By Staff
Jan. 13, 2001
Disaster housing deadline is Jan. 16
Residents whose homes were made unlivable by a tornado that touched down in Lauderdale County on Dec. 16 may apply for assistance through the Disaster Housing Program.
The program was established by the state Legislature to help Mississippians recover from the effects of natural disasters.
Both homeowners and renters may apply. Homeowners may qualify for up to three months of rental assistance. Callers should have Social Security numbers and insurance settlement information handy before calling.
The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Jan. 16. For more information, call (800) 434-4243.
New tornado center location announced
Two centers opened by the American Red Cross Service have been consolidated and relocated to the American Red Cross Key Chapter Office, 1711 24th Ave. in Meridian. The center will be open from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money. Anyone who received damage during the Dec. 16 tornado should contact the service center as soon as possible at 482-1827.
MCC announces upcoming events
Look for these events sponsored by Meridian Community College in January:
Tuesday, Jan. 16  Continuing Education class called Construction Boot Camp, from 6-9 p.m. at the WEBB Center. The class is sponsored by East Central Contract Procurement Center and the Jumpstart Entrepreneur Development Program. For more information, call Bill Mabry or Johnny Thompson at 484-8689.
Thursday, Jan. 18  Lunch Bunch session from 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m. in the Meridian Hall banquet room. The guest speaker, Roy Hurst, will discuss his adventures in Zimbabwe.
Friday, Jan. 19 The play, "Pedestrian Crossing," will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at the Ivy Theater. For more information, call Elliott Street at 484-8640.
Sunday, Jan. 21 Casteel Gallery opening from 1-3 p.m. The mixed media works of Charles Crossley will be on exhibit.
Girl Scouts taking cookie orders
It's that time of year again. Be on the lookout for your favorite Girl Scout cookies or try the new flavor, the Aloha Chip. Girl Scouts will be taking orders through Jan. 23. Cookies will be delivered Feb. 17 through March 4.
Girl Scout cookies may be purchased through your local Girl Scout troop, or by calling the Meridian Girl Scout office at 693-2903.
Mississippi Bluebirds to hold meeting
The Mississippi Bluebirds, an affiliate of the North American Bluebird Society, will hold its annual meeting Jan. 20 at the Ranger Station at Grenada Lake. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m.
The featured speaker will be Vic Duvic of Jackson. All interested birders are welcomed to attend. For more information, call Tena Taylor at (662) 628-1625 or e-mail tenataylor@tycom.net.
Transplant support group to meet
If you have had an organ transplant, if you or a family member are in need of an organ transplant, or if you want to learn more about organ transplantation and donation, the Meridian Transplant/Donor Support Group will meet today in the Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center auditorium.
The meeting will begin at 3 p.m.
For more information, call James Laird, volunteer coordinator for the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency at (800) 690-8878 or Robert Everette at 483-3800.
Meridian Youth Soccer holding registration
The Meridian Youth Soccer Organization is holding registration for its spring season, open to all children who were at least 4 years old on July 1, 2000.
Registration continues until Jan. 31. Applications may be picked up at Mr. Rodgers Donuts or Judge Little Sporting Goods. For more information, call Sonja Rowell at 737-8068.
MHS Class of '86 plans reunion
The Meridian High School Class of 1986 is preparing for its 15-year reunion. A meeting will be held today at 5:30 p.m. at D.T. Grinders, 1600 24th Ave. It is important that all committee members attend this meeting. For more information, call Wanda Hudson Bouldin at 482-3344 or Kenneth Rue at 693-2354.
County offers help with limb removal
Residents who need help removing limbs and other debris caused by a Dec. 16 tornado can ask for clean-up help from county workers. The help is made possible because a state of emergency was declared in Lauderdale County, and includes areas not in the county right-of-way.
For information, call the Lauderdale County Central Garage, 482-9797.
Junior Auxiliary sets date for charity ball
The Meridian Junior Auxiliary's annual charity ball will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Frank Cochran Center. Reservation Day will be Friday, Jan. 19, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church.
Tickets may be purchased from any Junior Auxiliary member. For more information, call 485-5170.
Jimmie Rodgers Museum temporarily closed
The Jimmie Rodgers Museum at Highland Park will be closed to visitors until March 15. However, group tours may be arranged by calling the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau at 482-8001 or (888) 868-7720.
MSO to present third concert
The Meridian Symphony Orchestra will present the third concert of the 40th anniversary season on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Meridian Community College's Ivy Hall Theatre. Curtain time is 8 p.m.
The concert, "American Influences," will feature guest artist Christopher Rex. A preconcert lecture led by Maestro Claire Fox Hillard begins at 7 p.m. in the Casteel Gallery in the MCC library.
Tickets may be purchased at the door for $15, $12 for seniors/military and $8 for students. Children under 12 will be admitted free.
Fund established for Katrina Hodges
A fund has been established at BankPlus for Katrina Hodges, who was seriously injured Dec. 16 when her home on Willow Lake Road was struck by a tornado.
Hodges is receiving treatment at the University Medical Center in Jackson and her injuries will require a number of surgeries. Co-workers at New South Ford have established the fund to help pay her medical expenses.
Boat ramp passes on sale now
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Year 2001 Annual Day Use Passes for boat ramps and beaches are on sale at Okatibbee Lake in Collinsville.
The passes are $25 and a duplicate pass may be purchased for $5 extra at the time of the original purchase. A vehicle license plate number is required for each pass purchased. Annual passes are not transferable.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 626-8431.
Annual passes are also available daily at Twiltley Branch Campground from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. For information, call 626-8068.