Issuu

FOR MEMBERS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF MISSISSIPPI

Young Minds COMMUNITY GRANT

WINNERS

JANUARY

2026

PICTURE THIS: FAMILY FEASTS

BISCUITS

AND ROLLS

WARNING - WARNING - WARNING

If Your Hands, Arms, Feet, or Legs Are Numb - If You Feel Shooting or Burning Pain or An Electric Sensation - You Are at Risk

Don't Let Creeping Nerve Death Ruin Your Life Get The Help You Need - Here's What You Need to Know...

The most common method your doctor may recommend to treat neuropathy is prescription drugs

Purvis, MS - If you experience numbness or tingling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet or if you experience shooting or burning pain, this is important. Please read this carefully. Peripheral Neuropathy is when small blood vessels in the hands, arms, feet or legs become diseased and tiny nerves that keep the cells and muscles working properly shrivel up and die.

Early-warning symptoms include tingling and numbness, mild loss of feeling in your hands, arms, legs or feet, inability to feel your feet, which increases your risk of foot-injury and falling. More Advanced Symptoms Include... Loss of coordination & dexterity, which puts you at increased risk of accidents. Inability to feel clothing like socks and gloves. High risk of falling, which makes walking dangerous, and makes you more dependent on others. Burning sensations in your arms, legs, hands or feet that may start mild, but as nerves and muscles die, may feel like you're being burned by a blow torch. I

Ignore the early warning signals long enough and you risk progressive nerve damage leading to muscle wasting, severe pain, loss of balance and a lot of staying at home wishing you didn't hurt. When every step is like walking on hot coals, sitting still may be the only thing you feel like doing. But there's little joy in sitting still all day long.

2021 Russell Communications

Drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, & Neurontin are often prescribed to manage the pain. But, damaged nerves and dying cells do not heal on their own. Pain pills do not restore healthy nerve function. They just mask the pain as Now here's the scary part.... Nerve damage CAUSES cell damage. the nerves continue to degenerate and cells and muscle continue to die. Cell damage SPEEDS UP nerve degeneration Taking endless drugs and suffering terrible Without treatment this can become side effects that may damage your liver & a DOWN-WARD SPIRAL that kidney and create even more problems, is accelerates. not a reasonable path. You deserve better. The damage can get worse fast. Mild Three things must be determined to symptoms intensify. Slight tingling, effectively treat neuropathy. 1) What is the numbness or lack of feeling can turn underlying cause? 2) How much nerve into burning pain. damage has been sustained? 3) How much Before you know it, damage can treatment your condition will require? become so bad you hurt all the time. With proper treatment, shriveled blood Unless this downward spiral is vessels grow back & nerves can return to stopped and nerves return to proper function. How much treatment you proper function - the damage to may need depends on your condition. nerves and cells in the affected area At Purvis Chiropractic we do a complete can get so bad your muscles begin neuropathy sensitivity exam to determine to die right along with the nerves the extent of your nerve damage. The and cells. And that sets the stage exam includes a detailed sensory for weakness, loss of mobility, evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular disability, and dependence on testing, & a detailed analysis of the others. findings.

If you have early warning signs of peripheral neuropathy, (tingling &/or numbness, loss of feeling or pain) it's CRITICAL you get proper treatment.

It's critical, because with proper treatment the symptoms can often be reversed. Without it, you are playing Russian Roulette with your health. Once your nerve loss reaches 85%, odds are there's nothing any doctor can do to help. ADVERTISEMENT

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(601) 794-0081 105 Main Street Purvis, MS 39475

“Improving the quality of life for all those we touch.”

GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR YOU “Exceeding expectations” Through the years, elementary school children eagerly comb their grade-school report cards for the “exceeding expectations” designation (or the equivalent thereof) in aspects of school life that aren’t assigned a letter grade. At 4-County Electric Power Association, we also strive for those grades of affirmation every single day. We don’t want to do what you only expect us to do — provide you with affordable, safe, and reliable electric service. We want to go farther and do better, from providing superior member service to offering programs that help you save time and money. 4-County linemen are the public face of our mission to exceed expectations. They routinely work in rough weather and put in long hours. But they do it gladly because they care about doing an exceptional job for you. However, we have many people behind the scenes who also make our cooperative the best it can be. Our engineers continually explore new technologies to improve service reliability. Our finance and member service departments work to make bill paying easier and more convenient with programs like online bill payments, bank draft, credit card payments, and Prepay. Our member services representatives want to make sure

you have a positive and satisfying experience when you call our offices for help with your 4-County and FASTnet needs. And because we’re a cooperative, we have a special responsibility to support the communities we serve and exceed expectations there, too. That means we aim to improve the quality of life by supporting a variety of projects aimed at serving the community, like the 4-County Foundation, our Warm Neighbors program, the Fill a Bucket food drive, and our annual Toy Drive. Whether it’s a power outage, an energy audit, a billing question, or a community event, we’re working hard to achieve those “above and beyond” service grades from you every day. Thank you for your support each and every day. We look forward to serving you in 2026. Have a safe, happy, and prosperous New Year!

by Brian Clark CEO/General Manager

MAKE REFERRAL, MAKE MONEY We like to think of FASTnet as a family, and we’d like you to help our family grow! As a FASTnet customer, you can earn a $25 bill credit for every new customer you refer.* Just make sure that any new customer you send our way knows your name and FASTnet account number, and they give it to us when they sign up for service. For every new customer you refer that gets installed, we’ll put a $25 credit on your bill. So help us spread the word about FASTnet and earn a little money while you do it. *Referral information must be given before account is installed. Credits will be applied to referer’s account as a credit only, cannot be redeemed for cash.

2026 | JANUARY

YOUNG LEADERS GRADUATE

from 4-County’s

Cooperative University

by Brad Barr Sixteen of the best and brightest young leaders our state has to offer recently graduated from the prestigious 4-County Electric Power Association Cooperative University. The high school juniors met at the co-op’s corporate center Nov. 4, vying for the opportunity to become 4-County Youth Tour delegates — representing the co-op on local, state, and national levels. The program is an annual series of interviews and team building exercises. Four high school juniors were selected to represent the cooperative as Youth Tour delegates at the 2026 Cooperative Leaders Workshop, sponsored by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, in Jackson, February 2026. The following high school juniors were selected as delegates in 4-County’s 2025-2026 Cooperative University: Emma Williams of New Hope High School, Reagan Kilgore of Houston High School, Ginger Ford of Homeschool Program, and Katelyn Hammett of Starkville Academy. In addition to participating in the Cooperative Leaders Workshop, they will travel to Washington, D.C., next June for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour. Other students participating in the 4-County program, selected to compete in the program for their respective schools, were Laila Woods of Choctaw County High School, Hank Baucom of Heritage Academy,

EM M A W IL LI AM S

REAGA N KILGO RE

Taylor Kate Lindsey of Columbus Christian Academy, Deyonte Lanier of Columbus High School, Amber Ivy of Golden Triangle Early College High School, Anna Elliott of Hebron Christian School, Taylor Smith of Oak Hill Academy, Brooklyn Rhodes of Starkville High School, Alex Taylor of Victory Christian Academy, Madison Jackson of West Lowndes High School, Zachary Kinsey of West Point High School, and Jamirah Morgan of Caledonia High School. The 16 candidates competed for the opportunity to earn the expense-paid trips. Nominated as the winner for his or her high school, each student completed an application reflecting school and extracurricular activities. A panel of three judges affiliated with the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi interviewed each of the students. And the students were judged based on their participation in team-building programs. Students also enjoyed a legislative panel that included: Rep. Dana McLean, Sen. Rod Hickman, and Rep. Andy Boyd. Engineers from the Tennessee Valley Authority discussed electric generation, and 4-County linemen presented a hot line demonstration. Brad Barr, 4-County’s Youth Tour coordinator, applauded the efforts of all 16 candidates. “All of the candidates were outstanding. We can definitely look forward to a bright future if these young leaders are any indication. I believe they are. They were strong representatives of their families and schools,” Barr said.

GI NG ER FO RD

K A TE LY N H A M M

ET T

4-COUNTY

ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION

2026

ANNUAL MEETING

SCHEDULE of DEADLINES

ANNUAL MEETING DATE:

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026 • 150 Days (Monday, Jan. 5, 2026)

Earliest date for eligible Nomination by Petition signatures.

• 60 Days (Friday, April 3) (60 days = Sunday, April 5) Deadline for nominations postings in all 4-County Offices

• 70 Days (Thursday, March 26)

Deadline for Board of Directors to appoint Nominating Committee (Elections & Credentials Committee typically appointed same time as Nominating). The districts up for election this year are:

• 60 Days (Friday, April 3) (60 days = Sunday, April 5) Deadline for Nominations by Petition. Must be delivered to the 4-County corporate office by noon

• District 4 – The territory served or to be served within the boundaries of Noxubee County.

• 30 Days (Tuesday, May 5)

• District 7 – The entire territory served or to be served by the Cooperative.

• 15 Days (Wednesday, May 20)

• Prior to 60 Days (Friday, April 3) (60 days = Sunday, April 5) Nominating Committee meets, nominates Director election candidates

Deadline for mailing ballot/proxy to membership

Deadline for notifying Credentials and Election Committee to serve and date of meeting

• 6 Days (Friday, May 29)

(144 hours) Deadline for receipt of ballots/proxies is noon

Members who wish to qualify for board elections may submit a nomination by petition. Details can be found at www.4county.org or by calling 1-800-431-1544.

2026 | JANUARY

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Home away from home for Breen by Brad Barr There’s a special place in the woods of northern Lowndes County where you can hear the birds, the bees, and a gentle breeze blowing through the trees. Will Breen calls it home. The tranquil setting is where Will and his family — wife, Blaire, and daughters, Colbie, 6, and Millie, 2 — spend most of their time. “It’s peaceful,” Will said. “We play soccer in the yard and just enjoy spending time together.” The FASTnet installer/technician coaches Colbie’s soccer team, and the two often strategize match play over a bowl of Fruit Loops in the morning. It’s a family affair, though. Millie serves as cheerleader and Blair keeps the whole team on track. “It means a lot coaching Colbie and all the kids, watching them improve and enjoy the game,” Will said. Will attended East Mississippi Community College. He and his family attend Zion Assembly Church of God in Caledonia. He joined the 4-County/FASTnet team about two years ago, following a three-year stint as an installer for MRC Contractors.

18 JANUARY | 2026

Will maintains fiber optics and other equipment associated with keeping FASTnet customers in service. He also works with the phone-service component of FASTnet. “I like providing a good service for our customers, problem-solving, and ensuring quality of services down the line.” What does he enjoy most about his job? “Every job is different,” Will said. “You just have to figure it out. I enjoy doing that and performing other customer service aspects of the job.” It’s not all work/no play, he added. Will enjoys participating in an after-work fantasy football league with a group of guys from 4-County/FASTnet. “I enjoy the strategy and camaraderie of the group. It’s a neat mix of inside employees and outside workers.” That dedicated mixture of 4-County/FASTnet employees is a recipe for success, Will said. “We have a great team. I like how we put our customers first,” he said. “We treat them like we’d treat our neighbors.”

CENTRAL ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION

A tradition of dependable, hometown service since 1937 CARTHAGE: 601-267-5671 | PHILADELPHIA: 601-656-2601 | RANKIN: 601-829-1201 | SEBASTOPOL: 601-625-7422

107 EAST MAIN STREET • CARTHAGE, MS 39051

When outdoor temperatures drop, electricity use naturally rises. Colder weather drives us indoors, where we rely more heavily on home heating systems, more lighting and household appliances. Heating systems run longer and more frequently to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Combine that with the fact that most people use electricity at the same times — typically in the mornings and early evenings — and the result is significant pressure on our electric grid. Central Electric works closely with the Tennessee Valley Authority, our local generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative, to plan for these seasonal weather patterns and changes and ensure you have reliable power every day of the year. This partnership involves detailed resource and infrastructure planning to make certain electricity is available whenever you need it. However, it’s important to remember that our local system is part of a much larger regional and national electric grid. During the winter months, when homes and businesses across the country are using more electricity simultaneously, overall demand can approach — or occasionally exceed — available supply. This is especially true during severe weather events, such as ice storms, sudden temperature drops or equipment malfunctions that reduce generation capacity. In rare cases when demand threatens to outpace supply, the regional grid operator may call for temporary, controlled outages — often referred to as rolling blackouts — to prevent broader system failures. If such a situation arises, Central Electric will provide timely updates and information to members. To prepare for these scenarios and minimize risks, Central Electric and our G&T partner take proactive measures to strengthen reliability year-round. These include routine system maintenance, investments in grid modernization and comprehensive disaster response planning. These proactive steps are designed to ensure our portion of the grid remains resilient even under extreme conditions. Yet, maintaining a reliable electric system requires a collective effort — and every member plays an important role in lowering demand when the grid is under stress.

You can help by taking simple actions during periods of high electricity use, especially on the coldest days of winter: 1. Lower your thermostat slightly. Even reducing the temperature by a few degrees can help. 2. Delay using large appliances during peak hours. Run dishwashers, washing machines and dryers during off-peak hours — typically midday or late evening. 3. Adjust your water heater. Setting it to 120 degrees F and spacing out showers helps conserve both energy and hot water. 4. Unplug unnecessary devices. Power used for lighting and electronics adds up and accounts for a significant portion of home energy use. Disconnect unused items to reduce energy waste.

Understanding how winter weather impacts electricity demand is key to maintaining system reliability. By practicing simple energy conservation habits at home, you not only save money on your monthly bill — you also help strengthen the resilience of the grid that powers our community. Together, through small actions and shared awareness, we can ensure that our homes remain warm, our lights stay on, and our local grid continues to serve us reliably throughout the season. 2026 | JANUARY

MEET YOUR 2026

MISSISSIPPI

ELECTED OFFICIALS Central Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

SENATORS

REPRESENTATIVES

NOW AVAILABLE A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

CINDY HYDE-SMITH United States Senator

TRENT KELLY First District

BENNIE G. THOMPSON Second District

The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi offers an easy-to-use mobile app of Mississippi’s state and federal elected officials. Look for “ECM Legislative Roster” in the Apple App Store. An Android version is also

ROGER WICKER

United States Senator

MICHAEL GUEST Third District

MIKE EZELL Fourth District

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area.

16 JANUARY | 2026

available through Google Play.

SENATE Sen. Bradford Blackmon District 21: Attala, Holmes, Leake, and Madison counties Address: P.O. Box 105 Canton, MS 39046

Sen. Lane Taylor

Sen. Lydia Chassaniol

District 18: Leake, Neshoba, and Winston counties

District 14: Attala, Carroll, Grenada, Leflore, and Montgomery counties

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Sen. Josh Harkins

Sen. Tyler McCaughn

District 20: Rankin County

District 31: Lauderdale, Newton, Rankin, and Scott counties

Address: P.O. Box 320374 Flowood, MS 39232

Address: P.O. Box 211 Winona, MS 38967

Address: P.O. Box 28 Newton, MS 39345

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rep. C. Scott Bounds

Rep. Kenji Holloway

District 44: Leake and Neshoba counties

District 27: Attala, Leake, Madison, and Scott counties

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Celeste Hurst District 75: Madison, Rankin, and Scott counties

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Address: P.O. Box 475 Sandhill, MS 39161

Rep. Keith Jackson

Rep. Brent Powell

District 45: Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, and Winston counties

District 59: Rankin County

Rep. Randal (Randy) Rushing

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Address: P.O. Box 5454 Brandon, MS 39047

Rep. Jason White

Rep. Lee Yancey

District 48: Attala, Carroll, Holmes, and Leake counties

District 74: Rankin County

Address: P.O. Box 246 West, MS 39192

Address: P.O. Box 4215 Brandon, MS 39047

District 78: Leake, Newton, and Scott counties Address: P.O. Box 424 Decatur, MS 39327

2025 years of service 5 YEARS

20 YEARS

35 YEARS

Will Baskin

Dale Wheeler

Amy Shepard

Justin Hillman

Herbert V. Summers

Caden Martin

25 YEARS

Graham Scott

Ryan Burkes

40 YEARS

Joe Burnside

Paul Carpenter

10 YEARS

Mike Calvert

Gaines Measels

Jessica Patterson

Quinton Pullin

Thank you for your years of service to Central Electric Power Association.

18 JANUARY | 2026

P.O. BOX 188 • LYON, MS 38645 662-624-8321 • FAX 662-624-8327 • www.coahomaepa.com • cepa@coahomaepa.com

Welcoming

2026 by Qua’Shara Monix

As we welcome the dawn of 2026, Coahoma Electric extends heartfelt greetings to our members, our coworkers, our families, and our friends. A new year always brings with it a renewed sense of possibility. This is an invitation to start fresh, reflect honestly, and recommit to the values that make our cooperative strong. This year, may we embrace new beginnings not only in our work, but also in our attitudes, our communication, and our daily ethics. Every task completed, every decision made, and every interaction shared is an opportunity to choose integrity, professionalism, and kindness. We spend hours a day with one another, so let’s carry a spirit of courtesy into every conversation and every collaboration. Respect is a small gesture that creates a big difference, and it’s the foundation of a healthy, productive workplace. To our linemen: Our frontline, our protectors, and our CEPA brotherhood. This year’s reminder is both simple and vital: LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER. Your commitment to safety is a commitment to family, both on the pole and at home. Every day, you face a demanding, often dangerous, job with courage and skill. Let 2026 be another year in which we hold each other accountable, communicate clearly, and act with the united goal that every person returns home without sorrow, sadness, regret, or disappointment. Your bond is more than teamwork; it’s a promise. To our members, we thank you for being the heart of our cooperative. As we enter the new year, we ask for your continued patience, understanding, and compassion. The work we do to maintain reliability, responding to storms and supporting the communities we serve takes time, care, and coordination. Your support and trust allow us to do our jobs well. Together, we move forward with optimism and purpose! May 2026 be a year of renewed dedication, steady progress, and shared respect within our workforce, within our homes, and across every corner of the seven counties we serve and beyond. From our CEPA family to yours, we wish you a safe, joyful, and hopeful New Year.

This year, may we embrace new beginnings not only in our work, but also in our attitudes, our communication, and our daily ethics.

2026 | JANUARY

M E E T Y OU R

STATE LEGISLATORS SENATE

Sen. Reginald Jackson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rep. Cedric Burnett

Rep. Dan Eubanks

District 11: Coahoma, Desoto, Quitman, Tate, and Tunica counties

District 9: Coahoma, Desoto, Quitman, Tate, and Tunica counties

District 25: DeSoto County

Address: P.O. Box 258 Marks, MS 38646

Address: P.O. Box 961 Tunica, MS 38676

Address: P.O. Box 184 Walls, MS 38680

Sen. Michael McLendon District 1: Desoto County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Sen. Justin Pope

Rep. Tracey Rosebud

Rep. Robert Sanders

District 30: Grenada, Sunflower, and Tallahatchie counties

District 29: Bolivar and Sunflower counties

Address: P.O. Box 236 Tutwiler, MS 38963

Address: P.O. Box 4088 Cleveland, MS 38732

District 24: Leflore, Panola, and Tallahatchie counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Otha Williams III

Sen. Derrick T. Simmons

Address: P.O. Box 24 Lyon, MS 38645

District 12: Bolivar, Coahoma, and Washington counties

District 26: Bolivar, Coahoma, and Sunflower counties

Address: P.O. Box 1854 Greenville, MS 38702

Sen. Sarita Simmons District 13: Bolivar, Sunflower, and Tallahatchie counties Address: P.O. Box 1813 Cleveland, MS 38732 16 JANUARY | 2026

NOTICE TO Annual Meeting of Members MEMBERS Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Coahoma Electric Power Association’s Coahoma Electric’s Headquarters, Coahoma, MS

Statement of Nondiscrimination

Coahoma Electric Power Association is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866)632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected officials.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

CINDY HYDE-SMITH United States Senator

TRENT KELLY

First District Representative

ROGER WICKER United States Senator

IMPORTANT NOTICE to our agricultural account holders Coahoma Electric Power Association needs to receive a Utility Exemption Affidavit from all agricultural account holders. The Affidavit ensures that all accounts that are agricultural in nature are being taxed at the appropriate rate. The Mississippi Department of Revenue requires an Affidavit to be filed and maintained at the electric cooperative to verify compliance. The forms can be found in the web page of the Revenue Department at dor.ms.gov or at the Association’s office at 340 Hopson Street, Lyon, MS. Should anyone have a question, all calls can be directed to our Customer Service Representatives at 662-624-8321.

BENNIE G. THOMPSON

Second District Representative

will be closed on

Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in observance of

MICHAEL GUEST

Third District Representative

MIKE EZELL

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY.

Fourth District Representative

2026 | JANUARY

KEEPS POWER FLOWING, OUTAGES AT BAY Distributed automation can save electric co-ops and their members money by reducing inspection time for field apparatus such as transformers, substations, and power lines.

by Cathy Cash Staying online uninterrupted by a power glitch seems more important than ever and today it’s even more possible, thanks to advanced energy technologies that can instantly rearrange electricity flows to areas hit by storms or other disturbances. Distribution Automation, also known as DA, refers to a powerful set of tools that includes automated sensors, communications systems, and data analytics-enabling electric utilities to monitor power lines, field equipment, and generation facilities in real time. Equipped with these DA tools, Mississippi’s electric cooperatives can detect an outage and isolate it in realtime from their control rooms before sending out field crew to repair the damaged powerlines. “Distribution automation helps electric Distribution automation devices installed on a co-ops deliver reliable, power pole bolster reliability and help members high-quality service to stay powered even during storms. members when today’s world demands it most,” says Ravindra Singh, senior principal of DA for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Some call DA a “self-healing electric grid” because its application such as FLISR — fault location, isolation and service restoration — allows the network of power lines and substations to automatically reconfigure in response to disruptions. Here’s a snapshot of how it works. When power lines are damaged or shorted by storms, critters or some disaster, DA systems can reroute electricity from the power source to unaffected infrastructure. This allows electric service to continue uninterrupted to a community that would otherwise suffer an outage. DA not only has a hand in preventing outages, but this suite of technologies can save electric co-ops and their members money by reducing inspection time for field apparatus, such as transformers, substations, and power lines. With real-time field measurements from DA technologies, a co-op gains situational awareness of its electricity network and can 18 JANUARY | 2026

minimize unnecessary maintenance activities, truck rolls and crew dispatches to examine lines, locate damage, and make repairs. “Power distribution grids are evolving from being a passive network to a more active network,” says Singh. “With DA technology and its analysis of network data, co-ops can see their system’s assets, how they are operating and what energy resources are on their power lines to support better quality service and reliability.” Without DA, a co-op may not know where electric vehicles, rooftop solar, residential batteries, generators, and other distribution resources are being added or operated on its system by its members. This can be a challenge when it comes to managing peak demand and having to curtail energy to sustain reliability. Electricity demand is only going to grow because of new types of loads such as data centers, crypto mining and EVs, according to any industry forecast. So, it makes sense for utilities to optimize the use of their existing infrastructure or equipment to keep costs in check. With DA, electric co-ops can better manage and grow their systems and respond to crises safely and efficiently while their members enjoy reliable electricity without hiccups. Cathy Cash writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. With distributed automation technology and its analysis of network data, co-ops can see their system’s assets, how they are operating and what energy resources are on their power lines to support better quality service and reliability.

FOR TODAY IN MISSISSIPPI INFORMATION, CALL 877-769-2372

Where our members have the power

WWW.COASTELECTRIC.COOP

Communicators: April Lollar, Merilee Sands & Sarah Belk

A New Year, A Shared Commitment I would like to wish you all a healthy and happy start to 2026. While this is my first column as your president and CEO, I’ve been here for several months, getting to know Coast Electric and CoastConnect’s teams of employees, as well as the board of directors, board of managers and the advisory committee. I’ve also been able to meet many of our members at community events and at the Annual Meeting in November. One thing that’s evident to me is that we’ve got the support of a great community behind us, and that our employees take their responsibility to that community seriously. I want you to know that my commitment to this community and to our members runs deep. I was born and raised in Poplarville and married my high school sweetheart. At Coast Electric, we have an awesome responsibility to provide an essential service to all our members, and some of those members are also my family and lifelong friends. Besides my personal commitment to this community, the cooperative

principles that guide every co-op and that have guided every leader who came before me mean that every decision we make is done with your best interests in mind. Those principles remain the same no matter who sits in the CEO’s chair. They are part of what make co-ops different. It means our foundation is built on service to our members and our communities. I appreciate you for supporting me as the new CEO, and I look forward to getting to know you and serving you for many years to come.

by Chris Rhodes President and CEO

KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR

WITH CASH FROM COASTCONNECT CONTEST Coast Electric wants you to reduce your energy use and see savings on your monthly energy costs. Each month, you will have an opportunity to register to win a prize that will help you reduce energy consumption in your home.

Congratulations to Tequita Liban, the winner of our November Reduce Your Use prize. Visit www. coastelectric.coop and fill out our entry form. It only takes a few seconds, and you could win a prize that helps you save!

Sign up to be a CoastConnect Ambassador today, so you can start turning your connections into cash. It’s our way of saying thanks for spreading the word about our high-speed internet and phone service. Here’s how it works: • Visit www.coastconnect.com to sign up to be a CoastConnect Ambassador. • Once signed up, you will receive a personalized referral QR code to share with friends, family, neighbors and anybody who needs faster internet. • When someone signs up for CoastConnect service using your referral QR code, you and the new subscriber will receive a gift card after the referred subscriber pays their first bill. • The more people you refer, the more you earn. It’s that easy! Sign up to be a CoastConnect Ambassador today! You can receive $50 for each residential referral or $100 for each business referral. Visit our website to learn more and start earning today. 2026 | JANUARY

MEET YOUR 2026 MISSISSIPPI

ELECTED OFFICIALS Coast Electric salutes Mississippi senators, representatives and other elected officials who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson.

TATE REEVES Governor

DELBERT HOSEMANN Lieutenant Governor

congressional delegation U.S. SENATORS

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

16 JANUARY | 2026

ROGER WICKER

425 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

MIKE EZELL Fourth District

443 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected officials.

SENATE

Sen. Joel R. Carter Jr. District 49: Harrison County

Sen. Scott DeLano District 50: Harrison County

Sen. Angela Burks Hill District 40: Pearl River and Stone counties

Sen. Philman Ladner District 46: Hancock and Harrison counties

Sen. Joseph M. “Mike” Seymour District 47: Harrison, Jackson, and Stone counties

Sen. Michael Thompson District 48: Hancock and Harrison counties

Rep. Casey Eure District 116: Harrison County

Rep. Kevin W. Felsher District 117: Harrison County

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Brent Anderson District 122: Hancock County

Rep. Richard Bennett District 120: Harrison County

Rep. Carolyn Crawford District 121: Harrison County

Rep. Jim Estrada District 33: Harrison County

Rep. Zachary Grady District 115: Harrison County

Rep. Greg Haney District 118: Harrison County

Rep. Stacey Hobgood-Wilkes District 108: Pearl River County

Rep. Jeffrey Hulum III District 119: Harrison County

Rep. Timmy Ladner District 93: Hancock, Pearl River, and Stone counties

Rep. Jay McKnight District 95: Hancock and Harrison counties

Rep. Jansen Owen District 106: Lamar and Pearl River counties

2026 | JANUARY

MEET

OUR NEW

CEO!

by April Lollar

Coast Electric and CoastConnect’s new CEO Chris Rhodes brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. Chris has held positions in the co-op world in everything from power plant management to legislative affairs. He has been the CEO of another south Mississippi cooperative and was on the senior management team for Coast Electric’s generation and transmission provider, Cooperative Energy. Electric co-ops have employees in many different types of jobs — from line workers to accountants, engineers to member service representatives and so many more — and Chris’s experience has taught him how to relate to them all.

Adaptability

“I’ve been blessed that I have had the opportunity to lead people with diverse backgrounds,” Chris said. “And that has helped me learn to adapt my leadership style. That’s what has prepared me more than anything to be here at Coast Electric.” Chris is a self-described people person who believes building relationships motivates people to succeed. He believes being relatable and adaptable allow him to be an effective leader.

Opportunities

When asked what excites him most about his new role at Coast Electric and CoastConnect, Chris mentioned three areas. The first is the culture of innovation that exists at Coast Electric. “We’ve got a group of employees who are always looking ahead, figuring out how we can leverage new technologies or services to better serve our members.” The second is Coast Electric’s focus on service to members, and its “unbelievable reputation” for being member focused. Lastly is Coast Electric’s community involvement. “Coast Electric is well known for how we engage the community, and that’s great to be a part of,” Chris said.

Challenges

“The biggest challenge facing cooperatives in the electric utility industry is maintaining the proper balance between affordability and reliability,” Chris said. “We can make sure reliability is number one, but you can’t forget about affordability. And so you try to balance that. We have to think of ways to be innovative, we have to think of ways to be strategic in making sure that we keep our system as reliable as possible without losing sight that our members need to be able to afford it.” 18 JANUARY | 2026

Doing the job the right way

“What we do is important. How we do it is equally important,” Chris said. “I love life; I enjoy life. And I like to see that reflected in my work and in others’ work. I think when you do a good job that is an indication that you’ve bought into our purpose. It also means you’re probably treating people the right way. It’s important to me to work hard and do what we do the right way, with the right attitude, level of enthusiasm, and a concern for the people we work with and with concern for the members. Concern for our members has to be what drives the work that we do.”

ABOUT CHRIS • From Poplarville, Miss. • Graduate of Poplarville High and Pearl River

Community College

• Mississippi State University graduate with a

degree in mechanical engineering

• Chris and his wife, Laurie, have three children • Active member of his church • Loves golf and reading • His favorite book is “To Kill a Mockingbird” • Has traveled to 43 of the 50 states

Delta Electric’s new IVR phone number is 662-743-4425 – USE IT ANY TIME 24/7

✓GET ACCOUNT INFO ✓MAKE A PAYMENT ✓REPORT AN OUTAGE ✓MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT

When outdoor temperatures drop, electricity use naturally rises. Colder weather drives us indoors, where we rely more heavily on home heating systems, more lighting and household appliances. Heating systems run longer and more frequently to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Combine that with the fact that most people use electricity at the same times — typically in the mornings and early evenings — and the result is significant pressure on our electric grid. Delta Electric works closely with Cooperative Energy, our local generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative, to plan for these seasonal weather patterns and changes and ensure you have reliable power every day of the year. This partnership involves detailed resource and infrastructure planning to make certain electricity is available whenever you need it. However, it’s important to remember that our local system is part of a much larger regional and national electric grid. During the winter months, when homes and businesses across the country are using more electricity simultaneously, overall demand can approach — or occasionally exceed — available supply. This is especially true during severe weather events, such as ice storms, sudden temperature drops or equipment malfunctions that reduce generation capacity. In rare cases when demand threatens to outpace supply, the regional grid operator may call for temporary, controlled outages — often referred to as rolling blackouts — to prevent broader system failures. If such a situation arises, Delta Electric will provide timely updates and information to members. To prepare for these scenarios and minimize risks, Delta Electric and our G&T partner take proactive measures to strengthen reliability yearround. These include routine system maintenance, investments in grid modernization and comprehensive disaster response planning. These proactive steps are designed to ensure our portion of the grid remains resilient even under extreme conditions. Yet, maintaining a reliable electric system requires a collective effort — and every member plays an important role in lowering demand when the grid is under stress.

DELightSpeed.coop 662-477-1975 or info@delightspeed.coop

MEET YOUR

STATE LEGISLATORS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rep. Otis Anthony

Rep. Willie Bailey

Rep. Bryant W. Clark

District 31: P.O. Box 962 Indianola, MS 38751

District 49: P.O. Box 189 Greenville, MS 38702

District 47: P.O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. John W. Hines Sr.

Rep. M. Kevin Horan

District 50: P.O. Box 114 Greenville, MS 38703

District 34: P.O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Timaka James-Jones

Rep. Karl Oliver

Rep. Solomon Osborne

District 46: P.O. Box 95 Winona, MS 38967

16 JANUARY | 2026

District 32: P.O. Box 8175 Greenwood, MS 38935

Rep. Robert Sanders

Rep. Jason White

District 29: P.O. Box 4088 Cleveland, MS 38732

District 48: P.O. Box 246 West, MS 39192

District 51: P.O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Tracey T. Rosebud District 30: P.O. Box 236 Tutwiler, MS 38963

NOW AVAILABLE The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi offers an easy-to-use mobile app of Mississippi’s state and federal elected officials. Look for “ECM Legislative Roster” in the Apple App Store. An Android version is also available through Google Play.

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected officials.

SENATORS Sen. Bradford Blackmon District 21: P.O. Box 105 Canton, MS 39046

Sen. Lydia Chassaniol

Sen. Justin Pope

District 14: P.O. Box 211 Winona, MS 38967

District 24: P.O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215

Sen. Derrick T. Simmons

Sen. Sarita M. Simmons

District 12: P.O. Box 1854 Greenville, MS 38072

District 13: P.O. Box 1813 Cleveland, MS 38732

Sen. Joseph Thomas

Sen. Bart Williams

District 22: P.O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215

District 15: P.O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215

2026 | JANUARY

minimize unnecessary maintenance activities, truck rolls and crew dispatches to examine lines, locate damage, and make repairs. “Power distribution grids are evolving from being a passive network to a more active network,” says Singh. “With DA technology and its analysis of network data, co-ops can see their system’s assets, how they are operating and what energy resources are on their power lines to support better quality service and reliability.” Without DA, a co-op may not know where electric vehicles, rooftop solar, residential batteries, generators and other distribution resources are being added or operated on its system by its members. This can be a challenge when it comes to managing peak demand and having to curtail energy to sustain reliability. Electricity demand is only going to grow because of new types of loads such as data centers, crypto mining and EVs, according to any industry forecast. So, it makes sense for utilities to optimize the use of their existing infrastructure or equipment to keep costs in check. With DA, electric co-ops can better manage and grow their systems and respond to crises safely and efficiently while their members enjoy reliable electricity without hiccups. Cathy Cash writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. With distributed automation technology and its analysis of network data, co-ops can see their system’s assets, how they are operating and what energy resources are on their power lines to support better quality service and reliability.

“Powering communities and empowering lives” Dixie Electric is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

dixieepa.com | defastlink.net | 601-425-2535 dixieepa.com

@DixieElectricMS

@dixie_electric

Working together for stronger communities If you’ve been a reader of Today in Mississippi for a while, you’ve probably noticed a familiar feature that appears every January — a two-page spread introducing our members to the local and state legislators who represent our service area. You may have even wondered why we dedicate space each year to highlighting these leaders. The reason is simple: the relationship between electric cooperatives and elected officials is vital to the work we do every day. Electric cooperatives are unique organizations. We operate as private, not-for-profit businesses, but we don’t exist entirely on our own. Our structure, our responsibilities, and even the rules that guide our operations are established in state law. The Legislature created the framework for Mississippi’s electric cooperatives decades ago, and in 2016, the Mississippi Legislature passed significant revisions to the state’s Electric Power Association Act, which ultimately empowered member-owned electric cooperatives to be more self-regulated. That connection to state law is also the reason we can provide services beyond electricity. In 2019, the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act opened the door for cooperatives to offer high-speed internet. Without the support of our legislators, DE Fastlink would not have been possible. Their action has helped thousands of families, students, and businesses gain the reliable connectivity rural areas have needed for decades. Maintaining a strong, nonpartisan relationship with elected officials is crucial. Electric cooperatives do not engage in politics — we engage in people. We work closely with leaders on both sides of

SCAN HERE to download free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

the aisle to ensure they understand our mission, our challenges, and the impact their decisions have on the reliability and affordability of your service. Through the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi and Cooperative Energy, we also have lobbyists who monitor and engage in the legislative process to protect our members’ interests. When bills arise that could impact your power bill, service reliability, or our long-term planning, they ensure your voice is represented. Our relationship with elected officials also extends to community development and youth leadership. Many legislators take time each year to participate in our Cooperative Youth Leaders programs — speaking to students during Cooperative University, answering their questions during panel discussions, and leading guided tours of the Capitol during the Cooperative Leaders Workshop. Their involvement gives our students a firsthand look at civic leadership and public service. For members who want to stay informed, the ECM Legislative App — available at no cost — provides a simple way to follow bills, track elected officials, and stay connected during the legislative session. A QR code to download the app is included. As you explore this year’s legislator spread, we hope it helps you understand not only who represents our region, but also why our partnership with them matters. Together — co-ops, lawmakers, and communities — we can continue building a stronger future for the members we serve.

by Randy Smith General Manager 2026 | JANUARY

MEET YOUR 2026 MISSISSIPPI

elected oFFicials Dixie Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s elected officials who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson.

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area.

TATE REEVES Governor

DELBERT HOSEMANN Lieutenant Governor

congressional delegation U.S. SENATORS

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

16 JANUARY | 2026

ROGER WICKER

425 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

MIKE EZELL Fourth District

443 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

MICHAEL GUEST Third District

450 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

NOW AVAILABLE

SENATE

District 34: Covington, Jasper, and Jones counties Address: P.O. Box 407 Heidelberg, MS 39439

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi Sen. Juan Barnett

Sen. Dennis DeBar, Jr.

District 45: Forrest and Lamar counties Address: P.O. Box 574 Hattiesburg, MS 39403

Sen. Don Hartness

Sen. Chris Johnson

District 42: Forrest, Greene, Jones, and Wayne counties Address: P.O. Box 103, Ellisville, MS 39437-9998

It’s easy to know your elected officials.

Sen. Johnny Dupree

District 43: George, Greene, and Wayne counties Address: P.O. Box 1090 Leakesville, MS 39451

District 44: Forrest, Lamar, and Perry counties Address: P.O. Box 18247 Hattiesburg, MS 39404

Sen. Joey Fillingane District 41: Covington, Marion, Lamar, and Walthall counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Sen. Jeff Tate

District 33: Clarke and Lauderdale counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Shane Barnett

Rep. Charles Blackwell

Rep. Donnie Scoggin

Rep. Omeria Scott

District 86: Greene, Perry, and Wayne counties Address: P.O. Box 621 Waynesboro, MS 39367

District 89: Jones County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 88: Jones County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 80: Clarke, Jasper, and Jones counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Elliott Burch

Rep. Larry Byrd

District 105: George, Greene, and Perry counties Address: P.O. Box 1215 Lucedale, MS 39452

District 104: Forrest County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Troy Smith

Rep. Percy Watson

District 84: Clarke, Jasper, and Newton counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 103: Forrest County Address: P.O. Box 1767 Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Rep. Noah Sanford

District 90: Covington, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Jones, and Simpson counties Address: P.O. Box 1900 Collins, MS 39428

2026 | JANUARY

Powering Possibilities by Caroline Sellers

“What inspired me to nominate Jennifer is her enduring service to her community, her care for others, and her trying to change the trajectory of men who are struggling with addiction,” Chancellor said. “She puts her heart, life, and soul into that ministry every day.” The Powering Possibilities Community Service Grant was created to shine a light on volunteers like Jennifer — people who make their communities stronger just by being part of them. It also reflects the shared cooperative principle of Cooperative Energy and its Member cooperatives, including Dixie Electric: Concern for Community.

As a member-owned cooperative, Dixie Electric has always believed that the power of a community comes from the people who serve it. So, when Cooperative Energy launched the Powering Possibilities Community Service Grant, we knew our members would have plenty of inspiring volunteers to spotlight. And they did. Among the many heartfelt nominations, one name rose to the top — Jennifer Prince. Jennifer was selected as Dixie Electric’s 2025 Powering Possibilities Community Service Grant winner, earning a $1,000 donation to the nonprofit of her choice, courtesy of Cooperative Energy. She chose Mission at the Cross, a local organization devoted to helping men find freedom from homelessness and addiction. “Jennifer’s heart for service perfectly reflects what this program is all about,” said Amanda Mills, communications manager for Dixie Electric. “She pours herself into helping others without seeking recognition, and her work through Mission at the Cross is changing lives right here in our community. We’re proud to help highlight her efforts and to support an organization that offers hope and healing to so many.” Jennifer’s connection to Mission at the Cross runs deep — she has been volunteering there since 2014. Over the past twelve years, she’s witnessed countless transformations that continue to fuel her passion. “There are so many people whose lives have been changed because of Mission at the Cross,” Jennifer shared. “I’ve seen it first-hand, and it’s been an honor to walk alongside them.” She was nominated by Lance Chancellor, who says her dedication speaks for itself. 18 JANUARY | 2026

She pours herself into helping others without seeking recognition, and her work through Mission at the Cross is changing lives right here in our community. “Our Members and their communities inspire us,” said Christa Bishop, executive vice president and chief communications officer for Cooperative Energy. “Through the Powering Possibilities grant program, we’re proud to highlight the volunteers and organizations that power Mississippi through compassion and service.” The donation was presented in November — perfect timing, Jennifer says, as the holiday season is especially meaningful at Mission at the Cross. “Sometimes their children haven’t had Christmas because of the men’s past choices,” she said. “This gift will help provide presents for their kids — and that means the world during this time of year.” Jennifer’s dedication is a shining example of what it means to care for your neighbors and give back to the place you call home. Her story, and the mission she serves, remind us that the heart of every community lies in the people who quietly make a difference. At Dixie Electric, that’s a mission we’re proud to stand behind.

scan here for a video

that tells you more about Jennifer and Powering Possibilities

DeKalb 601-743-2641 • Louisville 662-773-5741 • Quitman 601-776-6271 • Meridian / After-Hours Outages 601-581-8600

MEMBER OWNED. LOCALLY OPERATED. THAT’S THE COOPERATIVE DIFFERENCE.

LO O K I N G A H E A D :

Powering our communities for a bright new year As we step into a new year, East Mississippi Electric Power Association is proud to reflect on the progress we’ve made, and even more excited about the opportunities ahead. The energy landscape is changing rapidly, and we are committed to ensuring that our members benefit from a future that is reliable, resilient and full of possibility. The way homes, businesses and industries use electricity is evolving. From smart technologies to growing digital infrastructure, the demand for dependable power continues to rise. EMEPA is preparing for that future with thoughtful planning, strategic upgrades and a long-term vision centered around our members. Our mission remains the same: provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity. But the tools we use to carry out that mission are becoming more advanced and more capable every year. In 2026 and beyond, we’ll continue investing in system improvements, innovative technologies and infrastructure that will keep our communities strong. While technology evolves, one thing stays constant: the importance of a strong, well-maintained electric system. Over the past year, our crews and engineers have worked tirelessly to improve reliability and reduce outages. In the coming year, that effort will continue with

• Modernizing equipment such as automated switches, reclosers and monitoring devices.

• Enhanced maintenance programs that ensure the system remains strong for years to come.

These proactive measures not only improve day-to-day service but also help the cooperative respond more quickly when storms or unexpected events occur. As a member-owned cooperative, everything we do focuses on you. The investments we make aren’t about generating profits; they’re about strengthening the communities we serve. Your support, engagement and feedback help guide our decisions and our long-term vision. We’re excited about what the new year will bring, and we’re honored to continue powering your homes, your businesses and your future. From all of us at EMEPA, thank you for being part of our cooperative family. We look forward to serving you in the year ahead.

• Line upgrades and reconductoring projects to support increased load.

• Pole replacements and right-of-way improvements to reduce vegetation-related outages.

by Randy Carroll CEO — East Mississippi Electric Power Association

EAST MISSISSIPPI ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION

will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in observance of

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY A dispatcher will be on duty.

2026 | JANUARY

Meet your 2026 Mississippi Elected Officials East Mississippi Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION U.S. SENATORS

CINDY HYDE-SMITH United States Senator

ROGER WICKER

United States Senator

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area. TRENT KELLY First District

MICHAEL GUEST 16 JANUARY | 2026

Third District

BENNIE G. THOMPSON Second District

MIKE EZELL

Fourth District

SENATE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Sen. Rod Hickman

Sen. Tyler McCaughn

Rep. Billy Adam Calvert

Rep. Gregory Elliot

Rep. Joey Hood

Rep. Steve Horne

Sen. Jeff Tate

Sen. Lane Taylor

Rep. Keith Jackson

Rep. Carl L. Mickens

Rep. Omeria Scott

Rep. Troy Smith

District 32: Kemper, Lauderdale, Noxubee, and Winston counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 33: Clarke and Lauderdale counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 31: Lauderdale, Newton, Rankin, and Scott counties Address: P.O. Box 28 Newton, MS 39345

District 18: Leake, Neshoba, and Winston counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 83: Kemper, Lauderdale, and Newton counties Address: P.O. Box 5774 Meridian, MS 39320

District 45: Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, and Winston counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 82: Lauderdale County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 42: Kemper, Lowndes, Noxubee, and Winston counties Address: P.O. Box 427 Brooksville, MS 39739

District 35: Choctaw, Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston counties Address: P.O. Box 759 Ackerman, MS 39735

District 81: Clarke, Lauderdale, and Newton counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 80: Clarke, Jasper, and Jones counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 84: Clarke, Jasper, and Newton counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi offers an easy-to-use mobile app of Mississippi’s state and federal elected officials. Look for “ECM Legislative Roster” in the Apple App Store. An Android version is also available through Google Play.

2026 | JANUARY

Kick Off

with Confidence

EMC’s Commitment to Keeping Members Connected All Year Long As we step into 2026, East Mississippi Connect is setting a bold tone: This is the year to stay connected, empowered and ahead of the curve. Created as a subsidiary of East Mississippi Electric Power Association, EMC launched with a mission to deliver high-speed fiber internet and digital voice services across the region.

A Local Legacy, A Modern Promise

EMC’s roots are grounded in community empowerment. After EMEPA’s board approved the creation of EMC in June 2020, members voted to allow the cooperative to expand into broadband—echoing the belief that “broadband is the electricity of the 1930s and 1940s.” This isn’t just a slogan. It’s a commitment to providing modern connectivity as essential as power was generations ago. Entering 2026, EMC is strengthening that commitment through three pillars: speed and reliability, support and service and community connection.

Community-Driven: Staying Connected Beyond the Screen

What truly sets EMC apart is its local mission. This is not a national provider—it’s a homegrown service rooted in East Mississippi and invested in strengthening the community. Expanded broadband access boosts education, healthcare and economic development and even enhances the electric “smart grid,” improving power reliability for members. In 2026, EMC invites members to see their internet connection as not just a utility, but as a link to opportunity, collaboration and local growth.

Speed & Reliability: Fiber All the Way Home

A defining advantage for EMC is its dedication to fiber-tothe-home. Many miles of fiber now span the service area, delivering upload and download speeds far beyond what copper networks can provide. Internet plans start at $69.95 per month for 100 Mbps and $99.95 per month for up to 1 Gbps—with no data caps, no contracts, no throttling and no hidden fees. Pricing is transparent, and service is provided by local people you know and trust. The message for 2026 is clear: Whether streaming, working from home, gaming or staying connected with loved ones, EMC offers a connection that keeps pace with your life.

Support & Service: Your Network, Our Priority

With EMC’s managed Wi-Fi service, members can take control of their home networks through the EMC Wi-Fi App, viewing connected devices, setting guest networks or parental controls and updating SSIDs with ease. As 2026 begins, EMC is placing that support front and center, so you can connect confidently knowing help is always close by.

Fast internet is only part of the equation—reliable support matters just as much. EMC’s website showcases a strong support system, including quick-start guides, managed Wi-Fi tools, troubleshooting resources and a local team ready to help.

What You Can Expect in 2026

• More availability: Continued fiber expansion to reach more homes and businesses • More services: Tools that make digital life simpler, safer and more efficient • Deepened engagement: Community events and educational outreach to help members get the most from their networks • Zero compromise: No contracts, no data caps, no performance worries

Final Thought

As you look ahead to 2026, think of EMC not just as a provider, but as a partner dedicated to keeping you connected, supported and ready for what comes next. With a strong network, dependable service and a provider rooted in your community, you can step confidently into the new year.

To learn more about EMC’s fiber internet, visit EastMSConnect.com 18 JANUARY | 2026

P: 3027 HIGHWAY 98 WEST, SUMMIT 39666 | M: P.O. BOX 747, McCOMB 39649

www.MEPCoop.com

| REPORT OUTAGES 601-684-4011 | PAY BY PHONE 844-975-2742

and Twitter

Magnolia Electric returns over

$2.9 MILLION CAPITAL CREDITS to members

The Magnolia Electric Power Board of Directors has announced that the cooperative has recently retired $2,921,910.41 in capital credits to its members. Patronage checks were put in the mail in early December; therefore, MEP’s eligible members should have received their patronage capital credit checks by now. “Capital credits represents the amount remaining after all operating, maintenance and general expenses are deducted from the total amount members paid on their electric bill during the fiscal year,” said General Manager Darrell Smith. “It is the member’s investment in the association’s physical plant including poles, substations, and other equipment.” “Capital credits are allocated to members each year based on power use, and the amount of your capital credit check is a percentage of these allocations,” he said. “We are proud to be able to return these capital credits to our members.” Capital credits are one of the things that separate a not-for-profit electric cooperative, like Magnolia Electric Power, from investor-owned electric utilities, Smith said. There is a list on the MEP website at MEPCoop.com of older capital credits that MEP has been unable to return due to incorrect member addresses. MEP should have an updated list on the website in January 2026. Please be sure to check the website to see if you or a family member’s name is on the list. If you have not received your patronage return or should find your name/a family name on the website list, please contact the office at 601-684-4011. Since 1960, MEP has returned a total of $68,632,332.51 in capital credits to its members. Magnolia Electric Power was established in 1938. The cooperative employs 107 full-time employees, maintains over 5,056 miles of power lines, and serves more than 33,349 meters.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

BEFORE THE STORM HITS

Pay your ELECTRIC BILL Review your BILLING HISTORY Manage your ELECTRIC USE Report a POWER OUTAGE View a LIVE OUTAGE MAP

601-684-4011 • MEPCoop.com *You will need your account number the first time signing in. 2026 | JANUARY

MEET YOUR 2026 MISSISSIPPI

elected oFFicials

Magnolia Electric Power salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson.

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area. TATE REEVES Governor

DELBERT HOSEMANN Lieutenant Governor

congressional delegation U.S. SENATORS

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

16 JANUARY | 2026

ROGER WICKER

425 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

BENNIE THOMPSON Second District

2466 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

MICHAEL GUEST Third District

450 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

SENATE

Sen. Jason Barrett

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rep. Angela Cockerham

Rep. Becky Currie District 92: Copiah, Lawrence, and Lincoln counties

District 39: Amite, Franklin, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Pike counties

District 96: Adams, Amite, Pike, and Wilkinson counties

Address: P.O. Box 729 Brookhaven, MS 39602

Address: P.O. Box 613 Magnolia, MS 39652

Sen. Andy Berry

Rep. Jeffery Harness

Rep. Vince Mangold

District 35: Copiah, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, and Simpson counties

District 85: Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson, and Warren counties

District 53: Franklin, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Pike counties

Address: P.O. Box 758 Fayette, MS 39069

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Sen. Gary Brumfield

Rep. Sam C. Mims V

Rep. Bill Pigott

District 38: Adams, Amite, Pike, Walthall, and Wilkinson counties

District 97: Adams, Amite, Franklin, and Pike counties

District 99: Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, and Walthall counties

Address: P.O. Box 184 Magnolia, MS 39652

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Sen. Albert Butler Sr.

Rep. Daryl L. Porter Jr.

District 37: Adams, Claiborne, Copiah, Franklin, Hinds, and Jefferson counties

District 98: Pike and Walthall counties

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Address: P.O. Box 614 Port Gibson, MS 39150

Sen. Joey Fillingane District 41: Covington, Lamar, Marion, and Walthall counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Address: P.O. Box 772 Summit, MS 39666

Magnolia Electric Power business office will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, for

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY In observance of MLK Day, MEP has joined with Cooperative Energy and will be participating in their Cooperative Day of Service. Employees of MEP will be holding a food drive through Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, as part of the observance. The food collected will help to restock local food pantries. If any MEP member would like to make a donation, please drop your food item off at the office.

In case of an outage or an emergency, a dispatcher will be on duty, and linemen will be on call. 2026 | JANUARY 17

2026 Magnolia Electric Power Annual Meeting Preliminary Notice of Annual Meeting of Members

For the purposes of electing directors, hearing and passing upon reports covering the previous fiscal year, and transacting such other business, the Annual Meeting of the members of Magnolia Electric Power shall be held in March each year, at such place in one of the counties of Mississippi within which the Association serves. At each Annual Meeting of the members, approximately one-third (1/3) of the total number of directors shall be elected by ballot, by and from the members, to serve for a term of three (3) years as provided by law. By-Laws Governing the Association: Article IV, Section 4.04. (a) Committee on Nominations. It shall be the duty of the Board to appoint, no less than sixty (60) calendar days nor more than one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days before the date of the meeting of the members at which directors are to be elected, a committee on nominations from each district from which a director is to be elected, consisting of not less than 3 nor more than 5 members who shall be selected from different sections of the district so as to insure equitable geographic representation. No existing Association employee, agents, officers, directors or known candidates for director, and close relatives (as hereinafter defined) or members of the same household of existing association employees, agents, officers, directors or know candidates for director may serve on such committees. The committees shall receive and consider any written suggestion as to nominees submitted by members of the Association. The committee shall prepare and post at the principal office of the Association at least fifty (50) calendar days before the meeting a list of nominations for board members. (b) Nominations by Petition. Any fifty (50) members acting together may make other nominations by petition and the Secretary shall post at least seventy-five (75) calendar days before the meeting such nominations at the same place where the list of nominations by the committees are posted. Any petition for nomination shall be submitted on a form designated and provided by the Association. Each member signing such petition shall place thereon the date of signing, address, and account number of the member. The Secretary shall mail with the notice of the meeting or separately a statement of the number of board members to be elected and the names of candidates nominated by the committees and the names of candidates nominated by petition, if any. Article IV, Section 4.03. Director Qualifications (Summarized) 1. Active member in good standing of the Association. 2. Bona fide resident of the district from which they are to be elected or must be a permanent and year-round resident within or in close proximity to an area served by the Association that no more than one (1) such person may serve on the Board of Directors at the same time as set out in Section 4.03(e).

3. Must not be employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise. 4. Must not have been finally convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. 5. Must not be a relative to the third degree by blood or marriage as defined in Section 4.08 of an employee, incumbent director, or the director being replaced. 6. No person shall take or hold office as a director who is the incumbent of or a candidate for any elective public office. 7. When a membership is held jointly by a married couple, either one, but not both, may be elected a director. 8. No person shall be eligible to become or remain a director of, or to hold any other position in trust in the Association who does not have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract. Article III, Section 3.05. Voting. Each member who is not in a status of suspension as provided for in Section 2.01, shall be entitled to only one vote upon each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of the members at which a quorum is present. A member may vote in person or by proxy. At a meeting of the members where directors are to be elected, all members present in person or by proxy may cast one vote for each director to be elected; each member may vote their own vote plus those proxies executed in their favor, pursuant to Section 3.07 of these bylaws. Voting by members other than members who are natural persons shall be allowed upon the presentation to the Association, prior to or upon registration at each member, of satisfactory evidence entitling the person presenting same to vote. At all meetings of the members all questions shall be decided by a majority of the members voting thereon, except as otherwise provided by law or by the Association’s Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws. Members may not cumulate their votes. Article III, Section 3.06. Proxies. At all meetings of the members, a member may vote by proxy executed in writing by the member, subject to the provisions hereinafter set forth, provided, however, any member holding and intending to vote a proxy must file the executed proxy at the Association’s headquarters, not less than five (5) business days prior to the meeting. The proxy must have entered thereon the account number of the member appointed to vote the proxy. If one person shall receive electric service through two (2) or more meters at different premises, he or she shall be entitled to not more than one (1) vote at any meeting of the members. No proxy shall be voted at any meeting of the members unless it shall designate the particular meeting at which it is to be voted, and no proxy shall be voted at any meeting other than the one so designated

Dear Member, This is a preliminary notice of the Annual Meeting of Magnolia Electric Power to be held March 26, 2026, at the Auditorium at Magnolia Electric Power headquarters, which is located at 3027 Highway 98 West, Summit, in Pike County, Mississippi. At that meeting, directors from Districts One, Four and Nine are to be elected to three-year terms. District one is “all that portion of the certificated area of the Cooperative which lies south of Mississippi State Highway No. 24 and west of the east boundary line of Amite County, all being in Amite County, Mississippi.” District four includes “all that portion of the certificated area of the Cooperative (a) situated in Lawrence County which lies north and west of a line beginning at the Northwest corner of Section 18, Township 6 North, Range 10 East, run thence east two miles, thence north to north boundary line of Lawrence County, and (b) situated in Lincoln County and is north and east of a line beginning at the northeast corner of Section 13, Township 6 North, Range 9 East, Lincoln County, Mississippi, run thence west to the

or any adjournment of such meeting. No proxy shall be voted by anyone except a member. No more than ten (10) proxies may be assigned to other members. No restriction shall apply to the number of proxies assigned to the Board of Directors who shall vote the proxies assigned to them according to the will of the majority of the members of the Board of Directors. The presence of a member at a meeting of the members shall revoke a proxy theretofore executed by that member, and such member shall be entitled to vote at such meeting in the same manner and with the same effect as if the proxy had not been executed. In case of a joint membership, a proxy may be executed by either spouse. The timely presence of either spouse at a meeting of the members shall revoke a proxy theretofore executed by (either of) them and such joint member or members shall be entitled to vote at such meeting in the same manner and with the same effect as if a proxy had not been executed. A standard proxy form shall be used which identifies the member by name and account number, in order to assure authenticity and facilitate the tabulation of votes. If the proxy form of a member is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the Association shall furnish the member with a replacement proxy form upon request, provided that the member executes a revocation of the lost, stolen or destroyed form, to be witnessed by an employee of the Association. Blank proxy forms will not be distributed in bulk to any member. Only the proxy form issued by the Association shall be valid. Article III, Section 3.07. Representative Voting. Legal entity organizations and nonlegal entity organizations which are members of the Association may be represented at any meeting of the members and may vote only as follows: (a) any director, officer or general manager may represent and cast the one vote of a corporation; (b) a trustee, steward, deacon, clerk, or pastor may represent and cast the one vote of a church; (c) a school trustee, principal or superintendent may represent and cast the one vote of a school; (d) or any other association or organization not a legal entity may be represented by and have its one vote cast by any person who is a trustee, or manager or part owner, or any officer of such association or organization. Respectfully, Scott Smith, Secretary A complete set of bylaws is available at the association’s headquarters upon request. You will receive official notice of the 2026 Annual Meeting in the mail at a later date.

northwest corner of Section 18 of Township 6 North, Range 7 East, and run thence north to the north boundary line of Lincoln County, being partly in Lincoln County and partly in Lawrence County, Mississippi.” District nine is described as “all that portion of the certificated area of the Cooperative which lies within Walthall and Marion counties, Mississippi, and is located south of the U. S. Highway No. 98, all being in Walthall and Marion counties, Mississippi.” In connection with the election of directors scheduled for the meeting, the following members were appointed by the Association’s board, pursuant to Association bylaws, as members of the Nominating Committee: District One Gary Austin Eddie Lee Bates Jimmy Burns Gerald Wall Dalton Williams, Jr

District Four Kim Haley Laverne Jackson Robbie Jackson Tommy Owens Harold Rutland

District Nine Jewell Holmes Tommy Johnson Larry Montgomery David Shivers

AMORY – P.O. BOX 300 - 50408 GREENBRIAR ROAD – 662-256-2962 • CALEDONIA – 746 MAIN STREET – 662-356-4100

When outdoor temperatures drop, electricity use naturally rises. Colder weather drives us indoors, where we rely more heavily on home heating systems, more lighting and household appliances. Heating systems run longer and more frequently to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Combine that with the fact that most people use electricity at the same times — typically in the mornings and early evenings — and the result is significant pressure on our electric grid. Monroe County Electric works closely with the Tennessee Valley Authority, our local generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative, to plan for these seasonal weather patterns and changes and ensure you have reliable power every day of the year. This partnership involves detailed resource and infrastructure planning to make certain electricity is available whenever you need it. However, it’s important to remember that our local system is part of a much larger regional and national electric grid. During the winter months, when homes and businesses across the country are using more electricity simultaneously, overall demand can approach — or occasionally exceed — available supply. This is especially true during severe weather events, such as ice storms, sudden temperature drops or equipment malfunctions that reduce generation capacity. In rare cases when demand threatens to outpace supply, the regional grid operator may call for temporary, controlled outages — often referred to as rolling blackouts — to prevent broader system failures. If such a situation arises, Monroe County Electric will provide timely updates and information to members. To prepare for these scenarios and minimize risks, Monroe County Electric and our G&T partner take proactive measures to strengthen reliability year-round. These include routine system maintenance, investments in grid modernization and comprehensive disaster response planning. These proactive steps are designed to ensure our portion of the grid remains resilient even under extreme conditions. Yet, maintaining a reliable electric system requires a collective effort — and every member plays an important role in lowering demand when the grid is under stress.

MEET YOUR 2026 MISSISSIPPI

elected oFFicials

Monroe County Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson.

TATE REEVES Governor

DELBERT HOSEMANN

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area.

Lieutenant Governor

congressional delegation U.S. SENATORS

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

16 JANUARY | 2026

ROGER WICKER

425 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

MICHAEL GUEST Third District

450 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

TRENT KELLY First District

2243 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Justin Crosby

Rep. Donnie Bell

Rep. Andy Boyd

District 21 Itawamba and Monroe counties Address P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 37 Clay, Lowndes, and Monroe counties Address P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 22 Chickasaw, Monroe, and Pontotoc counties Address P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Karl Gibbs

Rep. Kabir Karriem

Rep. Dana Underwood McLean

District 36 Chickasaw, Clay, Monroe, and Oktibbeha counties Address P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 41 Lowndes County Address P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 39 Lowndes and Monroe counties Address P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

SENATE

Sen. Hob Bryan District 7 Itawamba, Lee, and Monroe counties Address P.O. Box 75 Amory, MS 38821

Sen. Charles A. (Chuck) Younger District 17 Lowndes, Monroe, and Oktibbeha counties Address P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

NOW AVAILABLE A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi Rep. Rickey Thompson District 16 Chickasaw, Lee, and Monroe counties Address P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

1950-2025

For more information about Today in Mississippi, contact Michael Bellipanni at 662.895.2151. northcentralelectric.com

NorthcentralEC

@Northcentral_EC

World-Class Commitment A keyword that stands out to me in 2026 is refinement. Strengthening what works well and improving the areas where we know we can do better. Across the cooperative, every department has its own goals. Some are large and long-term; others are the simple, everyday improvements that help us operate more efficiently. Progress doesn’t always require sweeping change; sometimes it comes from steady, thoughtful steps forward. One of the things I value most about this organization is the people behind it. The work our employees do reflects a genuine commitment to the members we serve. That spirit is what carries us through demanding seasons and helps us meet new opportunities with confidence. Northcentral Connect continues to grow as construction moves forward in the final planned phase of our fiber buildout. The demand for local, high-speed internet has only strengthened, and we’re grateful for the continued support from our subscribers. Late last year, we commissioned a study on customer loyalty and satisfaction with a sample of Northcentral Connect subscribers. The report told us much of what we already suspected: 89% of respondents thought favorably of the service that we provide.

When benchmarked against the internet service industry and our competitors, Northcentral Connect service ranked as “world-class.” We’ll keep refining and building on that reputation with some new residential internet service offerings, designed with our subscriber feedback in mind. You’ll see faster speeds, better connections, and the simplicity you should expect from the only local provider in the area. As we move into 2026, we’ll stay focused on what matters: safely providing dependable service and continuing to be a cooperative our community is proud to support. I’m grateful for the trust you place in us, and I’m optimistic about the year ahead. Happy New Year. Happy birthday, Elvis. Stay safe.

by Kevin Doddridge General Manager/CEO

MEET YOUR 2026 MISSISSIPPI

elected oFFicials

Northcentral Electric salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson.

TATE REEVES Governor

DELBERT HOSEMANN Lieutenant Governor

congressional delegation U.S. SENATORS

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

16 JANUARY | 2026

ROGER WICKER

425 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

TRENT KELLY First District

2243 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected officials.

SENATE

Sen. Kevin Blackwell

Sen. Nicole Akins Boyd

Sen. Theresa Gillespie Isom

Sen. Michael W. McLendon

Sen. Neil Whaley

District 19: DeSoto County

District 9: Lafayette and Panola counties

District 2: DeSoto County

District 1: DeSoto and Tate counties

District 10: Lafayette, Marshall, Tate, and Union counties

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. John Faulkner

Rep. Jeff Hale

Rep. Rodney Hall

Rep. Justin Keen

Rep. Bill Kinkade

District 5: Benton, Lafayette, and Marshall counties

District 24: DeSoto County

District 20: DeSoto County

District 6: DeSoto County

District 52: DeSoto and Marshall counties

Northcentral ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

will be closed on

Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, Rep. John T. (Trey) Lamar III

Rep. Kimberly Remak

District 8: Lafayette and Tate counties

District 7: DeSoto County

in observance of

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY. 2026 | JANUARY

START 2026 CONNECTED

like never before!

Northcentral Connect is rolling out refreshed fiber internet packages designed to bring you more of what matters — faster streaming, smoother gaming, and stronger connections for your whole home. All current subscribers on our Standard 150 Mbps plan will be upgraded to our new Essentials package automatically, giving you double the speed at the same price right out of the gate! If you’re happy with your current package, you can keep it. However, if you’re ready to explore something new, our updated options deliver even more power and performance for families, gamers, home offices, and everything in between.

New year. New speeds.

The same local, but world-class fiber internet service from Northcentral Connect.

Multi-Gig (3 Gig)

$129.95

• Smart homes • Tech-forward families • Remote workers • Gamers • Outdoor entertainers • Network security & prioritization • Wi-Fi 7

Connections (1 Gig)

$89.95

• Families with multiple devices • Busy households • Network & security prioritization • Wi-Fi 6

Essentials (300 Mbps) • The casual internet user • Great for smaller households • Budget minded-subscribers • Wi-Fi 6

/month

$59.95 /month

No contracts. No data caps. No installation fees. northcentralconnect.com 662.932.3500

PAY BILLS or REPORT OUTAGES: 855-2PRVEPA (855-277-8372) COLUMBIA: 601-736-2666 | HATTIESBURG: 601-264-2458 | PURVIS: 601-794-8051 | WIGGINS: 601-928-7277 Member owned. Locally operated. That’s the cooperative difference. • Visit us online at www.PRVEPA.com.

5 YEARS

Calvin Caines Jay Israel Seth Lott Leif Munkel Eric Ramshur Jody Thornton

10 YEARS

Sheila Galloway Kyle Hickman Will McMahan

15 YEARS

David Baum Erik LaVine Jacob Morgan L to R: Tony Moree, Jacob Morgan, Kyle Hickman, Seth Lott, Erik LaVine, Calvin Caines, Cody Walters, Maria King, Matthew Williams, David Baum, Blair Powers, Leif Munkel

Employees recognized for service anniversaries

20 YEARS

Ramona L. Rushing Cody Walters

25 YEARS Tony Moree

30 YEARS

Blair Powers Matthew D. Williams

Eighteen Pearl River Valley Electric employees reached years-of-service milestones in 2025. At an employee meeting in December, the honorees were recognized for their efforts, dedication, and service to the Association and its members.

40 YEARS Maria King

Pearl River Valley JOIN US ON FACEBOOK AND X

ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION

Pearl River Valley Electric is on social media. Keep up to date with PRVEPA news and receive information on outages.

Monday, Jan. 19, 2026,

Simply search for @MyPRVEPA on Facebook and X to follow us.

will be closed on in observance of

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY. A dispatcher will be on duty. 2026 | JANUARY

MEET YOUR 2026

MISSISSIPPI ELECTED OFFICIALS The Mississippi Legislature convenes in January for the 2026 session. Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our members in Washington, D.C. and at our state capitol in Jackson.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

SENATE

SENATORS

CINDY HYDE-SMITH United States Senator

Sen. Jason Barrett

Sen. Andy Berry

Sen. Dennis DeBar, Jr.

District 39: Amite, Franklin, Pike, Lawrence, and Lincoln counties

District 35: Copiah, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, and Simpson counties

District 43: George, Greene, and Wayne counties

Address: P.O. Box 729 Brookhaven, MS 39602

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Sen. Johnny DuPree

Sen. Joey Fillingane

District 45: Forrest and Lamar counties

District 41: Covington, Lamar, Marion, and Walthall counties

Address: P.O. Box 1090 Leakesville, MS 39451

ROGER WICKER

United States Senator

REPRESENTATIVES

Address: P.O. Box 574, Hattiesburg 39403

TRENT KELLY First District

BENNIE G. THOMPSON Second District

Sen. Chris Johnson District 44: Forrest, Lamar, and Perry counties

MICHAEL GUEST Third District

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

MIKE EZELL

Fourth District

Address: P.O. Box 18247 Hattiesburg, MS 39404

Sen. Joseph M. “Mike” Seymour District 47: Harrison, Jackson, and Stone counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Sen. Angela Burks Hill District 40: Pearl River and Stone counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected officials.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Elliot Burch

Rep. Larry Byrd

Rep. Bob Evans

Rep. Jeffrey Guice

Rep. Timmy Ladner

District 105: George, Greene, and Perry counties

District 104: Forrest County

District 114: Jackson County

District 93: Hancock, Pearl River, and Stone counties

Address: P.O. Box 1215 Lucedale, MS 39452

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 91: Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, and Simpson counties

Rep. Ronald Steve Lott

Rep. Vince Mangold

Address: P.O. Box 636 Monticello, MS 39654

Rep. Kenneth “Kent” McCarty

Rep. Missy Warren McGee

District 101: Lamar County

District 102: Forrest and Lamar counties

District 107: George and Stone counties

District 53: Franklin, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Pike counties

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Jansen Owen

Rep. Bill Pigott

Rep. Noah Sanford

District 106: Lamar and Pearl River counties

District 99: Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, and Walthall counties

District 90: Covington, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Jones, and Simpson counties

Address: P.O. Box 249 Poplarville, MS 39470

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Address: P.O. Box 1900 Collins, MS 39428

Address: P.O. Box 19089 Hattiesburg, MS 39404

Rep. Joseph “Bubba” Tubb District 87: Forrest and Lamar counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Ken Morgan District 100: Lamar and Marion counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Percy W. Watson District 103: Forrest County Address: P.O. Box 1767 Hattiesburg, MS 39401

2026 | JANUARY

Round Up for Education scholarship winners This year, 178 students who live in PRVEPA’s 12-county service area received Round Up for Education scholarship awards for the fall 2025 semester. Of those receiving scholarships, Pearl River Community College had 102 students, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College had 34, and Jones College had 28. PRVEPA honored those students at the PRCC, MGCCC, and Jones College campuses. Round Up for Education scholarships also went to an additional 14 students attending four other state community colleges. Each student received $800, distributed in two installments, $400 for the fall semester, and $400 for the spring semester. Thank you to all the members who are supporting the Round Up program and helping to improve the quality of life for everyone living in the communities we serve. After 13 years, 2,532 students have received nearly $1.9 million in scholarships. The 2026 Round Up for Education Scholarship application is now available online at prvepa.com.

PRVEPA supports lineman programs Pearl River Valley Electric believes in supporting the next generation of linemen. Recently, PRVEPA joined other electric utilities in celebrating the official opening of the new utility lineman building at Pearl River Community College’s Poplarville campus. The facility gives future linemen handson experience and training. Funding for project began with a collaborative $100,000 donation from PRVEPA, Coast Electric Power Association, Cooperative Energy, and Mississippi Power. PRVEPA also recently donated a trencher to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Apprentice Electric Lineman program at the George County Center. The trencher allows instructors to provide practical experience in operating heavy machinery safely and efficiently. At PRVEPA, we believe that when we invest in education, workforce training and our local partners, we’re doing more than preparing students for good career, we’re strengthening our entire region. By Powering Together, we are building a brighter, more resilient future for the communities we serve.

18 JANUARY | 2026

PONTOTOC 662-489-3211 • Fax: 662-489-5156

BRUCE 662-983-2727 • Fax: 662-983-1335

P.O. Drawer 718 • 12 South Main Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863

P.O. Box 415 • 129 South Newberger Street, Bruce, MS 38915

PONTOTOC ELECTRIC HOSTS ANNUAL

Cooperative University A

D On Nov. 19, 2025, students from each of the schools in PEPA’s service area attended Cooperative University at PEPA’s Pontotoc office. The event included demonstrations of line work, safety, automated metering, and even a scavenger hunt for items located in the PEPA Historical Museum. Students interacted with each other during ice breaker games and a group project using magnetic tiles, popsicle sticks, and other items to construct a model substation, power lines, and homes. PEPA Youth Leadership Advisor Jennifer Johnson said the event is the first step in choosing delegates for the three-part program. “We involved outside judges who observed the students in action in the sessions. The judges also interviewed the students one on one during the program.” Johnson said Leah Fields of South Pontotoc High School and Mary Alex Kakales of Bruce High School were chosen to continue on to the workshop in Jackson and later a tour of Washington, D.C. in the summer of 2026.

A. This group of students from schools in PEPA’s service area learned about the work of an electric utility, heard from State Senator Kathy Chism, and enjoyed projects and activities at Cooperative University. B. Apprentice Lineman Clay Kidd and Ingomar High School student Ava Swords prepare to view Pontotoc from the lofty perch of the bucket. C. Ice breakers like this one helped students learn more about each other. D. Pontotoc High School students Barrett Lewis and Suzy Park work on their model of generation and transmission with the assistance of PEPA General Manager Frankie Moorman.

Pontotoc Electric Power Association will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in observance of

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY A Pontotoc Electric dispatcher is on duty 24-hours a day, seven days a week. To report a power outage after hours or during the holiday, please call 662-489-6711 for Pontotoc and 662-983-2727 for Bruce.

MEET YOUR 2026 MISSISSIPPI

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Pontotoc Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C. and at our state capitol in Jackson.

NOW AVAILABLE A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi TATE REEVES

DELBERT HOSEMANN

Governor

Lieutenant Governor

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

TRENT KELLY First District Representative

16 JANUARY | 2026

CINDY HYDE-SMITH United States Senator

ROGER WICKER United States Senator

SENATE

Sen. Nicole Akins Boyd

Sen. Kathy L. Chism

Sen. Chad McMahan

District 9: Lafayette and Panola counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 3: Benton, Marshall, Pontotoc, Prentiss, and Union counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 6: Itawamba and Lee counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Sen. Benjamin A. Suber

Sen. Neil Whaley

District 8: Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette, Pontotoc, and Yalobusha counties Address: P.O. Box 8 Bruce, MS 38915

District 10: Lafayette, Marshall, Tate, and Union counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rep. Perry Bailey District 23: Calhoun, Lafayette, Pontotoc, and Webster counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Sam Creekmore

Rep. Steve Massengill District 13: Benton, Lafayette, Marshall, Pontotoc, and Union counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Jerry Turner

District 14: Union County

District 18: Lee and Prentiss counties

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Justin Crosby

Rep. Beth Luther Waldo

District 22: Chickasaw, Monroe, and Pontotoc counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 15: Pontotoc County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215 2026 | JANUARY

SLOW-COOKED

Satisfaction

In honor of National Slow Cooker Month, we offer these recipes to make life a little easier. Treat yourself to some free time while your slow cooker does the work!

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN ALFREDO INGREDIENTS 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts 3½ cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 cups heavy cream 1 pound fettuccine 3 teaspoon kosher salt 4 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 teaspoon garlic powder

RED BEANS AND RICE ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 2 ounces Parmesan, finely grated (extra for serving)

Finely chopped parsley (garnish for serving) In a large slow cooker, cover chicken with cream and broth. Add salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and onion powder. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on high until chicken is cooked through, about two hours. Transfer chicken to a plate and shred with two forks. Set aside. Add fettuccine and butter to slow cooker and continue to cook on high about 20-40 minutes, depending on your slow cooker’s heat level. Return chicken to slow cooker along with Parmesan and toss to combine. Cook uncovered, until sauce clings to pasta, about five minutes. Top with parsley and more Parmesan before serving.

PEPA LINEMAN APPRENTICESHIP

ACHIEVEMENTS Apprentice Linemen Jacob Beard (left) and Jimmy Moore moved to year four in the Lineman Apprenticeship program at PEPA. Congratulations to both of them! 18 JANUARY | 2026

INGREDIENTS 1 pound dried red beans 3 cloves garlic, chopped 7 cups water ½ pound Andouille sausage, sliced 1 green bell pepper, chopped 3 tablespoons creole seasoning 1 medium onion, chopped hot cooked rice 3 celery stalks, chopped sliced green onions (garnish for serving) Place first eight ingredients in a four-quart slow cooker. Cook, covered, at high for seven hours or until beans are tender. Serve with hot cooked rice. Add garnish if desired.

601-947-4211 • 228-497-1313 • contactus@singingriver.com • Singing River Electric is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

www.singingriver.com

@singingriverelectric

@SRECooperative

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

Approaching a major milestone: Our fiber build-out nears completion As we begin a new year, we are wrapping up a major milestone. What started as an ambitious vision in 2021 is about to become a reality for Singing River Electric – the completion of our fiber build-out. Today, we are utilizing this fiber-optic infrastructure to provide more efficient outage response times for our members, as equipment at our substations communicates in real-time with our dispatch operators. As anticipated, we are seeing outage response times minimized. Our fiber internet subsidiary, Singing River Connect, continues to see exceptional subscriber growth. We’ve received endless positive feedback from new fiber internet subscribers across our entire service territory. An extremely high percentage of families in our northern counties (Wayne, Perry, Greene, and George) now have this service and are amazed at experiencing what true symmetrical high-speed internet is. New residential subscribers in Jackson County are impressed by the performance of this complete fiber-optic system in comparison to their past internet experiences. In addition to homes, we also deliver fast, dependable fiber internet service to businesses across our service area. One example is Trent Lott International Airport, where Singing River Connect serves its flight terminal, hangars, fire station, and restaurant. There are also a total of 16 Jackson County fire departments now relying on this same fiber-optic network. As always, our employees who work for Singing River Electric and Singing River Connect remain focused not only on providing members with excellent electric service at the lowest possible cost but also providing subscribers with fast fiber internet and local customer service. We wish all our members and subscribers a wonderful 2026.

by Brian Hughey General Manager and CEO

@singingriverelectric

Energy Tips Gabe Robbins

Energy Services Representative robbins@singingriver.com

Cold weather efficiency Cold, winter weather will cause our HVAC systems to work overtime, especially when temperatures dip below 35 degrees. Lowering your thermostat just a few degrees will help with unwanted HVAC run time. Small adjustments can reduce heating costs and maintain comfort during the cold weather. Checking for air leaks and drafts around doors and windows and sealing them with weatherstripping (doors) and caulk (windows) can help prevent unwanted air from entering your home. If you have a fireplace no longer in use, prevent infiltration by closing the damper or sealing off the fireplace entrance with insulation board. Using sunlight during the day can help reduce energy consumption – open your curtains and blinds to let the sun heat your home for free. Be sure to reverse your ceiling fans, as heat rises and the reverse motion will push the risen heat down to where you are.

singingriver.com/ways-to-save Notice of Singing River Electric Director Qualification Period Candidates seeking election to Singing River Electric Cooperative’s board of directors must visit Singing River Electric’s Lucedale office located at 11187 Old 63 South to obtain a director qualification packet. Completed forms and petitions must be returned to the Lucedale office by 5 p.m. on the last business day of February (Friday, Feb. 27, 2026).

2 Possibilities

PATHWAYS

CAREER FAIR

Interactive career exploration for 8th graders There are some future linemen, member service representatives, and fiber technicians in the making after more than 6,300 8th graders went through the energy pathway at the annual Pathways2Possibilities (P2P) Career Expo. This event, held on Nov.19-20 at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center in Biloxi, introduced students to hundreds of possible career paths including those in the energy industry. Those who came through Singing River Electric’s stations performed lineman skills while wearing rubber gloves and simulated working atop a pole with a climbing belt. Students also asked and answered mock questions at the member service counter and learned about fiber internet and splicing at the Singing River Connect table.

RIGHT- F-WAY

T RIMM I NG Singing River Electric’s contractors are or will soon begin clearing trees, limbs, and underbrush around and below the power lines on these streets and surrounding areas to help decrease the number of power outages and reduce the risk of coming in contact with the lines.

16 JANUARY | 2026

• State Line substation – Highway 42, Highway 57, Knobtown Road, Martin Luther King Drive, and surrounding areas. • Benndale substation – Highway 57, Highway 26, Deep Creek Road, and surrounding areas. • Big Point substation – Highway 613, Highway 63, Big Point Road, and surrounding areas. • Helena substation – Highway 613, Saracennia Road, Wildwood Road, and surrounding areas.

Singing River Connect’s ct’s Referral Program Our yye eeaaarrr!! Our Ou ur gift ggifift gi ft to t you you yo ou to t kick kic ki ick ck off offff the of the th he new new ne ew year! yea EARN A $25 SINGING RIVER CONNECT BILL CREDIT EDIT SUBSCRIBER YOU REFER, AND FOR EVERY NEW S ND SUBSCRIBER THE NEW SUB BSCRIBE ER GETS $25 TOO!

How How Ho ow iti works: wor wo ork rks ks:

Share your name and phone number with the person you’re referring. When they call to sign up, they’ll give us your information so you both get the credit. For online sign-ups, new subscribers can call 877-272-6611 or email us at contactus@s contactus@singingriverconnect.com to provide the referrer’s information. Referees must be first-time subscribers.

Don’t D on let your friends start 2026 with bad internet! JANUARY 2026

FIBER CONSTRUCTION

TIMELINE

Get blazing-fast fiber internet from local people you trust.

Step 3: Fiber Construction

Running ﬁber lines on poles and burying lines underground

• Bayou Cassotte • Kreole • Monaco Lake • Singing River Mall • Gautier Step 4: Splicing

• Fountainbleu • Gulf Park Estates

Connecting ﬁber lines to the network

• Ocean Springs

Step 5: Service Drop & Drop Splicing & Step 6: Installation

Bringing mainline ﬁber to the exterior of your home and connecting your home to blazing-fast ﬁber internet

• Hamill Farm • Escatawpa South • Sunplex • All Singing River • Fort Bayou Electric areas in • Martin Bluff George, Greene, • Hickory Hills Perry, Stone, Wayne, • St. Martin Harrison, Mobile, • Tucker Road and Washington • Forts Lake counties and north • Helena Jackson County • Helena Industrial

S I N G I N G R I V E R C O N N E C T. C O M / S I G N U P

Meet your 2026 Mississippi Elected Officials

Singing River Electric salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

TATE REEVES Governor

DELBERT HOSEMANN Lieutenant Governor

MICHAEL WATSON

Secretary of State

MIKE EZELL United States Representative Fourth District

CINDY HYDE-SMITH United States Senator

ROGER WICKER United States Senator

MISSISSIPPI SENATE

Sen. Dennis DeBar, Jr.

District 43: George, Greene, and Wayne counties Address: P.O. Box 1090 Leakesville, MS 39451

Sen. Scott Delano

District 50: Harrison County Address: P.O. Box 4524 Biloxi, MS 39535

Sen. Jeremy England

District 51: Jackson County Address: P.O. Box 6363 Vancleave, MS 39565

AVAILABLE!

District 42: Forrest, Greene, Jones, and Wayne counties Address: P.O. Box 103, Ellisville, MS 39437-9998

Sen. Chris Johnson

District 44: Forrest, Lamar, and Perry counties Address: P.O. Box 18247 Hattiesburg, MS 39404

Sen. Joseph M. “Mike” Seymour

District 47: Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, and Stone counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Jeramey Anderson

★

Sen. Brice Wiggins

District 52: Jackson County Address: P.O. Box 922 Pascagoula, MS 39568

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi offers a free, easy-to-use mobile app, which provides information on Mississippi’s state and federal elected officials. Look for “ECM Legislative Roster” in the Apple App Store. An Android version is also available through Google Play.

Sen. Don Hartness

★

Rep. Shane Barnett

Rep. Manly Barton

Rep. Elliott Burch

Rep. Casey Eure

Rep. Jimmy Fondren

Rep. Zachary Grady

Rep. Jeffrey S. Guice

Rep. Ronald Steve Lott

Rep. John O. Read

Rep. Henry B. “Hank” Zuber III

District 110: Jackson County District 86: Greene, Perry, Address: P.O. Box 311 and Wayne counties Escatawpa, MS 39562 Address: P.O. Box 621 Waynesboro, MS 39367

District 115: Harrison County Address: P.O. Box 6326 D'Iberville, MS 39540

District 109: George and Jackson counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 114: Jackson County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 105: George, Greene, and Perry counties Address: P.O. Box 1215 Lucedale, MS 39452

District 107: George and Stone counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 116: Harrison County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 112: Jackson County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 111: Jackson County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

District 113: Jackson County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

BRINGING THE POWER WWW.SOUTHERNPI NE.COOP | P.O. BOX 60 | 1 3491 H WY. 28 | TAY LORSV ILLE , MS 391 6 8 | 8 00. 231 . 524 0

A Small Adjustment Coming in 2026 As we welcome the new year, all of us at Southern Pine extend our warmest wishes to you and your family for a year filled with good health, and peace for our state and nation. We deeply value your membership and the trust you place in us to power your homes and businesses every day. Since 1938, our focus has remained exclusively on serving you, our members, ensuring that every investment we make directly benefits you through better infrastructure and responsive service. We strive to operate efficiently while delivering the safe, affordable electric service that you depend on daily. To maintain these standards and manage our rising operational costs, we find it necessary to implement a minor adjustment to our daily service charge. Effective January 1, 2026, the daily service charge will increase from $1.30 per day to $1.50 per day. For an average use residential member, this equates to approximately $6 per month, based on a thirty-day month. This necessary adjustment will result in an increase in revenue to help cover the rising fi xed costs associated with maintaining and improving the system and the costs associated with new construction and right-of-way maintenance, which continue to

ITEM

increase. This will ensure that we can continue investing in system upgrades, reduce outages, and deliver the high-quality service you rely on without compromising safety and reliability. We know rate adjustments are never easy, and we acknowledge the impact this has on personal and family budgets and will work with you in navigating this change. We offer programs that may provide actionable steps you can take to manage your bill, such as levelized billing, energy efficiency guidelines, and home energy audits. We also have a new payment option coming soon, Southern Pine Power Pay, which is a pay-as-yougo service where you pay for your electricity upfront instead of getting a bill later. For more information about these options and the new rates, visit our website at www.southernpine.coop Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work to ensure the reliable power you expect is there when you need it.

by Drummonds McAlpin President/CEO Southern Pine Electric

UNIT PRICE 2020

25 KV Pole Top Pin ............................................................ 6.28 Conductor, 1/0 ACSR Price per Ft. ....................................... 0.23 25 KV Pin Type Insulator.....................................................5.97 8’ Wood Cross Arm ......................................................... 38.53 25KV Cutout ...................................................................60.70 Hot Line Clamp..................................................................5.75 Conductor, 1/0 Secondary Triplex Price per Ft. ......................0.73 Pole, 40’ Class 5 .............................................................135.5 3/8 Guy Wire Price per Ft. ...................................................0.27 #6 Ground Copper Price per Ft............................................0.31 1/0 25KV Underground Primary Cable Price Per Ft. .............. 2.65 10” Anchor .....................................................................19.85 Anchor Rod ..................................................................... 15.73

UNIT PRICE PERCENTAGE 2024 INCREASE 11.61 0.33 9.28 87.42 87.47 9.66 1.13 217.82 0.53 0.49 3.40 38.21 27.79

85% 46% 55% 127% 44% 68% 55% 61% 100% 59% 28% 92% 77%

2026 | JANUARY

Southern Pine Electric salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C. and at our state capitol in Jackson.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SENATORS

SENATE

REPRESENTATIVES

Sen. Juan Barnett

CINDY HYDE-SMITH United States Senator

TRENT KELLY Congressional First District

BENNIE G. THOMPSON Congressional Second District

District 34: Covington, Jasper, and Jones counties

Sen. Jason Barrett

District 39: Amite, Franklin, Lawrence, Pike, and Lincoln counties

Sen. Albert Butler Sen. Johnny Dupree

ROGER WICKER United States Senator

MICHAEL GUEST Congressional Third District

MIKE EZELL Congressional Fourth District

We use Facebook, X and Instagram to post information on how to become more energy efficient, safety tips and to inform members about special events throughout the year. During weather-related events, these sites provide storm preparation details and outage information. However, social media is not the most efficient means to report an outage, as it is not monitored 24-7.

MyPower is an online tool that allows members to check energy use, view previous bills and set a monthly electricity-use budget. The site also provides an easy-to-use method for reporting an outage and allows you to email questions or comments to Southern Pine. To sign up for MyPower, visit southernpine.coop and click on the MyPower icon in the center of the home page.

District 37: Adams, Franklin, Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds, and Jefferson counties

District 45: Forrest and Perry counties

Sen. Josh Harkins

Sen. Chris Johnson

District 20: Rankin County

Sen. Tyler McCaughn

District 31: Lauderdale, Newton, Rankin, and Scott counties

District 44: Forrest, Lamar, and Perry counties

Sen. Brian Rhodes

District 36: Rankin and Smith counties

Sen. Andy Berry District 35: Copiah, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, and Simpson counties

Sen. Joey Fillingane

District 41: Covington, Lamar, Marion, and Walthall counties

Sen. Dean Kirby District 30: Rankin County

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected officials.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Billy Adam Calvert District 83: Kemper, Lauderdale, and Newton counties

Rep. Celeste Hurst

District 75: Madison, Rankin, and Scott counties

Rep. Troy Smith District 84: Clarke, Jasper, and Newton counties

Rep. Becky Currie

Rep. Bob Evans

Rep. Steve Horne

Rep. Gregory Holloway Sr.

Rep. Kenji Holloway

District 81: Clarke, Lauderdale, and Newton counties

District 92: Copiah, Lawrence, and Lincoln counties

District 91: Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, and Simpson counties

District 27: Attala, Leake, Madison, and Scott counties

Rep. Gene Newman

Rep. Randy Rushing

Rep. Noah Sanford

Rep. Omeria Scott

District 78: Leake, Newton, and Scott counties

District 90: Covington, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Jones, and Simpson counties

District 80: Clarke, Jasper, and Jones counties

District 60: Rankin County

Rep. Mark Tullos

Rep. Lance Varner

Rep. Price Wallace

Rep. Percy Watson

District 61: Rankin County

Rep. Zakiya Summers

District 68: Hinds and Rankin counties

District 79: Jasper, Rankin, Scott, and Smith counties

District 62: Copiah, Rankin, and Simpson counties

District 76: Copiah and Hinds counties

District 77: Rankin and Simpson counties

Rep. Fred Shanks

District 103: Forrest County

THANK YOU

Rep. Lee Yancey District 74: Rankin County

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area! 2026 | JANUARY

SOUTHERN PINE’S 87TH ANNUAL MEETING:

CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY AND LOOKING TOWARD OUR FUTURE Southern Pine Electric welcomed members from across its 11-county service area on Nov. 13, 2025, for the cooperative’s 87th Annual Meeting — a day filled with fellowship, family-friendly activities, and a celebration of the values that have guided the co-op since 1938. Members arrived at Southern Pine’s Taylorsville headquarters and stepped into a lively outdoor and indoor setup featuring informational booths from co-op departments, hands-on demonstrations, and a showcase of member spotlights. Local artisans and small businesses shared their crafts and homemade goods, highlighting the creativity and talent found throughout Southern Pine country. The Scott County Schools Robotics Team also drew a crowd as students demonstrated their latest projects and gave members a glimpse into the future of STEM education. A crowd favorite of the day was the lunch — Linemen Storm Boxes — a special meal prepared just as it would be for Southern Pine’s linemen during storm restoration. After a morning of activities, members gathered for the annual business meeting. Drummonds McAlpin, president and CEO, shared a detailed update on the state of the cooperative, investments in reliability and service, and the continued growth of programs that support members and communities. He spoke warmly of Southern Pine’s deep roots in its service area and expressed gratitude for the team members who work each day to “Bring the Power” to nearly 70,000 meters across 11 counties. Southern Pine held drawings for several valuable prizes. Members had the chance to win $250, $500, $750, and $1,000 worth of electricity, and the event concluded with the grand prize — a retired Southern Pine pickup truck. Members also cast their ballots in Southern Pine’s director elections. Billy Parish, Jefferson Davis County, Blaine Eaton, Smith County, Mims Berry, Lawrence County, and Dean Kirby, Rankin County, were re-elected to continue their service. McAlpin expressed his appreciation to all who attended and participated. “Our members make this cooperative strong,” he said. “Their support and involvement ensure that Southern Pine remains a reliable, member-focused utility built on the principles of service, community, and cooperation.”

18 JANUARY | 2026

Adams • Amite • Claiborne • Copiah • Franklin Hinds • Jefferson • Lincoln • Wilkinson Southwest Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

P.O. Box 5 • 18671 Highway 61 • Lorman, MS 39096 | 601-437-3611 | 800-287-8564 | Fax: 601-437-8736 | Payments & Outages: 844-975-2728 southwestelectric.coop

info@swepa.coop

Southwest Electric

sw_electric_coop

Southwest Electric

EMPLOYEES EARN SERVICE AWARDS Every December, Southwest Electric recognizes our employees and their years of service to our cooperative’s Members. In December 2025, 14 employees were recognized and received awards noting their years of service.

45 years

40 years

Jackie Dotson

Virgil Scott

Dexter Smith

y 20 years

Vern Bailey

35 years

15 yyears

Demetrice Hamilton

Michael Johnson

Les Southerland

10 yyears

Carl Allred

Sid Tullos

Deb McGee

Joseph Nettles

Matt Welch

y 5 years

Marvin Tolliver

Josh Smith 2026 | JANUARY

MEET YOUR 2026 MISSISSIPPI

elected oFFicials Southwest Electric salutes Mississippi’s elected officials who represent our state in Washington, D.C. and at our state capitol in Jackson.

for a job well done to all who represent constituents residing in our service area. TATE REEVES Governor

DELBERT HOSEMANN Lieutenant Governor

congressional delegation U.S. SENATORS

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

16 JANUARY | 2026

ROGER WICKER

425 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

BENNIE THOMPSON Second District

2466 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

MICHAEL GUEST Third District

450 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

SENATE

Sen. Jason Barrett

Sen. Gary Brumfield

Sen. Albert Butler, Sr.

District 39: Amite, Franklin, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Pike counties

District 38: Adams, Amite, Pike, Walthall, and Wilkinson counties

District 37: Adams, Claiborne, Copiah, Franklin, Hinds, and Jefferson counties

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Angela Cockerham

Rep. Becky Currie

Rep. Stephanie Foster

Rep. Jeffery Harness

District 96: Adams, Amite, Pike, and Wilkinson counties

District 92: Copiah, Lawrence, and Lincoln counties

District 63: Hinds County

District 85: Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson, and Warren counties

Rep. Gregory L. Holloway, Sr.

Rep. Robert L. Johnson, III

Rep. Vince Mangold

Rep. Sam C. Mims, V

District 94: Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson counties

District 53: Franklin, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Pike counties

District 97: Adams, Amite, Franklin, and Pike counties

District 76: Copiah and Hinds counties

2026 | JANUARY

DRAFTS Heating the air in your home accounts for a majority of your electric bill. Look at your doors and windows when the sun is shining outside. If you see light coming in, then your warm air is escaping. Simple fi xes like weatherstripping, installing a door sweep or using caulk or foam insulation to fill air leaks and drafts can help you keep the warm air inside. Don’t let your warm air escape outside into the cold. You control how much electricity you use. Do your part to save energy. Every little bit helps.

18 JANUARY | 2026

KEEP YOUR WARM AIR INSIDE

Hollandale - 662-827-2262 | Belzoni - 662-247-1909 | Greenville - 662-334-9543 | Rolling Fork - 662-873-4233 | REPORT OUTAGES 866-897-7250 SERVING MORE THAN 12,600 ELECTRIC METERS IN SEVEN DELTA COUNTIES

twincoepa.com

@twincoepa

Twin County EPA and Cooperative Energy announce community service grant winner Twin County EPA, in partnership with Cooperative Energy, is proud to announce that Robert Williams has been selected as the 2025 Powering Possibilities Community Service Grant winner. Robert is the co-founder of Born 2 Win along with wife Doloris Williams, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities and restoring hope in Hollandale. Seeing the challenges faced by local youth and families, Robert stepped in to provide programs that combine practical support with personal and spiritual growth. Through events like Back 2 School with a Twist, leadership and development programs, and strong community partnerships, Robert has helped hundreds of young people and families gain confidence, resources, and encouragement. Through Born 2 Win, Robert’s leadership is sparking lasting change, restoring pride, strengthening connections, and planting seeds of possibility. He isn’t just building programs; he’s building people. He is showing the community that struggles do not define them, strength and resilience do. As part of this recognition, Cooperative Energy will make a $1,000 charitable donation in Robert’s name to Born 2 Win, a nonprofit organization serving communities within the cooperative’s service area. “Robert’s commitment to building hope and creating pride amongst those in Hollandale truly represents the cooperative spirit,” said Chris Hamilton, Manager of Member Services. “We are honored to recognize his dedication and to support Born 2 Win, which shares the same mission of strengthening our communities,” added Twin County General Manager Leslie Holloway.

Congratulations Robert Williams!

Community Activities & UPCOMING EVENTS NOVEMBER 2025

FEBRUARY 2026

NOV. 16

NOV. 20

Initiated and hosted by Born 2 Win, more than 150 families throughout our community were served and provided with household essentials. Twin County was proud to partner and participate in this impactful event.

The Thanksgiving event was sponsored by the Hollandale Community Volunteers for Progress. Twin County EPA was grateful for the opportunity to donate and help provide for a spiritual, uplifting, and enriching Thanksgiving dinner and program for the community.

2nd Annual Thanksgiving Helping Hands Turkey and Essentials Community Giveaway

Community Thanksgiving dinner and program

FEB. 7 • 8 A.M.

Mississippi River Marathon The Mississippi River Marathon was created to help children receive an excellent education by donating marathon money to the Washington County and Southeast Arkansas Community Foundations. Twin County is proud to support and power participants across the finish line. Visit msrivermarathon.raceroster.com for more information.

M E E T Y OU R 2 0 2 6 MISSISSIPPI

elected oFFicials Twin County Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson.

TATE REEVES Governor

DELBERT HOSEMANN Lieutenant Governor

congressional delegation U.S. SENATORS

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

16 JANUARY | 2026

ROGER WICKER

425 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

BENNIE THOMPSON Second District

2466 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected officials.

SENATE

Sen. W. Briggs Hopson III

Sen. Derrick T. Simmons

Sen. Joseph Thomas

District 23: Issaquena, Madison, Warren, and Yazoo counties

District 12: Bolivar, Coahoma, and Washington counties

District 22: Humphreys, Madison, Sharkey, and Yazoo counties

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Willie L. Bailey

Rep. Kevin Ford

District 49: Washington County

District 54: Issaquena, Warren, and Yazoo counties

Rep. John W. Hines Sr.

Rep. Timaka James-Jones

District 50: Bolivar, Issaquena, and Washington counties

District 51: Holmes, Humphreys, Leflore, Sharkey, and Yazoo counties

2026 | JANUARY

TWITTER

662-746-4251 — OFFICE & REPORT OUTAGES • 866-484-4277 — PAY BY PHONE

VISIT US ONLINE @ WWW.YAZOOVALLEY.COM

When outdoor temperatures drop, electricity use naturally rises. Colder weather drives us indoors, where we rely more heavily on home heating systems, more lighting and household appliances. Heating systems run longer and more frequently to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Combine that with the fact that most people use electricity at the same times — typically in the mornings and early evenings — and the result is significant pressure on our electric grid. Yazoo Valley works closely with Cooperative Energy, our local generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative, to plan for these seasonal weather patterns and changes and ensure you have reliable power every day of the year. This partnership involves detailed resource and infrastructure planning to make certain electricity is available whenever you need it. However, it’s important to remember that our local system is part of a much larger regional and national electric grid. During the winter months, when homes and businesses across the country are using more electricity simultaneously, overall demand can approach — or occasionally exceed — available supply. This is especially true during severe weather events, such as ice storms, sudden temperature drops or equipment malfunctions that reduce generation capacity. In rare cases when demand threatens to outpace supply, the regional grid operator may call for temporary, controlled outages — often referred to as rolling blackouts — to prevent broader system failures. If such a situation arises, Yazoo Valley will provide timely updates and information to members. To prepare for these scenarios and minimize risks, Yazoo Valley and our G&T partner take proactive measures to strengthen reliability year-round. These include routine system maintenance, investments in grid modernization and comprehensive disaster response planning. These proactive steps are designed to ensure our portion of the grid remains resilient even under extreme conditions. Yet, maintaining a reliable electric system requires a collective effort — and every member plays an important role in lowering demand when the grid is under stress.

MEET YOUR 2026 MISSISSIPPI

elected oFFicials

Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson.

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area.

TATE REEVES Governor

DELBERT HOSEMANN Lieutenant Governor

congressional delegation U.S. SENATORS

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

16 JANUARY | 2026

ROGER WICKER

425 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

MICHAEL GUEST Third District

450 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

BENNIE THOMPSON Second District

2466 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected officials.

SENATE

Sen. Bradford Blackmon

District 21: Attala, Holmes, Leake, and Madison counties Address: P.O. Box 105 Canton, MS 39046

Sen. W. Briggs Hopson III

District 23: Issaquena, Madison, Warren, and Yazoo counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Sen. Joseph Thomas

District 22: Humphreys, Madison, Sharkey, and Yazoo counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Lawrence Blackmon District 57: Madison and Yazoo counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Kevin Ford

District 54: Issaquenna, Warren, and Yazoo counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Bryant W. Clark

District 47: Attala, Holmes, and Yazoo counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Oscar Denton

District 55: Warren County Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Timaka James-Jones

District 51: Holmes, Humphreys, Leflore, Sharkey, and Yazoo counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

2026 | JANUARY

My Opinion

Leadership for generations to come We made it to another year. That means it’s time for our annual legislative issue. As a result of this special issue, readers can find the names and faces of the state senators and representatives who represent them in Jackson on the local pages of our publication. For our cover story this month, we visited with Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson. You’ll notice that Watson’s party affiliation is not mentioned in the story. He’s a Republican for those that don’t know. We didn’t get into his political leanings because the story is not about politics. Instead, we wanted to focus on something close to Watson’s heart — youth leadership. Helping to inform and educate Mississippi’s future leaders is something that is near and dear to the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi (ECM) as well. For more than 35 years, ECM has put on the Cooperative Youth Leaders program. Electric co-ops from all over Mississippi sponsor high school juniors, so they can learn about the cooperative business model, grow in their leadership qualities, and experience the democratic process at the state and federal levels by visiting the Mississippi and U.S. capital cities. The students spend three days in Jackson in February for the Cooperative Youth Leaders Workshop and earn an all-expenses paid tour

of Washington, D.C., in June for seven days. Watson has been a guest speaker at the workshop and participated in Cooperative Youth Leaders programs at local co-ops during his time as a public servant in state government. As the Secretary of State, Watson also runs the department’s Student Ambassador program, which exposes Mississippi high school students to voter education and civic awareness. In the story, Watson explains how his own youth and background informed his future decisions about a profession and a desire to serve the public. Watson and ECM’s goal is one and the same — to assure Mississippi’s youth give back to their home state and, through leadership, help make it a special place for generations to come. Happy New Year from the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi! We hope you enjoy the issue.

by Michael Callahan Executive Vice President/CEO Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi

Send us a photo of grandparents with their grandchildren. At whatever age. The photos must be high-resolution JPG files of at least 1 MB in size. Please send the photo as an attachment to an email and send it to news@ecm.coop. Each entry must be accompanied by photographer or sender’s name, address, and co-op. Each entry must be accompanied by photographer or sender’s name, address, and co-op. SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Feb. 27. Select photos will appear in the April 2026 issue. 2026 | JANUARY 3

Download a free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi Look for “ECM Legislative Roster” in the Apple App Store. An Android version is also available through the Google Play Store. The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi offers an easy-to-use mobile app, which provides information on Mississippi’s state and federal elected officials.

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