The Miss-Lou area’s jobless percentages remain at higher than traditional levels. While Adams County’s rate dropped a mere tenth of a percent to 10.8% unemployed, the outlying counties showed a worsening of their jobless rates.  Jefferson County reported 19.2% unemployed, Franklin 13.8%, and Amite 12.9%. Nearby Louisiana parishes aren’t doing much better. Concordia Parish’s unemployment rate jumped 1.8% to 10.6%. Catahoula’s fell slightly to 9.2%. Tensas’ worsened to 14.2%.

    The United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou has hired a new director, Tiffany Mascagni of Vidalia. The agency also hired Carol Follmer is a fundraiser. The two women, their board of directors and more than 20 volunteers hope to raise $175,000 for 2010-2011 to benefit local non-profits.

    Three men suspected of robbing the Sonic Drive-In in Woodville on April 23 were indicted for other crimes in East Baton Rouge Parish. Antonius Jones, 21, of Baton Rouge, was charged with the second-degree murder of a Georgia man, who was a customer at a Waffle House in Baton Rouge. Jones faces additional armed robbery and illegal firearms charges. The grand jury also indicted Larry Sterling, Jr., 28, of St. Francisville, and Ikey Washington, 27, of Baton Rouge, and charged them with armed robbery at the Waffle House. Besides the Sonic and Waffle House hold-ups, the trio may have committed armed robberies in Clinton, La., and McComb, police said.

    Adams County Supervisors don’t have enough money in their road budget to repave seven roads targeted for improvement. So far, they’ve completed one, Deer Lake Road, and have enough money left to do two more. Darryl Grennell, president of the supervisors, said the county’s proposed $6 million bond issue will have to wait until Moody’s gives Adams a better bond rating. If supervisors issued the bonds now, there would likely be no takers.

    Cable One in Natchez-Vidalia has increased its High-Definition line-up by 30%, adding six more channels, according to Bobby McCool, general manager. Another nine more HD channels will be added by year’s end. The recent HD add-ons include the Cartoon Network, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Science Channel and Outdoor Channel. McCool noted that Cable One now offers the top Nielsen-rate networks in HD. For more information about the cable company, call 601-442-5418.

    Concordia Parish Police Jury President Melvin Ferrington said W.E. Blain and Sons has finished its repaving as part of a court settlement. Blain won the original contract for Phase 1 of the parish’s resurfacing program. But the jury said the work wasn’t done to standard and sued Blain. Blain agreed to make the repairs in return for the jury dropping its suit. Ferrington said the 18 parish roads have been satisfactorily repaved.

    All five Adams County Supervisors have indicated they will run for re-election next year.

    The town of Ferriday will hold at public hearing July 13 at 6 p.m. at city hall to discuss the possibility of using community block grant funds to purchase generators for the water and sewer departments.

    Naturalist Camp will be held July 20-23 at Historic Jefferson College for kids ages 9-12 from 9:00 a.m. to noon each day. Utilizing the 80-acre site, the day campers will explore the nature trail, pond and creek bottoms and learn to identify common trees, insects, birds, mammals and other critters.  Some of the hands-on projects will include dissecting owl pellets, making a nature journal, using magnifying glasses and binoculars, making plaster track casts and playing food web, tracking and nature bingo games. Participants should wear tennis shoes or boots, and bring long pants with them. Snacks and water will be provided.  The cost is $20.00 per child, and payment must be received in order to hold a spot for your child. Naturalist Camp is already starting to fill up, so parents should register children as soon as possible.  For more information or to obtain a camp application, please call 601-442-2901.

    Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton said he’d like Adams County Supervisors to pitch in and help clean up the Watkins St. Cemetery. Middleton hasn’t said whether the city will commit its dollars for a clean-up. The cemetery is privately owned but hasn’t been kept up over the years. The grass and weeds are so high, the few volunteers working at the cemetery can’t keep pace with the vegetation. The county attorney said it wouldn’t be legal for supervisors to spend county money on an in-city cemetery.