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Thursday | April 23, 2020

Presley
advocates ‘hell-
City leaders discuss borrowing millions
bent approach’ more for streets despite mounting debt
to expanding
broadband
4-County will most likely
extend survey deadline
due to pandemic
BY TESS VRBIN
[email protected]

When it became
clear in mid-March
that the COVID-19
coronavirus would
put normal life on
hold, the Mississippi
Public Service Com-
mission halted all
Presley
water, sewer, gas and
electricity disconnections for un-
paid utility bills.
But PSC could not include broad-
band internet services in the deci-
sion because it is not considered a
utility service, Northern District
Commissioner Brandon Presley Isabelle Altman/Dispatch Staff
told nearly 30 Starkville citizens Several potholes and uneven patches can be seen on Leigh Drive near Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. The road was
in a Wednesday video conference paved 10 years ago with bond money the city borrowed, but the condition deteriorated because of the high volume of through
hosted by the Greater Starkville traffic and heavy rainfall, said Columbus Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin. Still, the city is continuing to pay on that debt through
Development Partnership. 2030. Officials are weighing more paving projects throughout the city, even discussing whether to borrow millions more to do it.
“The federal posture is that it’s
essentially a ‘luxury information
service,’” Presley said. “I think
Columbus owes $36M despite concerns about
affordability.
deficit the next year, drove down the
city’s credit rating in 2018. The rating
that’s ridiculous in the year 2020, for various debt already, “If we don’t like it,
if the finances are not
helps inform bondholders of the risk
level of the city’s payback ability.
but that’s the way our laws and reg-
ulations are written right now.” including $15M for street there, we can always kill The rating was downgraded from
Presley was first elected to his the deal,” said Mayor A1, the highest rating in the “upper-me-
position in 2007 and is also the pres- bonds still being repaid Robert Smith. dium low risk” category, to A3 in No-
ident of the National Association of But if the city were to vember 2018 by Moody’s Investors
BY YUE STELLA YU Smith
Regulatory Utility Commissioners, use bond debt, the bor- Service, a company that evaluates and
[email protected] rowed money would add to the city’s ex- rates credit for municipalities nation-
a nonprofit that represents public
See PRESLEY, 6A Columbus city council is consid-
isting debt, which totals roughly $36.4 wide.
million, according to The Dispatch’s The most recent rating remains the
ering another round of street paving past reporting and analysis of city doc- same, “notably lower” than the median
projects, following a 5-1 vote Tuesday uments obtained through a public re- values among all U.S. cities the compa-
night to further discuss the issue next cords request. The figure is more than ny rates, according to a March 10 re-
month. four times the $8.2 million of debt the port from Moody’s.

UMMC, MSDH
During the meeting, City Engineer city owed in 2010. Moody’s rates cities’ credit risk level
Kevin Stafford presented a preliminary More than $15 million of the remain- on tiers Aaa, Aa A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca,
list of streets in “poor condition” and ing debt owed, which the city is sched- and C. Each category has three levels.

to set up drive- in need of paving. The estimated cost

for repairing all the streets on his list
would total $6.5 million, he said.
uled to repay over the next 11 years,
was borrowed for road paving over the
past decade.
“The median rating for a city in the
United States is Aa3, which is three
notches higher (than that for Colum-

thru testing site To cover the cost, the city would

likely have to issue a multi-million-dol-
lar bond, council members suggested,
The mounting debt, as well as the
drop in the city’s general fund balance
in Fiscal Year 2017 and an operating
bus),” said Moody’s spokesperson Da-
vid Jacobson.
See CITY DEBT, 3A
in Columbus
Officials stress residents
must have appointment BUSINESS MOVES WITH MARY
to be tested
BY ISABELLE ALTMAN
[email protected]
Starkville’s Gondolier closes its doors
Lowndes County residents who PLUS: Columbus With the
décor still hang-
week of this
month, the
Cotton District that will
hopefully draw another
complete a health screening with a
University of Mississippi Medical pie shop reopens ing and tables Italian restaurant business to the area.
and chairs still was advertising There is some good news
Center clinician over the next two
days will have a chance to be test- for carry out orders stacked, the to-go orders and in Starkville, with Starkve-
ed for COVID-19 coronavirus at a 3,900 square- specials on its gas Snowballs reopening.
BY MARY POLLITZ After opening in late
state-sponsored drive-thru testing foot building has Facebook page.
[email protected]
site at Fairview Baptist Church on officially been The Starkville February for prime snowball

S
Saturday. eemingly out of no- listed for lease by Gondolier season, the snowball stand
UMMC and Mississippi State where, it appears Farmer’s Com- Facebook page closed down shortly after
Department of Health will host Gondolier in Starkville mercial Proper- has since been due to COVID-19.
testing at the church at 127 Air- has closed its doors. ties. Mary Pollitz deleted. With the heat rolling
line Drive from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., but Just short of completing Gondolier Though losing in, Starkvegas Snowballs
officials stress that the site is by its second year in Starkville, owner Scott a restaurant is has put a few rules in place
appointment only. Anyone who ar- building owner Mark Castle- Fream did not return calls or always sad for a commu- and is opening its Highway
rives without an appointment will berry confirmed the Italian messages from The Dis- nity, its departure leaves a 182 location at 113 Martin
not be tested. eatery’s closure at 110 Mill patch by press time today. marketable property near Luther King Dr. W.
See TESTING SITE, 6A St. As recently as the first Mississippi State and The See BUSINESS, 6A

WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS A NOTE LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC

1 What car company unveiled the five-pas- ON NEWS MEETINGS
senger hatchback hybrid Prius in 2000, ■ Many May 4: Lowndes
which featured both gas and electric? COVID-19 corona- County Board of
2 What women’s sport has five players on virus related sto- Supervisors, 9
a side, divided into blockers, jammers and ries are changing a.m., County Court-
pivots? extremely quick- house
3 What is the largest country entirely
within the Southern Hemisphere? ly, sometimes May 11: Columbus
Annie Edwards as soon as we Municipal School
4 Name three of the four actresses who
Second grade, Heritage publish a print District, 6 p.m.,
starred in “Sex and the City.”

77 Low 54
5 What law professor helped found the edition of the Brandon Central
High ACLU’s women’s rights project before paper. We want Services Center
Cloudy
becoming a member of the U.S. Supreme to assure our May 15: Lowndes
Court? readers that we County Board of
Full forecast on Answers, 6B
page 3A. are making every Supervisors, 9
attempt to print a.m., County Court-
accurate, timely house
INSIDE news. Online sto- June 1: Lowndes
ries are updated County Board of
Business 5B Dear Abby 3B
Classifieds 6B Obituaries 5A throughout the Supervisors, 9
Comics 3B Opinions 4A day at cdispatch. Jeremy Spencer, of Starkville, is the a.m., County Court-
141st Year, No. 37 Crossword 6B com. owner of the MDP Studio. house

DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471

2A THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Moving past ‘invisible enemy,’

Trump nudges nation to reopen
‘We need to create the
kind of confidence in AP-NORC poll: Few Americans
America that makes it
so that everybody goes
support easing virus protections
BY THOMAS BEAUMONT AND HANNAH FINGERHUT
back to work’ The Associated Press

Kevin Hassett, a White House WASHINGTON — Americans remain overwhelmingly in favor of

adviser and former chair of the stay-at-home orders and other efforts to slow the spread of the corona-
Council of Economic Advisers virus, a new survey finds, even as small pockets of attention-grabbing
protests demanding the lifting of such restrictions emerge nationwide.
BY ZEKE MILLER
The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Af-
The Associated Press
fairs Research also finds that a majority of Americans say it won’t be
WA S H I N G T O N safe to lift social distancing guidelines anytime soon, running counter
— For weeks, the to the choice of a handful of governors who have announced plans to
Trump administra- ease within days the public health efforts that have upended daily life
tion played up the and roiled the global economy.
dangers of the coro- More than a month after schoolyards fell silent, restaurant tables and
navirus as it sought to bar stools emptied, and waves from a safe distance replaced hugs and
convince Americans handshakes, the country largely believes restrictions on social interac-
to disrupt their lives tion to curb the spread of the virus are appropriate.
and stay home. Now, Trump Only 12 percent of Americans say the measures where they live go
as President Donald Trump aims too far. About twice as many people, 26 percent, believe the limits don’t
for a swift nationwide reopening, he go far enough. The majority of Americans — 61 percent — feel the steps
faces a new challenge: convincing taken by government officials to prevent infections of COVID-19 in their
people it’s safe to come out and re- area are about right.
sume their normal lives. About 8 in 10 Americans say they support measures that include re-
It’s a defining question for a clois- quiring Americans to stay in their homes and limiting gatherings to 10
tered nation — and a political imper- people or fewer — numbers that have largely held steady over the past
ative for Trump, whose reelection few weeks.
likely rides on the pace of an eco- “We haven’t begun to flatten the curve yet. We’re still ramping up in
nomic rebound. the number of cases and the number of deaths,” said Laura McCullough,
Can the country move beyond a 47, a college physics professor from Menomonie, Wisconsin.
crippling fear of the virus and re-
turn to some modified version of its for how to safely reopen their states. bold reopening plans. “I disagree
old routines, doing what’s possible Trump and Vice President Mike strongly,” he said. “I think it’s too
to mitigate the risk of COVID-19, Pence celebrated Americans for soon.”
but acknowledging it may be a fact successfully “flattening the curve” The governors’ moves coin-
of life for years to come? of the epidemic. cided with lingering bleak news
“We need to create the kind of A day later, a phalanx of the ad- around the country. The death toll
confidence in America that makes ministration’s top medical officials in Massachusetts eclipsed 2,000 on
it so that everybody goes back to sought to reassure the nation that Wednesday, doubling from just a
work,” said Kevin Hassett, a White there were plenty of tests available week earlier. About 16,000 people
House adviser and former chair of to safely begin easing restrictions. remained hospitalized across New
the Council of Economic Advisers. Governors have been lifting York. A meat plant in Iowa that is
“And that confidence is going to re- restrictions each day since then, vital to the nation’s pork supply is
quire testing and confidence that including aggressive moves an- the latest slaughterhouse to shut
your workplace is a healthy place, nounced Wednesday in Montana down because of outbreak. With the
but also confidence in the econo- and Oklahoma. The Montana gover- economy in for a long, brutal slump,
my.” nor gave schools the green light to Congress was on the verge of pass-
At the White House, officials be- open their doors in early May, and ing an almost $500 billion relief bill
lieve they’ve entered a new chapter Oklahoma will allow salons, barber- to bolster small businesses.
of the pandemic response, moving shops, spas and pet groomers to re- Trump flatly promised Ameri-
from crisis mode to sustained miti- open Friday. cans that there will no repeat of the
gation and management. Trump, in his evening press con- national lockdown. “We will not go
It began last Thursday with the ference, did take issue with Repub- through what we went through for
release of guidelines to governors lican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s the last two months,” he said.

Administration offers plan to cover COVID care for uninsured

HHS secretary: Hospitals and doctors The money will come
from a pot of $100 billion
Azar said the adminis-
tration is not providing an
would submit their bills directly to that Congress has ap-
proved to provide relief for
estimate on what its plan
will cost, but he is confi-
the government and they would get the health care system, dent it will fit within the
which is trying to cope $100 billion allocated by
paid at Medicare rates with the high cost of coro- Congress. Lawmakers are
navirus care while facing finalizing another corona-
BY RICARDO mit their bills directly to a cash crunch because virus relief bill, expected
ALONSO-ZALDIVAR the government and they elective surgeries and to add $75 billion more for
The Associated Press would get paid at Medi- procedures have been put the health care system.
care rates. on hold. For COVID-19 Democrats and some
WASHINGTON — The Uninsured people patients who are covered health industry groups
Trump administration an- would not be liable for by health insurance, hos- say the relief money
nounced a plan Wednes- costs, and health care pro- pitals and doctors accept- approved by Congress
day to start paying hospi- viders would not have to ing money from the relief should go directly to
tals and doctors who care ask any questions about a fund would have to agree health care facilities, and
for uninsured patients patient’s immigration sta- to not to send “surprise” the administration should
with COVID-19, but Dem- tus, an issue that’s been bills for out-of-network cover the uninsured by ex-
ocratic lawmakers and cited as a barrier to care in services. panding programs such as
health industry groups are communities with many COVID-19 treatment Medicaid and the Afford-
likely to press for more. foreign-born residents. for the uninsured could able Care Act. An HHS
Under the approach “This says if you don’t cost from $14 billion to press release describing
detailed by Health and have insurance, go get tak- $48 billion, according to a the plan for the uninsured
Human Services Secre- en care of — we have you recent estimate from the says payments for their
tary Alex Azar, hospitals covered,” Azar said in an nonpartisan Kaiser Fami- care would be made “sub-
and doctors would sub- interview. ly Foundation. ject to available funding.”
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 3A

Mississippi gov hints at reopening some businesses next week

‘There is no such thing as a allowed to remain open
because they are deemed
dine-in services.
“Much to the chagrin
evening. That was an in-
crease of 178 cases and 10
or moderate symptoms,
such as fever and cough.
nonessential business to the owners essential. Early this week,
Reeves took the first step
of some ... we did not shut
those down very early in
deaths from the previous
day. The state’s population
But for others, especial-
ly older adults and peo-
and the people who depend on that toward easing restrictions this process,” Reeves said. is about 3 million.
The number of infec-
ple with existing health
problems, the highly con-
on some businesses clas- “We allowed restaurants
business to provide for their families’ sified as nonessential, to (remain) open, particu- tions is thought to be far tagious virus can cause
Gov. Tate Reeves including clothing stores larly those who could key higher because many peo- severe symptoms and be
and florists, by allowing social distancing guide- ple have not been tested, fatal.
BY EMILY nomic hardships. them to sell items for deliv- lines in effect. We allowed and studies suggest peo- The Health Depart-
WAGSTER PETTUS “I’ve said it before and ery or curbside pickup. them to serve groups of ple can be infected with ment said more than
The Associated Press
I will say it again: There Reeves’s current state- smaller than 10 people.” the virus without feeling 53,800 coronavirus tests
is no such thing as a non- wide stay-at-home order He said it is likely to sick. had been done in the state
JACKSON — Missis- The department said as of Tuesday.
sippi Gov. Tate Reeves essential business to the expires Monday morning. be a gradual process in
owners and the people Monday that at least 470 Reeves said Wednes-
said Wednesday that he He said Wednesday that reverse, with restaurants
who depend on that busi- coronavirus cases have day that four inmates in
expects to take steps next he’s likely to extend that being required at first to
been confirmed at long- the Mississippi prison sys-
week in a gradual reopen- ness to provide for their order for people who are limit the number of cus-
term care facilities such as tem had tested positive for
ing of the state’s economy families,” the Republican most vulnerable to the tomers and to provide
nursing homes. the coronavirus as of Tues-
during the coronavirus governor said. highly contagious virus — space for people to keep For most people, the day, and 19 inmates have
pandemic. He didn’t spec- Orders issued in Missis- those who are 65 or older distance from each other. coronavirus causes mild tested negative.
ify what those will be, but sippi and other places have or who have conditions The state Health De-
said he’s taking advice closed many businesses in such as obesity or high partment said Wednesday
from public health ex- recent weeks to try to slow blood pressure. that Mississippi had at
perts. the spread of the virus. He also said he has not least 4,894 confirmed cas-
He also said he recog- Grocery stores and phar- set a timeline for allowing es and 193 deaths from the
nizes that people face eco- macies are among those restaurants to reopen for coronavirus as of Tuesday

City debt
Continued from Page 1A
The current rating Goods; $1.2 million in cil consideration to cut will be able to use to pay
could drop further, Ja- 2016 for the University city expenses during the the bond off,” Box said.
cobson said, which could Mall Redevelopment proj- pandemic. That could Gavin said the city
affect the city’s borrow- ect; and $3.2 million in include a hiring freeze, needs to pave the streets
ing capacity and interest 2017 to prepare the prop- limiting purchases of regardless. The timing is
rates for new debts. erties in the Burns Bot- “big-ticket items” such as appropriate, he said, be-
tom Redevelopment Dis- trucks, limiting travel and cause the interest rates
Breaking down the debt trict for sale, in hopes of overtime and cutting pay are low.
Among the city’s ex- attracting new high-value for the mayor and council “It’s a gamble,” he
isting debt, $15.2 million development. members, Smith suggest-
said. “We either do this
are bonds issued for road The Moore’s Creek ed Tuesday. Starkville has
now or wait for the inter-
paving in 2010, 2014 and and University Mall proj- taken similar measures
ects came through tax-in- ahead of a its expected est to go up.”
2016, city records show. Conflict disclosure:
The bonds are all 15- crement financing, which sales tax revenue drop.
is repaid from a portion of Ward 2 Councilman Managing Editor Zack
year and 20-year bonds
sales and property taxes Joseph Mickens, who was Plair took part in editing
and are scheduled to be
generated by develop- the lone dis- this article. He is currently
paid off between 2029 and
2031. ments built at those sites. senting vote involved in legal proceed-
But the life of a street Additionally, the city on Tuesday, ings with the city of Colum-
paving project tends to be has $4.7 million of debt re- said at the bus.
shorter than maining from $7.4 million meeting he
the bonds, borrowed on lease/pur- would pre-
Ward 6 chase agreements, mostly fer to wait
Councilman for things like police vehi- for a clear-
Bill Gavin cles and large equipment er picture Mickens
said. In used by various depart- of the pan-
some cas- ments. demic’s economic impact.
es, streets City records did not in- “I’d like to hold on till
paved in Gavin clude the $5 million bond we see how this is going
the past 10 package the city issued to affect taxes and every-
years using bond money last year for the recovery thing for the next two
are already deteriorating, from the February torna- months,” he said.
while the city is still re- do, 87.5 percent of which But most council mem-
paying the debt on them. the federal and state bers think it is safe to go
“Ten years is about it,” emergency management ahead and pursue the
he said. agencies will reimburse street paving projects,
Potholes are showing once all recovery proj- which they say are neces-
on Leigh Drive, alongside ects are completed. That sary.
Baptist Memorial Hos- would leave the city bear- The financial situation
pital-Golden Triangle, ing up to $625,000 of the concerns him “quite a
Gavin told The Dispatch. cost out-of-pocket. bit,” Gavin said, and the
The road was among the The records, which bond would not be easy to
paved streets in 2010 reflect debt until the end pay back. To pay for it, he
when the city issued a of September 2019, also said, cuts can be made.
bond of $8.9 million. The did not include a 15-year “We can cut back on
city has $5.2 million of bond the city issued late a lot of trips that we take
debt remaining from that last year for its $3.2 mil- to save some money,” he
bond and is expected to lion project to replace said. “Now, it’s not going
pay it off in 2030. more than 4,000 now to save enough money
Aside from bonds for city-owned street lights to make up $5 million,
road paving, the city also with energy-saving LED there’s just not enough to
carries $8.3 million in lights. cut.”
debt on renovation and Smith told The Dis- As for the additional fi-
redevelopment projects, patch in March debt is nancial burden this would
city records show. common among munici- put on the city, he said the
The oldest debt dates pal governments. bond would only add to
back to 2009, when the “When (municipal- the debt “for a while” as
city borrowed $100,000 ities) do projects, they the city pays other debts
for a storage building do (general obligation) off.
for the fire department. bonds,” Smith said. “Be- The city’s internet
The remaining debt from cause most municipalities sales tax revenue could
that purchase is $55,392, ... don’t have the money help pay
which is expected to be to just go ahead and jump toward the
paid off by 2029. on it and pay for the proj- debt, Ward
The city also borrowed ects.” 3 Council-
for other capital projects man Char-
in recent years, includ- Impact by COVID-19 lie Box said.
ing: $223,332 in 2012 Adding to the city’s The rev-
for the Sim Scott Com- debt situation is a pro- enue, ap-
munity Center renova- jected drop in sales tax proved by Box
tion; $250,000 the same revenue over the next the Legis-
year for Townsend Park few months due to the lature last year, will give
Community Center and COVID-19 pandemic lim- municipalities funds to
Charles Brown Basket- iting, or even temporarily pay for road maintenance
ball Pavilion; $2.4 mil- shuttering, many busi- and infrastructure. The
lion in 2013 for the Trot- nesses. city will receive $250,000
ter Convention Center “At the rate things are from the collections this
renovation; $2.2 million going,” Smith told coun- year, and the amount will
in 2015 for the Moore’s cilmen Tuesday, “in the double each year until
Creek Crossing project; next month or so … we it reaches an estimated
$650,000 in 2015 for the are going to see a reduc- $923,000 in 2023, The
purchase of Gilmer Inn tion in sales tax.” Dispatch reported.
and Brumley’s Sporting Smith called for coun- “That’ll be money we

SOLUNAR TABLE
The solunar period indicates
peak-feeding times for fish and game.
Thur. Fri.
Major 1:10a 1:54a
7:54a
BUILDING PERMITS Minor
Major
Minor
7:23a
1:32p
7:52p
2:16p
8:47p
■ George Irby; 602 15th ■ John Fields; 804 2nd Ave-
City of Columbus
Courtesy of Mississippi Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
Street North; electrical; nue North; electrical; Guerry

The Dispatch
April 13-16, 2020 Joseph Harris Jr Electrical LLC
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■ Danny King; 1102 Highway ■ Jessie Petty; 300 Alabama ■ Zavier & Kawanda Jones; Published daily except Saturday. Answers to common questions:
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Opinion
4A THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020
PETER BIRNEY IMES Editor/Publisher
BIRNEY IMES III Editor/Publisher 1998-2018
BIRNEY IMES JR. Editor/Publisher 1947-2003

Dispatch
The
BIRNEY IMES SR. Editor/Publisher 1922-1947

ZACK PLAIR, Managing Editor

BETH PROFFITT Advertising Director
MICHAEL FLOYD Circulation/Production Manager
MARY ANN HARDY Controller

OUR VIEW
Reeves’ task force lacks important voices
W
hen Gov. Tate Reeves While it makes perfect resentation of the state’s black have any say in how the state between business and health
announced that he sense to include the business population. Columbus busi- will use an estimated $1.25 concerns.
had formed an advi- community in helping create nessman Jabari Edwards is billion in federal funds appro- COVID-19 has dramati-
sory committee to make plans a strategy for recovery — one of two African Americans priated by Congress to aid in cally affected nearly every
for the state’s economic recov- including when and how that on the committee. African the state’s economic recovery. aspect of life in our state, and
ery, he noted the geographic recovery takes place — we are Americans are disproportion- The absence of medical the expertise from multiple
diversity of 17-member group, dismayed by several aspects of ately affected by COVID-19, experts on the committee is perspectives is imperative to
which includes members from the committee. with much higher rates of even more alarming. There restarting the economy in a
all over the state, including the There are no medical ex- infection and death than are are no infectious disease responsible and effective way.
Golden Triangle. perts on the committee nor is seen in white populations. experts; there are no nurses; The Restart Mississippi
The executive team of the there anyone who represents When asked why no there aren’t even any hos- committee represents a very
group, called Restart Mis- the voice of the average working people were included pital administrators on the small group of Mississippians.
sissippi, is comprised of five wage-earner, the group that on the committee, Reeves committee. It ignores the It is not an honest effort to
white men, all political allies of will assume most of whatever flippantly said, “We don’t need fact that COVID-19 is, first serve the people of the state
the Governor and all wealthy health risks are involved in union bosses to tell us how to and foremost, a public health and all the diverse needs and
businessmen. The commit- returning to work even as the take care of our people.” issue. It is inconceivable that concerns they represented.
tee is chaired by Sanderson COVID-19 virus continues to That response strongly sug- there will be not a single voice It’s all business and —
Farms CEO and Chairman of spread. gests that Reeves has no real who could be expected to apparently — none of our
the Board Joe Sanderson. Similarly, there is little rep- interest in allowing workers to balance any inevitable conflict business.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CARTOONIST VIEW

Voice of the people
Thinks roundabouts will cause
more wrecks
When I first heard about the
proposed numerous roundabouts for
Columbus, I expressed concern to our
city engineer, Kevin Stafford, and my
councilman, Charlie Box, that they
would present problems for drivers in
the Golden Triangle and west Alabama
area but I was told that Europeans and
some other places love them. Interest-
ingly, a few weeks later an article in
the Wall Street Journal with the title
“Roundabout Wrecks Have Engineers
Going in Circles” appeared. While
there are generally less fatal accidents
at roundabouts there are significantly
more crashes. I quote, “The crash prob-
lem has been ‘a dirty little secret’ in
the traffic field, now people are talking
about it.” I personally gave councilman
Box a copy of this article and brought
one by for Mayor Smith’s in-box. But
apparently roundabouts are coming. I
think the only ones to benefit will be
the auto body shops.
I think wrecks will have our city
engineer “going in circles” as have the
others where roundabouts are found.
William Ford M.D.
Columbus, MS

Agrees with Ross letter

I agree totally with the letter to the
editor sent in by Mr. John Ross. The
Republicans only care about being pro-
MISSISSIPPI VOICES

More data helps create rational responses to virus

life when it comes to the unborn. They
are actually only pro-birth. They are
against welfare, Medicaid, insurance

N
for all, immigration for families trying
to avoid persecution and I could go on. obody argues about down costs are exceeding 1,000.)
And now they are for opening up the whether the sky is that by a factor of 16. In other words, if you get sick
economy even if it means older and blue. We all know We all make decisions enough to see a doctor or be hospital-
compromised citizens dying in droves. that it is so. about money and death. ized, the flu will be fatal for three out
I also saw signs where now they say We do study, debate When we speed to get of 100 of those people, the same as
“my body, my choice” referring to not and argue about issues somewhere quicker, we un- COVID-19. But if you just catch the
wearing a mask or any other protective for which there is no clear consciously calculate the flu, it is only fatal for one out of 1,000
clothing. How ironic that now you find answer. When to cease time saved (time is money) infected.
yourself now proclaiming to be pro- “shelter at home” is a very compared to the extra risk We have studied the flu enough to
choice! important issue for which of a fatal wreck. When we know the difference between the CFR
Jerry Fortenberry there is no clear answer. get on our roofs to blow off and the IFR of the flu. But because
Columbus We want to prevent the leaves, we are making COVID-19 is less studied, we have
deaths, no doubt. But we Wyatt Emmerich a calculation as to the less understanding of its charac-
are all also aware that our danger versus hiring a teristics. We know its CFR is three
Thinks H1N1 response livelihood and longevity is professional. Ladders kill. percent, similar to the flu’s CFR, but
was much slower closely correlated to our standard of Interestingly enough, when indi- we don’t know COVID-19’s IFR.
I’ve been outta pocket for a couple living – a standard of living afforded viduals make their own danger versus In the last few weeks, research
weeks and just did a little catching up by our huge, complex, intricately money personal decisions, they is giving us insight into the IFR of
on some reading. Checked out The interconnected economy. usually value their life less than the COVID-19. It is looking very much
Dispatch opinion page and found out I A perfect example is the severe re- federal government does. We increase like the IFR of the flu. That’s because
haven’t missed much. duction of normal medical operations our risk of dying all the time to save for every COVID-19 infection that
First I saw where Mr. Paul Mack and procedures canceled, postponed money. leads to illness, there are many, many
tried to defend the actions — or I or delayed because of COVID-19. This may seem heartless. Life is more infections that are asymptomat-
should say inactions — of Joe Biden These are real people with real precious. But a society cannot exist ic or mild.
when he was VP in his rebuttal of my medical needs, but they aren’t getting if it does not exercise some rational In the last week, four separate
last letter, in which I pointed out some attended to as they were before the judgment on this fundamental issue. studies are showing that far more
of Biden’s bad moves. He missed the shutdown. COVID-19 will test our society’s abili- people have the antibodies to
main point in the example of H1N1. My I went to the grocery store the ty to act rationally in the wake of fear COVID-19 than we ever imagined.
point was that a “concert of fiddling” other day and was shocked to see how and panic. One study argues that a majority of
was going on in the Obama/Biden much was missing from the shelves. We are in need of better data. For- the U.S. population has already con-
head shed, so much that they allowed If we stay shutdown much longer, tunately, this is progressing, allowing tracted the disease and herd immuni-
a year of sickness and death to pass shortages will emerge. our society to act in a more rational ty is causing a decline in both cases
before they declared a national emer- We have lost 22 million jobs in the manner. and fatalities.
gency, obviously a shame and disgrace United States and the number could One source of great confusion Indeed, all over the world the stats
and showed a lack of qualifications double. This will cause enormous has been the case fatality rate (CFR) are creating the same declining bell
to lead our country. And as it turns stress that will ultimately increase versus the infection fatality rate curve that has been the hallmark of
out Biden didn’t have the foresight to mortality. We all need strong immune (IFR.) These are two very different epidemics since we began studying
restock mask and ventilators which is systems right now. That is our best numbers. them statistically 200 years ago. It’s
inexcusable. defense. Yet everyone knows that An infection is when the virus gets called Farr’s Law. Look it up.
Mr. Mack then tried comparing high stress weakens the immune into the body and the body produces Even Sweden, which is the lone
actual death numbers due to the flu to system and causes sickness. antibodies to fight it off. Usually the European country that did not lock
his estimated death numbers due to The numbers are pretty mind-bog- infection is mild or even asymptomat- down, is producing the same bell
the corona virus and stated that it was gling. COVID-19 is projected to cost ic. No medical attention is required. curve as its lock down neighbors.
clear to him that President Trump’s 62,000 lives. So far, Congress has A case is when someone gets sick A new virus is scary. But the data
response to it would result in hundreds spent two trillion dollars propping up enough to be hospitalized or diag- is beginning to suggest that society
of thousands of needless deaths. I don’t the economy because of COVID-19. nosed affirmatively by a physician in a has overreacted, at great cost. This is
think that that’s anywhere close to real- That comes to $32 million per death. medical environment. why ending the lock downs and get-
ity. As of April 20, the total deaths since I’m not sure any nation can sustain One source of COVID-19 fear ting back to work is now a hot topic all
it started is approx 41,000 in the entire that, especially when the average age has been mistaking the CFR for the over the news.
country. Many of those just might have of death is 80 years old. When the IFR. Let’s take the flu for instance, Wyatt Emmerich is the editor and
been as a result of some other illness, federal government requires airlines the CFR for the flu is about three publisher of The Northside Sun, a
not due to only the coronavirus. to add safety features on an airplane, percent, three out of 100, about the weekly newspaper in Jackson. He
Raymond Gross they require that it cost no more than same as COVID-19. But the flu’s IFR can be reached by e-mail at wyatt@
Columbus $2 million per life saved. The shut- is one-tenth of one percent (one out of northsidesun.com.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 5A

AREA OBITUARIES
COMMERCIAL DISPATCH Rupert, Christa Ru- of Greenwood High Home. Lee-Sykes Fu- John Autry line White Autry. He
OBITUARY POLICY pert Fox and Danielle School and was former- neral Home of Macon was formerly employed
Obituaries with basic informa- CARBON HILL, Ala.
tion including visitation and
Rupert all of Chica- ly employed with Neva- is in charge of arrange- — Rev. John W. Autry, as a pastor at Phila-
service times, are provided go, Illinois; siblings, da State Department of ments. 81, died April 19, 2020, delphia Deliverance
free of charge. Extended Chelett Carter, Corliss Transportation. Mr. Glass was born at his residence. Tabernacle.
obituaries with a photograph, Cater, Charles Carter In addition to his Oct. 6, 1998, in Noxu- A private graveside In addition to his par-
detailed biographical informa- all of Chicago and Paris mother, he is survived bee County, to Yolanda service was held Tues- ents, he was preceded
tion and other details families Carter of Atlanta, Geor- by his wife, Karen Michelle Mason Mur- day, at Philadelphia in death by his brother,
may wish to include, are avail- gia; and seven grand- phy and the late Jack
Skwarczynski of Deliverance Tabernacle Jimmy Dale Autry; and
able for a fee. Obituaries must
be submitted through funeral
children. Columbus; children, Dashon Glass Sr. He cemetery, with Joey one grandson.
homes unless the deceased’s Jayde Sanderock, was a graduate of Pine Vick and Kenneth He is survived by
body has been donated to Eddie Harris Chelsey Sanderock Forest High School. He Morris officiating. his wife, Mary Autry;
science. If the deceased’s NOXUBEE COUN- both of Columbus, Jody was formerly employed Collins-Burke Funeral children, Shelia Pruitt,
body was donated to science, TY — Eddie Earl Har- Sanderock and Karen as a stocker with Wal- Home was in charge of Richard Auty and
the family must provide official
ris, 53, died April 18, Skwarczynki both of Mart and was a mem- arrangements. Stephanie Gray; four
proof of death. Please submit
2020, at Hospice of East Grendada; and siblings, ber of Murphy Chapel. Rev. Autry was born grandchildren; and
all obituaries on the form pro-
vided by The Commercial Dis- Texas Tyler, Texas. Mike Sanderock of In addition to his Aug. 13, 1938, to the three great-grandchil-
patch. Free notices must be A private family Oxford, Debbie Costi- mother, he is survived late J.T. and Mary Pau- dren.
submitted to the newspaper graveside service will nett of St. Francisville, by his step-father,

Gayron Wittke Jr.

no later than 3 p.m. the day be at 2 p.m. Friday, Louisiana, and Barb Dale Lee Murphy; and
prior for publication Tuesday
at Mount Zion MBC Hardy of Las Vegas, siblings, Cillmaryl
through Friday; no later than 4 Hatcher of Pensacola,
p.m. Saturday for the Sunday
Cemetery, with Michael Nevada.
Jones officiating. A Florida, Emon Galss Gayron Anderson Wittke,
edition; and no later than 7:30
a.m. for the Monday edition. private family visitation Sammie Sharp Sr. of Columbus, Dalesha Jr., 70, of Columbus, went on
Incomplete notices must be re- is from 2-5 p.m. today, ARTESIA — Sam- Murphy of Watch, to be with the Lord Tuesday,
ceived no later than 7:30 a.m. at Carter’s Funeral Ser- mie Sharp Sr., 84, died North Carolina, Kyri April 21, 2020, at Baptist
for the Monday through Friday vices. Carter’s Funeral April 22, 2020, at his Duck, Chase Murphy Memorial Hospital–Golden
editions. Paid notices must be
Services of Macon is residence. both of Fayetteville, Triangle, Columbus, MS. Our
finalized by 3 p.m. for inclusion North Carolina and
the next day Monday through in charge of arrange- Arrangements are loss is heaven’s gain.
ments. Anthony Murphy of The family will have a
Thursday; and on Friday by 3 incomplete and will be
Mr. Harris was Watha, North Carolina. private service at a later date
p.m. for Sunday and Monday announced by Carter’s
publication. For more informa- born June 15, 1966, in Funeral Services of with Lowndes Funeral Home
tion, call 662-328-2471. Noxubee County, to Columbus. directing.
Otis and Queen Har- Mr. Wittke was born on October 16, 1949,
Frank Moore ris. He was a graduate
Mary Sisson to the late Gayron Anderson and Dorothy
LIVINGSTON, of Noxubee County Virginia Shelton Wittke in Columbus, MS. He
COLUMBUS —
Ala. — Frank Moore, High School. He was was married to Retha Misso Wittke for over 50
Mary F. Sisson, 85,
81, died April 21, 2020, formerly employed in years. He also loved to attend Fairview Baptist
died April 23, 2020, at
at Anderson Region- safety engineering with Church, Columbus, MS. Mr. Wittke retired in
Baptist Memorial Hos-
al Medical Center in Exxon Mobil and was 2014 after working with Mitchell Distributing
pital-Golden Triangle.
Meridian. a member of Christian after 12 years. He also was employed with United
Arrangements are
Arrangements are Love MBC. Technologies for 33 years. Mr. Wittke was a proud
incomplete and will be
incomplete and will be In addition to his veteran of the United States Army and served
announced by Lown-
announced by Lown- parents, he is survived
des Funeral Home of
Ruth Pigué during the Vietnam Conflict. He received Army
des Funeral Home of by his fiancée, Yulonda Services:
Columbus. A memorial service will be held in
commendations medals as well as a Bronze Star.
Columbus. Harris; children, Justice Biloxi at a later date. He not only loved his family but also his fur kids.
Lee, Malaysia Harris 2nd Ave. North Location He was also an avid supporter of MSU Bulldogs.
Minnee Rupert and Diamond Harris all Gomatben Patel Mr. Wittke is survived by his wife, Retha
NOXUBEE COUN- of Macon; and siblings, COLUMBUS — Go- Faye Mullican Wittke, Columbus, MS; daughter, Shonda (Terry)
matben Patel, 97, died Services:
TY — Minnee Eloise James Harris of Aber- A family graveside service will be Wittke, Vance, AL; son, Chris (Teresa) Wittke,
Rupert, 62, died April deen, Albert Harris of April 23, 2020, at his held at Egger Cemetery. Columbus, MS; sister, Gail Price, Amory, MS;
18, 2020, at Noxubee Orange County, Cali- residence. 2nd Ave. North Location
brother, Joe Wittke, Springfield, VA and Tony
General Hospital in fornia, Kevin Harris of Arrangements are Wittke, Columbus, MS; grandchildren, Katelyn
Northport, Alabama incomplete and will be Kenneth Sanderock (Westin) Dick, Lexi Wittke, Chelsea Teague and
Macon. Services:
Private family and Reggie Harris of announced by Lown- A memorial service will be Ryker Wittke.
services will be at 11 Springfield, Missouri. des Funeral Home of held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that
College St. Location
a.m. Friday, at Toliver Columbus. memorials may be made to Columbus-Lowndes
Chapel MBC, with Kenneth Sanderock Humane Society, 50 Airline Road, Columbus, MS
Louis Murray officiat- COLUMBUS — Ken- Jack Glass Jr. 39701.
ing. Burial will follow in neth R. “Kenny” San- FAYET TEVILLE, memorialgunterpeel.com
the church cemetery. derock, 61, died April N.C. — Jack Dashon Compliments of
Private family visitation 21, 2020, at Baptist Me- Glass Jr., Lowndes Funeral Home
21, died www.lowndesfuneralhome.net
is from 2-5 p.m. today, morial Hospital-Golden
at Carter’s Funeral Ser- Triangle. April 16,
vices. Carter’s Guneral A private family 2020, at his
Services of Macon is memorial service will residence.
in charge of arrange- be held at a later date. A
ments. Memorial Gunter Peel private
Mrs. Rupert was Funeral Home and service Glass Jr.
born July 25, 1957, in Crematory of Colum- will be at
Chicago, Illinois, to bus 903 College Street noon, Fri-
the late Charles Frank location is in charge of day, at New Hope UM
Carter and Minnie Lee arrangements. Church of Macon, with
Ingram. Mr. Sanderock was the Rev. Kori Bridges
She is survived born Feb. 20, 1959, in officiating. Burial will
by her husband, Joe St. Louis, to Patsy Ruth follow in the church
Rupert of Macon; chil- Sanderock and the late cemetery. Visitation
dren, Joseph Rupert, Eugene Sanderock. is from 1-5 p.m. today,
Mercedes Rupert, Blair He was a graduate at Lee-Sykes Funeral

Festival for king

of rock ‘n’ roll
goes virtual
amid virus
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TUPELO — The switch

to virtual events during the
coronavirus pandemic in-
cludes a festival honoring
the king of rock ‘n’ roll.
Organizers for the Tupe-
lo Elvis Festival in Missis-
sippi announced Wednes-
day the music event slated
to be held in June will now
be a virtual gathering.
“The health and safe-
ty of our patrons is most
important, but we are ex-
cited to share our festival
with the world,” Debbie
Brangenberg, the execu-
tive director of the festival,
told the Northeast Missis-
sippi Daily Journal.
The annual fest hon-
oring Tupelo-born Elvis
Presley features perfor-
mances from musicians,
gospel groups, and in-
cludes a competition to
qualify for the Ultimate
Elvis Tribute Contest held
in Memphis.
Organizers are offering
refunds for those who do
not want to attend a virtual
festival.

cdispatch.com
6A THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

26M have sought jobless aid since virus hit

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER Roughly 26 million people have rate for April could go as high as 20
AP Economics Writer now filed for jobless aid in the five percent.
weeks since the coronavirus out- The enormous magnitude of job
WASHINGTON — More than break began forcing millions of cuts has plunged the U.S. economy
4.4 million laid-off workers applied employers to close their doors. into the worst economic crisis since
for U.S. unemployment benefits last About one in six American workers the Great Depression of the 1930s.
week as job cuts escalated across have now lost their jobs since mid- Some economists say the nation’s
an economy that remains all but March, by far the worst string of output could shrink by twice the
shut down, the government said layoffs on record. Economists have amount that it did during the Great
Thursday. forecast that the unemployment Recession, which ended in 2009.

Presley
Continued from Page 1A
service commissioners have shovel-ready proj- tempt at “due diligence,”
nationwide. ects, ready to not only put he said.
Home internet access people back to work but “I appreciate your pas-
is more important than to solve one of the biggest sion and we are looking
ever while the COVID-19 things that we learned at this hard, but I feel like
pandemic has forced in this crisis was a huge you’re tilting the playing
school and most jobs into problem for our people,” field when we’re being
the home, but Mississippi Presley said. “It is inex- cautious with what’s prob-
often ranks 42nd or lower Kemp Turner cusable not to release ably the most expensive
in studies showing each of money customers owe these dollars early. We undertaking in the histo-
state’s levels of internet after the payment dead- have folks ready to work, ry of our co-op,” Turner
access and distribution, lines is 12 percent higher and we’ve got folks in this said.
Presley said. than normal, and 27 per- state who are disconnect- 4-County has been
“It’s a shame and a dis- cent of customers missing ed from the outside world, looking for less expensive
grace that we’re asking payments had not missed who are living in the digi- solutions, such as partner-
people to social distance, any before the pandemic, tal divide.” ships with internet provid-
stay off the highway and Kemp said. 4-County has been un- ers, and Turner said this
don’t go out, but they have der pressure to provide is all the more important
to drive their children rural broadband access in an economy “crushed”
to McDonald’s or to a li-
‘Agree to disagree’ since the state Legisla- by the pandemic.
The Rural Digital Op-
brary to access internet ture passed a law last year “How many of these
service to do their home- portunity Fund (RDOF) allowing electric cooper- folks out there are able
work, just to stay caught through the Federal Com- atives to provide internet to handle another bill, for
up in school,” he said. munications Commission service. The co-op issued $50 or $80 for the inter-
“We should come out of will make $20 billion a press release on Feb. 28 net, when they can’t even
this pandemic with a hell- available for rural utili- saying three feasibility afford the bills that they
bent approach to connect ty providers to expand studies showed that one have right now?” Turner
every home, every busi- broadband access nation- broadband project could said.
ness, every place in the wide. $940 million of that cost $110 million. Presley said he would
state of Mississippi to a money would come to 4-County released “agree to disagree” with
world-class broadband Mississippi, Presley said. a survey at the end of Turner about the pace of
network.” 4-County consultants March designed to gauge potential broadband ex-
Utility providers and say the co-op (which customers’ opinions on pansion.
public officials should serves rural areas in all the co-op investing in A group of Golden
set a goal date to get this Golden Triangle counties) high-speed internet. It is Triangle residents frus-
done, Presley said. could receive between currently due Friday, but trated with the lack of
The halt on utility $11 million and $33 mil- Turner said 4-County will rural broadband access
disconnections started lion from RDOF, Public likely extend the deadline formed a Facebook group
March 14, partly in re- Relations and Marketing due to the pandemic. in February called Gold-
sponse to requests from Manager Jon Turner said Presley said the other en Triangle Citizens for
the Mississippi State De- during the conference side of the expenses of Broadband with the goal
partment of Health and call. broadband expansion is of putting more pressure
the Mississippi Emergen- U.S. Sen. Roger Wick- “the cost to the people” on 4-County to expand
cy Management Agency. er (R-Mississippi) is the of not having internet ac- access. The group had
It will last until May 14 chairman of the Senate cess, and he said co-ops planned a public meeting
and could be extended, Commerce Committee should roll out expansion on March 16 at the East
Presley said. and therefore is the mem- projects in phases. Mississippi Community
Starkville Utilities ber of Congress with the Turner responded College campus in May-
general manager Terry most influence to get that only about 100 of the hew, but it was canceled
Kemp, who was in the au- through the “bureaucrat- roughly 900 co-ops na- due to the pandemic.
dience of the video confer- ic red tape” that is pre- tionwide have done this Presley, local Realtors,
ence, said the department venting the money from and “none of them are home health providers,
has “seen an uptick” in being dispersed, Presley mature enough to say community leaders and
missed payments since said. this is a slam dunk.” Any representatives from
the commission’s an- “As we’re coming out of perceived hesitation from 4-County were supposed
nouncement. The amount this (pandemic), we could 4-County is really an at- to speak at the event.

Business
Continued from Page 1A
Before you head out for St., has reopened for to- every day. Likewise, “Downtown Relief Fund.”
your summer snack, be go orders and curbside Applebee’s is up and run- You can also purchase
sure to follow some new service. The pie shop ning again in Columbus, decals online with
guidelines: stay six feet closed in late March but offering curbside pick-up #ColumbusStrong for $5
from each other, bring a has reopened with its full 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and all proceeds will go
credit or debit card (no drink menu and select If you’re looking for to support your favorite
cash will be accepted) pies available. Be sure to a way to support local downtown businesses.
and once you get your check out its social media businesses in Columbus Check out the t-shirts
snowball from the shack, page and call ahead to get and you don’t know how? online and be sure to
hit the road jack. We’ve a slice and a hot cup of joe Look no further, friends. make your order before
all got to do our part so- Tuesday through Friday The Main Street Colum- noon on Mondays for
cial distancing, so be sure from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Give bus Downtown Relief curbside pick up each
not to loiter and socialize a heads up call for your Fund is raising money Friday from 10 a.m.-4
while you try and beat the order at 662-798-0872 and with t-shirt sales to help p.m. at 107 Fifth St. N.
heat. Starkvegas Snow- be sure to bring a credit support local businesses. Order your shirt today
balls is open 2-7 p.m. or debit card. No cash Each shirt is $20 and at support local at www.
every day. allowed at this time. comes in six different col- supportlocalcol.com.
Moving over to Co- In other business ors. For every shirt pur- Remember, take what you
lumbus, we have anoth- news, Columbus Star- chased, $10 goes toward need, give when you can
er local favorite that’s bucks has reopened and Columbus Main Street’s and as always, stay safe.
reopened. Three Sisters will maintain drive-thru
Pie Company, 422 Main hours from 6 a.m.-noon

Testing site
Continued from Page 1A
Those with symptoms testing sites can test up to
of COVID-19 such as fe- about 100 people, but the
ver, shortness of breath, spokesperson said typi-
coughing or sore throat cally fewer than 100 make
can make an appointment appointments.
with a clinician through MSDH has confirmed
the C Spire Health tele- nearly 4,900 cases of
health smartphone app or COVID-19 in Mississippi
by calling 601-496-7200. as of Wednesday after-
If a clinician determines noon, according to the de-
they are at risk for the vi- partment’s website, and at
rus, they will be given an least 193 people have died
appointment time. While from the virus. There have
residents can make ap- been four deaths in Oktib-
pointments the day of, beha County, two deaths
a UMMC spokesperson in Clay County and one
stressed they do it as soon death in Lowndes County.
as possible. There are 44 confirmed
Testing is completely cases in Oktibbeha Coun-
free to residents. ty, 36 in Lowndes County,
UMMC and MSDH 27 in Clay County and 24
have set up testing sites all in Noxubee County.
over the state and tested Nationwide, there are
more than 3,000 people, more than 855,000 con-
according to a UMMC firmed cases and more
press release. Individual than 47,500 deaths.
Sports NFL DRAFT
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020
B
SECTION

DERAILED BY INJURIES AT MISSISSIPPI STATE, TOMMY

STEVENS HOPING TO BE NFL DRAFT’S MOST VERSATILE QB

Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Tommy Stevens (7) after scoring on a short run during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium.

BY BEN PORTNOY clanging of cowbells. on Rocky Top. A broken back prospects available ers at the Manning Pass- Director Bob Roller told
[email protected] It was quickly greeted rib and punctured lung in the 2020 NFL Draft. ing Academy last summer, The Dispatch. “That’s
with deafening silence. against Abilene Christian “Playing quarterback Stevens again showed his going to go so far for him.
STARKVILLE — Tom- Racing out of the pock- forced him to miss both in this system you have arm talent during the Scouts love that work
my Stevens’ first start at et, Stevens was drilled the Egg Bowl and MSU’s to learn protections, you East-West Shrine Bowl on ethic and the fact that he
Davis Wade Stadium was into the ground. He hob- appearance in the Music have to know formations, Jan. 18 in Tampa, Florida. was able to listen clearly
scripted perfectly. bled off the field and City Bowl against Louis- you have to know fronts, Completing 7-of-10 pass- to what they were saying.
In just over one quarter headed to the locker room ville. pressures and coverages, es for 102 yards and one He had a good week.”
of play, Stevens led Mis- for further diagnosis. His After transferring to pre- and post-snap reads,” interception, he added Following the all-star
sissippi State on scoring shoulder was separated. MSU to rejoin his former Moorhead told The Dis- another 11 yards on two game, Stevens remained
drives of 61 and 81 yards, In weeks to follow offensive coordinator at patch Tuesday. “But I carries. Coachable by in the Sunshine State —
respectively, to vault the Stevens showed flash- Penn State, Joe Moor- think the trickle up, some nature, scouts were en- working out at D1 Train-
Bulldogs ahead 14-0 in es of brilliance, sure. head, the experiment of the (run-pass-option) thused with his ability to ing in Tampa to prepare
their home opener against But those momentary turned bleak. But now a elements that you saw process information. for his impending pro day
Southern Mississippi. He glimpses were brutally few months removed from Kansas City doing and “The thing that you after not being invited to
had completed all nine marred by further physi- his time in Starkville, Ste- Baltimore doing and (Ste- notice very quickly about the NFL Combine.
of his passes. The MSU cal ailments. A high ankle vens has quickly become vens’) exposure to that Tommy is what a hard Working through
faithful gleefully willed sprain against Tennessee one of the more intrigu- just brings added value.” worker he is,” East-West the same program that
his performance with the limited his production ing late round quarter- After wowing onlook- Shrine Bowl Executive See STEVENS, 2B

An NFL Draft Guide for a Mississippi State fan Notre Dame’s

BY BEN PORTNOY
[email protected] McGraw retires
STARKVILLE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS surprising decision to
While the bright lights many of the countless
of the Bellagio fountain Just two years re- players and coaches she
in Las Vegas won’t greet moved from the euphoria has influenced on and off
prospects at this year’s as of winning her second the court as a mentor and
was originally scheduled, national championship, advocate for women.
the 2020 NFL Draft should Muffet McGraw knew it “I am proud of what we
mark the beginning of a was time. have accomplished and I
number of former Missis- Time to relax a bit. can turn the page to the
sippi State players’ profes- Time to do something next chapter in my life
sional football careers. else. And time, hopeful-
with no regrets, knowing
And though MSU like- ly, to watch her young
that I gave it my best ev-
team climb back up the
ly won’t match the three ery day,” said McGraw, a
rankings under someone
first-round picks it boast- four-time winner of the
else’s guidance on the
ed a season ago, there’s AP women’s basketball
rock-solid foundation she
ample NFL talent in the Coach of the Year.
built over three decades
Starkville contingent eli- McGraw said that she
at Notre Dame.
gible for this year’s event. The Hall of Fame and Notre Dame athletic
That said, here’s a look coach retired Wednes- director Jack Swarbrick
at where MSU’s most day with a resume that have had an annual con-
draftable prospects could Matt Bush/USA TODAY Sports
includes two national versation over the last
fall this weekend: Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) makes a reception while defended
by Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Brian Cole II (32) during the first quarter on Nov. championships in 33 few years about whether
See DRAFT, 2B 16 at Davis Wade Stadium. seasons at the school, a See MCGRAW, 2B
2B THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Red Sox stripped of pick, Cora banned in sign stealing scams

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ed the status of Ron Roe- ond-round pick in this ond-round amateur draft advance scouting infor- Cora was mentioned 11
nicke, who was named the year’s amateur draft, No selections. mation, and part of his times in Manfred’s deci-
NEW YORK — The Red Sox interim manager 52 overall. “Unlike the Houston job was to decode oppos- sion on the Astros, which
Boston Red Sox escaped pending the outcome of Manfred said in his Astros’ 2017 conduct, in ing pitchers’ sequences said he developed the
major penalties in Ma- the investigation. report that Boston’s mis- which players communi- ahead of series. Manfred cheating system. Cora left
jor League Baseball’s “That interim tag is deeds were limited to the cated to the batter from called him a “key partic- Houston to be the Boston
cheating investigation on removed,” Chief Baseball regular season not as per- the dugout area in real ipant” in the 2017 Apple manager after the 2017
Wednesday, with Com- Officer Chaim Bloom vasive as the Astros’, who time the precise type of Watch incident, saying season and led the Red
missioner Rob Manfred said. “Ron is now our repeatedly used a video pitch about to be thrown, he relayed decoded signs Sox to a franchise-record
concluding that the 2018
manager.” camera in the outfield Watkins’ conduct, by its from Boston’s replay 108 regular-season wins
World Series champions’
The only member of to steal catchers’ signs very nature, was far more room to the dugout, at and the World Series title.
sign-stealing efforts were
the Red Sox organization during their run to the limited in scope and im- first with a runner and But fallout from Astros
less egregious than the
who was penalized was 2017 championship and pact,” Manfred wrote. then with the watch to an investigation cost Cora
Astros’ when they won it
all the previous season. replay system operator again the following sea- A 30-year-old from athletic trainer. and newly hired New York
Ex-manager Alex Cora J.T. Watkins, who was sus- son. Tuscaloosa, Alabama, MLB said it inter- Mets manager Carlos Bel-
was formally suspended pended without pay for a Manager AJ Hinch Watkins is a 2012 grad- viewed 65 people, includ- trán to lose their jobs. Bel-
for the coronavirus-de- year for violating the pro- and general manager Jeff uate of the U.S. Military ing 34 past and present trán, the senior player on
layed 2020 season — but hibition on in-game use Luhnow were suspended Academy. The catcher Boston players. Manfred the 2017 Astros, was the
only for his role as a Hous- of video to identify pitch through the 2020 post- was selected by Boston concluded Cora did not only player identified by
ton bench coach; Manfred signals. Watkins, who de- season on Jan. 13 and in the 10th round of that know of Watkins’ conduct MLB as participating in
had held off a penalty for nied the allegations, was fired that day by the As- year’s amateur draft and but “did not effectively the scheme to place a mon-
Cora despite fingering also prohibited from serv- tros. Houston was fined played in the Red Sox communicate to Red Sox itor near Houston’s dugout
him as the ringleader of ing as the replay room op- $5 million, the maximum system until 2015. He de- players the sign-stealing to receive video from the
the Astros’ sign-stealing erator through 2021. under the Major League clined comment, the Red rules.” outfield and have players
operation. Boston was also Constitution, and lost its Sox said. An infielder on Bos- bang on a trash can to sig-
The Red Sox upgrad- stripped of its sec- next two first- and sec- Watkins compiled ton’s 2007 champions, nal breaking pitches.

McGraw
Continued from Page 1B
she would be back. She player and longtime assis- Huskies in the 2018 and nine Final Fours and mul- when she made an impas- players,” Diggins-Smith
felt this, at last, was the tant coach Niele Ivey will 2019 Final Fours. tiple titles. She took her sioned speech at the 2019 said.
right time to step away. return to take over for She said she will miss teams to seven national Final Four and said she McGraw got her start
The 64-year-old coach McGraw. She was on the those UConn games. championship games would only hire females as an assistant at her
said she didn’t want to Memphis Grizzlies staff “I love that rivalry, and won it all in 2001 and on her staff because alma mater Saint Jo-
leave after the team lost last year after 17 seasons great for women’s basket- 2018. women needed more op- seph’s before taking over
in the title game in 2019 at Notre Dame. ball. When we came into That last title, won in portunities. as head coach at Lehigh
because she didn’t want McGraw became the the Big East, Connecticut Columbus, Ohio, featured “It is inevitable and ap-
in 1982 until she left for
the next coach to step 13th woman inducted into was the measuring stick,” one of the greatest Final propriate that as we mark
the Irish after the 1987
into a rebuilding situation the Naismith Memorial she said. “People know Fours in the history of Muffet’s retirement from
with all five starters from Basketball Hall of Fame in we’re going to give them the women’s tournament coaching today, much season.
that team leaving for the 2017. She won 936 games, a great game. It’s going and is among her greatest of the focus will be on WNBA Commissioner
WNBA. ranking sixth among Di- to be a hard-fought bat- memories. the remarkable record Cathy Engelbert played
“Where’s the honor vision I coaches, with 842 tle. Loved all those mo- “Winning that champi- of competitive success for McGraw at Lehigh.
in that? I really wasn’t coming at Notre Dame. ments.” onship in Columbus and that makes her a Hall of “Coach McGraw is
ready,” McGraw said in She was also part of Auriemma was sur- seeing all those alums. Fame coach,” Swarbrick a giant in the game of
an online news confer- the greatest rivalry in prised to hear that Mc- Forty women out on the said. “But my reflections women’s basketball,” En-
ence. Instead, she stuck the sport over the past Graw was retiring. stage celebrating with go more to her as an ed- gelbert said. “She also
around and her inexperi- decade as Notre Dame “She leaves behind a each other whether they ucator, friend and role developed many elite
enced team went 13-18 in battled Geno Auriem- great legacy of coaching, graduated in 1990 or 2009 model.” players who have gone on
the program’s first losing ma’s UConn powerhouse winning and competing — they were all together,” McGraw sent 20 play- to become transcendent
season since 1991-92. year in, year out. The two that translated into a Hall she said. “Seeing those al- ers to the WNBA during stars in the WNBA and
“Now looking ahead Philadelphia-area natives of Fame career,” Auriem- ums share in that moment her coaching career,
impacted countless play-
to know we have a great added plenty of spice to ma said. “We’re going to that was one of my favor- including Skylar Dig-
ers and people around
recruiting class coming the showdowns, with the miss the competition and ite memories.” gins-Smith, Kayla Mc-
in, ranked in top 25 in (a) winner almost always the we’re going to miss the She said that she Bride, Arike Ogunbow- the world through her
preseason poll,” she said. favorite for the national impact she had on our plans to remain active in ale and Ruth Riley. empowering messages.
“We’re poised to make an- championship. game.” the university and local “There’s something I look forward to seeing
other run to make the Fi- Auriemma won most McGraw is one of five communities. McGraw about her that makes you the impact Muffet will
nal Four. I’m leaving the of the matchups, but not Division I men’s or wom- also will continue to be a want to move a mountain continue to have as she
program in a good place.” always the biggest ones; en’s basketball coaches strong advocate for wom- for her. I believe it’s how embarks on her next
Former Fighting Irish McGraw’s team beat the with at least 930 wins, en. She drew headlines much she cares about her chapter.”

Draft
Continued from Page 1B

Cameron Dantzler — junior year went sideways, missing eight Darryl Williams — overly limited in coverage and still new to
games. And for a lot of these team inter- keys and feel for navigating the box in run
Cornerback views, he has been saying the right things Offensive Lineman support. Furthermore, he’s fairly linear as
Mock Draft: No. 68 - NY Jets (The and helping himself. Teams want to be- Mock Draft: No. 194 Tampa Bay Buc- an athlete and loses his appeal when put
Athletic); No. 52 - Los Angeles Rams lieve in him because he is super explosive caneers (The Athletic), No. 186 (CBS in open space. Developmental player with
(CBS Sports) No. 68 - New York Jets with 4.4 speed and the range to cover both Sports) No. 196 - Chicago Bears (SI.com) ST potential.” — Kyle Crabbs, The Draft
(SI.com) Expert analysis: “Team captain and Network.
sidelines. He is somewhat undisciplined
Expert analysis: “Very long, stringy three-year starter who is short on traits
on the field as well and needs to better
cornerback with surprising strength and athleticism but plays with savvy
and a competitive mindset that had
sort through the action, but he plays with
and determination. He wasn’t asked to Chauncey Rivers —
urgency and closing speed. As a talent, he Defensive End
quarterbacks looking for easier battles do much move-blocking in Mississippi
is in the top-50 picks. And he might still go Mock Draft: UDFA (The Athletic);
elsewhere. He looks to suffocate and State’s rushing attack and could strug-
contest the route from start to finish that high.” — Dane Brugler, The Athletic gle with that request as a pro, but he No. 228 - Atlanta Falcons (CBS Sports);
and does an excellent job of maintain- has upper-body power to wall and seal UDFA (SI.com)
ing phase in the vertical plane. His cov- Tyre Phillips — down-blocks and stalemate opponents as Expert analysis: “Rivers played his
er style will draw attention from NFL Offensive Lineman a drive-blocker. Athleticism and balance best football as a senior at MSU, leading
game officials early on, but the athlet- Mock Draft: No. 148 - Carolina Pan- concerns could show themselves in NFL the team in sacks and tackles for loss.
icism and length should allow him to thers (The Athletic); No. 133 - Seattle pass protection, but he does find ways And he has put himself on the draftable
trust his technique. He won’t give up Seahawks (CBS Sports); No. 173 - Mi- to hang in and recover. He has center/ radar. He looks the part and uses his
many explosive plays through the air, guard roster flexibility and could com- length to power his way through blocks.
ami Dolphins (SI.com)
but is a high-risk tackler in run support pete for a backup role.” — Lance Zierlein, He doesn’t have the elite speed or cre-
Expert Analysis: “Tyre Phillips
and needs to do a better job of wrapping NFL.com ativity to win in diverse ways, which is
and finishing. Dantzler can play in a va- may end up scoring as a power tackle
why he is more of a late round option. His
for some teams, he’s got uncoachable
riety of coverages but is a future starter
length and the necessary reach to deter
Brian Cole II — interviews are important after his check-
as a confident press-man corner with ered past, primarily at Georgia. But he
early starting potential.” — Lance Zier- pass rushers off the edge. He will thrive Defensive Back has a chance to hear his name called
best as a power guard on the interior, Mock Draft: No. 197 - Indianapolis
lein, NFL.com late.” — Dane Brugler, The Athletic
where his gravitational pull will make it Colts (The Athletic); No. 251 - Miami Dol-
phins (CBS Sports); No. 217 - San Francis-
Willie Gay Jr. — difficult for interior defenders to work
co 49ers (SI.com) Undrafted Free Agents
Linebacker around his wingspan. Phillips has the Expert analysis: “Brian Cole II is a - QB Tommy Stevens
Mock Draft: No. 78 - Denver Broncos anchor ability and functional power to green safety prospect who will need to - WR Stephen Guidry
(The Athletic); No. 65 - Cincinnati Ben- bang heads with powerful tackles; but undergo a dramatic shift in development - WR Isaiah Zuber
gals (CBS Sports) No. 72 - Arizona Cardi- he’s a scheme specific prospect who if he is going to see the field on a regular - TE Farrod Green
nals (SI.com) won’t do well if charged with playing in basis at the pro level. Cole II brings im- - DT Lee Autry
Expert analysis: “The interview pro- space.” — Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Net- pressive physicality and is one of the most - S Jaquarius Landrews
cess has been paramount for Gay after his work. physical safeties in the class — but he’s - S Maurice Smitherman

Stevens
Continued from Page 1B
groomed future first set. The next one I was compiled nearly twice as ‘Taysom Hill role,’ it was As of Monday, Moor- just looking to get a shot
round picks DeAngelo able to get the 4.49, so I many rushing yards (506) Tommy Stevens playing head said Stevens had after a welcome reunion
Williams, Daniel Jones, was really fired up about as he did passing yards that role at Penn State heard from teams with in Starkville turned side-
Jimmy Graham, Michael that.” (304) in his 23 career before any of that hap- interest in him as both a ways.
Oher and Tim Tebow, Ste- With his impressive games played. Stevens pened,” Moorhead said. quarterback and other “I’ve done similar
vens set personal bests athleticism on display, also added another 14 re- “I think there’s a lot of varying offensive roles. things in the past and I
in every event except the NFL scouts began to take ceptions for 62 yards and value in Tommy as a pure The Athletic’s Dane think that’s kind of gonna
bench press during his re- notice of Stevens in their two touchdowns during quarterback if he gets Brugler — who’s covered be what’s expected of me
corded workout. Of note, attempts to mimic the his time in Happy Valley. on a practice squad and the NFL Draft for the bet- in the next level,” Stevens
his 4.49 second 40-yard versatile sub-packages With that in mind, he somebody wants to devel- ter part of a decade — told said of playing a hybrid
dash ranked a tenth-of- the New Orleans Saints told The Dispatch had op him because the one The Dispatch he sees the role. “...I’m fine with it,
a-second faster than any have created for former MSU’s pro day proceed- thing he lacks is experi- former MSU and Penn man. It doesn’t really both-
quarterback that ran at Brigham Young sig- ed as planned before ence and game reps. But State quarterback as a er me any. I still think that
the combine. nal-caller Taysom Hill. it was canceled due to I think he’s ready right project in the late rounds I can play quarterback in
“I actually ran 4.50 On paper, the role fits COVID-19 concerns, he now to come in and play a or a priority undrafted that league, I think that’s
the first time and I was Stevens. At Penn State, he was scheduled to work role in that slash-quarter- free agent, but one that a my future. But hey, you
pissed,” he quipped. lined up everywhere from out as both an H-back and back-receiver-tight end patient team may get plen- know how it is, roster
“That was the best forty quarterback to receiver to a tight end. (role) and kind of do all ty out of down the line. spots — you’re going to do
I’d ever ran and I was up- running back. In all, he “When I say the those different things.” As for Stevens, he’s whatever it takes.”
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 3B

Logistics share draft spotlight with Burrow, Young

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Goodell, who ordered “Again, I really believe terviews outside of the scouting combine? Or conversation that way.
all team facilities closed most teams are quite set brief ones at the scout- players who didn’t get in- We’re losing the person-
From his home in the on March 26 and has ex- and I would say from our ing combine, few pro vited to the combine? Or al touch points. We have
New York City suburbs, tended that ban indefi- standpoint, though tech- days and, perhaps most collegians with off-field the visual touch point,
Roger Goodell will handle nitely, won’t be sharing nology is going to have essentially, no in-depth issues? but we’re really missing
perhaps his most visible hugs with Joe Burrow or to switch and we’re go- physical exams conduct- “That’s what you miss out on the personal touch
annual chore — announc- Chase Young or any of the ing to be asked to work ed by team doctors, the out on,” Giants GM Dave point.”
ing draft picks. other 32 first-rounders. out of our own homes, deep data dives have Gettleman says of the Arizona Cardinals
Visible, but this time He will offer congratula- I feel like we have such turned into snorkeling lack of in-person encoun- coach Kliff Kingsbury
virtual. tions remotely, but other- a really sound person- exercises. ters. “By not having pro isn’t fretting the missing
Not since the NFL wise this will be the bar- nel department. ... We That didn’t hurt the days, you also miss that info. It’s 2020, after all.
draft became a televised est of drafts. feel honestly if this was likes of LSU quarter- personal contact. Watch- “With technology
event in 1980 has it been And certainly not the moved up 10 days ahead back Burrow, who bar- ing guys among their these days it feels like it is
stripped to the basics like easiest. and we had to draft out ring a stunning move by peers and how they oper- in person,” he said of the
this year’s proceedings “Everyone is really of the back of a shed we’d the Bengals, will be the ate, how they’re received. sort-of meetings. “You
will be. particular about how they be prepared to capitalize first name Goodell calls That tells a lot when you have the FaceTime, you
Beginning Thursday go through the drafts, on it and do an adept job out Thursday. Same just watch a kid in those have the Zoom meetings.
night, as a safeguard right?” Falcons general with it.” for Young, Ohio State’s circumstances. Honestly, a lot of these
against the coronavirus manager Thomas Dim- Whoa! There were dominant defender and “Obviously, when we kids are most comfort-
pandemic, adhering to itroff says. “They want some teams that wanted probably the best player would go to workouts, a able doing that. They’re
medical and govern- to have the draft rooms. the draft pushed back a in this crop. lot of times the night be- on FaceTime 12 hours
mental advice and re- They want to have all the few weeks. The main is- But guys carrying fore, our coach and scout a day with their friends
strictions, selectors will technology. It takes a lot sue naturally, has been question marks? Guys that would be at the pro and people, so you get
work from their homes. of people taking a lot of the collection of infor- who had medical issues day would take one, two the most comfortable
Prospects will be at their deep breaths on it, as you mation. and didn’t get the usual or three of the players out version of them on that
homes, too. can imagine. With no in-person in- re-check following the to dinner and have some FaceTime, honestly.

Comics & Puzzles

DILBERT
Dear Abby
D
EAR ABBY: anger issues and early stages of our estate plan-
My grand- who put his fist ning, and of course the topic of
son, his through a wall who would look after our kids
girlfriend and, when I called him has been discussed.
recently, my son lazy. Should I put Our first choice has lovingly
(who had to move them out or, to agreed to have our kids join
in) are living with keep peace in the their family if my wife and I
me. She is the family, continue should die. However, many es-
only one working. to let them use tate planning forms ask if there
My grandson has me? —- USED UP is a secondary option on who
been sitting on DEAR USED we want to be our children’s
his butt the last UP: There will guardians in case our primary
ZITS 2 1/2 years and never be peace choice can no longer fulfill
does minimal in your family that role. How do we tactfully
work here in my as long as you ask our second choice if they
home. All three of allow yourself to are willing to be the backup? I
these “adults” live be held hostage worry that the couple may be
here for free. I am Dear Abby by threats and offended that they aren’t No. 1,
79 and on a fixed intimidation. Your and this may cause tension and
income. I pay for everything. anger and boundary issues will seriously damage our relation-
They were supposed to be resolve themselves if you act ship with them. — PARENTS IN A
saving money so they could get on the advice your therapist PREDICAMENT
a place of their own. That’s a is giving you and evict these DEAR PARENTS: Do not
big joke. All they do is spend, parasites. offer apologies or explanations
spend, spend. They sleep all First, discuss this with a unless you must. Simply ask
day and play games on their lawyer to see what steps you the backups if they would be
computers all night. I have must take, and because you willing to step in “should the
GARFIELD seriously considered shutting
off the internet (which I pay for)
fear your grandson will become
violent, you may need help from
need arise.” If you are pressed
about why they are not your first
to see what they would do. the authorities to guarantee choice, answer honestly. Your
I have been talking to a your safety from him when he reasons should be respected.
counselor due to my stress and goes. As to your daughter, I This is not a popularity contest;
anger issues. The counselor predict she’ll keep the grand- it is a serious consideration for
has strongly advised me to children from you only until the future of your children.
evict them. My daughter told she needs something — so be
me if I do, I’ll never see her or prepared. And please, continue Dear Abby is written by
my two young grandchildren talking to your therapist, who Abigail Van Buren, also known
again. She means it. seems to have more of your as Jeanne Phillips, and was
I’m tired of being the interests at heart than your founded by her mother,
caregiver. I feel used, but can’t family members. Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear
set boundaries very well. I’m DEAR ABBY: My wife and Abby at www.DearAbby.com or
also afraid of my 24-year-old I are in our mid-40s with two P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles,
grandson, who has terrible kids (9 and 6). We are in the CA 90069.
CANDORVILLE

Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (April trol when you face what’s going person is great in their own way.
23). This year calls up your on and create some if/then Therefore, it is often inappro-
most open, ebullient and lucky strategies. priate to make comparisons or
self. In at least three instances, TAURUS (April 20-May 20). value one person’s efforts while
you will seem able to conjure Before making a purchase, devaluing the efforts of another.
just what you need to solve a assess what you have. By LEO (July 23-Aug. 22).
problem or create an excit- employing a little forethought, All people are both equal and
ing new circumstance. You’ll you’ll save money. Bonus: It’s a unique and there was never a
become more powerful as you way of remembering and being time when you believed other-
learn methods of serving and accountable for past decisions. wise. Money and status may
BABY BLUES leading. You’ll be an invaluable GEMINI (May 21-June change the power dynamics of a
asset to a close-knit crew. Virgo 21). Ignorance is sometimes situation, but they don’t change
and Gemini adore you. Your unavoidable, as no one is born the value of any person.
lucky numbers are: 3, 50, 22, knowing everything. Assume VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
37 and 11. that people really can learn if You know you can make lives
ARIES (March 21-April 19). incentivized properly and taught better, but you don’t know how
Trying to push something out of effectively. you’re going to do it. That’s the
your mind is a sure way to drain CANCER (June 22-July 22). fun part. You’ll brainstorm and
your willpower quickly. You’ll Among your most sincere core create until you come up with
have greater wells of self-con- beliefs is the idea that each the sort of care that only you
can give.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
One problem is tied to another,
and luckily the solution is
similarly tied. As naturalist John
BEETLE BAILEY Muir said, “When we try to pick
out anything by itself, we find it
hitched to everything else in the
universe.”
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.
21). Pride goeth before the
fall. Then again, “the fall” is an
inevitability of life that could just
as easily follow shame, humility,
cheer or neutrality. You may as
well be proud of yourself.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
21). The ones who love you
have already seen you through
many incarnations in this
MALLARD FILLMORE lifetime and are happy with each
different version that comes
along. You afford the same
grace to them.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). You can avoid trouble by
making it a policy not to loan
money. Give it instead, if you
are so moved. Furthermore,
when you do a job, try to get
paid upfront.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18). You are openhearted and
curious. Once you decide what
you want to do, you’ll quickly
FAMILY CIRCUS gather up everything you need
to know to make it happen.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March
20). When you love someone,
you don’t need a lot of reasons
for it, although it’s fun to think
about what they are. Relatedly,
enjoy the good mood you fall
into, as unfounded as it may be.

Go up in smoke
SOLUTION:
4B THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

There’s
no place
like home
to slow the
spread of the
coronavirus.
Social distancing is the most effective tool we
have for slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
And that means staying home, if you can.

Work from home. Play at home. Stay at home.

If you must go out, keep your social distance—
six feet, or two arm-lengths apart. Young.
Elderly. In between. It’s going to take every one
of us. If home really is where the heart is, listen
to yours and do the life-saving thing.

Visit Coronavirus.gov for the latest tips and

information from the CDC.

#AloneTogether

TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP SLOW THE SPREAD.

 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 5B

LOCAL BUSINESS VOICES

Be the signal
G
oogle COVID-19. We are slammed and the energy sector are mov-
I did, yesterday with work, some ing forward with site locations.
around 4 p.m., COVID-19 related and Immediate reshoring won’t happen
when I began to write some not. quickly but there will be opportuni-
this week’s update. Tomorrow we’ll ty domestically, in rural areas just
Highlights from the host a call with all of like ours, for facilities to relocate
search were, “sud- our cities and counties within the U.S. in coming years.
den strokes in young together to discuss tax We’ve sent out signals to those
adults,” “pandemic loss mitigation and find looking and those who might have
updates,” and “testing solutions to keep our
projects on pause.
sheds new light on communities afloat.
The Golden Triangle is ready.
outbreak.” We’ve communicated
It was not sunshine Macaulay Whitaker with our partners in Our workforce and education
and rainbows. It wasn’t Jackson about unem- providers are doing remarkable
even clouds and rain. ployment processing things adapting to the potential of
It was more akin to the weather and worked with a local employer long-term distance education and
we’ve experienced here in Mis- on plans to reopen their facility. technical training. Our county and
sissippi lately. Definite gloom, I tell you all this for two reasons: city governments are working to
potential doom. 1 – We heard a quote some time stem losses while also keeping
I Googled today to get some late ago that said, “Be the signal, not their eyes on long-term growth.
inspiration for this piece. I’m a bit the noise.” It resonated with us and Our infrastructure that has
behind on schedule, because hon- we’re constantly trying to send out been built over the years is here,
estly, at the GTR LINK we’ve been signals to our communities and saving our region millions of
swamped. Shockingly, economic their leaders to prepare for what is dollars and valuable time when
development for our region has coming in days ahead. competing. These types of invest-
not slowed down. In the past week 2 – To be a little bit of light. Our ments in a community move you
we’ve submitted an initial response work allows us the opportunity to the front of line.
on a $1 billion project, additional view our community from what we I hope to bring you some tangi-
RFIs have gone out to projects refer to as, “30,000 feet.” We’re see-
ble information next week, hopeful-
totaling $750 million. Follow-up ing movement in some sectors of
ly about unemployment assistance
responses on a project projected at business that aren’t slowing down.
and local areas of support for the
$250 million. We’ve confirmed two We know that while many busi-
virtual site visits. Yesterday we met nesses are shuttering their doors, thousands who are without work
with Harvard Business School via others are on “hiring binges,” as right now.
Zoom and shared ideas and best we heard from an HBS professor Until then we’ll keep sending
practices with 50+ students taking this week. We get the opportunity signals out, shining a light as
a course, now online, called The to see recovery already beginning brightly as we can on the Golden
Future of Work. We’ve connected to happen. Triangle.
with site selectors to discuss the Companies in transportation, Macaulay Whitaker is the chief
current landscape and what we will automotive component manufac- operating officer for the Golden
see in coming years. turing, healthcare manufacturing Triangle LINK.

Stocks steady, oil price recovers as more economic aid due

BY YURI K AGEYAMA day on a $483 billion fell 0.2 percent to 10,399 trillion in aid already. EU
AP Business Writer proposal to deliver more and Britain’s FTSE 100 institutions and nations
loans to small businesses was flat at 5,768. U.S. have already deployed
TOKYO — Global
and aid to hospitals after shares appeared set for around $3.6 trillion.
stock markets were steady
the Senate approved it a quiet open, with Dow That, plus massive
on Thursday as investors
on Tuesday. EU leaders, industrials futures down support for markets from
balanced hopes for new
financial aid against more meanwhile, were expect- 0.2 percent and S&P 500 central banks, has helped
evidence of the economic ed to approve Thursday futures steady. stocks recover some-
devastation wrought by a financial aid package The new aid packages what. The S&P 500 is up
the pandemic lockdown. worth $587 billion. in the U.S. and Europe 25 percent since a low in
The price of oil recovered After Asian markets would come on top of late March. The index has
further after a spectacu- largely closed higher, huge amounts of exist- roughly halved its loss
lar crash this week. France’s CAC 40 stock ing financial support. from its record set in Feb-
The U.S. House was index rose 0.4 percentto The U.S. Congress has ruary.
expected to vote Thurs- 4,428. Germany’s DAX approved more than $2

BUSINESS BRIEFS
Mosher
named director
STARKVILLE —
An en-
gineer LOCAL GAS PRICES
Source: gasbuddy.com
with
de-
cades
COLUMBUS
of mil-
itary re-
1.61 CHEVRON
488 US-45 S & Frontage Rd.

search
expe- Mosher 1.62 EXXON
1225 Main St. & 13th St. N.

rience
is now leading the 1.65 LOVE’S
525 Tuscaloosa Rd.

Institute for Sys-

tems Engineering STARKVILLE
Research (ISER), a
collaborative effort 1.47 WALMART
105 Market St.
between the U.S.
Army Engineer Re-
search and Develop- BIDDY SAW WORKS AWARDED: Kathy and Buff Doty, of
Courtesy photo 1.49 MURPHY USA
1012 MS-12

1.50 SHELL
ment Center (ERDC) Biddy Saw Works of Columbus, were presented with an
and Mississippi State award for outstanding sales of Exmark Lawnmowers by 1125 US-82 E & Old Mayhew

University. R.W. Distributors.

Classifieds
Ads appear in The Commercial Dispatch,
The Starkville Dispatch and Online
To place ads starting at only $12,
call 662-328-2424 or visit ads.cdispatch.com
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 n 6B

Mobile Homes for Rent Houses For Sale: East Campers & RVs

Rentals RV/MOBILE HOME SITE

East or West Columbus or Merchandise 2012 JAYCO EAGLE 5th
WHEEL, 39ft, 4 slide−outs.
near CAFB, Caledonia 2BR, 48" TV & 27" TV.
Ads starting at $25 schools. 601−940−1397. Ads starting at $12 $26,500. 662−386−9605.
Office Spaces For Rent
Apts For Rent: West Farm Equipment & Supplies Motorcycles & ATVs
OFFICE SPACE FOR

VIP
LEASE. 1112 Main St., JOHN DEERE MODEL M 1993 KAWASAKI
Ste. 5. 3700 sq. ft. TRACTOR. A set of one row VOYAGER XII Only 25,500
BARGAIN: 2BR/2BA in

Rentals
Plenty of private parking. cultivators w/ hydraulic lift, miles. Runs & looks good.
Columbus. LR, DR/KIT & No problems. $3000 OBO.
662−327−9559. step down den. Large lot. has been repainted, looks
good & runs good, $3500. Can be seen local.
Needs work but is livable.
Apartments & Houses Price reduced. Must sell. Call 662−436−2037. 501−545−7750.

1 Bedrooms Real Estate

$9500. 662−574−2617.
JOHN DEERE MODEL M
2 Bedroooms
3 Bedrooms Ads starting at $25
Houses For Sale: New Hope
TRACTOR. A set of one row
cultivators w/ hydraulic lift,
has been repainted, looks
Community
16 WIDNER IN NEW HOPE good & runs good, $3500.
Furnished & Unfurnished Ads starting at $12
Sudoku
Houses For Sale: North Newly remodeled. 3BR/ Call 662−436−2037.
2BA home. Approx. 1,500 YESTERDAY’S ANSWER
1, 2, & 3 Baths FSBO: 3BR/2BA, 3304 5th sq. ft. Has 25’x30’ wired General Merchandise Travel & Entertainment
Lease, Deposit
& Credit Check
St N. Fenced back yard w/ metal shop w/ roll−up front
sm shop. Great neighbor− & side door. $154,500.
hood. $110,000. 662−356 662−549−9298.
2018 40FT Gooseneck PUBLIC CATFISH POND Sudoku
Sudoku is a number-
placing puzzle based on
Yesterday’s answer
Trailer w/ 5ft dovetail, 12 @ 130 Hillcrest Drive. Sudoku
a 9x9 gridis witha several
num- 7 8 3 5 6 9 1 4 2
viceinvestments.com −4764 or 901−848−0051. ton axles, 10−4inch straps
ber-placing
given numbers.puzzle 5 4 6 8 2 1 9 3 7
Open Tues−Sat, 7a−5p
The object
327-8555

2020 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

& tarps. $8,500. 662−251 Appointment Only, call
Houses For Sale: East Lots & Acreage based onthe a 9x9
−3001. 662−386−8591 is to place numbers 9 1 2 4 7 3 6 5 8
2BR/1BA @ 1521 1.75 ACRE LOTS. grid
1 to 9with
in theseveral
empty spaces 1 3 8 2 4 7 5 9 6
Apts For Rent: Caledonia Shepherd Rd. Good/Bad Credit Options. WANTED FREON R12. given
so thatnumbers.
each row, eachThe 6 7 4 1 9 5 8 2 3
Sold as is, needs work. Good credit as low as 10% We pay CA$H. object
column and each 3x3 the
is to place
2 BR, 1 BA w/ W/D
connections. Application
Serious inquiries only, down, $299/mo. Eaton R12 R500 R11.
Convenient.
Five Questions: numbers
contains the1same
box
to 9 number
in 2 5 9 3 8 6 7 1 4
Fee, Background and Credit
769−274−4110. Land, 662−361−7711.
the empty spaces so 4 6 7 9 5 2 3 8 1
Certified professionals. only once. The difficulty 8 9 1 6 3 4 2 7 5
Checks required. $500.00 312−291−9169 that each row, each
662−436−2255 General Help Wanted RefrigerantFinders.com/ad 1 Toyota level increases from
column and each
Monday
3 2 5 7 1 8 4 6 9
Apts For Rent: Other 3x3 boxtocontains
Sunday. Difficulty Level 4/22

the same number only once. The difficulty level

2 Roller derby
WHITE POSTER
1ST MONTH − RENT FREE! BOARDS. increases from Monday to Sunday.
1−2 BR Apt: $350−435 24"x23"
1−2BR TwnHm: $625−650 $0.50 each
Lease, Dep, Credit Check.
3 Australia
100 in stock
Coleman Realty Visit 516 Main Street
662−329−2323 or call 662−328−2424

4 Kim Cattrall,
Vehicles Kristin Davis,
Cynthia Nixon,
Ads starting at $12
Sarah Jessica
Boats & Marine Parker
15FT FISHING BOAT w/
motor & trailer (needs
tires). $900. 5 Ruth Bader
662−327−5480.
Ginsburg

General Help Wanted

Need fast cash?

COLEMAN
RENTALS
TOWNHOUSES & APARTMENTS

1 BEDROOM
2 BEDROOMS
3 BEDROOMS
Sell your unwanted items in the classifieds today.
LEASE,
© The Dispatch

DEPOSIT General Help Wanted

AND
CREDIT CHECK

662-329-2323
2411 HWY 45 N
COLUMBUS, MS
Commercial Property For Rent
ACROSS
FOR RENT LOCATED NEAR 1 Lasagna or
DOWNTOWN. 3,000 sq. ft. linguine
truck terminal, 9,500 sq. Good help isn’t hard to find if you know 6 High-muck-a-
ft. shop & 3,200 sq. ft.
office/shop. Buildings can where to look. Start your search here. muck
be rented together or 11 Rocker John
separately. All w/ excellent 12 Dwelling
access & Hwy. 82 visibility. 13 Isolated
662−327−9559.
14 Raised to the
third power
Houses For Rent: Other One call will bring you results. 15 Dragon
HOUSE NEAR MUW W/ 662-328-2424 fighter
APARTMENT. 323 13th St. 17 Flower visitor
N. 3 Blks from MUW. LR,
DR, 2/3BR−3BA, lg den w/ 19 Status —

Service Directory
fire place, kitchen, laundry, 20 Notice
outside fenced patio, 23 Skylit court
screened side porch &
work room & ATTACHED 25 Small fas-
APARTMENT: 1BR/1BA, tener
living room/kitchenette 26 Hamlet’s DOWN swords
area. NO HUD. Ref req. creator 1 Soup sphere 24 Mamie’s
Dep req. $1075/mo.
662−386−7506.
Promote your small business starting at only $25 28 Paella base 2 The Matter- husband
29 Jeer from the horn, for one 25 Brief time
Building & Remodeling Carpet & Flooring General Services General Services
stands 3 Belmont, e.g. 27 Old Spanish
HOME REPAIRS & A & T TREE SERVICES CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY
30 Tennis feat 4 Of two minds money
MAINTENANCE Bucket truck & stump $545 plus Filing Fee 31 Sinking signal 5 Collector’s buy 31 Tatter
Work wanted. Carpentry, removal. Free est.
CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY 32 Twisty turn 6 Chip choice 33 Surfer’s ride
Serving Columbus
concrete, electrical &
plumbing, shingle & metal since 1987. Senior All Attorney Fees Through The Plan 33 Car quartet 7 Touch on 34 Tibetan monk
roofing, fascia & soffit citizen disc. Call Alvin @ Jim Arnold, Attorney 35 Fragrant 8 Move up and 35 Potential pipe
repairs, pressure washing 242−0324/241−4447
662-324-1666 • 601-656-6914 wood down 36 New Haven
& mobile home repairs. "We’ll go out on a limb for 38 Confiscates 9 Shelley work student
Take down that “for No Job Too Small. you!" 104 South Lafayette Street, Starkville
41 Martini
662−549−7031. 10 Nap site 37 Party staple
rent” sign and get DAVID’S CARPET & Lawn Care / Landscaping garnish 16 Shamus 39 Stop
fast results with an UPHOLSTERY WORK WANTED: Licensed 42 Acid type 17 Iraqi port 40 Tofu base
JESSE & BEVERLY’S
CLEANING AND & Bonded. Carpentry, minor LAWN SERVICE 43 Human, for 18 Moral code
easy classified ad. DISINFECTING 1 Room
− $50
electrical, minor plumbing, Mowing, cleanup, one 20 Leather type
insulation, painting, 44 Yellow-gray
2 Rooms − $70 landscaping, sodding, 21 Some nobles
Place your 3+ Rooms − $30 EA
Rugs−Must Be Seen
demolition, gutters
cleaned, pressure washing,
& tree cutting.
662−356−6525 22 Fencing
ad today at Got leaky pipes? Find a plumber
fast in the classifieds.
Car Upholstery
Cleaning Available
landscaping, cleanup work,
moving help. 662−242− SAM’S LAWN SERVICE
ads.cdispatch.com 662−722−1758 3608. No lawn too large or too
small. Mowing, trimming &
or call 328-2424 weedeating.

ANNIVERSARY?
Call 662−243−1694
General Services

Sell idle items

Read local. HILL’S PRESSURE PA
RKERS CALL US!
Painting & Papering
ON

cdispatch.com WASHING. Commercial/ SULLIVAN’S PAINT

J.

with a quick action Residential. House, SERVICE

concrete, sidewalks & 100 Russell St. Special Prices.
classified ad. E
W ELER
J

mobile washing. Free est. Starkville, MS Interior & Exterior Painting

662−386−8925. 662-268-8058 662−435−6528

Buy. Sell. Discover. In the Classifieds section.

On the web: ads.cdispatch.com • Or call: 662-328-2424