As if our communities didn’t have enough problems already, we may be facing a rising tide of issues with vaping. That is according to Sunflower County Consolidated School District’s William Murphy, who offered a report to the SCCSD board of trustees this past Monday night about the problems with vaping inside of schools. “We know they are getting them from stores right here in the community,” Murphy told the board. Murphy said that one child who was caught selling vaping devices appeared in a hearing last week and admitted that he purchases them for $5 each and sells them on the black market for $20. “That shows that there’s probably more vapes than we are confiscating,” Murphy said. SCCSD Superintendent Dr. Miskia Davis told the board that it was not just a Sunflower County problem. She said that fellow superintendents from all over the region have been talking about vaping issues with their schools. Murphy said that vapes can be found at dispensaries and even gas stations, making them easier for teens to acquire. Murphy noted that he has seen more issues on the northern end of the county than on the south end, but he said that the problem seems to exist everywhere. Champions Again It was great to see West Point High School claim its 13th football state title last week with a 28-21 win over Gautier. I covered the Green Wave for a few years while living in West Point and working at the Daily Times Leader. West Point’s baker’s dozen championships are unmatched. Legendary head coach Chris Chambliss retired at the end of last season, which resulted in the school’s 12th title, and the results were still the same during the 2024 campaign. The work ethic at West Point is as unmatched as the trophy case there. Championship Not in the Cards It appears that the Alabama Crimson Tide will have to wait until the 2025-26 football season to see a playoff game again. The Tide were left out of the final top 12 this past week. Many Mississippi football fans will relish this development for now, but we’ll see just how much punch the college football playoffs pack without Alabama in the mix. Heralding the Holidays One of the highlights of this holiday season thus far was the Heralding the Holidays show last weekend at the Brindley Theater. The vocal performances, instrumentation and song selection were all wonderful and made for a fine evening that displayed some of the community’s greatest talents. Let’s hope they return next year for another show. Breakfast with Santa Be sure to join Indianola Chamber Main Street on Saturday morning at the B.B. King Museum for Breakfast with Santa. The event will feature breakfast foods, crafts, and of course, Santa Claus. This will be a great event for the kids. Wreaths Across America After Breakfast with Santa, drop by Indianola City Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. to participate in the laying of wreaths on the graves of local veterans. This annual event has grown by leaps and bounds and is a solid recognition of the men and women who served in the military and have passed on.
