As we begin to put Christmas 2016 behind us and look forward to New Year’s 2017 just around the corner, let us pause this final week of the year to remember some of the good news headlines from last week.

Our community’s gift giving spirit was at a holiday high this week as local government and business leaders collected donations for people most in need who live in our region.

-Natchez police officers and firefighters, deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and local postal workers were spotted in local stores buying clothing and toys for area children who would have gone without this Christmas. Local businesses were busy collecting food for the hungry, purchasing gifts for adopted families and writing checks to make the season bright for local charities and organizations.

-Saturday, Santa Claus and his committee of local volunteers topped off the gift-giving season with donations to local charities and piles of toys to area children who might not otherwise have much of a Christmas.

We thank everyone in our community who sets aside time and money to remember those who are regularly forgotten.

-FOR Natchez received two generous $5,000 donations help the local non-profit surpass its $100,000 goal for the completion of a redevelopment plan for downtown. Now the group can focus on hiring former city planner Phil Walker and generating ideas for the area along Broadway Street and the historic black business district at the intersection of St. Catherine and Martin Luther King Jr. streets. Thanks to all who have committed money to this worthwhile effort and to those who continue to move Natchez forward.

We hope this, the last week of 2016, is filled with lots of good news for you and your family.