Mississippi
Miss Mississippi helps celebrate grand opening of Natchez's new Rendezvous restaurant – Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper
Miss Mississippi helps celebrate grand opening of Natchez’s new Rendezvous restaurant
Published 6:34 pm Sunday, August 18, 2024
The Rendezvous restaurant on Main Street in Natchez celebrated its grand opening Saturday with royalty. Miss Mississippi 2024 Becky Williams helped cut the ribbon to the new restaurant with owners and investors Sammy Atkins, Wayne Canon Bryant and John Branton. Other dignitaries, including Mayor Pro Tem Sarah Carter Smith and Ward 1 Alderwoman Valencia Hall, were in attendance.
Here are some pictures from the evening’s festivities:
Mississippi
Forrest General Hospital raises flag for Mississippi Organ Recovery Association
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – April 10 is Blue and Green Day, a day to honor the lives of those who have donated tissue, eyes and organs.
Medical professionals and the grieving family of Carter Bourque, an organ donor, gathered at Forrest General Hospital for the Mississippi Organ Recovery Association flag raising.
Kandise Courtney, Bourque’s mother, spoke today, saying her son Carter will always be remembered for donating life.
“I stand here not only to honor my son, but to remind others of the incredible power of giving life. I pray for families that are grieving like we are,” she said.
Courtney says that Carter’s story inspired others to become donors at a young age.
Forrest General Hospital’s development coordinator, Joel Stevens, became an organ donor at the age of 15.
He says that his decision was easy because he wanted to help save lives.
“I knew at 15 that I wanted to help people. If we have one donor, one organ donor can save up to eight lives through a life-saving transplant,” Stevens said. “Then if that person is also a tissue and eye donor, then they can save and help up to 75 lives through transplant.”
Members of MORA say there are many misconceptions surrounding organ donation.
“One of the biggest things I’ve heard is ‘Oh, if I’m an organ donor, they’re not going to save me,” said MORA family care specialist Anna McLaurin.
MORA says that hospitals are needed to save lives, and the donor’s health and well-being are a top priority throughout the process.
“With the opportunity to donate, if they do not save you, then we are unable to even offer the opportunity of donation, let alone save lives afterwards,” Organ recovery coordinator Camron Clark said.
Anybody who is looking to become a donor can register through the Department of Motor Vehicles when getting or renewing their license.
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Mississippi
Mississippi State football lands Ridgeland safety Trae’kerrion Collins
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football landed its first four-star in the 2027 recruiting class.
Ridgeland safety Trae’kerrion Collins committed to the Bulldogs on April 9.
“I am grateful to the entire coaching staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to continue my academic and athletic career in Starkville,” Collins wrote on X. “I’m ready to work, compete, and represent the Bulldog family with pride.”
He picked MSU after decommitting from Ole Miss on Nov. 30. Collins holds numerous offers from power conference teams including Alabama, Georgia Tech, LSU and Michigan.
Collins is ranked No. 404 nationally, No. 12 in Mississippi and as the No. 12 safety, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Collins recorded 62 tackles in 2025 with five interceptions, two tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. He also had four receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown, plus 11 carries for 111 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Ridgeland (11-2) lost to Warren Central in the MSHAA Class 6A semifinals.
Mississippi State football 2027 recruiting class
Collins is Mississippi State’s fifth commitment for the 2027 recruiting class:
- S Trae’kerrion Collins
- WR Javarious Griffin Jr.
- CB Brandon Allen Jr.
- S Hudson Fuqua
- IOL Caleb Unger
The class ranks 32nd nationally and ninth in the SEC.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Mississippi
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