News

Okatoma Festival date set for May 2

The Covington County Chamber of Commerce will host the 31st annual Okatoma Festival on Saturday, May 2, 2020.
The special guest for the day and Grand Marshal of the parade will be country recording artist John King.
A native of Georgia, King has made a name for himself with his debut radio single, “Tonight Tonight.”  In addition to his success as an artist, he is earning recognition as a songwriter.  His current single, “Try Saying Goodbye” has garnered more than 15 million streams and was named one of Rolling Stone’s Top 10 Country Songs.  For more information on John King please visit www.johnkingcountry.com, like him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @johnkingcountry.
The event begins Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. with the annual 5K Run/Walk.  Meanwhile, numerous arts and crafts booths and food vendors will be located at every corner in downtown Collins. Live entertainment, a health fair, quilt exhibit, art exhibit, children’s activities, fair rides, rubber duck race, and much more will be provided.
For more information about the festival and vendor booth information, contact the Covington County Chamber of Commerce at 601-765-6012 or go to www.CovingtonChamber.com.

Covington County Junior Livestock Show held January 17 and 18 in Collins
by Ellen Russell
Covington County ANR/ 4-H Agent

Covington County 4-H, FFA, and Junior Livestock held there County Livestock show on January 17 and 18, 2020.  There was an outstanding amount of exhibitors and livestock at the show.  We would like to give a huge thank you to all of our Sponsors that help support and take part in our County Show. Exhibitors will be moving on to the District livestock show and Dixie National, look for more information on how they did and district and state competition level.
Placing for the Hog Market show on January 17th:
Champion Duroc Market Hog:  Jacob Russell
Reserve Champion Duroc Market Hog:  Wyatt McCray
Champion Hampshire Market Hog:  Jadyn Sanford
Champion Yorkshire Market Hog:  Sadee Nicholson
Champion Crosses & Other Breeds Market Hog:  Tucker/Mary Bradley Woods
Reserve Champion Crosses & Other Breeds Market Hog:  Britton Kirkland
Champion Spotted Market Hog:  Tucker/Mary Bradley Woods
Reserve Champion Spotted Market Hog:  Gracie Leggett
Champion Hereford Market Hog:  Gracie Leggett
Reserve Champion Hereford Market Hog:  Rileigh McClure
Champion Chester Market Hog:  Jayden Sanford
Reserve Champion Chester Market Hog:  Tralyn Hanegan
Champion Bershire Market Hog:  Sadee Nicholson
Reserve Champion Berkshire Market Hog:  Michael Phillips
Champion Commercial Gilt Cross:  Britton Kirkland
Reserve Champion Commercial Gilt Cross:  Tucker/Mary Bradley Woods
Champion Commercial Gilt Down Ear:  Tucker/Mary Bradley Woods
Reserve Champion Commercial Gilt Down Ear:  Wyatt McCray
Overall Grand Champion Market Hog:  Tucker/Mary Bradley Woods
Overall Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog:  Britton Kirkland
Overall Grand Champion Commercial Gilt Market Hog:  Britton Kirkland
Overall Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Gilt Market Hog:  Tucker/Mary Bradley Woods
Placing for Market Steer Show January 18th:
Best of Show English & English Crosses Market Steer:  Jadyn Sanford
Champion European & European Crosses Market Steer:  Trent Kirkland
Reserve Champion European & European Crosses Market Steer:  Jadyn Sandford
Overall Grand Champion Market Steer:  Trent Kirkland
Overall Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer:  Jadyn Sandford
Placing for Commercial Heifer Show January 18th:
Champion Brahman & Brahman Crosses:  Rylee White
Reserve Champion Brahman & Braham Crosses:  Jacob/Garrett McQueen
Champion English & English Crosses:  Josef Lowery
Reserve Champion English & English Crosses:  Sadee/Gunner/Gabe Dickens
Best in Show European & European Crosses:  Wyatt McCray
Overall Grand Champion Commercial Heifer:  Rylee White
Overall Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Heifer:  Josef Lowery
Placings for Beef Breeding Show January 18th:

Champion Angus Heifer:  Reagan/Weslee Odom
Reserve Champion Angus Heifer:  Hagen Hinton
Champion Angus Bull:  Hagen Hinton
Reserve Champion Angus Bull:  Shelby Smith
Champion Beefmaster Heifer:  Hailey Hamilton
Reserve Champion Beefmaster Heifer:  Hailey Hamilton
Champion Brahman Heifer:  Abigayle Rogers Case
Reserve Champion Brahman Heifer:  Abigayle Rogers Case
Champion Brahman Bull:  John Carter Dennis
Reserve Champion Brahman Bull: Abigayle Rogers Case
Best of Show Brangus Heifer:  Wyatt McCray
Champion Hereford Heifer:  Sadee/Gunner/Gabe Dickens
Reserve Champion Hereford Heifer:  Josef Lowery
Champion Simbrah Heifer:  Tatum Madden
Reserve Champion Simbrah Heifer:  Tatum Madden
Champion Simmental Heifer:  Tucker/Mary Bradley Woods
Reserve Champion Simmental Heifer:  Paige Ellzey
Champion Percentage Simmental Heifer:  Tatum Madden
Reserve Champion Percentage Simmental Heifer: Paige Ellzey
Champion Percentage Simmental Bull:  Jacob/Garrett McQueen
Reserve Champion Percentage Simmental Bull:  Weslee Odom
Champion Red Angus Heifer:  Sadee/Gunner/Gabe Dickens
Reserve Champion Red Angus Heifer:  Wyatt McCray
Grand Champion All Breeds Heifer:  Tatum Madden
Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds Heifer:  Tucker/Mary Bradley Woods
Grand Champion All Breeds Bull:  Hagen Hinton
Reserve Grand Champion All Breeds Bull: Jacob/Garrett McQueen

City Officials attend MML Mid-Winter Conference

City Officials for Collins attended the 2020 Mississippi Municipal League Mid-Winter Conference on January 15, 2020.
The Mississippi Municipal League is the Official Non-Profit private organization of Cities and Towns of Mississippi. MML lobbies the state and federal legislatures, provides education for municipal elected officials, provides technical support, represents municipalities with public and private entities, and is a networking media for municipal members.
From left:  Alderman Robert Thompson, City Clerk Suzette Davis,
Senator Joey Fillingane, Mayor Hope Jones, Alderman Lester Magee and Alderman Pro-Tem Bobby Mooney.

Fire Service Legislation Day
Collins Fire Chief John Pope visited the Mississippi State Capitol Thursday, January 23, 2020 for Fire Services Legislative Day, to meet with state leaders regarding issues of fire protection.

The Covington County Volunteer Homemakers Club were part of the school program “The Fourth Grade Meets the American Flag” on Thursday, January 23, 2020, at the Collins Elementary School.

The Main Street Merchants in the City of Collins will host “Christmas in Collins” on Main Street on Friday December 6, 2019 from 5:30-8:00 p.m.  The event is designed to bring families out along Main Street to enjoy the Christmas season.  There will be plenty of activities for children as well as shopping and dining throughout the evening.  Everyone’s favorite downtown restaurants will be open.

A live nativity will be set up next to Annie B’s and everyone is invited to come see Santa Claus in the V.O. Smith Courtyard from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and have your picture made with Jolly Old St. Nick.  There will be games, a train ride and jumpers.

Guests are invited to stroll Main Street and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Christmas season.

It’s Christmastime in Covington County
Collins, Mount Olive and Seminary are all getting ready for Christmas.  The Collins Christmas Parade will be held Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 6:30 p.m.  Mount Olive’s Parade will be held Friday, December 6, at 6:00 p.m. and Seminary’s Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 7, at 6:00 p.m.

CCH Recognized with 2019 Performance Leadership Award in Quality

In conjunction with National Rural Health Day on November 21, Covington County Hospital is announcing that it has been recognized by The Chartis Center of Rural Health and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) for overall excellence in Quality. Based on the results of the Hospital Strength INDEX from iVantage Health Analytics, the Performance Leadership Awards reflect top quartile performance among all rural hospitals in the United States in either Quality, Outcomes or Patient Perspective.
“It is a real honor to receive this recognition for the quality of care we provide,” said Kathe Bryant, Director of Quality at Covington County Hospital. “We have worked very hard to improve in areas such as Emergency Department wait times, care of patients with chest pain, timely pain treatment for patients with long bone fractures and appropriate follow-up for colonoscopy patients. These are just a few of the many ways we work to provide quality care to all of our patients.”
The Hospital Strength INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging data from publicly available data sources, the INDEX aggregates data from 50 rural-relevant metrics across eight pillars of performance. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2020, the INDEX serves as the data foundation for a number of industry-leading rural recognition programs and legislative initiatives.
“National Rural Health Day has come to symbolize not just the vital role healthcare providers play in rural communities, but the dedication and hard work that goes into overcoming the unique healthcare challenges that exist across rural America,” said Teryl Eisinger, Chief Executive Officer, NOSORH. “We are proud of the work of the State Offices of Rural Health, their partners and rural hospitals do to improve care across the nation.”
“Each year, National Rural Health Day serves as a terrific backdrop for celebrating the power of rural and recognizing rural providers who continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to delivering quality care within their communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We are delighted to be recognizing these top quartile performers in partnership with NOSORH.”

POSITION AVAILABLE

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Collins will be accepting applications for a Full-time Lineman for the Electric Department.   Applications may be picked up at City Hall during the hours of 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Deadline for receiving applications will be December 4, 2019, at 5:00 P.M.

Chamber to Kick Off Santa Shops November 21

The Covington County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual “Santa Shops Covington County First” event from November 21 through December 3, 2019.  Supporting local businesses is vital to the health and strength of a community, and the Chamber is encouraging the residents of Covington County to visit local stores and businesses when buying those all important gifts for loved ones.
To make shopping local more enticing, the Chamber is offering incentives and prizes to customers who do business with participating merchants in Covington County.   As they shop, customers will have the opportunity to register for prizes and for Chamber Dollars valued at $500, $300, and $100.  The drawing for the prizes and Chamber Dollars  will be held on Thursday, December 5 prior to the Collins Christmas Parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m.  Winners of Chamber Dollars will have until  December 24 to spend their prize money.
Participating businesses must be paid members of the Covington County Chamber of Commerce.  Names of participating businesses will be listed in the advertisements.
The Chamber is asking participating businesses to provide the prizes from their stores which will be given away as part of the program.  Merchants will draw for the store prizes and notify winners on December 5.  Store winners will also be eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing.  Customers who register must provide their name, address and phone number.
The “Santa Shops” program is designed to keep tax dollars in the county and promote businesses working together to create greater success for all.

On Sunday, November 3, 2019 (due to inclement weather for work originally scheduled for Sunday, October 27), the City of Collins will be changing out poles close to the Police Department and Fire Station.  Power will have to be off on all customers east of the railroad tracks and some locations west of the tracks in this area.  This will involve customers on Salem Church Road, Salem School Road, and Highway 588.  They are asking for everyone to not use air conditioning unless you are a senior citizen or someone who needs to stay cool with special concerns for their health.  Please use fans when possible and reduce the power load where possible.  Please make arrangements for that Sunday morning for 5-7 hours beginning at 7:00 a.m.  Any questions concerning this outage, please call Bob Shoemake at 601-517-0076.
These dates and times may change if there is bad weather or an emergency.  Again, this will only involve customers on the City of Collins Power System, not SPEPA.
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Collins thank you for your help in this matter.