Mississippi
Idaho freedom celebration billed as largest fireworks show west of Mississippi River
![Idaho freedom celebration billed as largest fireworks show west of Mississippi River](https://img.ksl.com/slc/2994/299494/29949428.jpeg?filter=kslv2/responsive_story_lg)
IDAHO FALLS — The largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi River is returning this year for the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, and organizers says it will “be bigger and better than any other fireworks show in the American West.”
The 31st annual Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is happening July 4 at Snake River Landing in Idaho Falls. Riverfest, presented by Idaho Central Credit Union, Mountain View Hospital and Riverbend Media Group, will feature live music and entertainment all day. There will be vendors and food options available. It will culminate with the fireworks show at 10:03 p.m.
More than 18,500 fireworks will be launched during the 31-minute spectacle. It will be synchronized to music on Classy 97, which will be played over a network of speakers for spectators to hear.
“This free tribute to America averages 597 shells per minute! That’s 9.9 fireworks every second! And it typically draws an audience of over 200,000 spectators,” a news release from the event organizers says.
Western Display Fireworks has fired the Melaleuca fireworks over the years and is returning for this year’s event. Pyrotechnicians have designed this one-of-a-kind show using the best technology in the industry.
Organizers say the “curtains of special effects that blanket the sky” will “create a unifying view at every level” and be “more spectacular than ever.”
“The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is more than just entertainment on the Fourth of July,” Melaleuca Chairman Frank VanderSloot said. “It’s a heartfelt, unifying event for the community. But more importantly, it’s a tribute of gratitude to America’s heroes.”
“Thirty-one minutes of tribute doesn’t seem like enough, but we hope it will create a feeling in our souls that will last all year,” VanderSloot adds.
EastIdahoNews.com will be there giving chopper rides from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Get your tickets at the news website. Stop by and see them at the red tent.
Several agencies have come together to create a master traffic plan. The Idaho Falls Police Department and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office will help direct traffic throughout the day.
Organizers are grateful to Ball Ventures and everyone else who makes this celebration possible. They’re excited for the event and invite the community to attend.
“The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is a wonderful tradition that brings our great community together each year,” Ball Ventures co-managing director and president of real estate Tahri Molifua says in a news release. “Ball Ventures is honored to host another year of festivities at Snake River Landing. Our team is working diligently to ensure the wonderful members of our community have a safe and memorable 4th of July.”
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Mississippi
Society for the Study of Southern Literature holds conference in Mississippi for the first time
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GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – What is Southern Literature? That was the topic of discussion at the Society for the Study of Southern Literature conference in Gulfport.
“How do we talk about Southern Literature, what kind and who are the writers that we try to incorporate into our conversations and there will be other workshops for scholars in Southern Literature at various stages of their careers,” Dr. Sherita Johnson said.
Dr. Sherita Johnson is the president of the society and an English professor at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. She said this is the first time the conference was held in Mississippi and it’s all thanks to the keynote speaker, Jesmyn Ward, who is a Pass Christian native.
“I am at the Hattiesburg campus, but I couldn’t think of a better place to hold it other than here on the Coast and especially here since Jesmyn Ward is a native writer here and a major contributor to Southern Literature today, so the Coast made perfect sense to hold it here,” Dr. Johnson said.
Dr. Johnson said she gets excited when talking about Southern Literature because of the impact it has on the country.
“We’re constantly having discussions about what is southern in terms of who we are as southerners and how this writing in any way represents the experience of being southern,” Dr. Johnson said. “So, in Southern Literature, the definition changes, depending on who you ask, but in general, it’s one of the most prominent forms of American literature.”
Dr. Johnson said when the conference is over and everyone returns home, she hopes the conversation of Southern Literature will continue.
“What and who we are as scholars and teachers of Southern Literature, how can we keep this field growing, evolving and changing,” Dr. Johnson said. “We don’t assume that once you have your degree, once you talk, you know what best way to teach, so we’re constantly trying to encourage and continue pedagogical practices and how to be better.”
Southern Literature has been around as a genre now for more than two centuries.
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Copyright 2024 WLOX. All rights reserved.
Mississippi
Mississippi doctors encourage people to avoid heat-related illnesses
![Mississippi doctors encourage people to avoid heat-related illnesses](https://www.wjtv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/72/2024/06/Mississippi-doctors-encourage-people-to-avoid-heat-related-illnesses.jpg?w=1280)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – Temperatures are soaring across Mississippi.
“It’s really bad. I am melting. I mean, the humanity just swamps over you quickly,” said Vickie Barfield, who lives in Hattiesburg.
The high humidity and a heat index of 110 made it feel even hotter. Logan Bryant, who works in construction, said the heat makes for a hard day on the job.
“Well, being that I work outside, it makes you sweat a lot worse. So whenever it’s humid outside, it’s just uncomfortable,” he said.
During the high temperatures, doctors said people should stay indoors between the hours of noon and 2:00 p.m., limiting activity to the evening and morning. If you have to be outside for an extended period, you should take precautions.
“We want to make sure before we ever go outside that we’re already hydrated, already taking care of ourselves and being prepared. When we are planning on going outside with sunscreen, with bottled water, to make sure that we’re not letting ourselves get too hot,” said Dr. Grace Gable with Forrest General Hospital.
Gable said not taking preventative measures during a heat wave can cause serious medical conditions, including heat exhaustion.
“The signs of that include being really confused, feeling really hot. If you check a temperature, it might be as high as 104 degrees. Your pulse may be really fast. You might feel your heart racing and feel really dizzy. When that happens, we definitely want you to move into some AC if possible. If you are not able to make it inside the AC, make sure to get in the shade,” she said.
If you begin to feel dizzy and disoriented, call 911. Heat exhaustion can be fatal if left untreated.
Mississippi
Crews rescue woman from Mississippi River
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FOUNTAIN CITY, Wis. (WEAU) – Late yesterday afternoon crews responded to calls about a woman in the Mississippi River.
According to a news release from the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, on June 24 around 4:15 p.m., dispatch received calls about a woman impeding traffic on Highway 35 in Fountain City, Wis.
The release says that prior to deputies arriving, it appeared the 60-year-old woman entered the Mississippi River intentionally.
Fountain City Fire Department helped law enforcement with its rescue boat.
The woman was downstream about a half mile from where she entered the water. She was returned to shore and evaluated before being transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and further mental health evaluation.
The sheriff’s office urges the public not to swim in the Mississippi River until water levels and dangerous currents go down.
Copyright 2024 WEAU. All rights reserved.
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