Columbian-Progress from Columbia, Mississippi • Page 01

VVOOLLUUMMEE 110099 NNUUMMBBEERR 9977EESSTTAABBLLIISSHHEEDD 11888822 SATURDAY, DDECEMBER 33, 22011 are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the Matthew NEWS Volunteers honored at luncheon. See page 2 BUSINESS Southern Jewelry continues to grow. See page 3 City terminates two workers The Columbia Board of Aldermen met in a specially called session this week and as a result, two employees of the landfill have been terminated.

The Board met Tuesday night at 6 p.m. At 6:05 p.m. Aldermen voted to go into closed session to discuss moving into executive session. Several minutes later, City Attorney Lawrence Hahn came out of the Board Room and said the Aldermen were going into executive session to issues and employment in the landfill After nearly an hour, the Board came back into session and voted to continue the meeting until Wednesday afternoon. On Tuesday night, the Board voted to terminate landfill employee Myjelious Mingo.

According to Hahn, Mingo was terminated with a paid suspension for two days. Wednesday afternoon, the Board reconvened the meeting to continue discussions. The Board went into executive session around 3:15 p.m. and remained in discussions for approximately an hour. When the session ended, the Board came back into session to end the special meeting.

Landfill employee James Odom was terminated with a one-day paid suspension. Hahn said that because the executive session involved personnel issues, the discussions and reasons for the terminations were not made public. The Columbia Board of Aldermen will next meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday in regular session. By Mark Rogers Managing Editor Last slave to receive marker Adam Weatherford conducts the Columbia High Wildcat Band earlier this year.

Photo by Mark Rogers When the 2012 Mississippi Lions All-State Band travels to Hawaii, Adam Weatherford will be leading the way. Weatherford, a senior at CHS, recently won the spot as the drum major. he said. be out front doing a routine with the Weatherford has been a field commander for the state champion Columbia High School Wildcat Marching Band for the past two seasons. had two rounds of tryouts in Pearl for the Lions Weatherford said.

were five people who tried out. In both rounds I was ahead of everyone Weatherford said the tryouts involved performing for the directors of the band. He was judged for mace technique, marching skills and overall impression. told us to come up with a two-minute routine with our he said. had to feature the twirling of the In the past, the Mississippi Lions All-State Band has traveled around the world to perform.

This year is no different with the band heading to a parade in Hawaii. spend time preparing before they leave. have a week of Weatherford said. camp, the following week is our trip. looking forward to Weatherford said there are a few familiar faces in the band.

of the Lewisburg drum majors is in the color he said. Columbia and Lewisburg have consistently competed for the state 4Atitle for several years. Weatherford is currently working on his routine to perform during the parade, something show to director Jeff By Mark Rogers Managing Editor Weatherford to march with Lions Band Forty years after his funeral, Sylvester Magee of Columbia who is considered the last American slave will be getting a headstone on his grave because of the Marion County Historical Society and Stacy Nolan of Southern Monument in Foxworth. Magee, who is believed to have lived 130 years, was buried in 1971 in an unmarked grave at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Foxworth. Recent interest in Magee's life led local historians to become involved in marking grave with a headstone.

just got to the point where if we going to do anything about it, nobody would because been lost for 40 said Brandi Perry, vice president of the Marion County Historical Society. just lit it back up, all. We re-invented anything; we discovered anything new. We have just rediscovered something or rekindled a fire that has By BusterWolfe Staff Writer Spreading Christmas cheer Columbia city employee Jonathan Talbot hangs one of the decorations Wednesday morning in preparation for the holidays. Photo by Buster Wolfe See Page 3 MAGEE Preston honored at retirement from CPD For 19 years, Al Preston patrolled the streets of Columbia.

Thirteen of those years were spent as a detective. Preston, a detective captain, retired this week and was honored Wednesday afternoon at a reception held at the Columbia City Hall. told my wife I was going to try it (police work) for two Preston said. went 19 years on the Preston said he'd handled thousands of cases over the years. I first began as an investigator, I had to learn things on the Preston said.

worked offshore before coming to the police Preston said though he's retiring, he may still be seen in uniform around town. still probably work security at the Pee Wee football games on he said. planning on working around the house until around the first of the year. By Mark Rogers Managing Editor Detective Al Preston cuts his retirement cake. Photo by Mark Rogers Buster Wolfe joins C-P news staff Buster Wolfe has joined The Columbian- Progress as staff writer after a 35- year career in daily newspapers.

Wolfe, a native of Greenville, worked at the Democrat before coming to The Columbian- Progress. Both newspapers are owned by Jackson-based Emmerich Newspapers. am excited about working in Wolfe said. getting to know the people in town has been a great experience, and I hope to learn more about Columbia as I get settled Wolfe also worked in various positions at other newspapers in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, winning writing, photography and design awards in state competitions. Adam Prestridge, publisher of The Columbian-Progress, said he is excited to have Wolfe join the team at Marion County's hometown newspaper.

are pleased to have Buster join our team here in Prestridge said. believe his many years of experience will prove to be an asset to the newspaper as we continue to provide the news of Marion County to our Wolfe began work in Columbia last week. His hobbies include fly-fishing, fly tying and duck hunting. By Adam Prestridge Publisher WOLFE See Page 3 See Page 3.