This Just In…

By Staff
Rachael Scarbrough was recently named "Employee of the Quarter" at East Mississippi State Hospital.
Employed at EMSH since September 1982, she works as a social work supervisor on the Adult Psychiatric Receiving Unit.
As supervisor of the unit, Scarbrough oversees the activities of nine social workers. She monitors case assignments, attends treatment team meetings, conducts monthly chart reviews and provides case consultation for difficult or challenging cases. She serves as the assistant director of the Social Service Department and is a member of the EMSH Clinical Committee and the Adult Psychiatric Receiving Unit's management team.
For receiving the honor, Scarbrough was presented with a $100 check provided by the EMSH Friends Organization. She was nominated for the award by Ann Glazar, Social Service Department director.
Outstanding military awards were recently received two area residents.
Marine Corps Cpl. Tracy A. Desmond, son of Martha D. Desmond of Route 1, Livingston, Ala., received the "Military Outstanding Volunteer Service" medal while serving with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, S.C.
The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal is given in recognition of exceptional voluntary public service. Desmond devoted numerous hours to help his community, and performed his assignments in an exemplary and highly professional manner.
Desmond is a 1993 graduate of Livingston High School of Livingston, Ala., and joined the Marine Corps in December 1996.
Marine Corps Pfc. Joel E. Lashley Jr., son of Frances Lynn and Joel Spidle, also of Livingston, recently supported rescue and recovery efforts for the USS Cole after the Oct. 12 attack that left 17 sailors dead and many others wounded in the port of Aden, Yemen. Sailors and Marines were called to respond to the terrorist bombing, forming a Joint Task Force Determined Response.
Lashley's unit provided immediate security during repair efforts and towing operations. He serves with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. His task force unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually an environment. MEUs are composed of more than 2,000 personnel and are divided into an infantry battalion, aircraft squadron, support group and command element. With this combination, Lashley's unit supplies and sustains itself for either quick mission accomplishment or clearing the way for follow-on forces.
Lashley is a 1996 graduate of Sumter Academy High School of Livingston, Ala., and joined the Marine Corps in August 1998.
Registration for winter session classes at Meridian's Parks and Recreation will be conducted Jan. 2-12 at the Parks and Recreation Office and the Senior Citizen Center Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.- to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 485-1802 or 485-1805.