October 26, 2004

By Staff
Lady Knights are tops
We would like to say congratulations to the 2004 Class 3A State Softball Champs the West Lauderdale Lady Knights. Through all of the opposition they have truly remained "ladies." They have been cheered against and talked about not only by opposing players, but also by opposing parents and coaches.
Our Lady Knights have kept their heads up when schools in our own county have traveled to out of town games and other local games to cheer against them. Way to go, Lady Knights. Remain in your Christian-like attitude and be proud that you are the 2004 State Champs. We love you!
Joey and Denise Vaughn – Bailey
Let freedom ring
As a result of having a second yard sign (in the space of a week) removed from my yard on Pine Springs Road, I have decided to ask the freedom of our newspaper to exercise one of the freedoms described in the first amendment to our Constitution freedom of speech.
I here declare my intention to cast my vote (just one, but it's mine) for the Democratic candidates for president and vice-president in the coming election. Realistically, I do not expect to influence the outcome of the election.
In passing, I would like to note that in the election of 1952, I exercised my privilege of free speech by placing an "I like Ike" sticker in the rear window of the car I was using. At the time, I was teaching at Martin High School. It wasn't too long before one of the older parents met me after school. He told me that he thought I had made a wrong choice, capping his argument with "last time we had a Republican president (Hoover), things were so bad. I remember." I suspect most of the community felt the same.
But, no one cut my tires, no one smashed the window with its heretical slogan, no one did a thing. Only now I realize that they had exercised their freedom by letting me know their opinion, and they left me to exercise mine.
Let freedom ring.
Ed Shields – Meridian
Carbon monoxide deadly
In 1998, I lost five people in my family due to carbon monoxide poisoning, something that could have been prevented. Every year since then, my mother and I have submitted an article to the newspaper in hopes that we could warn other people. This year, I debated on whether or not to write one. I know that there are some people who have heard our story before and may be getting tired of it.
But when I heard that a family of three in Hattiesburg also died of carbon monoxide poisoning, I knew what I had to do.
On Oct. 25, 1998 my sister, Tina Johnston, was found in a coma and did not come out until a week later. We lost her husband Michael, who was stationed at Naval Air Station Meridian. We also lost all four of her children Jimmy Hall, 13, Billy Hall, 9, and 4-year-old twins, Robert and Jesse Johnston.
My family died because the necessary precautions were not taken. I do not want this to happen to your family.
You can not see, smell or taste carbon monoxide (CO). You will not know it is there until it is too late. It is produced by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Appliances fueled with natural gas, liquefied petroleum (LP gas), oil, kerosene, coal or wood may produce CO. Burning charcoal produces CO. Running cars produce CO.
Some of the symptoms of CO are fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. It can be a lot like the common flu, only without the fever. CO is sometime also mistaken as food poisoning.
There are things that you can do to prevent CO.
Have your heating system inspected every year. Never burn charcoal indoors or in a tent. Do not use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent. Always make sure to turn off any gas-powered engine inside an attached garage or basement. Even if the garage door is open, you can still be affected. Place at least one CO (UL 2034) alarm in your home. There are several different types on the market now. If you think you are experiencing some of the symptoms, get fresh air as soon as possible. Get to a telephone and call your local fire department.
Please do not wait until it is too late to protect your family.
Samantha Henry – Tulsa, Okla.