities or special needs.

Please contact our office (662-289-1321, taylor.casey@msstate.edu) prior to event to request reasonable accommodation.

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The Kosciusko Police Department is asking for help identifying a suspect.

The suspect is wanted for stealing money from a woman’s purse at Walmart in Kosciusko.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Kosciusko Police Department at 662-289-3131.

All calls are kept confidential.

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7:30 pm: The Kosciusko Fire Department responded to reports of a propane grill fire on Galloway drive. Units were able to get the fire under control before it got out of hand. The homeowners were not home at the time of the incident. The cause of the fire is unknown.

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The Kosciusko Foundation for Excellence in Education (KFEE) will host a Wine & Cheese Gala Thursday, Jan. 21, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Barrister’s Hall on the Square in Kosciusko.

The Gala will feature the unveiling of a new promotional video for the Kosciusko School District, as well as future plans for the involvement of the community and Kosciusko alumni in the organization’s efforts to supplement the high quality education offered in Kosciusko.

Tickets for the Gala are $100 per couple, and can be purchased from any KFEE board member or at Kosciusko City Hall.

“This year we are making a concentrated effort to contact as many of our alumni as possible, asking that they make an investment in the education of children here in Kosciusko,” said KFEE Membership Chairman Rachel Hawkins. “Our schools consistently maintain high ratings thanks to the commitment of teachers and administrators and a very strong relationship with our parents and community.”

KFEE yearly memberships are available in the following categories: Individual Memberships – $100; Opal Membership – $250; Ruby Membership – $500; Sapphire Membership – $1,000; Emerald Membership – $2,500; Diamond Membership – $5,000; and Legacy Membership – $10,000 and above. Membership letters will be sent out in January.

“We understand that a strong school system is essential to the economic vibrancy of our community,” said KFEE President Dr. Tim Alford. “As always, KFEE will continue to endeavor to help create a margin of excellence for our schools. Indeed, our schools are our community’s future.”

KFEE was chartered 25 years ago as a nonprofit organization to enhance public education in Kosciusko. The founders of the organization were comprised of Kosciusko business leaders, teachers, mothers, doctors and concerned parents who were interested in supporting and supplementing the Kosciusko City Schools.

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A Kosciusko High School baseball coach was one of 3,000 participants to run in the MS Blues Marathon in Jackson last weekend.

In his very first marathon, KHS Head Baseball Coach Jonathan Jones completed the ninth annual run that sees participants come from all 50 states.

Jones said that he ran in the half-marathon last year and wanted to see if he could compete against himself and run the full this year.

He competed pretty well, finishing with a time of 4 hours and 46 minutes, but he admits that it got tough towards the end.

“After mile 20 it was pretty bad,” Jones said.”It was a real grind after that, because you’re body wants to shutdown but you want to keep going.”

Jones said he began training for the marathon in September with a few other runners from Kosciusko.

Running 26.2 miles is difficult, but Jones believes anyone came make it with the right attitude and preparation.

“You’ve got to train really, really hard and just never give up.”

The MS Blues Marathon is a unique attraction for The Magnolia State.

“With live music before, during, and throughout the course, the MS Blues Marathon proves to be one-of-a-kind,” reads an excerpt from the run’s official website. “Since our inaugural race in 2008, our event has worked to showcase Jackson and the rich Blues history of the state, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Blues Foundation and its efforts to support local Blues Musicians.”

Following the race, runners are invited to participate in a Blues Crawl that showcases some of Jackson’s best venues for live Blues music.

Click here to learn more about the event.

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Kosciusko Mayor Jimmy Cockroft and Aldermen Tim Kyle, Henry Daniel, Robert Ellis and Jeffery Woods along with City Clerk Hart Pettit recently attended the Mississippi Municipal League’s 2016 Mid-Winter Legislative Conference in Jackson, Mississippi.

Along with approximately 600 others, the men participated in discussions of current legislative issues and their impact on local government. During the conference, participants were also able to network with their legislators and provide important feedback on issues that are critical to municipalities.

In addition, attendees visited the Capitol for the annual “MML Day at the Capitol.”

“Getting our municipal leaders to the Capitol at the start of the Legislative Session is an important component of our Mid-Winter Conference,” said MML President Mayor Jimmy Cockroft. “The excellent participation we have is indicative of the commitment and interest our local officials have in being part of the legislative process,” he added.

The opening general session of the conference on Wednesday afternoon featured a presentation from Dr. Joe Fratesi from the Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University regarding the Mississippi Mayors’ Forum and the announcement of the 2016 participants. Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann followed with an update from the Secretary of State’s Office. Executive Vice President and COO Scott Waller concluded with an update from the Mississippi Economic Council.

On Thursday morning, the general session began with a presentation on the Rural Water Cooperative Assistance Program by Kirby Mayfield of the MS Rural Water Association.

Wrapping up the final general session of the conference was a grants and loans panel that included representatives from the MS Department of Environmental Quality, MS Development Authority, MS Department of Health and USDA Rural Development. The closing luncheon featured a message from Glenn McCullough, Executive Director of the MS Development Authority.

The mission of the Mississippi Municipal League is helping cities and towns excel. Established in 1931, MML represents 294 city, town and village governments in Mississippi. MML is also affiliated with the National League of Cities, a lobbying, legislative and legal arm representing municipalities before the U.S. Congress.

For more information about the Mississippi Municipal League visit www.mmlonline.com.

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A former KHS baseball player has been invited to participate in spring training with a Major League Baseball team.

On Wednesday, the Toronto Blue Jays named Wil Browning, a 2007 graduate of Kosciusko High School, among 14 non-roster players that the organization invited to spring training.

Browning has been with the Blue Jays organization since 2012.

He earned mid-season and post-season All-Star honors in 2015 during his time with the Dunedin Blue Jays in the Advanced A-League. He also spent some of 2015 with the organization’s Double A team, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Browning finished 2015 with a 1.86 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 53.1 innings pitched.

The Blue Jays first spring training game is set for March 1 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

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2:10 pm: Kosciusko Police and Fire Departments responded to a two car accident on Veteran’s Memorial Drive/Hwy 35 Bypass. A red Toyota Camry and a grey Buick collided near the USDA building.

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We’ve been having way too much fun on “Good Morning Kosciusko” the past few Fridays.

In addition to our Funky Friday hour from 8:00 – 9:00, this morning we added a new element to the show that could possibly turn into a weekly segment.

KADC President Kel McDowell stopped by to play a game called Word Sneak.

Hilarity ensued.

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The date for the annual Wild Game Supper at First Baptist Church has been set.

This year’s dinner will be held Saturday, Feb. 6 at 5:00 pm at the church Son Building.

Smoked deer roll-ups, hot biscuits, sweet tea and more are on the menu for this year’s event.

Speaking at this year’s dinner will be professional bass fisherman Clay Dyer.

Dyer was born on May 23, 1978, without any lower limbs, no arm on the left side and a partial arm on the right. However, these limitations did not dampen his determination and positive spirit. He began fishing at age 5. A natural competitiveness became evident early. Clay never allowed his physical disabilities to be an obstacle and began competing in fishing tournaments at age 15. He became a professional angler in 1995 and fished in the “major leagues” on the FLW Tour for 4 years.

Clay’s television appearances include ESPN, Fox, CNN Headline News, Versus, the Outdoor Channel, Fox Sports South, the 700 Club and CBS. Published articles about Clay have appeared in USA Today, Newsweek, Bassmaster, FLW Outdoors Magazine, and many more.

This event is free and all men and boys are invited to attend.

The wild game supper is sponsored by the Men’s Ministry of First Baptist Church.

For more information, contact First Baptist Church at 662-289-5575.

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Monster trucks, dirt bikes, and more!

The Monster X tour is returning to Jackson January 22 and 23 and Kosciusko Auto Parts wants to send you there.

Just listen to “Good Morning Kosciusko” all next week beginning Monday, Jan.11.

I’ll be giving away tickets during the show and you can be a winner if you call in and tell me three things that you can buy from Kosciusko Auto Parts.

So listen in and get those dialing fingers ready for your chance to win in the Kosciusko Auto Parts Monster X Tour Giveaway.

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On Thursday, February 11 at The Attala Center of Holmes Community College, the Kosciusko-Attala Development Corporation (KADC) will be hosting Who’s Who, a community-oriented evening social.

“This will be a wonderful evening to highlight our efforts as an organization,” said KADC President/CEO Kel McDowell. “It will also be a great opportunity for those in our community to connect with one another and also individuals who are involved elsewhere in our region.”

The program for the eightieth such annual meeting will be headlined by keynote speaker Glenn McCullough, Jr., Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA).

“I was fortunate to work with Glenn McCullough while he served as mayor of Tupelo,” said Kosciusko Mayor Jimmy Cockroft. “His vast experience has given him an impressively in-depth perspective on economic development, particularly within Mississippi.”

In addition to his tenure as mayor of Tupelo, McCullough previously served as chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors, after an appointment by President George W. Bush, and Executive Director of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), a federal-state partnership that focuses on economic development in thirteen states. He assumed the helm of MDA in May of last year.

The reception for Who’s Who will begin at 5:30, with the program beginning at 7:00. In lieu of a formal, sit-down dinner, attendees will have the opportunity to mingle and sample among food stations.

Event organizers planned this format to encourage more introductions and interactions, plus a fun and lively atmosphere. Guests will also have the opportunity to tour the new, state-of-the-art Holmes Community College facility, which first opened its doors in November 2015. More, there will be a sampling of silent auction items, with all proceeds going directly to the KADC’s community and economic development efforts.

In addition to the keynote speaker, the program will feature organizational highlights and recognition for individuals who have been exemplary in their service to the community.

Tickets for Who’s Who can be purchased for $35 in advance or $45 at the door.

Purchases can be made online at whoswho.evenium.net or through the KADC office (101 N. Natchez St, 662-289-2981).

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The Kosciusko Lions Club will recognize its 2015 Citizen of the Year at the upcoming KADC Who’s Who Social Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016.

Each year the Lions Club awards an individual who has positively impacted the local community. These individuals are recognized based on business accomplishments and community service, as well as leadership and initiative.

Nomination forms may be picked up at the Attala County Extension Office or the KADC.

Those who would like an application via fax or email may call 662-289-1321.

Nomination forms are due by Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Completed nomination forms may be dropped off at the Extension Office or KADC, faxed to 289-6091, emailed to taylor.casey@msstate.edu, or mailed to P.O. Box 160, Kosciusko, MS 39090.

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Six months after it was destroyed by fire, Winona’s only supermarket has reopened.

The SuperValu store reopened Friday.

After the July 20 fire, the former 19,000 square-foot building was razed. A new, 27,500 square-foot store was constructed on the site, and Manager Eddie Dodd says it will offer a broader selection.

Owner Roy Sims says crews worked long hours to build and stock the store. He says normally, a store of this size takes about nine months to complete.

Dodd says most employees from before the fire returned, and about a dozen new employees were hired.

The Winona store is owned by Kosciusko based Potter and Sims Foods. Potter and Sims owns numerous Super Value, Sunflower, Save a Lot and Food Depot stores throughout Mississippi including Sunflower in Kosciusko.

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Head Start programs in six north Mississippi counties are reopening under an interim operator after federal regulators shut down the previous operator in November.

The Head Start center in Eupora reopened last week. Other centers, providing preschool for 1,100 low income four-year-olds and 100 three-year-olds, are supposed to reopen by mid-February.

Centers in Montgomery, Choctaw, Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Holmes, Montgomery and Webster counties had been run by Central Mississippi Head Start of Winona. Federal regulators terminated that contract, citing financial, governance and human resource problems.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tapped the Community Development Institute of Denver as an interim operator until a new permanent operator is found.

Head Start staff are making weekly home visits to children and parents while centers are closed. (AP)

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A number of people gathered on the south lawn of the Attala County Courthouse Monday morning to kick off a day celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The morning began with songs led by Ms. Janice Harmon and Ms. Johnnie Erving.

Following the singing, Mr. James Phillips, publisher of The Star-Herald, spoke briefly about the importance of remembering the life of Dr. Martin Luther King and the effect the Civil Rights leader had on him as a child.

Phillips told the dozen or more people gathered for the event about how he grew up just north of Birmingham, so King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail really resonated with him. He went on to speak about how King wanted to be known as an extremist for love instead of hate.

Phillips closed the ceremony with a prayer.

Following the service, a Kosciusko Police unit lead a vehicle procession to the Kosciusko High School gym where the MLK birthday celebration continued.

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The Kosciusko Foundation for Excellence in Education (KFEE) Wine & Cheese Gala fundraiser is planned for this Thursday, Jan. 21, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Barrister’s Hall on the Square in Kosciusko.

During the event, the KFEE will unveil upcoming plans for the community, as well as debut a new promotional video for the Kosciusko School District.

Mrs. Katie Wallace, a member of the KFEE board, appear on “Good Morning Kosciusko” Monday to give out a little more information on the upcoming event.

Tickets for the Gala are $100 per couple, and can be purchased from any KFEE board member or at Kosciusko City Hall.

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Attala County Farm Bureau continues its unparalleled support of the local Future Farmers of America Chapter by awarding official FFA jackets to those pupils who could recite the FFA Creed and demonstrate adequate knowledge of the organization’s history, emblem, colors, code of ethics, and officer duties.

To earn their Greenhand Degree, students displayed their knowledge before a panel of judges consisting of Attala County Farm Bureau Board President Mr. James Rasberry and Board Directors Mr. Weldon Kyle and Mr. Taylor Casey. Ms. Kendrix and former FFA members Mr. Darrion Henderson and Mr. Joe White volunteered their time as well.

Students who were awarded jackets included: Mark Stewart, Kaelin Wright, and Ty’Derrius Davis.

The judges also interviewed the 2016 FFA officer candidates.

This year’s officers are: President D’mechriea Landfair (MHS), Vice President Kaelin Wright (KHS), Sentinel Cody White(EHS), Reporter Addy Garrett(KHS), Treasurer Christian Greenlee(KHS), Student Advisor Jakeria Williams(MHS), and Secretary Johnathan McMillan(EHS).

Advisor Kenneth Georgia and the Kosciusko-Attala County Career and Technology Center sincerely would like to thank the esteemed panel of judges and each dedicated parent for their support of this tremendous annual event. The students are especially grateful to Attala County Farm Bureau for their significant investment into today’s agricultural youth.

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An Attala County firefighter, and former KHS Whippet, recently graduated from the Mississippi State Fire Academy.

Josh Burge, a 2011 graduate of Kosciusko High School, successfully completed the NFPA 1001-I-II Basic Firefighter course Dec. 17 2015 at the fire academy in Pearl, MS.

The course was 7 weeks long and consisted of knowledge and skills based testing along with physical conditioning to prepare him for the task of becoming a firefighter.

Josh, a 2011 graduate of Kosciusko High School, makes his home in the Williamsville community and said he is proud to serve the citizens of Attala county.

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