Last week brought some good news in the business and industry world for the Miss-Lou, as well as a few other area highlights.

Let’s review a few things that made us smile:

– Sales tax collections in the City of Natchez continue to climb over the previous year and are on track to top out better than they did a year ago. That’s a positive sign of growth and of the end to an economic recession.

– Alternative fuels company KiOR says it is on track to begin construction on an Adams County facility next year. Things are going well for the company at its first site in Columbus, and soon the focus will be on us.

– A truck driving school plans to open an office and a training location in Ferriday. The addition will offer locals interested in a career on the road an easy way to get the necessary training.

– The Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce’s education committee sponsored a meet and greet for area school administrators last week. With several new faces in town, we are glad everyone took the chance to get together and say hello.

– Damien Henderson and BreAnna Pollard, area teenagers, took to the stage last week to perform during the Back to School Youth Powerhouse Explosion at Pilgrim Baptist Church. The students are talented singers who’ve learned how to overcome stage fright and let their talents shine.

– The annual Bowie Knife Show attracted weapons and antiques lovers to the Natchez Convention Center Saturday. It’s great to have such a variety of events at our convention center.

As we begin a new week, we know that despite the bad news that does come, life in the Miss-Lou is still as good as it gets.