The Frank B. Hendricks Jr. VFW Post No. 5393 on Highway 13 South in Marion County will be giving away school supplies on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The VFW Post will give away 350 bags of school supplies for children in grades K-6. Supplies to be given away will include all items that are listed on school supply lists.

National Night Out

A family fun event with a fireworks display, free hotdogs, hamburgers and pizza will take place tonight at the Columbia Water Park.

 The event, called National Night Out, is from 5-9 p.m. and is sponsored by the Columbia Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The night will conclude with a big fireworks display around 9 p.m. Other activities will include a DUI golf cart course, fire department will put on safety events, jumping houses for children, neighborhood watch groups will be on hand to talk to others about starting a similar organization, and church groups will be singing.

The Marion County Sheriff’s office has announced that it will be stepping up patrols of seatbelt enforcement for the Click it or Ticket campaign. Enhanced nighttime enforcement of seatbelt laws will be in effect until June 6, according to Sheriff Berkley Hall. Unbuckled motorists will be issued citations.

7:55 p.m. Truck fire reported on Old New Hope Road next to water tower. First responders called out.

7:57 p.m.: UPDATE: Fire is out, but subject is hurt.

8 p.m.: First responders arriving on scene

8:50 p.m. Helicopter has landed to transport the victim

UPDATE: Officials say U.S. Highway 98 is now reopened after being closed for the helicopter to land. One man was hurt in the one-vehicle accident. Southwest Marion VFD was assisted by Foxworth VFD.

7:48 p.m.: Southwest Marion Volunteer Fire Department is responding to a woods fire on Bullock Road in the area of Faye’s Grocery and the Church of God. Forestry Service is also responding.

UPDATE: No fire found by Southwest VFD.

Psycho Sid Vicious

WWE Wrestling action is coming to the Columbia Expo Center this Saturday, and several well-known wrestlers will make appearances including Jake the Snake and Psycho Sid Vicious.

Tickets can be purchased at the Expo Center for $10.  Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30.

The Marion County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its 12^th annual banquet Tuesday at the Expo Center.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6:30

Outdoor items such as guns will be auctioned to raise money for the Turkey Federation.

By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher

 Marion County’s unemployment rate is on the rise, according to the latest figures released by the State Department of Employment Security.

In January, Marion County’s unemployment rate was 13 percent compared to 11.3 percent the previous month and 8.4 percent a year ago.

Marion County has a labor force of 11,040 and 1,440 were unemployed in January.

Mississippi’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January was 10.9 percent. Rankin County had the lowest unemployment rate of 8 percent, and Noxubee and Holmes had the highest of 23.1 percent.

The nation’s unemployment rate for decreased from 10 percent in December to 9.7 percent in January but was up from 7.7 percent a year ago.

The expansion to the Marion County Jail is complete.

The public can tour the new expansion to the Marion County Jail today from 2-6 p.m.

The jail expansion cost approximately $2.8 million and adds 110 beds.

The Columbia High School musical Grease is this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Crystelle Ford Auditorium.

Tickets are $10 in advance at the Columbia High School Main office and $12 at the door.

The cast will hold a sneak preview at the Columbia-Marion County Public Library on Friday at 3:30 p.m.