$1.50 June 28, 2024 | Vol. 3 Iss. 22
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Morgala Days
MORGAN COUNTY NEWS
Popular rodeo returns page 6 & 7
Covering Your Community Since 1929
NEWS BREAK
Louisiana passes 10 commandments law
JULY 4 PARADE.
Archive photo
MORGAN VALLEY GEARS UP TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY By Verlene Johnson
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lanes, trains, and automobiles, all part of the July 4 celebration in Morgan. Independence Day celebrations have been a tradition in the Morgan Valley for decades. With parades, flyover, vendors and music in the park topping it all off with fireworks; there may be no better place to spend a small-town Fourth than in Morgan. Morgan’s Fourth kicks off at Riverside Park, with a 5K sponsored by Morgan High School’s Cross-Country team. Registration begins at 6 a.m. with the race starting at 7 a.m. After working up an appetite, join the MHS Volleyball for breakfast from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. At 8 a.m. the VFW of Morgan will hold their Veteran’s Flag ceremony at the same park. Nine o’clock is the anticipated time for the traditional flyover. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. from the back parking lot of the high school. It will proceed on Trojan Boulevard turning onto Commercial Street and heading for the fairgrounds. It’s not too late to get your organization, school club, or business signed up for the parade.
In years past parade goers and participants head to the fairgrounds; however, this year, you’ll want to stay on Commercial Street where not only will they be cutting the ribbon in the newly remodeled train depot, but the Big Boy steam train engine will be making a whistle stop at the depot from 11:15-11:45. Keep in mind the Commercial Street will be closed Thursday from the Hotel to the train depot from 9:30-12 except for foot traffic. At the fairgrounds, there will be vendors, free kid games, bounce houses, food trucks and live music featuring Two Weeks Notice. Also, don’t forget to check out the boats for the Cardboard Regatta. While there, vote for your favorite, then make sure to head over to the river by the pickleball courts to watch the fourth annual Cardboard Regatta. Teens and adults can still sign up and get their cardboard boats ready. Last year, Jason Johnson, from the Chamber encouraged more teens to sign up for the Regatta. This brought
CELEBRATION on page 3
Morgan County awards $58,952 in economic development grants to local businesses By Linda Petersen
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organ County is giving close to $60,000 to several local businesses to help them grow. Each year the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity gives Morgan County $200,000 for economic development, and for the last several years the county commission has designated $50,000 for small business grants, City Manager Kate Becker told the county commission at its June 18 meeting. Recommendations for 2024 grant funding was made by the Community Economic Opportunity Board. Eight local businesses with nine applications received funding; several were also grant recipients last year. They are:
Mountain Green Aviation Services Provider
The company has built a hangar at the airport to provide aircraft maintenance to airplanes using the airport. Requested funds will be used to purchase tools for two (yet-to-be-hired) aircraft mechanics. Mountain Green Aviation re-
quested $10,000; it was approved for an $8,000 grant.
Scotsman Center
This is a community center that offers horse boarding, riding lessons, livestock shows, dog training, self-storage, RV Parking and community events. Scotsman Center would like to add a farmer’s market and requested $6,600 to be used to market and advertise the center and its farmer’s market. It will also be used to employ high school-aged youth and others to work the farmer’s market and other events. The owners intend to invite Morgan County businesses to attend the farmer’s markets and grow their businesses. Scotsman Center was approved for a $6,600 grant.
Milk Barn Creamery
A successful creamery on Commercial Street, Milk Barn Creamery requested $4,352 to expand distribution of ice cream products to wholesale customers and catering events. Milk Barn Creamery was approved for a $4,352 grant.
Shirts to a T
An embroidery/screen printing business, Shirts to a T requested $5,000 to
partially cover the cost of purchasing new equipment. Shirts to a T was approved for a $5,000 grant.
Higbee Honey/ Davinci LLC
Higbee Honey requested $10,000 to help raise awareness of its Morgan shop, increase in-store and online sales and hire more employees. This growth is expected to increase sales tax revenue in Morgan County. Higbee Honey was approved for a $5,000 grant.
Mountain Green Gym
This company has gyms in both Morgan and Mountain Green. The owner applied for $15,000 to purchase mountain bike training machines at the Mountain Green site. This purchase is expected to increase revenue and provide training opportunities for the local mountain bike team. The total project cost is $58,000 and it is expected to bring in a projected $12,000 per month in revenue. The Mountain Green Gym was approved for a $15,000 grant.
GRANTS on page 4
The Louisiana state legislature passed a law just last week requiring that all public school classrooms must display the ten commandments. The passage of this law marks the first time a state has enacted such a requirement in public schools. The law states that the display must be “large, easily readable font” and includes k-12 and state-funded colleges and universities. The law has raised questions about the separation of church and state, but supporters of the law argue the commandments hold values important to all beyond just their religious instruction.
Supreme Court upholds Second Amendment law
In one of the many high-profile cases being heard by the United States Supreme Court, the justices upheld a federal law which makes it illegal for domestic abusers to own a firearm. The decision was an 8-1 majority, came as a suprise to some, given the conservative majority in the Supreme Court. However, according to CNN, Chief Justice Roberts said that, “Our tradition of firearm regulation allows the government to disarm individuals who present a credible threat to the physical safety of others.” The court is scheduled to hear several other important cases this year.
Updates in Alec Baldwin gun case
In the landmark manslaughter case being heard surrounding the accidental shooting on the set of the motion picture, “Rust,” more evidence has come to light surrounding Alec Baldwin’s firearms handling. Baldwin, who’s trial is set for July, was seen in images and video pointing the weapon in question at a crew member and firing a blank, not practicing proper trigger discipline, and “engaging in horseplay” with the weapon. Baldwin has been charged involuntary manslaughter for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Donald Sutherland passes away
Donald Sutherland, star of “M*A*S*H,” “Kelly’s Heroes,” “The Hunger Games” and more passed away last week at the age of 88. According to the Associated Press, Sutherland appeared in almost 200 films and series over the course of his career. An outspoken anti-war activist, Sutherland has been remembered not only for his views, but for his stature, his warmth and kindness, and his “nonstop actor” mentality, taking many roles because he either felt they were important, or because he simply enjoyed the opportunity to practice his craft.