The buses and the backpacks are back in the Miss-Lou.

Area schools on both sides of the river are back in full swing as teachers and students prepare for another successful school year.

Football teams are sweating out the summer temperatures in preparation for another season on the gridiron.

Here’s to a year filled with learning, excitement and a laser-light focus on the future.

Other good news from the area includes:

*The Rotary Club of Natchez celebrated its 100th birthday by giving new viewing scopes to the city. The telescopes will soon be placed on the Natchez bluff giving locals and tourists a fresh perspective of the Mississippi River. Congratulations to the club and its continued service to our city.

*The Markets also celebrated its 50th birthday by inviting the community to a food show and birthday bash at the Natchez Convention Center. During the event Saturday, The Markets also gave away a 2018 Ford F-150 from Natchez Ford to one lucky winner. Mandy Adams. With three grocery stores in Natchez and three additional stores in Louisiana, Supermarket Operations has been a longtime supporter of the community. Thanks to The Markets for all they do in the Miss-Lou. Here’s to another 50 wonderful years.

*Concordia Parish Academy’s Kaylyn White doesn’t pay attention to stereotypes — she breaks them. The 10th grader attended a welding class with 15 other students this summer and was named the top welder of her class. Despite the fire and the heavy protective clothing, White said she enjoyed the course because she gets to show people that “girls can do whatever guys can do.” With that attitude, we know White can accomplish whatever she sets her mind to. 

As we prepare for another sweltering summer week, let’s look out for the good news in our community.