COMMUNITY COOK OF THE WEEK CITIZENS BANK PRESENTS YOUNG ENJOYS TIME CHECKS TO AREA SCHOOLS ‘BEHIND THE CHAIR’ Debit card program — Page 5A Chandler Young — Page 1B Established 1881 — Oldest Business Institution in Neshoba County Philadelphia, Mississippi Wednesday, March 31, 2021 140th Year No. 13 **$1.00 SATURDAY NIGHT No arrests in city motel murder By DUNCAN DENT Pattillo said that PPD was always had a smile on his face,” a crowd of approximately 20 Desmond Davis, [email protected] called to the scene in reference Kari Hall of Union posted on people. 27, was killed to shots reported being fired and the Democrat’s Facebook page. Pattillo said that officers had early Saturday A weekend shooting at a an alleged assault. This is the second unsolved interviewed witnesses within the morning at the motel left a Philadelphia man Responding officers found shooting in recent months. Xen- past few weeks. dead, the authorities said. Davis on the scene with an thirues “Luh Bizzy” Maxfield, Pattillo said that anyone with Western Motel Desmond Davis, 27, of apparent gunshot wound. He 22, of Philadelphia was shot in any information pertaining to on Holland Philadelphia was found dead at was pronounced dead on the the area of the football field near these shooting or that may lead Avenue. Philadel- the Western Motel on Holland scene. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on to an arrest in any other crime is phia Police have Avenue on Saturday at about Pattillo said that they are not Dec. 28, 2020, at about 5:30 urged to contact the Philadel- made no arrest in 12:45 a.m., said Philadelphia releasing any further details of p.m., police have said. phia Police Dept. at (601) 656- the case. Police Det. Bobby Pattillo. the investigation at this time. No one has come forward 2131 or East Mississippi Crime “The case is currently under “Prayers for his family! If with details though the shooting Stoppers anonymously at 1- investigation,” Pattillo said. you knew him you know he is reported to have happened in 855-485 TIPS (8477). PRIMARIES Election Tuesday for city positions By SCOTT HAWKINS [email protected] Voters go to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots in municipal primar- ies in several contested races that won’t be settled until the June 8 general election. Two Republicans and three Democrats will be on the ballot for mayor. Ward 2, Ward 3 and Alderman- at-Large positions have candidates in both Republican and Democrat primaries. The Ward 4 position has four Democrats who will face an inde- pendent in the general election. The Alderman-at-Large posi- tion has a Democrat and a Repub- lican candidate, while only Ward 1 is unopposed. Below is a rundown of candi- dates who will be on the ballot Tuesday. Sarah Cooksey, a youth volunteer, paints Zoeie Freeny’s face Sun- About 50 children and youth ages 5 to 13 participated. At right are day afternoon at Westside Park during an inaugural basketball camp. Maggie Bush and Cannon Graham. On the far left is Kayson Malone. Mayor Incumbent James Young, busi- nessman Randy Gill and Cassie Henson Hickman face each other in the Democrat primary, while Republicans Robin Allen Sr. and Uplifting Westside with hoops Leo Renaldo will face off. • Gill, a businessman who along with his wife, Beverly, owns By SCOTT HAWKINS “They did drills and had a devotion time,” effort to create the basketball courts for more McClelland’s Cafe and Gro., Inc., [email protected] Robbyn said, adding she wants Karoline to par- than a year. “That is exactly what we wanted, to and R&B Properties, Inc., said ticipate in more events at Westside. “She was uplift the neighborhood.” working together is essential. Ten-year-old Karoline Lee was worn out fol- pretty given out. She said her feet were tired after Although the work has been going on for “As mayor, I will seek to part- lowing a two-hour basketball camp Sunday after- she got home.” more than a year, the project has been a dream ner with people of goodwill to noon that marked the opening of the new basket- About 50 children and youth ages 5 to 13 longer than that, Clark said. move our city forwarded econom- ball courts at Westside Park. turned out for the free basketball camp that cul- Non-profit charitable organizations such as ically, politically, and socially,” “I learned some of the dribbles and shooting,” minated a year-long community-wide effort to Kids Over Everything, churches and volunteers Gill said in announcing his candi- said Lee of Philadelphia. transform the old tennis courts into public bas- all pitched in to help the city transform the tennis dacy. Karoline’s mother Robbyn said the program ketball courts. courts into basketball courts over the past year. Gill also said he will work with included a good mix of children of different eth- “It felt great,” said J. Clark, pastor of the new The volunteers helped pave and stripe the the county and Tribal governments nicities and backgrounds. Church at the Arc, who has been involved in the See HOOPS, page 2A See ELECTION, page 2A EASTER SUNDAY Christians seeking ‘normal’ as the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated By JOHN LEE “A big crowd would be about 150, to COVID-19 guidelines. More than He encouraged anyone who isn’t [email protected] which is how many we are expect- 20 children participated singing, feeling well on Easter to be safe and ing,” Pace said. reading and leading the Palm Sunday stay home. With Easter Sunday being a high Pace said sections will be reserved service. “If you’re comfortable, come join point of the Christian year, area for anyone who needs social dis- “It really felt like a normal — us,” he said. “Love Jesus and love churches are expecting large crowds tance, and special areas in the sanctu- before COVID — worship service,” one another.” as many Neshoba countians return to ary will be available where families Lacey said. Masks are optional, but not in-person worship for the first time can have socially distanced pods. Pace said he too was happy to see required. Hand sanitizer will be read- since the COVID-19 pandemic lock- Prepackaged Communion ele- Lacey’s response to the service. ily available, he said. down more than a year ago. ments will be used, he said. “It truly filled the heart of this pre- William Smith, minister of music Three rural United Methodist Masks are optional, but not cious senior saint,” Pace said of at The First Baptist Church of churches are meeting at another required. The service will still be Lacey’s experience. Philadelphia, is excited and enthusi- church in town for their first in-per- streamed live on Facebook and The Rev. Matthew Jones, pastor astic about being able to celebrate the son meeting since the pandemic broadcast on an FM transmitter to the of Philadelphia Church of God, said resurrection of Christ properly began to celebrate the resurrection of parking lot for those who prefer to their doors will be open to all who together as a body — and singing, Christ. remain in their vehicles. wish to worship on Easter. yes, singing. The New Bethel Baptist Church Ollie B. Lacey, a member of New He believes the pandemic restric- First Baptist will have a full choir near Laurel Hill is sanitizing its sanc- Bethel in her 90s, gave a testimony to A stained-glass window, “Jesus In tions were handled well over the past for the first time since the COVID-19 tuary with UV plasma air scrubbers the congregation at the evening serv- The Garden,” at The First Baptist year. pandemic hit. used by NASA which can protect ice last Sunday about how blessed Church depicts Jesus in the Garden “We only had outside services “People are ready to come back against COVID-19 by cleaning the she was to see the Children’s Choir of Gethsemane at the foot of the after being shut down for four and worship again,” he said. air. singing and leading the Palm Sunday Mount of Olives as he was praying months at the height of the pandem- First Baptist was streaming-only The Rev. Curt Pace, pastor at New service. and struggling with the burden of ic,” Jones said. “We’re not quite at at the height of the pandemic and for Bethel, expects a large crowd on Sunday was the Children’s the cross, asking the Lord, “Father, full capacity since we have members Easter plans on being at full capacity, Easter. Choir’s first time to sing in a year due not my will, but your will be done.” who have not come back yet.” See EASTER, page 3A OPINION JUST AMONG FRIENDS OPINION Rich Lowry PAGE 4A Marianne Enochs PAGE 1B Patrick Buchanan PAGE 4A 2A, The Neshoba Democrat, Philadelphia, Miss., March 31, 2021 move forward into a bigger and better community.” Election Voting Precincts • Democrat Rudolph Tatum, a Philadelphia School bus oper- Continued from page 1A ator, is retired from the city of Chicago. “I am ready and will- to bring jobs to Neshoba County • Ward 1 — Senior Citizens building, 10211 Rd 561, and to establish better education ing to serve Ward 4, and I have Philadelphia. plenty of experience,” Tatum and to seek greater cooperation between county and city law said in his campaign announce- • Ward 2 — The Baptist Center, 903 Valley View Dr, ment. enforcement. Philadelphia. Among other things, Gill • Democrat Shanayah Carter, Engagements & Weddings a 2000 graduate of Neshoba said he will work to promote • Ward 3 — The Depot, 257 W Beacon St, Philadel- “justice and equality for all and Central, a substitute teacher and There is no charge for engagement and wedding phia.