Local News
Watkins hopes to bring military values to Senate
MERIDIAN — Sgt. Major Travis Watkins (retired) of Lake aspires to be the new state senator for District 31, and if elected, he promises to stand by his word.
“Last November, voters sent a message that they will not stand for elected officials who don’t keep their promises,” he said.
On Aug. 7 Watkins will meet incumbent Senator Terry Burton, R-Newton, in the Republican Primary. The winner will face Democratic opponent Fred Hamilton in the November election.
Senate District 31 includes portions of Scott and Lauderdale counties and all of Newton County.
Watkins, speaking at the weekly meeting of the Downtown Optimist Club on Tuesday, said he believes his military background will aid him in his quest for the Senate seat. He served 35 years in the Mississippi Army National Guard, 26 of which were on active duty.
He has served as senior Army instructor at Louisville High School and is employed by IIF Data Solutions in Centreville, Va., as an educational support specialist. He is minister of music at Hopewell Baptist Church in Little Rock.
Watkins said he does not have all the answers when it comes to how East Mississippi can land more jobs or a major industry like Toyota, but he believes he has some good ideas about ways to lead this area into better times.
“If you want to land major industry, you have to have a vision and show a united front,” he said.
Watkins said he decided to run for office after his friends and neighbors asked him to consider. He said he decided to do so after more than a year of praying and soul-searching. He said he chose to run against Burton because he believes the constituents of District 31 deserve accessibility and responsiveness from their senator.
He said he has spoken to some people in the district who do not know who their senator.
“If you don’t know your people and they don’t know you, how do you represent them?” asked Watkins, referring to Burton.
Burton said in a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon that he was disappointed in Watkins’ statement. He said the statement goes against Watkins’ word that he would keep the campaign positive.
“I’m sure there are some people who don’t know and don’t care who their senator is because they don’t participate in the process,” Burton said. “But those who call and ask for help know who I am because I attend events in Newton, Lauderdale and Scott counties, I volunteer my time and I return phone calls.”
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Honing Skills
The men and women who make up Lauderdale County's volunteer fire departments all have one thing in common – the desire to protect and serve their community.
Of course these volunteers don't get paid for their service, and although some are retired, there are many, like Bo Land from the Martin community, who work full-time and have a family.
That means volunteer fire department members must train nights and weekends. -
MPD probing weekend incidents
Detectives with the Meridian Police Department are investigating two incidents that reportedly occurred Sunday, one of which was an alleged armed robbery and the other a shooting.
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Deadly accident claims two lives
Meridian police are investigating a single-vehicle traffic accident that killed two people and sent two others to a local hospital on Monday.
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Partnership formed to promote fire safety
Last year, Key Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to 116 single family fires in its seven-county service area – 48 of which were in Lauderdale County.
"That's fires with total or major destruction," said Susan Wehr, executive director of the Key Chapter. -
Happy Birthday Meridian
Sesquicentennial is a big word, but what it means is simple — A sesquicentennial is a 150th anniversary.
2010 is Meridian's sesquicentennial, and the celebrations here will begin this week and go on for the rest of the year. -
Navy League accepting scholarship applications
Each year, the Meridian Area Navy League awards two $500 scholarships to deserving students to help with costs of higher education. This year, however, the organization upped the ante and will bestow two $750 scholarships. -
Arbor Day program set for Tuesday
The Lauderdale County Welcome Center celebrates Mississippi's Arbor Day this week.
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Fans show team spirit at Temple viewing of Super Bowl XLIV
The smell of hot nachos and cold beer is all around you. You can see beads of sweat falling from Peyton Manning's brow as he hurls the ball. The voice of the announcer booms on the loudspeakers.
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Star of The Week: Megan Mowdy
Meridian Community College Sophomore Megan Mowdy lives to sing, and she loves to share her passion for music.
20-year-old Megan is a Kemper County resident, and her love of music helped her to become the first member of her family to attend college. -
4-H leader is driving force behind community service
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Newton’s business and civic leaders have always expected a visit from Johnnie Mae Walker on behalf of the annual 4-H bike-a-thon for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, but they grew worried when other people appeared in her place.
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