Laurel

Items tagged Laurel

Key topics in this category:

Recent posts

JCJC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accepting applications

ELLISVILLE – Jones County Junior College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is now accepting applications for the fall 2011 semester.  The application deadline is April 22nd.

JCJC

The program at Jones is designed to train a sonographer to work in the general sonography setting and to proficiently perform each task.  Students will be exposed to the examination of abdominal organs, pediatric studies, obstetrics and gynecology, and the endocrine system.  JCJC’s DMS students are exposed to vascular sonography at clinical sites.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography curriculum is a one year program where students receive approximately forty (40) hours of classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical experience to prepare students for employment and advancement in the sonography field.  Didactic and laboratory instruction is offered at Jones County Junior College.  Clinical participation and scheduled rotations are offered at the clinical sites in Laurel, Hattiesburg, Waynesboro, Meridian, and Magee.

Admission requirements for the program include: prospective students must be accepted to or eligible for enrollment at Jones County Junior College; have a minimum composite score of 17 on the American College Test (ACT); have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5; have a Bachelor’s of Science degree from an accredited institution in any field OR be a Registered Radiologic Technologist (A.R.R.T.) and in good standing with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or be registry-eligible with the ARRT; OR have completed any two year medical program that includes clinical rotations  AND must complete the Diagnostic Medical Sonography application package; must have completed Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and college algebra.

Graduates of this program will have the skills necessary for employment as sonographers under the direct supervision of a physician.  Students will be prepared to work in any sonographic setting and will be trained in all areas of general sonography. Upon completion of the program students will be eligible for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography exam to become registered sonographers

For more information or to request an application packet call, 601-477-4289, or e-mail sonography instructor Wanda Finch at wanda.finch@jcjc.edu or visit the website at: http://www.jcjc.edu/programs/medicalsonography/index.php.

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones, Jones County, Laurel, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, education, Ellisville, Jones County Junior College, Medicine

Log Truck & Pickup Collide on I-59 in Jones County | Two injured, transported to hospital

A collision between an eighteen wheeler log truck and Toyota pickup truck has sent the adult male driver and adult male occupant of the pickup truck to the hospital.

The accident occurred on Interstate 59 North near the 100 mile marker on Wednesday afternoon.

Sandersville Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna, two ambulances from EMServ Ambulance Service along with units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper John Gilliland responded to the scene.

The victims were transported by EMServ to South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel for treatment of undisclosed injuries which were not thought to be life threatening.

Filed under: Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, EMServ Ambulance Service, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, laurel, South Central Regional Medical Center

JCJC’s Theater Department presents: Little Shop of Horrors

ELLISVILLE – The Jones County Junior College theater department has been taken over by a unique plant, featured in this year’s show, “The Little Shop of Horrors”.  Audrey the plant will be looking for something other than plant food during the show’s three performances on Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, February 20 at 2:30 p.m. in the JCJC Fine Arts Auditorium.  Tickets are $5 and JCJC students can see the play free with their JCJC I.D.

JCJC sophomore from Yazoo City, John Wright plays Seymour, who talks to his new found plant which is apparently responsible for his new found fame and fortune in the musical, “Little Shop of Horrors”.

The musical centers around Seymour Krelbourn who is a poor young man working at a run-down flower shop on skid row. After discovering an alien plant following a total eclipse of the sun, Seymour’s life changes drastically.  He brings the plant to Mr. Mushnik’s store, and gains fame, fortune, and love. The only problem is that the plant feeds on human blood. Seymour and the plant make a deal which can only benefit one of them!

This year’s spring musical is a familiar favorite for JCJC alumna and musical theater producer and director, Nikki Johnson. As a JCJC student in 1996, Johnson discovered her passion for theater as the character, Ronette in “Little Shop of Horrors,” which was her first musical performance.

“The cast members and I had way too much fun and I was hooked after that!” said Johnson.  “I couldn’t wait to produce this show as a faculty member at JCJC.  Fortunately we had just the right students to fill the roles for the spring show.  It has really been a special year for me.”

The cast of characters include sophomore, John Wright of Yazoo City playing the lead role of Seymour and newcomer to the stage, sophomore Wynn Brewer of Leakesville has taken on the ditzy character of Audrey.

“She is nothing like me,” said Brewer.   “She has low self confidence, is very vulnerable and not modest.  I have really had to study this character!”

Audrey played by Wynn Brewer of Leakesville (right) turns down plans shy Seymour, played by JCJC sophomore, John Wright, has for a date.

Playing Seymour was also a challenge for Wright who is a musical veteran.  Last year in JCJC’s musical “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown”, Wright played everyone’s favorite beagle, Snoopy.   This year’s role took a little research too, said Wright.

“Seymour is a shy, meek little guy which is very unlike me,” said Wright. “This has been my favorite musical I have ever done. It has been the most challenging and most exciting. I cannot wait to share our hard work with everyone!”

Two people will be playing the role of Audrey the plant.  Miles Alexander of Long Beach is the puppeteer and Dr. Mike Lopinto who works for the University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Music and is a special event manager, is the voice of the plant.  He is also “The Voice of the Pride” at the University of Southern Mississippi, and television commercials. Lopinto’s theatrical credits range from directing and choreographing to designing and acting with favorite roles including Cats (Old Deuteronomy), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), Annie (Daddy Warbucks), Carousel (Mr. Snow), West Side Story (Doc, swing), Hello, Dolly! (Stanley), Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma!, Camelot, Paint Your Wagon, Guys and Dolls, Oliver!, The Music Man, Into the Woods, Bye Bye Birdie (music director), Barnum and Ragtime.

Starring as Seymour’s boss and adopted father, Mr. Mushnik is played by Hattiesburg’s Wesley Slade.  Matt Strickland of Petal plays the twisted dentist and Audrey’s boyfriend, Orin.  The two street-wise girls, Chiffon and Ronette are played by LaDonna Anderson of Vicksburg and Laurel’s Mary Laura Boyett.  Julia Donald of Quitman plays Crystal and Cameron Donovan of Madison is playing two parts, Bernstein and Martin.  Kayla Sims of Petal is Snip and Erin Davies of Raleigh plays Luce.  Rounding out the cast is Wesley Barnett of Laurel and Joshua Crosby of Moselle as two winos. Crosby is also cast as a customer along with Claire Lightsey of Petal.

Stage managers are Sarah-Jane Thaxton of Laurel and Khloe Folkers of Ocean Springs. Stage crew consists of Phillip Azbik from Homewood, Alabama, Kurt Davis of Pearl, Meagan Skaggs of Petal, Arnurcy Turner of Petal and Zadrian Cooley of Laurel.  For more information call the JCJC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4094.

Filed under: Arts, Ellisville, Featured, Jones, Jones County, Laurel, Entertainment/Culture, JCJC Fine Arts Department, Jones County Junior College, Little Shop of Horrors, Theatre

Florida Boys Fundraising Concert in Laurel

LAUREL – The Florida Boys, an award-winning Southern Gospel quartet will present a fundraisng concert for the Pine Belt Adult Literacy Council at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 25.

The concert, which is free to the public, will be held at West Laurel Baptist Church, 1400 W. 5th St. Local pianist Andrew Ishee is slated to emcee the program, as well as provide entertainment. Another local favorite, Houston Road Boys, are also scheduled to perform.

The Pine Belt Adult Literacy Council is an organization that seeks to combat illiteracy in Jones County and surrounding areas. Statistics show that there are a number of people who cannot read at all or who are reading at a very low level. There are others who can read a little, but cannot read well enough to fill out a job application.

Proceeds from the concert will be used to purchase reading material and other supplies. Businesses, churches and other organizations are asked to make donations that will be used to aid the work of the council, as well as cover concert expenses.

Tickets are available at Bancorp South in Ellisville, Wells Pharmacy in Laurel, Jones County Baptist Association, West Laurel Baptist Church, Life Church and Pine Belt Education Center.

For additional information, phone the Pine Belt Education Center at 601-649-4141.

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones County, Laurel, Lifestyle, Schools, Ellisville, First Citizens Bancorporation Inc., Jones County, Jones County Baptist Association, Life Church, Pine Belt Adult Literacy Council, Pine Belt Education Center, Wells Pharmacy

JCJC searching for the ‘Love Stories of Jones’

ELLISVILLE – It seems as though Cupid has lived at Jones County Junior College since the institution opened its doors nearly a century ago. As the Alumni and Foundation Office prepares for the Centennial Celebrations in the fall, one recurring theme keeps surfacing: a lot of people met their spouse while at Jones.

“Our president, Dr. Jesse and Jennifer Smith are perfect examples! They met and fell in love at Jones and later married,” said VP for Advancement, Caroline Ramagos. “Our planning committee thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for the many who found love at JCJC, to have a special event called, ‘Love Stories of Jones’ as part of our Centennial Celebration for February 2012,”

Through the campus alumni newsletter, Bobcat Bulletin, a request has been made for alumni to submit their love stories to the JCJC Alumni Office’s email, jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu. However, to ensure the invitation is extended to as many people as possible, the search has gone public.

“We have about 4,500 people who receive our electronic newsletter but we also know there are some alumni and friends who haven’t signed up to be on the mailing list,” said Ramagos. “They can find the newsletter and sign up on our mailing list, on our web page, www.jcjc.edu/alumni under e-newsletter.”

Many JCJC students seem to have been bitten by the “Love Bug”. A couple who recently fell in love while at Jones, made the news. Anna Tossy, a 2009 biology graduate from Beaumont and TJ Butler, a 2010 marketing management grad from Collins, were recently featured in WDAM-TV’s series, “Unique First Dates,” by Colleen Donovan.

“We received hundreds of letters from people all over the Pine Belt but Anna’s letter about her great boyfriend TJ and how their dating relationship started on their class trip to Spain was really unique,” said Donovan. “This relationship begins with a first date in a foreign country, a romantic place, and Anna said this experience was really dear to them both.”

The two first met at Top of Class 2007 which is an event for valedictorians and salutatorians, sponsored by WDAM-TV and hosted at JCJC. Tossy and Butler also signed up to be a part of the first class of the newly formed Charles Pickering Honors Institute. As students in the Honors College, they shared many of the same classes and were offered the opportunity to travel abroad.

“Going to Spain is not something I would have ever done on my own without the help of the college,” said Butler. “I will always treasure those 12 days because I got to know Anna even more.”

Tossy shared it was not love at first sight for her.

“I was the shy, proper girl who did her homework, who didn’t talk in class and TJ always sat by me in class,” said Tossy. “One time when he was poking me, I turned around and threatened to stab him with my pencil because I had had enough of him bugging me!”

That encounter was the beginning of something that blossomed into a romance lasting three years, so far.

“He really spoiled me in Spain….That trip was something between the two of us that we can relate to and was special that we’ve done,” Anna said.

In addition to the search for love stories, the Alumni Office is also trying to identify all alumni; whether they were part of sports, music, or student government.

“We hope a lot of alumni will return to campus to help us celebrate this significant time in Jones’s history,” said Ramagos.

There will be several celebrations on campus that will include a variety of alumni and friends who participated in different groups and organizations while they attended JCJC over the years. A complete list of activities will be released over the summer. For more information call or email the office at 601-477-4145 or jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones, Jones County, Laurel, Colleen Donovan, Ellisville, Jennifer Smith, Jesse Smith, Jones County Junior College, TJ Butler, WDAM-TV

Accident Injures Two, Extrication Required in Jones County

Powers Volunteer Fire & Rescue was dispatched at 8:14 p.m. on Sunday to a report of a two vehicle accident with injuries on Brown Drive in the Powers Community.

Photo: Kelsi Chancellor, Junior Firefighter, Powers Volunteer Fire & Rescue

Powers Rescue 1, Powers Heavy Rescue, M&M Medical First Responders and Glade Rescue 1 responded to the scene.  Upon arrival, firefighters advised that a Pontiac G6 and a Dodge Ram pickup had collided with the adult male driver of the Pontiac trapped in his vehicle and a female passenger in the pickup injured.

The driver of the pickup was extricated from the destroyed vehicle by Powers firefighters using hydraulic rescue tools and both he and the passenger in the pickup transported by EMServ Ambulance Service to South Central Regional Medical Center for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

The Jones County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the crash scene which closed Brown Drive for over an hour.   A third passenger vehicle which was parked in front of a house was involved in the accident as well.

The adult male driver of the pickup and a male child were evaluated at the scene but declined transport to the hospital.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Disaster/Accident, EMServ Ambulance Service, Glade, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, powers, South Central Regional Medical Center, Traffic collision

Jones County Man Arrested for Stealing Metal Equipment/Arrested for Grand Larceny

An 18 year old Jones County man was arrested Monday and charged with Grand Larceny for stealing metal equipment from the 500 block of Dusty Road in the Soso community.

Sheriff Alex Hodge recognized the suspect as 18 year old William Smith of the 100 block of Fred Ellzey Road.

It is believed that William Smith stole several metal equipment items and sold them at a local recycling center on or around February 5th. The stolen items were valued over ($500).

“The price of scrap metal has increased in price, therefore thieves are doing anything necessary to steal metal,” said Sergeant John Smith with the Investigative Unit.

Hodge added, “I encourage citizens who have property such as old cars, or farm equipment to secure these items and report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood or community by contacting the Jones County Sheriff’s Department at (601) 425-3147. You may also leave tips on our website at www.jonesso.com or Jones County Crime Stoppers at (601) 428-7867.”

Filed under: Crime, Ellisville, Jones County, Laurel, alex hodge, John Smith, Jones County, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Law/Crime, Sheriff, William Smith

WOMAN ESCAPES BURNING HOME | Smoke Detector Credited Saving Life

A Jones County woman is alive this morning after a smoke detector alerted her to a fire in her doublewide mobile home allowing her to escape without injury. Ms. Lou Ulmer who lives on Mares Nest Lane off of Shady Oak Road in the Soso Community was awakened by the smoke detector to find heavy smoke and fire in one end of her home and raced outside before being overcome by smoke. Volunteer fire units from Soso, Calhoun, Pleasant Ridge and Hebron along with Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna were dispatched to the call at 12:49 a.m. and responded with multiple fire apparatus. Initial 911 reports indicated that the resident was trapped in the burning home; however, Jones County Sheriff’s Department deputies J.D. Carter and Chris Livingston, who were on patrol in the area, arrived and discovered Ms. Ulmer had escaped.

Firefighters initiated an aggressive fire attack but were unable to save the home which was heavily involved in fire with a brisk north wind pushing the flames throughout the home. Soso Volunteer Fire & Rescue Chief Glen Musgrove served as Incident Commander during the fire department response to the fire. The American Red Cross was also dispatched to the scene to assist Ms. Ulmer with emergency needs as she literally escaped with just the clothes on her back. Ms. Ulmer was being comforted by family and friends at the scene as was expected to spend the night with relatives before returning later in the morning to try to salvage personal belongings. Volunteer fire units were on the scene until nearly 4:00 a.m. conducting fire suppression, overhaul and salvage operations.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, American Red Cross, Chris Livingston, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, Glen Musgrove, J.D. Carter, Jones County, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Lou Ulmer

JONES COUNTY FIRE COUNCIL SUPPORTS INSTALL. INSPECT. PROTECT. CAMPAIGN

[Laurel, MS] – More than 3,500 people die in home fires each year in the United States; most of whom are in homes without a working smoke alarm. To prevent these deaths, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sponsoring a nationwide Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign designed to raise awareness about how working, properly installed smoke alarms can lower a person’s chances of dying in a fire. The Jones County Fire Council, comprised of 18 Jones County volunteer fire departments plus Ellisville Fire Department, is supporting this critical effort to reduce injuries and the loss of life.

The USFA’s Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign is aimed at encouraging Americans to practice fire safety by installing and maintaining smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers, which can help save the lives of residents and fire fighters, practicing fire escape plans, and performing a home safety walk-through to remove fire hazards from the home. The campaign is promoting fire safety through a free Campaign Toolkit disc; educational materials; print, radio and television PSAs; children’s materials, community organization-sponsored events and a consumer-friendly campaign Web site.

“The Jones County Fire Council is proud to be a partner with the USFA in this very relevant campaign. Far too many people have died in fires as a result of not having working smoke alarms or sprinklers. One person killed in a home fire is just too many,” said Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna. “Together, we can educate our communities and help save lives.”

“If a fire breaks out in your home while you’re asleep, how will you know? Having a working smoke alarm is like having a fire safety official on duty in your home, 24 hours a day.” said Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn A. Gaines. “Working smoke alarms will alert you to the fire and we know conclusively, a residential sprinkler system can help put the fire out.” Gaines adds, “Smoke alarms and sprinklers are able to provide residents the time it takes to get everyone out of the house, before firefighters have to come in.”

When both smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are present in a home, the risk of dying in a fire is reduced by 82 percent, when compared to a residence without either. According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2003-2006, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

The USFA offers a few helpful tips on smoke alarms and sprinklers:

· Place properly installed and maintained smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas and on every level of your home.

· Interconnected smoke alarms are best, because if one sounds, they all sound.

· Get smoke alarms that can sound fast. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that every residence and place where people sleep be equipped with both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.

· Inspect and test smoke alarms monthly and change alkaline batteries at least once every year, or as instructed. You can use a date you already know, like your birthday or when you change your clocks as a

reminder.
· If possible, install residential fire sprinklers in your home.

· Avoid painting or covering the fire sprinkler, because that will affect the sensitivity to heat.

Sharon Volunteer Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Mike Hodge notes, “Our volunteer firefighters work tirelessly to respond to fires, vehicle crashes and medical first responder calls without one cent of compensation. They risk their lives and their families futures to help others and do so willingly. They do hope that residents will install smoke alarms which will alert everyone in the home in the event of a fire and give them enough time to get out of a burning home. Searching a burning home for a trapped resident is a dangerous endeavor for firefighters and places even more people at risk of being injured or killed.”

Organizations in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration’s Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign include the American Fire Sprinkler Association, Burn Institute, Everyone Goes Home, Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association, Fire Department Safety Officers Association, Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, Home Safety Council, International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services, NASFM Fire Research and Education Foundation, National Association of Hispanic Firefighters, National Association of State Fire Marshals, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Sprinkler Association, National Volunteer Fire Council, and SAFE KIDS Worldwide.

For more information on the Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign and other fire prevention information, please visit www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms. To learn more about the Jones County Fire Council or to locate a volunteer fire department in your area that you might be interested in joining, please feel free to contact Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna at 601-428-3187.

Install. Inspect. Protect.
Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Ellisville Fire Department, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fire prevention, Fire safety, Jones County, Jones County Fire Council, Mike Hodge

FINANCIAL PLANNING TOPIC OF SALES AND MARKETING FEBRUARY MEETING

The February meeting of Sales and Marketing Professionals – Pine Belt (SMP) will feature. Steve Anderson and Tammy Wesson, representing Financial Works.  The meeting will be held at Hattiesburg’s Lake Terrace Convention Center on Tuesday, February 8.  Networking and lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at noon.
TekLinks is the sponsor for the February meeting

Steve Anderson is founder and principle of Financial Works. He is a corporate accountant and has dedicated over 30 years to the financial industry.

Tammy Wesson has been in the insurance and financial industry since 2004 and is a financial advisor.

Sales and Marketing Professionals – Pine Belt is the regional professional organization for all sales and marketing professionals in the area.  All who work in the area of sales and marketing and related professions are welcome to become affiliated with the new organization. Visitors are welcome at all meetings.

Filed under: Business, Ellisville, Featured, Hattiesburg, Laurel, Oak Grove, Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, Marketing, Sales, smp, steve anderson, tammy wesson