Mississippi
When the Mississippi Isn’t Mighty
![When the Mississippi Isn’t Mighty When the Mississippi Isn’t Mighty](https://gardenandgun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MS-River-2022-DOYLE-14-1600x1198.jpg)
The Mississippi River, like all rivers, is an ever-changing tableau. Within the drier fall months it recedes, typically exposing a border of recent sand, whereas spring rains and snowmelt ship it spilling into the encompassing floodplain and, not uncommonly, the communities past. However even those that dwell alongside the waterway have marveled on the surroundings wrought by current months of traditionally dry climate: From Missouri to Louisiana, broad seashores have emerged on the river’s shoreline together with the odd shipwreck and Civil Warfare artifact. In the meantime, barges carrying the autumn harvest of America’s breadbasket have run aground or languished in crowded ports.
On the peak of the disaster in October, greater than three thousand barges have been stalled alongside the river to the tune of billions of {dollars} in losses. Due to ongoing dredging efforts, they’re now flowing once more, albeit with lighter hundreds. It’s unsure whether or not winter will carry replenishing rains, however the long-term forecast guarantees extra frequent excessive climate. Formed as it’s by levees, locks, dams, and different feats of engineering, the Mississippi River is a continuing reminder of nature’s higher hand.
Photographer Rory Doyle lives within the coronary heart of the Delta close to the riverside city of Greenville, Mississippi. Three years in the past, Greenville withstood 5 months of steady flooding, eclipsing a document set in 1927. This fall, the farming neighborhood and its busy port have endured the acute drought. Final week, Doyle got down to doc the drought’s impacts on the panorama and on those that depend on the river for his or her livelihoods.
picture: Rory Doyle
Close to the Port of Greenville, barge towboats go by a stretch of revetment—a concrete mat put in by the Corps of Engineers for erosion management—that’s usually submerged.
![](https://gardenandgun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MS-River-2022-DOYLE-16.jpg)
picture: Rory Doyle
The Mississippi River is an important industrial artery, transferring some 60 p.c of the nation’s soybean and corn exports, amongst different commodities. Traditionally low water ranges have led to weight restrictions on barges amid the present international meals and provide chain crises. Right here, a barge (heart) assembles its cargo as as one other barge passes.
![](https://gardenandgun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MS-River-2022-DOYLE-18.jpg)
picture: Rory Doyle
Barges wait to be loaded in an abnormally crowded again channel of the river. Tommy Hart, the director of the Port of Greenville, says drought-induced restrictions on barge capability have brought about the port’s prices to surge. “While you load the barge half full, you continue to pay your entire barge value. You then lease one other barge for the opposite half—nicely, that lease has now elevated due to demand,” he says. “You’ll be able to see the way it will get actual costly.”
![](https://gardenandgun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MS-River-2022-DOYLE-19.jpg)
picture: Rory Doyle
Starved of oxygen, Asian carp and different fish die off in a receding pond on batture land—the land between a river and a levee.
![](https://gardenandgun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MS-River-2022-DOYLE-25.jpg)
picture: Rory Doyle
Usually swampy batture land close to the levee in Greenville is cracked and dry.
![](https://gardenandgun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MS-River-2022-DOYLE-38.jpg)
picture: Rory Doyle
Fisherman Greg Dycus throws a silver carp again into Lake Lee, an oxbow lake off the Mississippi River. When the river is low, so are the oxbows: “The fish have lower than half the area they usually need to swim round in,” he says of the present scenario. “It makes the fishing simpler, however the boat ramps are falling aside.”
![](https://gardenandgun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MS-River-2022-DOYLE-54.jpg)
picture: Rory Doyle
Dycus unloads a haul of buffalo fish at his household’s fish home in Greenville. Although he primarily works the realm’s oxbow lakes, he typically fishes on the river within the winter. That’s not an possibility now. “There’s nowhere to fish that’s not in the principle channel,” he says.
![](https://gardenandgun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MS-River-2022-DOYLE-60.jpg)
picture: Rory Doyle
The Dycus household has relied on the Mississippi River for seven generations. After Greg brings within the catch, his mom, Mary Dycus (proper), and her husband, Steven Dycus (left), course of the fish to be bought.
![](https://gardenandgun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MS-River-2022-DOYLE-65.jpg)
picture: Rory Doyle
Greenville resident James Baldwin owns a trucking firm that hauls grains—primarily soybeans, corn, and wheat—from space farms to the port. Throughout peak harvest, the barge backup brought about lengthy delays for truckers on the grain terminal. “We sat in line for 9 hours for one load,” he says. As a result of he pays his drivers per load, he ended up shedding 5 of his seven drivers over the course of the season. “They wanted the cash, and I couldn’t afford to pay them.”
![](https://gardenandgun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MS-River-2022-DOYLE-62.jpg)
picture: Rory Doyle
The drought additionally compelled Baldwin to downsize his fleet of hopper trailers from ten to 5. “Final yr wasn’t an amazing yr—the humorous factor is we received quite a lot of rain,” he says. “However this yr is simply wild. I must attempt to go in a distinct route.”
Rory Doyle contributed to this story.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Mississippi
Ex-official in Mississippi is treated for gambling addiction amid embezzlement charge, lawyer says
![2 Phoenix officers shot with 1 listed in critical condition, police say 2 Phoenix officers shot with 1 listed in critical condition, police say](https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/dcac1a4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/700x394+0+28/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F90%2F29%2F4e3c1cc7446089a9101a7bdff4c8%2Fdefaultshareimage-copy.png)
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A former tax assessor and collector in north Mississippi checked into a residential treatment center for a gambling addiction after he called the state auditor’s office and confessed to misusing more than $300,000 in public money, his attorney said Tuesday.
Shannon Wilburn, 49, resigned in April from the elected office he had held in Benton County since 2016, and he began the 12-week addiction treatment in late July, his attorney Tony Farese told The Associated Press.
“I’ve known Shannon all of his life,” Farese said. “We are shocked that he finds himself in this situation.”
Mississippi Auditor Shad White announced Tuesday that Wilburn has been charged with one count of embezzlement. The announcement came days after Wilburn was indicted. Farese said Wilburn turned himself in to the sheriff’s office Friday, then posted bond and returned to the treatment program.
Wilburn is accused of taking $327,055 paid to the Benton County Tax Collector’s office and using the money for personal expenses, Farese said. He said Wilburn confessed to the auditor’s office before hiring legal representation and has continued to cooperate with investigators.
“He apologizes for disappointing the citizens of Benton County and the state of Mississippi,” Farese said.
If convicted, Wilburn would face up to $5,000 in fines and 20 years in prison.
White said Wilburn’s employment as a Benton County elected official was covered by $200,000 in surety bonds to protect taxpayers from losses from corruption. The county also has an insurance policy that covers theft.
“The dedicated team at the State Auditor’s Office will continue to work closely with prosecutors to get record results, one case at a time,” White said in a statement.
Mississippi
Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame – The Vicksburg Post
![Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame – The Vicksburg Post Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame – The Vicksburg Post](https://www.vicksburgpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2024/09/090424-Disc-Golf-Elledge-14-WEB.jpg)
Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame
Published 4:30 pm Tuesday, September 3, 2024
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During two decades of playing disc golf, Raymond Elledge has only won one big tournament.
“I don’t even remember what year it was,” he said.
Nonetheless, Elledge is a legend in the sport in Mississippi. He’s worked tirelessly to maintain courses, been a member of several local and state players associations, and taught people young and old the joys of it. That level of dedication led to Elledge’s recent election to the Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame. He’ll officially be inducted Oct. 12 in Starkville.
“When he first told me last year I was nominated, I told him, ‘Man, you’re making my heart hurt.’ You don’t realize the emotions you can get. Stuff can just tear you up, and it did because I was just so excited,” the 62-year-old Vicksburg resident said. “You go years and years, and you’re out here busting your butt trying to maintain the course and showing everybody what you can.”
Disc golf is played the same as traditional golf, except with plastic discs that resemble frisbees. Players take aim at a steel basket several hundred yards away, with the goal of getting it in there in as few throws as possible.
Elledge first played disc golf in 2002, on a private course built in the backyard of Vicksburg resident Herman Cochran. One of the people playing with Elledge made a hole-in-one, and the excitement over the feat hooked him instantly.
“I seen this little old fella, he was 21 or 22 but he looked like he was 12, and he made an ace. I was hooked. I’ve got to do it,” Elledge said. “I don’t go anywhere on vacation without taking my disc golf bag. I just love the game.”
Elledge added that the simplicity of the sport is something he enjoys. A starter kit of three discs — a driver, mid-range disc and putter, all of which have different densities and flight characteristics — can be purchased for about $25.
The courses are easily found at many parks in Mississippi. There is an 18-hole course at Halls Ferry Park. Players of all ages and shapes can play it as long as they can walk the course. Elledge had quadruple bypass heart surgery eight years ago and playing disc golf helps him stay in shape.
“It’s something anybody can do,” he said. “I’ve trained kids from 5 to 50, and the oldest one I’ve helped train to play this game is 71 years old now. He still comes out and plays. This is a sport that any age can play.“
With his passion for disc golf comes a sense of responsibility. He’s helped clear brush around parts of the Halls Ferry Park course to keep it playable, and done the same while working with associations like the Vicksburg Disc Golf Association and Jackson Union of Disc Golf Enthusiasts.
He’s also eager to teach the game to newcomers.
“I’ve never quit teaching how to play the game,” he said. “They used to have something called the World’s Biggest Disc Golf Weekend and I won it three years in a row. What it is, is whoever takes the most players out to a certain disc golf course gets the T-shirt and a disc.”
His service to the sport led to a nomination for the Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame in 2023, but he didn’t make the final cut. This year he did, and he said it was better than winning any tournament.
“You play a lot of tournaments. You do a whole lot for the sport itself, such as numerous work days working on the course to maintain it. Teaching the kids and when we have tournaments helping move baskets around to new spots,” Elledge said. “Then somebody will nominate you and there’s a lot of votes from the clubs. If you get enough votes from everybody you’re in. You find out how much you’re appreciated by everybody for all that you’ve done.”
Mississippi
Arizona State vs Mississippi State picks, odds: Who wins Week 2 college football game?
Arizona State forces 3 turnovers in win over Wyoming to start 2024
All offseason, coach Kenny Dillingham preached getting turnovers. Forty seconds into the season’s first game, the defense produced its first one.
The Arizona State Sun Devils host the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a Week 2 non-conference college football game on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.
Which team will win the game?
Check out these picks and predictions for the game, which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. MST and can be seen on ESPN (stream with this free trial from FUBO).
Arizona State is coming off a 48-7 win against Wyoming. Mississippi State beat Eastern Kentucky in its season opener, 56-7.
ASU football is a 6.5-point favorite over Mississippi State in the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Sun Devils are -250 on the moneyline. The Bulldogs are +200.
The over/under for the game is set at 56.5 points.
This is the first meeting between the two college football programs.
Dimers.com: Arizona State 30, Mississippi State 24
It writes: “According to our analysis, Arizona State is more likely to beat Mississippi State in CFB action at Mountain America Stadium on Saturday.”
Sports Chat Place: Bet ASU football to cover vs Mississippi State
It writes: “I’m going with Arizona State. This should be a fun matchup though, and you could make a case either way. The Sun Devils posted 499 total yards (241 rushing), 7.0 yards per play, 27 first downs and no turnovers in their blowout win Saturday. Defensively they were great as well with 118 yards allowed (78 passing), eight first downs, three turnovers and a 3-of-13 rate on third downs.”
Arizona State football predictions: Game-by-game picks for Sun Devils in 2024 season
Picks and Parlays: Arizona State 35, Mississippi State 21
Cameron Ross writes: “Both teams come in a week two undefeated as each will look to continue to roll. Arizona State will have the edge however as they are on their home field and have a top tier defense. Look for the Sun Devils to keep it rolling as they pick up a win and cover at home against the SEC opponent.”
Clarion Ledger: Arizona State 27, Mississippi State 26
Sam Sklar writes: “This game kicks off at 9:30 p.m. CT against an Arizona State team that should be improved under second-year coach Kenny Dillingham. The Sun Devils offense averaged just 17.7 points per game in part due to injuries at quarterback and offensive line. Redshirt freshman transfer Sam Leavitt is ASU’s new quarterback.”
ASU football schedule: Dates, times, TV channels for Sun Devils’ 2024 season
ESPN: Sun Devils have a 56.5% chance to defeat Bulldogs in Week 2
The site’s matchup predictor gives Mississippi State a 43.5% chance to beat Arizona State at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Saturday.
STREAM THE GAME: Watch ASU football vs Mississippi State live with FUBO (free trial)
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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