LEE COUNTY

Youth Council receives $500 for recycling

- PLANTERSVILLE - The Plantersville Youth Council received a $500 grant to help with recycling.

The Mississippi Beverage Association provided chairmen of the Conservation Committee for the Mississippi House and Senate with five $500 checks to help with youth recycling around the state.

Youth Council member Jenny Rigby said the group has talked about a lot of things to do with the money to help with recycling. She said they may use some of the money to help to recycle newspapers to donate to the animal shelter.

The Mississippi Beverage Association usually pays for a reception for the legislature when they are in session, but decided to use the money instead to bolster recycling efforts among youth groups.

HARRISON COUNTY

Biloxi bridge reopens ahead of schedule

- BILOXI - A Biloxi bridge hit by a barge in March opened ahead of schedule.

The Popp's Ferry Bridge reopened to traffic at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, two weeks after Joe McGee Construction Co. Inc. of Lake began work to replace two 90-foot sections.

Saturday's opening apparently will mean a $225,000 bonus for the company. Its contract gave it a bonus of $75,000 for each day the bridge is open before April 28.

The bridge's pedestrian walkway remains closed, because an aluminum railing had to be made. It's set to open in June.

Mike Tonos 4/28/09

TIPPAH COUNTY

Sen. Cochran to address Blue Mountain grads

- BLUE MOUNTAIN - U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., will deliver the Blue Mountain College commencement address at the school's 136th commencement on May 9.

"Sen. Cochran has deep roots in this region and can serve as an inspiration to Blue Mountain College graduates to pursue lives of service with integrity," said Dr. Bettye Rogers Coward, president of BMC.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in the Lowrey Administration Building. Blue Mountain will graduate 98 students - 85 undergraduates and 13 graduate students.

HINDS COUNTY

Feds OK state education spending from stimulus

- JACKSON - The federal government has approved Mississippi's plan to spend $321 million in stimulus money on elementary, secondary and higher education.

Gov. Haley Barbour said in a news release that Tuesday's approval was "an important milestone" because it allows the Legislature to move ahead with work on a state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Lawmakers return to the Capitol on May 6 to complete the budget.

The $321 million will be spent on public schools, community colleges and universities. Barbour said the state will be eligible to apply for another $158 million this fall.