Area News

The City of Leland entered a burn ban Feb. 23 following a stretch of dry conditions and gusty winds that increased wildfire risk across the Mid-South. The ban prohibits outdoor burning that produces embers, including debris piles, brush burning, campfires and similar open flames. It remains in effect until lifted by city officials. While Washington…

Special to The Leland Progress A proposed tourism tax for the city of Leland is moving to the Mississippi Legislature following a split vote by the Leland Board of Alderpersons during its March 3 meeting. The measure, which would authorize an additional 2 percent tourism tax within the city, passed after Mayor John Lee cast…

The University of Southern Mississippi will host the 20th annual Mississippi Science Olympiad on March 27, bringing middle and high school teams from across the state for a full day of STEM competition. Events run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with first-place middle and high school teams advancing to the National Science Olympiad in…

Two Mississippi State University Extension agricultural specialists were recognized for their contributions to cotton research and educational service. Delta Research and Extension Center head and MSU Extension entomologist Jeff Gore received the 2026 Recognition Award for Excellence in Cotton Integrated Pest Management at the National Cotton Council’s Beltwide Cotton Conferences. MSU Extension cotton specialist Brian…

Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) has been awarded $44,695 from the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board (MSPB) for the 2026–2027 funding cycle to support applied research on irrigation efficiency in soybean production. The funded project, “Using On-Farm Weather Stations to Improve Irrigation Efficiency and Environmental Monitoring in Mississippi Soybean Production,” will deploy research-grade weather stations at…

By Lora Delhom When Sara E. Worsham thinks about opening her bookstore, the first book that comes to mind is not a novel or a classic. It is a Golden Book. “ ‘Mamaw’ would read me a Cookie Monster book, Cookie Monster and the Cookie Tree by David Korr,” Worsham said, tearing up slightly behind…

Delta State University marketing students showcased poise and precision at the 2026 Ole Miss Business Applied Sales Experience (BASE) competition in Oxford, held on February 23. Associate Professors of Marketing Dr. Zina Taran and Dr. Lisa Cooley led a three-student team into the intensive two-round event, where top sales students from across the region tested…

Delta State University is proud to announce that Mallory Burchfield, Director of Foundation Relations, has been accepted into the 2026 cohort of the Bolivar County L.E.A.D. program. Burchfield was selected based on her professional leadership, longstanding community involvement and commitment to strengthening both Delta State and the Cleveland community she calls home. L.E.A.D. Bolivar —…

                        Seen during a rare snowy day, barred owls are year-round residents of the Delta, favoring wooded creeks, bottomland forests, and tree-lined neighborhoods near water. Roughly 16-24 inches tall with a wingspan nearing four feet, they are among the larger owls commonly found here.…