(ADDED 09/09/2005) All churches in Quitman County are invited to send their pastor and one churhc member to a meeting at the Quitman County Courthouse on Monday, September 12th at 7:00pm.

There are approximately 100 evacuees in Quitman County with more possibly coming. County churches should consider a faith-based local relief effort to meet the needs of these hurricane victims.

(ADDED 09/09/2005) The Social Security Administration will be sending out direct deposit monthly payments as normal. However, if you have difficulty receiving your payment, you can go into a Social Security office and request an immediate payment.

If you normally receive a paper check, but do not get it, you can also go into any office and request an immediate payment.

For more information about the nearest SS office, call 1-800-772-1213.

(ADDED 09/09/2005) The Quitman County Arts Council is planning the 5th annual September's Song Festival to be held Saturday, September 24th, 2005. Applications are now being taken from vendors and entertainers. Arts and crafts vendors must pay a $35.00 booth fee, and food vendors must pay $45.00 for a booth.

For more information, contact Mary Towner at 662-326-8865.

(ADDED 09/09/2005) IF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS WAS DAMAGED OR DESTROYED BECAUSE OF HURRICANE KATRINA, YOU CAN GET DISASTER ASSISTANCE BY CALLING AND REGISTERING AT FEMA’S TOLL FREE NUMBER, 1-800-621-3362, THAT’S 1-800-621-FEMA.   THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER FOR THE SPEECH AND HEARING IMPAIRED IS TTY 1-800-462-7585.

THE LINES ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.  CURRENTLY THE LINES ARE QUITE CONGESTED AND THE BEST TIME TO CALL IS 7P.M. TO 7A.M. EDT.

VICTIMS OF THE HURRICANE CAN ALSO REGISTER ONLINE  AT WWW.FEMA.GOV.
 

(ADDED 09/07/2005) The Mississippi Board of Education meeting will be held Friday, September 9, 2005 at 10 a.m. in the Fourth Floor Boardroom of the Central High School Building, 359 North West Street, Jackson. All business will be conducted during this meeting and final action will be taken.  The agenda for the meeting will be posted on the Mississippi Department of Education's Web site at www.mde.k12.ms.us later today.

The change from the regular schedule is due to the State of Emergency caused by Hurricane Katrina and the resulting difficulties in travel.
 

(ADDED 09/06/2005) West Tallahatchie School District will host "Get Acquainted Night" on Thursday, September 8, 2005 from 5:00- 6:00 at West Tallahatchie High School and from 6:00-7:00 at R.H. Bearden Elementary School. Parents and other concerned individuals may visit classrooms, meet with faculty and staff members, and pick up their children's progress reports. Refreshments will also be provided. For further information, contact W.T.H.S. Parent Coordinator Bennie Braggs @ (662) 375-8829, or Parent Coordinators Zenobia Armstrong and Carolyn Byrd @ (662) 375-8304 for R.H. Bearden Elementary.

  (ADDED 09/06/2005) Bay St. Louis School District  Employees who are paid by paper check may pick up checks in the parking lot of the Bay St. Louis Police Station, 310 Old Spanish Trail,  from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 2  to 4  p.m. beginning Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Saturday, Sept. 10.  Bay St. Louis School District Employees that have electronic deposit of pay can pick a copy of the EFT transfer sheet at the same location and time.  Proper identification is required.

  (ADDED 09/06/2005) Louisiana and federal officials announced the opening of Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Shreveport and Monroe today, Tuesday, Sept. 6, for people affected by Hurricane Katrina. 

Disaster victims are urged to register for assistance first by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or, if they have access to the Internet, register online at www.fema.gov. The TTY number is 1 800 462 7585 for those who are speech- or hearing-impaired. Those who have questions may visit the centers to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists. Representatives of local, state and federal agencies, as well as voluntary agencies, will be on hand to provide program and service information.

The following Disaster Recovery Centers open today, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005 at 9 a.m.:

Shreveport DRC
Summergrove Baptist Church
2820 Summergrove
Shreveport, La.

Monroe DRC
Civic Center Conference Hall 
401 Leajoyner Expressway 
Monroe, La.

The centers will open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. 

Representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies, as well as loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration, will be on hand to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

(ADDED 09/06/2005) Here is a list of upcoming entertainment and live concerts in Tunica, Mississippi

Cable One
http://www.cableone.net

Citizens Bank
http://www.cbt-co.com

Clarksdale Press Reigster
http://www.pressregister.com

Delta Academy School
http://www.deltaacademy.org

Delta Southern Bank
http://www.deltasouthernbank.com

Panolian Batesville Newspaper
http://www.panolian.com

Quitman County School District
http://www2.mde.k12.ms.us/6000/

Sussie's of Mississippi
http://www.sussies.com