SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT (BUT NOT IN NATCHEZ)
18-year-olds in Natchez now have to go outside city limits to buy cigarettes legally. According to WAPT News, the Adams County Board of Supervisors voted this week to raise the age for legal tobacco use to 21. The ordinance makes Adams County the first county in Mississippi to do so. Under the legislation, anyone who sells tobacco products to minors will be subject to a $500 fine and a 30-day ban from employment at any tobacco retailer for the first offense. Looks like the youth of Natchez won’t be getting lit (legally) anytime soon.
ONLY 20 MINUTES TO SAVE THE WORLD
Or wait in a doctor’s office. According to WTVA News, Mississippi is in the top five for states with the longest doctor’s office wait times. Out of all 50 states, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Maine, Washington and South Dakota had the shortest wait times with an average of 13 minutes. The five states with the longest wait times included Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, Arizona and Nevada. For the second year in a row, Alabama was ranked last with an average wait time of 21 minutes. The study also revealed a direct relationship between wait time and patient satisfaction.
SOUTH BY SOUTH WORRIED
Jason Ratcliff of Ocean Springs traveled to Austin, Texas last week for the SXSW Music Festival, but did not come back. Ratcliff has been reported missing since Friday, last seen in the neighborhood of Austin where the festival takes place. According to the Sun Herald, Ratcliff was staying at a friend’s house in Austin but did not return Friday night from the festival. His friends went out to the Hotel Vegas and left Ratcliff behind because he wasn’t finished getting ready. When his friends returned later that night, they noticed Jason’s phone still plugged in and his belongings still there. The Austin Police Department is investigating.
WHEN YOUR TEACHER SERVES YOUR HAPPY MEAL
Teachers from Moss Point wore a different hat this week- one that comes with a Happy Meal in tow. Kreolo Primary Elementary School is hosting a “McTeacher’s night” at the local Moss Point McDonald’s this week. According to Gulf Live, for every person who purchases a value meal at any time on Thursday with a McTeacher’s card, McDonald’s will donate a dollar to support a positive behavior initiative at the school. Customers who go to the restaurant from 4 to 6 p.m. will have the opportunity to be served at the restaurant by Kreole Primary School teachers.
– Lizzie McIntosh
