Terry Headlight News

Last Tuesday evening, I learned that Democratic candidate Malcolm Johnson was in second place in the election of Hinds County Supervisor, District Five. However, before I retired for bed (after a LONG day of poll watching in another county), candidate Ashley Floyd had taken second place by passing Malcolm. It was assumed for most of the week that there would be a run-off in this particular election between the incumbent, Supervisor Bobby “Bobcat” McGowan and Ashley Floyd.

Now, upon the counting of affidavit ballots, it appears that the run-off will be between Mr. McGowan and Mr. Johnson. There was a difference of twenty-four votes between Ms. Floyd and Mr. Johnson. Always remember that your vote can make a difference in the election’s outcome.

In the Terry-2 precinct at Wynndale Baptist Church, there will be an additional run-off election between Fabian Nelson and Roshunda Harris-Allen. These are candidates for District 66 in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

Fabian Nelson was born in Yazoo City. He earned an associate degree in business administration from Holmes Community College in 2009. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University in 2011. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from American Public University in 2016. Nelson’s career experience includes working as a real estate broker.

Roshunda Har-ris-Allen was born in Detroit, Michigan. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University in 2004. Her career experience includes working as a professor.

One of nature’s most stunning light displays was seen this past weekend. The Perseid meteor shower reached its peak this weekend, according to the American Meteor Society. The Perseid meteor shower is often considered to be the best meteor shower of the year due to its high rates and pleasant late-summer temperatures. Unlike last year’s shower coinciding with the full moon, this year’s moon will be a waning crescent, allowing even some of the fainter meteors to be seen.

Perseids meteors are fragments of a large comet called Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun once every 133 years. When Earth’s path intersects with the comet’s debris field, the annual shower occurs.

The shower began this year on July 14, and will continue until September 1, though not as many meteors will be visible after the peak.

Meteor showers result in beautiful streaks of light as debris passes through our atmosphere.

Readers can catch several major meteor showers later this year, according to the American Meteor Society. They will reach their peak on the following dates: Orionids: October 21-21 Southern Taurids: November 4-5 Northern Taurids: November 11-12 Leonids : November 17-18 Geminids: December 13-14 Ursids: December 21-22

This year, the end of the Perseid meteor shower coincides with the meteorological start of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere. Meteorological fall begins on September 1 in 2023 and will end exactly ninety days later on November 30. The more commonly celebrated astrological start of fall, the autumn equinox, will take place on September 23.

The timing of autumnal seasons is based on the position of Earth in relation to the sun’s position. During an equinox, the sun passes directly over Earth’s equator, leading to shorter days and generally cooler weather.

An annular solar eclipse will be visible from the Western Hemisphere on October 14. The eclipse will cross North, Central and South America, according to NASA.

During this cosmic event, the moon will pass between the sun and Earth at its farthest distance from the planet. The distance will cause the moon to appear smaller than the sun, but will not completely overshadow the star, making the moon appear to have a “ring of fire” around it.

Because the sun will not be completely covered, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eyewear during an annular eclipse.

This reminds me of the verses found in Psalm 148:”Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created” (Psalm 148:3-5).

A new school year is getting under way, with students all across our state heading back to class last week. Unfortunately for students and teachers alike, the state is seeing an uptick in COVID cases as campuses reopen. Doctors urge parents not to panic, but they also urge parents to make sure their children are vaccinated before or have their booster shots if they are already vaccinated. Doctors also remind parents, teachers and students alike to practice good hygiene, including regular hand washing.

Monday was the anniversary of the date that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. This made a promise to America’s seniors to help them retire with the dignity and security they earned through a lifetime of hard work. Social Security has provided millions of Americans a level of stability for not only retirees, but also for individuals with disabilities and those receiving survivor benefits. Happy 88th birthday, Social Security! This powerfully important program lifts millions of seniors out of poverty. Social Security continues to ensure Americans can live with the dignity they deserve—part of the vision that if you work hard and put in your time, you have earned the basic benefits of a secure future. I stand by the President as we work to continue that vision, and live up to the promises made to our nation’s seniors by fighting to strengthen and protect their hard-earned benefits.

Some recently celebrated birthdays include the following: August 13 - Judy Moon Denson; August 14 - Angie Patterson Curtis; August 15 - Malcolm Harrison; August 17 - Jo Ann Buffington Adair, Keith Cameron; August 18 - Barbara Austin, Robyn Richardson Smith; August 19 - Tatu Taylor; August 20 - Janice Becknell Sills, Willie M. Bozeman, Wayne Chaney.

In addition, Ina Jenkins Slade and Eugene Slade celebrated a wedding anniversary recently.

Judge Lee Agnew should be back on prayer lists. This Sunday will be the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. The readings for the week-end include Genesis 45:1-15 (Joseph reveals his identity.), Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 (a house of prayer for all), Psalm 133 (living in harmony), Psalm 67 (All will praise God), Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 (Isreal’s rejection not total and not final) and Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28 (Defilement is from within).

Psalm 67 is a wonderful Psalm, and here is another hymn based on that Psalm. The text was written by Isaac Watts in 1719.

“Kingdoms and thrones to God belong; Crown Him, ye nations, in your song: His wondrous names and powers rehearse; His honors shall enrich your verse. “He shakes the heavens with loud alarms; How terrible is God in arms! In Israel are His mercies known; Israel is His peculiar throne. “Proclaim Him King, pronounce Him blest; He’s your Defence, your Joy, your Rest: When terrors rise, and nations faint, God is the Strength of every saint.”

You have been reading the best newspaper in Hinds County, the Gazette. Your readership each week is greatly appreciated! The writers of this newspaper all welcome comments, corrections, or submitted news. This writer may be reached by electronic mail (terryj1@bellsouth) or telephone (601-878-5714). (Pray for PEACE, people everywhere.)