Lumberton Informer

I didn't plan on speaking about Ben Winston or his candidacy for the vacated District 106 post. Prior to my conversation with Winston, I asked myself why is Ben running...again? But the answer is simple; people continue to vote for him. He's won most of the offices he sought and that's probably why he's running again. Also, he's aware that there's a good chance that there will be a runoff election because there's 5 candidates (no one will be able to get 50% plus one; if they do there's a dead cat on the line and in the electronic voting machines). After speaking with Winston, I'm still not clear of his platform but he genuinely think he can make a difference. When asked what qualiifies him to hold the position of District 106 Representative, Winston said the following "My God-given abilities, education, experience, business management and supervisory skills qualify me for this position. After serving as a former alderman, supervisor, mayor a...

The purpose of life is to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you lived and it's evident that Mary Ball is walking in her purpose. After 42 years of faithful service, Ball has retired from Bancorp South. At some point, Mary Ball, has touched the lives of everyone in the City of Lumberton. Her presence, caring, concern and graciousness is the common thread that has developed the beautiful tapestry of customer service at Bancorp South. For many of us, Mary Ball is the reason why we stayed with our local bank. Over the years, she has helped us open out bank accounts, balance our books, reminded us of events happening in Lumberton, helped with our deposits, withdrawals and sometimes an overdraft. After getting comforted by Mary Ball, the sting of an overdraft fee didn't hurt as much. We would take the hit and her advice to closely monitor our spending. Winston Churchill said that "We make a living by what we get, but we mak...

This started out as a Facebook post but then it grew and I didn't want my social media friends to get upset because I've been posting all week. So I decided to copy and paste it in a blog post instead. Hopefully, this will be my last post of the week regarding this matter but I'm not making any promises. This has been an exasperating week to say the least but with the culture of hunting black men, I'm thankful to still be among the living. During this week, I think I saw where someone said whites are killed by cops to but their cases are swept under the rugs. I remember the names of Mike Brown, Eric Garner, Sean Beall, Tamir Rice, Freddy Gray, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Pedro Villuneava and sadly it won't be long before another black/Hispanic male becomes a hashtag because of an overzealous police officer that wants to be judge, jury and executioner. As it was stated, these incidents are not new; police brutality has been taking place before Rodney King b...

Today, at 10:00 a.m., the first meeting regarding the consolidation and/or dissolution of the Lumberton School District was held at William Carey University. There were plenty of citizens there from Lumberton. Noticeably absent were the retired/self-employed elected officials of Lumberton. Purvis and Poplarville both had elected officials present and District 2 Supervisor, Warren Byrd, was also in attendance. At the beginning of the meeting, it was stated that the citizens present were not allowed to participate in the conversation. We were told that any concerns we had about the process should be addressed to the Superintendent of our school. Based on Dr. Linda Smith insistence to have Ben Winston appointed as the representative of Lumberton, I don’t think she’s looking out for the best interest of Lumberton. As a matter of fact, I think her main concern is her position and not the people but that’s just my opinion. The meeting started at a glacial pace because it seeme...

Don't forget that the Future Leaders of Tomorrow will be hosting a bike/walk-a-thon and kid's day event this Saturday at the 5th Avenue Park from 7 am - 12 noon. There will be various speakers, a voter registration drive, food and fun for all. Come out and enjoy yourselves! Beginning at 12 noon on Saturday, Panther Ice (the snow cone stand on Main Street) will host a Customer Appreciation Day event. There will be free food and an opportunity to buy raffle tickets for a gift basket. Please stop by and show your support.

Despite the heat, it's time to get ready for another season of pee wee football. If your child is interested in playing this season, they can sign up this Saturday at the Lumberton Public Library. WHEN: Saturday, June 6, 2015 WHERE: Lumberton Public Library TIME: 10: 00 a.m. Please don't forget to bring a copy of your child's birth certificate. Also, don't forget about the Flex Your Rights: What To Do When Pulled Over By a Police Officer Demonstration by Chief Elsie Cowart, Friday, June 5, 2015 at Tabernacle Baptist Church.

I was online and I saw stories about the spike in HIV infections in Jackson and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. We're a mobile society and people from Lumberton and surrounding areas regularly visit and/or socialize in those cities. I know it's not new but many people don't have an issue with "hooking up". Today, it seems that a committed relationship is not a prerequisite for having sex. People are hooking up after games, at parties and even at church events and baded on the number of pregnancies, it's obvious that condoms are not part of the equation. I guess the wrap it up commercials are not very effective. I don't know what it's going to take for people to take precautions when having sex. I've had some bump and grind sessions that were legendary and I've handed out my share of pearl necklaces (the urban dictionary kind) but regardless of how explosive the sex may have been, it wasn't to die for; meaning we used condoms during intercourse...

Darnell Ford, Lead skills trainer at My Sky Elite, high school basketball coaches Corey Mackey and Torino Edwards and Ronnie Clark, fitness trainer and AAU coach will host a basketball camp right here in Lumberton. This dedicated, talented and proven group of trainers and coaches are taking basketball camp to another level. They will apply technical basketball instruction, drill sequences and guided game situational play to help improve your game. All participants will receive position-specific instruction, mental conditioning, speed training and analysis for continued improvement. WHEN: June 1-3, 2015 TIME: 8:00- 12:00 WHERE: Lumberton Family Life Center--Gateway Gym COST: $60 For more information contact: Darnell Ford, (570) 574-6587 Stanley McGowan, (601) 606-4165 ** Concessions will be available**

On Sunday, May 31, 2015, the KeKe B Foundation will host their 7th Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence and Candlelight Vigil in honor of Kewaii Neivas Rogers Buckner and other victims of domestic violence in our community. The mission of the KeKe B Foundation is to promote and preserve non-violent, non-abusive family systems through intervention, prevention and education. To empower victims and their families to break the cycle of violence. To make the public aware of the resources available and to bring domestic violence out of the shadows and unite communities against it. The 7th Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence and Candlelight Vigil will be held at the Ben Barrett Community Center. Participants in the walk will start lining up at Lumberton City Hall at 4:30 pm. The foundation and other volunteers are taking orders for t-shirts. The pricing is as follows: Youth XS-Adult XL are $15, XXL-5XL are $18. Donations are also accepted to help make this event a success. All proceed...

I feel that I must begin this blog ppst with an explanation of the photo collage. It's a play on a commercial I was watching last night. I giggled and thought to myself, what if Mayor Winston was making such poor decisions because he's hungry. As stated in the commercial, you're not yourself when you're hungry. Now that I got the humorous part over, let's get down to business. Unless you're living under a rock, you have heard about the Ferguson verdict. As I browse social media sites, the question of how this happened keeps coming into the discussion? There are those that are outraged by those destroying their city by rioting and looting. Please note, I think the riots detract from the death of the young man. However, I find it interesting that there are those that will label those rioting as barbaric; as animals. But what do we call those that destroy a city via a vote? In Lumberton, they're called the Mayor and Board of Alderpersons. Just a short while a...

More Than Conquerors Foundation is announcing the tryouts for selections of 2012 summer rosters for Conquerors Basketball. Their philosophy is: It is our intent to focus on the student-athlete to teach high a high level of basketball skills for the court and to teach life lessons to be utilized on and off the court by selecting boys and girls with positive attitudes, incredible character, and a desire to excel academically. We will work hard to develop players mentally, physically and bring out the leadership and team concepts of each player. Also, we will endow participants with life skills that will equip players with the skills needed to make positive choices in life after basketball. Their mission is: To provide a positive experience for players on and off the court, focus on the true concept of student-athlete, develop and build skills/strength, instill a sense of pride, provide opportunities to compete at the highest levels of the Amature Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for colle...

There will be a Life Empowerment and Business Expo held Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 8:30am until 2:00pm at the Woodall Advanced Technology Center (beside MultiPurpose Bldg. Hwy. 49 S), 906 Sullivan Drive , Hattiesburg, MS. The event will feature seminars on business, health, education, and self-development. It is designed for budding entrepreneurs, individuals seeking job promotions and personal insight. The keynote speaker, George C. Fraser, author of "Success ...Runs in Our Race," and "Race for Success" will discuss networking strategies that bring profit. A JOB FAIR and FREE health screenings will also be available. There's still time for interested vendors to join the growing list of vendors who will showcase their services or products. For more information visit http:www.ournewslebo.com .