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Staff Photographer

Blues musician Jarekus Singleton grew up in Clinton and has taken the music workd by storm.

Fetish boutique owner Marley Hogan Roberson says that business has been good at her Banner Hall boutique since she opened about a year ago.

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Dr. Brian Kogon is UMMC’s new head of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery.

Claire Carwford, 14, of Starkville, delivered more than 300 bears from the Cleft Palate Foundation to the Blaire E. Baton Hospital for Children at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson on Friday that will be given to children under treatment in the hospital's pediatric craniofacial center which treats cleft lip and palate. Crawford, who was born with was born with a cleft lip and palate, raised money for the bears as part of her Girl Scout Silver Award project. The Cleft Palate Foundation uses proceeds from the sale of the bears to fund research. The bears, made by Gund, have stitches on their upper lips like a patient would following surgery.

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D'Anthony Roby (center), 5, relaxes at home Wednesday afternoon with his step father Jamar Henderson and step brother Jamarius Henderson, 7 mos. The lower part of D'Anthony's left arm had to be amputated as a result of a bullet wound he suffered in a drive-by shooting at his house earlier this year.

Northwest Rankin High School pitcher Todd McInnis confounded opposing batters this season with his wicked slider.

Weir High School placekicker Jonathan Beard enters Friday afternoon's MHSAA class 1A state championship game as the all-time leader in extra points kicked in Mississippi history.

Among Cindy Cash's prized possessions is a Martin acoustic guitar autographed by her father, legendary singer and songwriter Johnny Cash, and his second wife June Carter Cash. The messages read "To Cindy I love you, play it pretty Dad" and "For you My Cindy -- always your loving Mother II June Carter Cash".

Green Elementary fifth-grader Ivorie Taylor, 10, of Jackson says she's thankful for her pastor, Bettye Ervin, who takes special care to ensure that her message reaches the younger members of her congregation at Emmanuel Tabernacle in Christ in Bolton.

Ross & Yerger president Eason Leake (foreground) is among a group of company employees who are all smiles since they purchased the Jackson-based insurance firm earlier this month.

After spending several months in motels when her house in Waveland was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, Claudette Cooley, 64, was able to buy a small shed that has been her home since July of 2006. Without her own source of water for much of that time, Cooley was finally able to order a hand pump (right) that provided water to drink, wash and bathe. On Friday, Dec. 7, she plans to finally leave the shed behind and move into an apartment.

Vietnam veteran Ken Woodward stands outside his home, located on a private lake in rural Clarke County, near Pachuta. During a paticularly fierce battle, Woodward's unit found themselves surrounded by the enemy with no apparent means of escape when Alpha Troop, 11th Armored cavalry Regiment and Alpha Company 2/8, 1st Cavalry came to their rescue. During a recent review of the war, Alpha Troop was recognized for their heroism and will soon be awarded the Preidential Unit Citation.

Esther Davis is happy to see that her prayers have been answered in the form of a new house to replace the now-crumbling home that she has lived in since 1970.

Oak Grove High School stand-out, Steve McNair Jr. is the son of former NFL and Alcorn State quarterback, Steve McNair Sr.

Ollie Jackson, a high school senior, is adusting to the role of father to his one-month-old daughter, Lauryn Jackson. Jackson says that he wishes schools would talk more honestly and openly about sex, pregnancy and STD's. The state legislature is passing a bill aimed at encouraging school boards to adopt sex education policies that teach more that abstinence.

Clinton defensive back Cedric Jiles is considered by many to be the state's best this season.

Murrah High School sophomore Ciara O'Reilly is active in several school activities, including JROTC and the marching band where she plays the clarinet. O'Reilly's picture appeared in the Clarion-Ledger a decade ago as then-new JPS superintendent wiped away tears from her face on Ciara's first day of kindergarten at Davis Magnet School.

Kelsey Jackson of Brookhaven was bullied during middle school and now speaks out on the issue.

Blessed with a sharp mind and an infectious personality, Samuel Green, 7, of Jackson, has been sharing the message of the Bible from the pulpit since age 5.

Blessed with a sharp mind and an infectious personality, Samuel Green, 7, of Jackson, has been sharing the message of the Bible from the pulpit since age 5.

Watson Dollar relaxes outside his parents' house in Magee recently on a swing his father built for him years ago. Diagnosed with autism at age 2, Watson has lived much of his life in a sort of isolation because of his inability to communicate either verbally or in writing.