Latest Galleries

JAY SOWERS / THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — Performers Tim and Laura Allured act out a scene with their puppet, Harvey Rabbit, during a presentation of “The Harvey Rabbit and Friends Show” at the Vidalia branch of the Concordia Parish Library on Tuesday morning. The show, which utilized a number of puppets to teach children about the importance of reading, was part of the library's summer reading program.

Photo gallery: Hello Harvey

Justin Sellers / The Natchez Democrat — American Queen Second Mate Allison Peck, center, stands among several of the men under her command during a break from work while the steamboat was docked in Natchez last week. From left are Brian McCray, Bryant Johnson, Jeremy Keller, Peck, Frank Willoz, Richard Sutton and William Davis.

Viewfinder: Boat’s second mate strives to climb to top rank

JAY SOWERS / THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — Civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks to the gathered crowd about the legacy of Medgar Evers during a ceremony celebrating the dedication of the Medgar Wiley Evers '52 Memorial on the campus of Alcorn State University on Thursday morning.

Family, crowds gather for Evers unveiling ceremony at ASU

JAY SOWERS | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT Choreographer Leigh Anne Mason, right, shows a number of young actors the dance moves to “Footloose” during the Natchez Little Theatre's Summer Youth Workshop at the theatre on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo gallery: Stars are born at youth theater workshop

JAY SOWERS / THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — Eva Lott, 4, giggles while swimming with instructor Anna Peyton Whittington during a lesson in the pool underneath the Natchez Senior Center on Wednesday afternoon.

Swimming lessons show safety, fun in the water for participants

JAY SOWERS | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT Singer Chris Ivy performs on the main stage during the 2013 Sibley Zydeco Festival on Saturday afternoon.

Photo gallery: Sibley Zydeco Festival satisfies every appetite

Looking Back Friday

JAY SOWERS | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy David Hedrick, left, shouts to fellow law enforcement members seconds after receiving word that fugitive Stanley Vernon Schickel was seen run through a neighborhood in Ferriday on Thursday afternoon.

Man leads officers on chase after allegedly burning house down

April garon | The Natchez Democrat Crafts instructor Amber Taylor paints Maddox McDonald’s hand to make a handprint craft at Highland Baptist Church’s vacation bible school Thursday. This year’s theme is “Jesus is our Superhero” and kids were encouraged to wear their favorite superhero costume.

Photo gallery: Highland Baptist has faith in heroes

JAY SOWERS | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT Miah Wheeler, right, dressed as the Cheshire Cat, dances with Alice, Fisher Iseminger, across the stage during a performance of Alice in Wonderland Ballet hosted by the Natchez Dance Theater at Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center on Saturday evening.

Photo gallery: Ballet is full of wonder

Woman reaches out to help heal Natchez High graduates’ loss

JAY SOWERS | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT Chantel Marsaw, center of the front row, made special plaques for 19 Natchez High School seniors who have lost a parent. Standing with Marsaw are seniors, front row left to right, and Marneria White,Meghin Dawson, Torian Johnson, Jakerria Blanton, back row left to right, Herbert Steadman, Charles Bates, Shedrick Green and Jasmine Buchannan.

185 graduate at Natchez High School commencement ceremony

053013_Belk_JDS1

Belk Celebrates 125 Years in Business

JAY SOWERS | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — David Carter, right, hands a trophy to Rachel Garber recognizing her completion of the 2013 Leadership Natchez program during a ceremony for the group at the Vue Hotel and Restaurant on Tuesday morning.

Leadership Natchez hosts 2013 graduation

JAY SOWERS | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — Ryan Beach uses a bulldozer to clear dirt from a slope where a large drainage tile will later be placed as work continues on the new culvert which will span a large bayou near the entrance to the property around antebellum house Lansdowne on Tuesday morning.

Lansdowne repairs bridge to the past

JAY SOWERS | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT A large crowd turned out to participate in the annual Miss-Lou Memorial Day walking parade on Monday.

Locals march on Memorial Day to remember veterans

Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat — Allie Norton and her husband, Coast Guardsman David Norton, dedicate their daughter Montgomery Grace Norton with water from the Coast Guard Cutter Greenbrier’s bell during the ceremony for five babies that have been born to local Coast Guardsmen in the last four months.

Coast Guard station celebrates new lives with old navy tradition

Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat — Natchez High sophomore Rashonae Rice celebrates as she crosses the goal line during the tournament. The sophomores beta the freshmen during the first game.

Photo gallery: Not your ordinary Powder Puffs

JAY SOWERS | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — A hearse backs up to where a body was found behind a shed near East Mount Olive Baptist Church in Jefferson County late Wednesday evening.

Officials investigating body found in church graveyard

JAY SOWERS / THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — Ben Tucker uses a weed trimmer to cut grass around a headstone at the Natchez National Cemetery on Thursday afternoon. Tucker, himself a U.S. Army veteran, has four uncles buried at the cemetery.

National Cemetery caretakers take pride in grave upkeep