Blog

The Covington County Miss Hospitality program is seeking contestants for the 2017 title of Covington County’s Miss Hospitality. Requirements for the local program include: • Be a resident of Mississippi – parent or guardian must also be a resident of Mississippi • Represent her hometown and/or county, not the city where she attends college. • Not currently hold a title that would interfere with duties of Miss Hospitality. • Be a high school graduate, never married, have no children and be age 18 and not over 24 by Wednesday, July 19, 2017 of the pageant week. • Have a 2.5 scholastic average for the last completed semester.  A transcript is required upon registration for the state pageant. • Must be present at the coronation ceremony for Mississippi Miss Hospitality and participate in events scheduled for the period July 16-22, 2017. • If attending an out of state university and wins the state pageant, you must enroll immediately in a university in Mississippi. • Participate in the Okatoma Festival on Saturday, May 6, 2017. The entry fee is $20. Local Miss Hospitality contestants will have a seven minute personal interview with a panel of three out-of-town judges and present a 90-second speech in front of the judges and guests on “How would you promote our state to a visitor?” The dress is Sunday dress or a suit. Contestant applications and entry fees must be turned in to the chamber office by Friday, April 7 at 5 p.m. Contestants are to meet on April 7 at 5 p.m. at the chamber office to have a group picture made for the newspaper and draw for interview times. The state Miss Hospitality pageant will be held July 16-22, 2017. Applications are available at the Chamber of Commerce office located at 500 Komo Street in Collins. For additional information call 601-765-6012.

Popeyes Chicken is coming to the City of Collins. The fast food restaurant will be located along Highway 49 North just across from Huddle House. According to Mayor V.O. Smith dirt work on the project has begun and construction will soon follow. With a projected opening set for May, crews are hard at work on the project.

Fred McNair, head football coach at Alcorn State University, has been named as the 2017 Grand Marshall for the Okatoma Festival to be held in Collins on Saturday, May 6. A Covington County resident, is the brother of the late football star Steve McNair. Fred McNair was named the 21st head football coach at Alcorn in February of 2016. McNair began his college football career as a wide receiver at Alcorn in 1986 before moving to quarterback his junior season. The theme for this year’s festival is “Covington County Celebrates Mississippi’s Bicentennial.” Oliver Hitt​ is chair of this year’s festival.

Members of the Collins High School Lady Tigers basketball team have received several honors this season. Tiera Barnes was named a Top Performer by the Clarion-Ledger and a MaxPrep Player of the Game last month. She had 19 points, 12 rebounds and six steals in the team’s win against Seminary. Tiera had 15 points and 12 rebounds in the Tigers’ game against Perry Central. Breanna Slay was named a MaxPrep Player of the Game and had eight points, 10 rebounds, four steals and a blocked shot in the team’s game against Poplarville. She was also 2-2 from the free throw line. Da’Shira Hawthorne was named a MaxPrep Player of the Game. She scored 25 points and had five rebounds, two assists and two steals to help the Tigers defeat Raleigh 50-42.

It’s that time of year again – time for the Covington County Junior Livestock Show. Exhibitors have spent numerous hours in preparation for the 2017 County Livestock Show being held January 20-21, 2017 at the Covington County Multipurpose Building at the Industrial Park off Highway 49 in Collins. There are 45 total 4-H and FFA exhibitors ages 8-18. The show includes a total of 80 head of cattle, 47 pigs and two goats. The judging contest begin on Friday, Jan. 20 with a pig show. Saturday’s contest will include the goats and cattle. Concluding the show will be the Market Animal Auction held at the close of Saturday’s show. The judge for this year’s show will be Ricky Thompson from Texas A&M University. According to livestock officials, these youth are gaining valuable life skills that will make them more productive citizens. During the show and all the preparation and practices for this crowning event, exhibitors were given the opportunity to learn responsibility, self-discipline, self-esteem, decision-making, the importance of setting goals, communication skills; in addition to a vast knowledge of the livestock and agriculture industry. Some of the young people have found a career path while others may have only gained a knowledge that they will carry with them throughout the rest of their life. Some will receive scholarships enabling them to pursue college dreams; others have made industry connections that may prove beneficial when the time comes to find a job. But all have made friendships and built relationships with their families that will last a lifetime. “We hope everyone will come out and support these young people and the hard work they have put into their project animals,” said Covington County ANR\4-H Agent, Ellen Russell. “This is a yearlong project for most exhibitors and they have put a lot of time and efforts into making their animals look their best for this weekend.” For more information, please contact the Covington County Extension Office at 601-765-8252.

A swearing in ceremony was held at the Covington County Courthouse for members of the Covington County Election Commission as well as school board members. Officials were sworn in by Chancery Clerk Joe Warren. Election Commissioners who were sworn in include Mary Glover Walters, District One; Bernice M. Blow, District Two; Sue McCall, District Three; Dwight Easterling, District Four and Dorothy Magee, District Five. Members of the Covington County School Board who were sworn in include Lynn L. Smith, District One and Sammy H. Herrin District Two.

The Carver High School Alumni Association Scholarship Committee in Collins presented its annual Barron/Knox/Todd scholarship to the selected recipients. The three recipients are Alexis Williams, currently attending Pearl River Community College; Halle Legget, attending Mississippi College and Dextrianna Magee, attending Jones County Junior College. Each received a $1,000 scholarship. Also awarded to Covington County students were $500 scholarships by the Covington County Men United for a Cause. Recipients of the scholarships are Jalin Foster, Oliviunna Barnes, Jaila Richard, Keith Watson, Jr., Alexis Drake and LaKenneth Fairley.

Margaret Ruth Mayfield of Collins donated 30 dolls from her doll collection to the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson. Officer Cory Lofton with the Mississippi Highway Patrol collected the dolls from Ms. Mayfield and delivered them to the hospital.