LUY-Development

Category: Local News

  • From the Mayor’s Desk: Welcome Songwriters!

    From the Mayor’s Desk: Welcome Songwriters!

    It’s finally here – the MS Songwriter Festival, Capital River Region – Natchez, kicks off this weekend! Presented by Taco Bell and a host of other sponsors and friends both in Natchez and throughout the state, we are ready to heat up venues all over downtown Natchez with over 50 songwriters, including some major Nashville talent, descending upon our beautiful city.

     

    Founded in 2010 by Gulf Coast native George Cumbest, the MS Songwriters Festival has become a statewide program, meeting every few months at various perennial locations throughout Mississippi. For the first time ever, Natchez has now been added to this impressive list of host cities, and this year’s festival weekend will be the first of many more to come, taking place every last weekend of January from now on.

     

    Starting Friday, January 30, and continuing through Saturday, January 31, downtown Natchez and the Natchez Civic Center will be transformed into a vibrant hub for live music, storytelling, and industry insight—all free and open to the public. Faced with some tough weather conditions earlier this week impacting upon some performers travelling long distances, festival organizers, including George Cumbest, Natchez legend and Nashville songwriter Tommy Polk and local musician Richard Burke, pivoted and made the festival even better. Rather than scaling back, we have expanded our lineup, adding fresh talent and creating an even more dynamic experience for attendees. Music lovers can expect an energetic mix of performances, conversations, and demonstrations that celebrate songwriting at its core.

     

    The festival kicks off Friday evening with “Restaurants and Dives Live” from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. More than 11 downtown venues will host live performances, allowing attendees to stroll through historic Natchez while enjoying intimate shows in restaurants, bars, and local gathering spots. This format gives audiences a rare opportunity to experience songwriters up close, hearing the stories behind the music in relaxed, welcoming settings. Later in the evening, an “after party” kicks off at the historic Under-the-Hill Saloon.

     

    Saturday begins at the Natchez Civic Center bright and early at 9:00 a.m. with music industry talks and demonstrations designed for aspiring songwriters, musicians, and fans curious about the creative process. These sessions will provide behind-the-scenes insight into songwriting, publishing, and performing, offering valuable takeaways for artists at every stage of their journey. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, live music returns to downtown restaurants, continuing the festival’s signature blend of great food, historic charm, and original music. The energy builds throughout the day, leading into what organizers promise will be a standout highlight: Saturday night performances from 5 p.m. until, allowing festival goers time to warm up to great tunes and fellowship with some of our region’s greatest talent. Don’t miss the “Nashville

    Finale”, beginning around 8 p.m. as writers of tunes made famous by the likes of Garth Brooks, Sammy Kershaw and Jeff Bates – and the “after party” at Smoots.

     

    To view an updated schedule and full lineup of performers, visit www.songwriters.onenatchez.com. And be sure to thank our sponsors! In addition to Taco Bell, our presenting sponsor, Platinum sponsors include the City of Natchez, Visit Natchez, and the Mississippi Songwriters Alliance; Gold sponsors are Concordia Bank, Delta Bank, and United MS Bank; Silver sponsors include Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel, Natchez Festival of Music, and Bryant Hammett & Associates; and Bronze Sponsors are Home Bank, Coca Cola and Shantybellum Guest House, and in-kind Platinum Sponsor Listen Up Y’all Media/95-Country.

     

    We are blessed Natchez. With two days of music, education, and community celebration, the MS Songwriter Festival, Capital River Region – Natchez, presented by Taco Bell, promises to be an unforgettable winter weekend with music galore! And it is only fitting that it should be. Because Natchez Deserves More.

  • Plans for transforming Natchez focus on transit assets

    Plans for transforming Natchez focus on transit assets

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – The city’s plans for spending more than $24 million to furnish Natchez with new pathways, street lights, landscaping and other enhancements is expected to be fulfilled by 2030.

    The preliminary planning, studies and designing by hired consultants are currently underway in conjunction with feedback sought from the public. Actual construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 for the “Transforming the Forks to Freedom Corridor” project.

    Natchez received a $24.5 million federal grant in 2024 for the city to revitalize an area stretching from Devereux Drive and St. Catherine Street through downtown Natchez to the city’s scenic bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

    “This project will serve as a catalyst to further propel access to businesses while taking cultural tourism, city gateways and green spaces to the next level,” Mayor Dan Gibson said in an overview provided Thursday to the public gathered at the Natchez Convention Center.

    Specific improvements being envisioned include new landscaping, bike trails, lighting, signage, and sidewalks in downtown Natchez and along the “Forks to Freedom Corridor,” according to plans presented Thursday.

    Construction is expected to begin in 2027 after contractors are selected later this year, said Russ Bryan, a landscape architect with Neel-Shaffer, the engineering-planning firm hired by the mayor and Natchez aldermen to manage the city’s transformation project. Bryan noted the city is required to allocate all the federal funds for the project by 2030.

    The city’s “Forks to Freedom Corridor” project includes the development of three sites commemorating Black history: the former Forks of the Road slave market, a plaza honoring the country’s first Black member of Congress and a memorial for Black Civil War Union soldiers.

    Gibson said Thursday he hopes to seek construction bids soon to build the long-planned monument in tribute to Black soldiers on the green space at Broadway Street’s north end.

    An outdoor event space and market place is also being envisioned at the planned Hiram Revels plaza near where St. Catherine Street intersects with Martin Luther King and Jefferson streets.  Revels was a Black Natchez alderman who went on to briefly represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate 1870-71.

    The Forks slave market site in the St. Catherine Street-Devereux Drive area is owned by the National Park Service, which has plans for its further development as an historic site.

  • Work to begin soon to build Duncan Park recreational trail

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – Work is scheduled to begin in February to give Duncan Park a new recreational  bike trail after city aldermen Tuesday approved a $110,000 bid by a Natchez contractor for the project.

    The money is from a federal grant program and donations by a private community group.

     
    The schedule has the trail finished this summer, said Natchez Recreation Director Ryan Porter. The nearly two-mile pathway will meander through woodlands surrounding Duncan Park to accommodate wilderness bikers, hikers, trail runners, bird watchers and others who enjoy nature, he said.

    It’ll be west of the park’s old, abandoned swimming pool near the antebellum mansion Auburn. Duncan Park is the city’s main recreational venue with its golf course, tennis courts, ballfields, playgrounds and picnic areas.

    The trail is being funded mostly by a grant Natchez received in 2024 from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. It gave the city $96,000 from funds states get from the federal Recreational Trails Program. The Natchez-Adams County Community Alliance donated money to fulfill a 20 percent local matching fund requirement to receive the grant.

    The Natchez Board of Aldermen on Tuesday selected Hope Enterprises to build the trail. The contractor submitted the lowest bid of about $110,000 for the work that two other companies also competed for. The construction work is scheduled to start around Feb. 15 and take four months to complete, Porter said

  • Visit Natchez Announces Black History Month Programming for February 2026

    Visit Natchez Announces Black History Month Programming for February 2026

    NATCHEZ, Miss. — Natchez, Mississippi, one of the oldest continuous settlements along the Mississippi River, announces a diverse lineup of events, exhibits, tours, and cultural celebrations planned throughout February 2026 in observance of Black History Month.

    “As a city deeply shaped by African American history and culture, Natchez is proud to offer meaningful programs that honor the people, stories, and legacies that continue to define our community,” said Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage & tourism manager at Visit Natchez. “From faith-based traditions and youth programming to immersive cultural showcases and historic sites, these events invite residents and visitors alike to engage with Black history in thoughtful and inspiring ways.”

    In addition to February programming and looking ahead to spring 2026, Natchez will dedicate a new historical marker honoring Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahima, an African nobleman enslaved in the Natchez area for more than 40 years before regaining his freedom. The marker will be dedicated April 8, 2026, with a ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon on Silver Street near the Under-the-Hill docks.

    The location was intentionally selected as the area where Ibrahima first arrived in Natchez as an enslaved man and later departed the city as a free man with his wife, Isabella. The dedication date marks April 8, 1828, the day the couple left Natchez following Ibrahima’s emancipation, creating what organizers describe as a powerful “full circle” moment in the city’s history.

    Zion Chapel’s Founder’s Day

    Sunday, February 8, 2026, 9:30 a.m.
    The public is invited to attend the annual Founder’s Day program at Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church, located at 28 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. in Natchez. Presenters from the congregation will share the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and its founder, the Reverend Richard Allen (1760–1831), who was born into slavery and later became the denomination’s first bishop. For more information, call Norma West at 601-807-0454.

    “For My People: A Celebration of African American Culture through Literature”

    Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
    The NAACP Youth Council will host the second annual “For My People” celebration at the NAPAC Museum at 301 Main St. Designed for children ages four – 14, the program will feature storytelling, book readings, drawing activities, and interactive fun that highlights African American culture through literature. Donations are encouraged. Guests are invited to bring a friend and celebrate together. This program is organized by Angela B. Brooks. For more information, call 601-445-0728.

    Greater St. James Baptist Church Annual Black History Program

    Sunday, February 15, 2026, 3 p.m.
    For more than two decades, Greater St. James Baptist Church has hosted annual Black History Month programs. The 2026 event will feature a guest speaker, music by the church choir, lessons on African American history, and refreshments. The program will be held at 549 Lower Woodville Road in Natchez and is free and open to the public. For more information, call Earline Kinnie at 601-392-9345 or Deacon Elbert Lyles at 601-597-9570, or email elbert.lyles@yahoo.com.

    “Great Achievements in Education: Celebrating our Black Educators”

    Thursday, February 19, 5:30 p.m.

    The City of Natchez will host a Black History program that will celebrate education while honoring the retired Black educators over the age of 80. The program will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 19, at the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture at 301 Main St. Mayor Dan Gibson said the program will include a panel discussion moderated by NAPAC Executive Director Bobby Dennis to highlight the contributions of the retired educators and share stories of inspiration. “Our educators have helped shape the history of our community. It will be a great opportunity to highlight those who during difficult times contributed so much.”

    The panel discussion will be followed by a presentation of an Angel Award to each of the senior retirees. For more information, call 601-445-0728

     

    Reign of Royalty: A Celebration of African Kings & Queens

    Sunday, February 22, 2026, 3:30 p.m.
    Pretty Girls with Brains, Inc. will present “Reign of Royalty: A Celebration of African Kings & Queens” at the historic Frazier Cultural Center. This immersive 75-minute cultural showcase celebrates Africa’s most influential rulers through dance, fashion, music, and traditional cuisine. The program highlights historic kingdoms including Mali, Egypt, Nubia, Ethiopia, and the Zulu Nation, offering audiences a vibrant exploration of the heritage that shaped the African diaspora. Families are encouraged to attend and wear African attire. For more information, contact Bettye Bell at 601-334-4104 or bcmbell@yahoo.com.

    “Celebrating Black History: Honoring the Six Boys who attended the Steve Harvey Mentorship Camp”

    Saturday, February 28, 3 p.m.

    The public is invited to an exciting new program that celebrates the achievement of the boys who attended the Steve Harvey Mentorship Camp. The event is sponsored by Seeds of Change Resource Foundation. It will be held at the Natchez City Auditorium at 207 Jefferson Street. “It isn’t where you came from; it’s where you’re going that counts,” said Dr. Carolyn Myers, director of Seeds of Change. She calls on the public to “Come support these boys who made history.” This celebration is free. For more information, call 601-870-6343.

    The Enslaved Journey by Rev’s Country Tours

    Entire month of February 2026
    In observance of Black History Month, Rev. Tracy A. Collins will offer cultural heritage tours throughout February focusing on the history of slavery and the path to freedom through the Civil Rights Movement in Natchez. Tours are available by request or appointment. For more information, visit www.revscountrytours.com.

    Legacy of the Rhythm Night Club

    Entire month of February 2026
    The Rhythm Night Club Memorial Museum will offer tours throughout February highlighting the lives and legacies of African American club patrons affected by the tragic 1940 fire. In addition to these stories, visitors can view newly acquired artifacts, including an Acrosonic piano, vintage Coca-Cola memorabilia, and an original “Rhythm Nite Club” sign. Admission is half price during Black History Month. For more information, visit www.rnconsitemm.org.

    New Vision Media Presents the 4th Annual Black History Art Exhibit

    Entire month of February 2026
    The 4th Annual Black History Student Art Exhibit will feature artwork by Natchez–Adams County students throughout February at the WTYJ Studio Lobby, located at 20 E. Franklin St in Natchez. Hosted by New Vision Media, the exhibit highlights African American lived experiences and contributions to history. The exhibition is free and open to the public. For more information, call Leon Hollins or Malcolm Inniss at 601-446-9911 or visit www.natchezradio.com.

    Explore Natchez’s African American History Year-Round

    Visitors are encouraged to explore Natchez’s historic sites, including the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture at 301 Main St., which tells the full story of African Americans in Natchez from slavery to the present. Guests can also visit the Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum, located at 9 St. Catherine St., a pivotal site in the local Civil Rights Movement and home to Natchez’s first Freedom Trail marker. In addition, visitors can view the site of Natchez’s first historical marker honoring Prince Ibrahima, unveiled in October 2025 near Historic Jefferson College. The marker commemorates Abdul Rahman Ibrahima, an African prince enslaved in the Natchez area for 40 years before gaining his freedom.

  • Natchez board asking Legislature to fund new bridge, reauthorize local agency

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – The city’s number-one request for legislative funds is for replacing the deteriorating Canal Street bridge that faces being impassable in a few years.

    With construction costs for a new bridge projected to be nearly $6 million, the Natchez Board of Aldermen agreed Tuesday with Mayor Dan Gibson to ask the Mississippi Legislature for money.

    Gibson said the aged, much-traveled bridge only has about four years of life left.

    “If that bridge is closed, it would handicap all of us – the city and the county,” Gibson said. “We can’t afford to let it be closed. We need to be proactive.”

    The state Legislature, which began its annual session Jan. 6, has in recent years  provided funds to local governments for a wide variety of infrastructure needs. Gibson – a former professional lobbyist – said efforts will be intensifying to persuade legislative leaders to earmark money for the Natchez bridge  before the session ends in April. 

    The old Canal Street bridge, which dates back to the mid-1900s, was repaired last year after all large vehicles were prohibited from crossing the bridge beginning in December 2023, when inspectors discovered corroded undergirdings that rendered it unsafe for heavy weight. While about $630,000 spent on the repairs restored its capacity for buses and fire trucks, 18-wheelers continue to be banned from crossing the span.

    Engineers have declared the bridge safe for most vehicles to traverse until around 2030 as efforts are made for funding, designing and building a replacement. City officials last year received engineering plans that envision a new 75-foot bridge looking the same as the current overpass but structurally different underneath. Gibson said Tuesday the estimated cost is $5.7 million, which he noted could come from the U.S. Congress as well as the state Legislature.

    Much of the money the state Legislature has given to local governments since 2020 has been from federal funds Congress distributed to states to help recover from the economic impact of the COVID pandemic.

       

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    City officials will also be asking the state Legislature to enact a bill needed to extend the operations of Natchez-Adams County’s business recruitment agency for another five years. The state-authorized funding of Natchez Inc. expires later this year.

    The Natchez Board of Aldermen on Tuesday approved the necessary resolution asking the Mississippi House and Senate to pass the legislation required to permit local governments to donate funds to a nonprofit organization such as Natchez Inc. The Adams County Board of Supervisors is expected to do the same. 

    Natchez Inc. was established in 2010 as the economic development arm for Natchez and Adams County. The agency headed by Chandler Russ and a board of directors works to recruit, retain, and expand businesses in the area for more jobs.

    The city board in recent years has annually given it $100,000 while the county board allocates $165,000. The state authorization for local funding is renewable every five years.

  • Plans set for ice storm debris being hauled by Natchez trash collectors

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – City trash collectors will haul away Natchez residents’ tree debris left from this week’s ice storm if cut up and left on street curbsides.

    “Be patient,” said Natchez Alderman Sarah Carter Smith as city officials Tuesday discussed the arduous recovery and cleanup efforts underway since the winter blast hit Natchez on Sunday.

    To be picked up, limbs must be no more than six feet in length and be less than eight inches in diameter, according to the limits set by Meridian Waste, the city’s contracted trash collector. Piled-up limbs are limited to eight cubic yards per residence for Meridian’s grapple truck to haul off.

    Collecting large amounts of yard waste is part of the routine curbside trash-pickup services Meridian provides Natchez. Such bulky landscape debris is normally removed every two weeks for the Natchez households Meridian serves on a scheduled basis.

    Natchez residents with questions about trash services can call Meridian Waste at 1-866-440-3983. It does not serve those outside the city in Adams County, which has another contracted waste collector.

    Mayor Dan Gibson said the city could be reimbursed by the federal government for storm cleanup costs if Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves issued the high-level disaster declaration needed to make impacted areas eligible for such federal funds.

    The mayor and Natchez aldermen praised the first-responders who’ve worked long hours in icy, frigid weather since Sunday. They include crews from the city public works, police and fire departments along with utility companies.

    While broken trees and limbs caused power outages throughout Natchez and Adams County beginning Sunday, nearly all of the 11,300 customers served by Entergy now have their electricity back. 

    “In less than two-and-a-half days, they’ve gotten almost everybody restored. That’s unheard of,” Gibson said Tuesday.

    However, that’s not the situation for rural Adams County residents served by Southwest Mississippi Electric Power Association. As of Wednesday afternoon, about 500 of its customers were still without electricity, according to PowerOutage.com. That’s about 9 percent of the 5,500 Southwest Mississippi EPA customers in Adams County.

  • Natchez begins search for new police chief

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – Mayor Dan Gibson and aldermen are looking for a new Natchez police chief after Cal Green announced Tuesday she plans to retire after three years in the post.

    However, the mayor and aldermen argued over how to start finding a replacement after Gibson said he wanted preference given to someone already working in the Natchez Police Department. Aldermen were so sharply divided that Gibson had to break a 3-3 tie vote just to begin seeking candidates.

    Green said she’ll remain on the job indefinitely to give city officials time to conduct what will likely be a trying process for them to agree on who to appoint as her successor. “I hope you’re not in a hurry because it’ll take some time,” Gibson told Green.

    She was appointed Natchez’ first female police chief in 2023 after Joseph Daughtry resigned to take over the Columbus Police Department. Green said she’s now ready for the pension-paying retirement she’s earned after nearly 29 years with the NPD and Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

    The tie-broken vote Tuesday to begin searching for a new chief had Gibson joining aldermen Valencia Hall, Sarah Carter Smith and Curtis Moroney in favor while aldermen Billie Joe Frazier, Felicia Bridgewater Irving and Ben Davis were against taking this step. The three dissenting aldermen said they want more discussions before seeking candidates in a process they contended shouldn’t be tilted toward promoting someone from within the NPD.  However, Smith stressed that “anyone can apply – including from within.”

    The discord displayed Tuesday evening by Gibson and aldermen prompted the mayor to pound his gavel to quell it. “I’m calling for order. … I will not stand for any more grandstanding,” Gibson said.

    This reprises the 2023 search process leading up to Green’s appointment as police chief. The mayor had to break 3-3 tie votes in a process limited to only NPD officers.  Three aldermen wanted to open it up to more candidates. Green served as interim chief for two months before the board finally voted 5-1 to make her permanent.

    Gibson and aldermen expressed appreciation Tuesday for Green’s service as concerns about violent crime have heightened in Natchez the past few months.

    “You’ve been fantastic. I appreciate your 28-and-a-half years of service to this community,” Gibson told Green. “There are a lot of people who hate to see you go.”

  • MDHS PROVIDES WINTER WEATHER UPDATE County office closures and Replacement SNAP information

    The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) announces the closure of offices due to inclement weather and hazardous travel conditions. For the most up-to-date list of closures, please visit https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/weather-updates-office-closures/.
    MDHS continues to monitor weather conditions and will reopen offices as soon as it is safe. Additional closures or adjustments may be announced if conditions change.

    Clients who experience a power outage lasting longer than six hours due to this weekend’s storms may be eligible to request replacement SNAP benefits. Requests can be submitted through the designated SNAP replacement benefits form available on the MDHS website at SNAP Replacement Benefits – Mississippi Department of Human Services.

    While in-person services may be unavailable in counties experiencing closures, online services will remain accessible. Clients are encouraged to manage their cases using their Access.MS.gov portal or the secure document upload feature on our website to:
    • Upload required documents quickly and securely
    •  Check case information and benefit status
         For the latest information and updates:
    • · Visit https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/weather-updates-office-closures/
    • · Follow MDHS on official social media channels
    • · Monitor local news outlets

  • Officials Urge Residents to Stay Home as Downed Power Lines and Falling Trees Create Hazardous Conditions Across Adams County

    Local officials are urging Natchez–Adams County residents to remain at home unless absolutely necessary as hazardous conditions persist following recent severe weather.

    Authorities report ongoing issues with falling limbs, downed trees, and power lines as temperatures continue to drop. Officials warn that these conditions pose a serious risk to anyone traveling, particularly in areas with low-hanging or downed power lines.

    “If it is not an emergency, we strongly encourage you to remain at home,” officials stated. “Limbs and trees are still falling, creating hazardous conditions. We do not want to see anyone injured by falling limbs or debris.”

    Emergency responders and utility crews continue working throughout the county, and residents are asked to give them space to operate safely and efficiently.

    Natchez–Adams County residents who have sustained damage are asked to report it through the Adams County website. A dedicated “Damages” tab is available, and reports can be submitted directly using the link below:

    https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/adamsMS/request.html

     

  • Adams County Sheriff’s Office Issues Winter Weather Advisory Amid Road Closures and Hazardous Conditions

    Adams County Sheriff’s Office Issues Winter Weather Advisory Amid Road Closures and Hazardous Conditions

    The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is advising residents of Natchez and Adams County to remain cautious as hazardous conditions persist due to an ongoing winter weather event marked by freezing rain and extreme cold temperatures.

    Officials report that icy roadways have led to multiple road closures and dangerous travel conditions throughout the county. Fire Tower Road is temporarily closed after a tree fell onto power lines, creating an extremely hazardous situation. Authorities stress that residents should avoid the area entirely and never approach downed or entangled power lines.

    In addition, the flyover on D’Evereaux Drive remains closed by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) because of ice accumulation. MLK North is also completely blocked in both directions at the Broadmoor Subdivision intersection due to a downed obstruction, with MDOT crews currently on scene working to resolve the issue.

    Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded roadways remain particularly dangerous due to ice buildup and the possibility of black ice.

    Utility providers, including Entergy and Southwest Electric, continue responding to weather-related issues across the area. Officials warn that additional power outages may occur as freezing conditions continue. Residents are urged to report outages directly to their utility provider and to stay clear of any downed or low-hanging power lines.

    The Adams County Sheriff’s Office strongly urges the public to limit travel to essential or emergency needs only. Reducing unnecessary travel helps protect motorists and allows emergency responders, utility crews, and road workers to operate safely.

    For those who must travel, authorities recommend reducing speed, increasing following distance, avoiding sudden braking or sharp turns, and exercising extreme caution on bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads. Drivers are also encouraged to keep an emergency kit in their vehicles.

    Residents are reminded to stay informed through official channels and local media outlets and to check on elderly neighbors or anyone who may need assistance during extreme cold conditions. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office will continue monitoring the situation and providing updates as conditions change.