Even before the Halloween decorations came down, Christmas cheer was spreading in the Miss-Lou.

The holiday season starts earlier every year, but before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s reflect on the good news the last week brought us.

Here are a few of the good headlines from last week.

4Trick-or-treating will never be like it was years ago. Safety concerns mean that parents must take their children to only select neighborhoods or to friends’ houses. But Halloween haunts can continue with unique ideas.

The Downtown Development Association promoted a business trick-or-treating program this year. Downtown businesses handed out candy to kids passing by. The effort aimed to attract more people to the area.

4Copiah-Lincoln Community College hosted a candidate forum on campus this week called “Exercise your right to vote.” The session gave students a chance to hear from local candidates, but also to learn about the election process and be encouraged to vote.

These students are among those who will lead us in the future, and it’s important that they get involved in the democratic process early.

4Walkers and fundraisers raised more than $30,000 for the American Heart Association in Saturday’s Miss-Lou Heart Walk. The annual event is a fun day for all and a great fundraiser for heart research.

As the holidays surround us, we know the weeks to come will truly show the good news, the giving hearts and the kind spirits of the Miss-Lou.