Before we get full swing into the busy Christmas season, let&8217;s look back on some of the good news from Thanksgiving week.

4Some local leaders are hoping to lead by example, and they aren&8217;t spending any tax dollars to do so. County leaders took a break from their Monday morning meeting to join city leaders and citizens on a one-mile walk. The walk is part of a program to promote a healthier lifestyle in Mississippi.

4A new non-profit program is starting in Natchez to help family members comfort sick and dying relatives. Faith in Action is aimed at providing a network of support, and can become a great help to many local residents.

4The Youth Court&8217;s Families First program has received the needed grant money to continue its services. The program works with teens and their families to correct behavior problems and prevent future ones. The work of the court and the program ensures that children on the wrong path get the help they need before entering the adult world.

4Unemployment rates are down in Concordia Parish and Adams County. In the parish, the rate has dropped 7.4 points from this time last year. The Adams County rate is down 5.8 points from a year ago. These numbers are a good sign that Hurricane Katrina evacuees and locals who were unemployed are finding the work they need. Seeing unemployment numbers continually drop is a good sign for the future of our area.

The holiday season is a great time for our residents to truly show their giving spirit and kind hearts. We are certain the weeks to come will be filled with heart-warming stories and lots of good news