As democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people, the local people of East Mississippi and West Alabama gathered Saturday on the lazy lake of Bonita to once again celebrate the birthday of their nation.
Though fireworks were the main event, they weren't the only thing painting the sky with patriotism. The Korean War heritage air display by Meridian's L-17 formation team wrapped Meridian's Bonita Lakes Park with a sense of devotion to both country and community as families and revelers stood to pledge their allegiance to the United States of America.
With Willie Nelson's "Through the Mississippi Darkness Rolling Down to the Sea" appropriately playing in the background, celebrators enjoyed various activities on the picnic-friendly grounds.
Though the Meridian Symphony Orchestra did not perform this year, the community welcomed the classic rock boom of the popular local cover band Kabana to usher in the city's annual exhilarating fireworks.
Tiffany Dover, 10, and her brother Michael, 16, from Hickory, enjoyed a game of baseball below the Mississippi sky while anticipating live music, colorful vendors, or maybe even just their first hunger pain.
"It's really exciting to come out here," said Tiffany.
As food and fun lined the roads, locals such as Adrian Robinson from Meridian brought their families to simply "enjoy the fourth."
Flanked by the barbecue smoked sky, silhouetted cartwheels, and the faint splash of wind-swept bubbles, Meridian's newly inaugurated mayor, Cheri Barry, spoke on the brilliance of this country's foundation. "We are truly the land of freedom," she said.
So as the community rested Saturday night, they were no doubt pleased at the sights and sounds of the night ... all in the name of patriotism.
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Meridian shows its colors: red, white, and blue
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Local law enforcement officials honored
State Rep. Greg Snowden said he remembered as a child looking up to those "men in blue."
He said police officers in uniform were larger than life, riding in their patrol cars and carrying guns to protect and serve the population. Today, he said he is still in great admiration of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day so that citizens can feel safe. -
MPD probes vehicle crash
Evidence of a mother's desperate attempt to save her children from harm were spread all over a car lot — and could be seen on her as well in the form of bruises, cuts and scrapes.
Tuesday night, a vehicle with three children inside crashed through a plate glass showroom floor window damaging four new cars and totaling the vehicle the children were in. -
Skeleton found in residence
Members of the forensics team of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) were called to a dilapidated home in Chunky to probe the discovery of a skeleton.
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Police search for robbery suspects
Two men who reportedly robbed a woman at gunpoint in the parking lot of a local bank are still being sought.
Mike Vick, public information officer with the Meridian Police Department, said the two men approached a woman about 8 p.m. Tuesday at the ATM of Regions Bank on North Hills Street. Vick said one of the suspects was armed with a handgun and after taking an undetermined amount of cash and the victim's car keys, the two suspects fled on foot. -
City cuts payment to Watkins
The Meridian City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to cut their monthly payment to David Watkins, project developer of Meridian's new police station, by $9,999 until work resumes on the project.
The order, made during the Meridian City Council meeting Tuesday morning, included a mutual agreement between the councilmen and Watkins to reduce the project developer's monthly consultant fee of $10,000 to $1, effective Tuesday. -
Crews work on gasoline pipeline
If you hear a loud, booming sound early today, between 4 a.m.-10 a.m., there is no cause for alarm.
Workers with Plantation Pipeline will be performing maintenance work on their 30-foot gasoline pipeline in the Meridian area to accommodate the widening of Highway 493. The location of the work activity will be at Highway 493 North and Oak Hill Baptist Church, just inside the city limits. -
Team Spirit
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High Honor
The flowers and balloons Crestwood Elementary School Principal Kimberly Kendrick received at school Monday were not an early Valentines' Day gift.
Kendrick has been named Meridian Public School District's 2012 Administrator of the Year – an announcement that both surprised and wowed the 17-year veteran educator when made by MPSD Superintendent Dr. Alvin Taylor. -
Master Dance Class
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Digital system promises better communication
Hopefully in the near future you won't hear someone in the emergency services ask over the radio, "Can you hear me now?"
A digital communications system, one which is being pushed by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), is a few months away and, in some cases, is already in the testing phase in Lauderdale County. - More Local News Headlines
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