Local Digest

By Staff
Camp Wheez-Away taking applications
Baptist Health Systems is partnering with the American Lung Association and the Mississippi Asthma Collaborative to sponsor the third annual "Camp Wheez-Away" for children ages 8-13.
Set for July 30-Aug. 3 at Camp Wesley Pines in Gallman, the camp will offer children a total summer camp experience in a beautiful setting. Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other health professionals will provide supervision and help with medical needs.
Registration for Camp Wheez-Away 2001 is now open, and scholarships are available. Potential attendees must be referred by a physician. Space is limited. To apply or to get more information, contact Tom Kearns at the American Lung Association of Mississippi at (800) 737-5453 or e-mail tkearns@alams.org.
AARP offers free tax advice
Senior citizens have access to free tax advice every Tuesday and Friday until April 15. AARP volunteers will be available every Tuesday, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library. Volunteers will also be available every Friday, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Highway 19 North Trustmark National Bank.
Public health forum to be held in Meridian
The Mississippi State Department of Health invites residents to take part in public forums addressing disparities in minority health care accessibility and delivery.
The Meridian forum will be held March 27, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Mississippi Power Community Auditorium at 2401 11th St. The forum will address six areas minority health issues: infant morality, cancer screening and management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and adult and child immunizations.
For information, call Toni Brooks at (601) 859-8020.
Nurses to hold convention in Meridian
The Mississippi Licensed Practical Nurses Association will hold its 31st annual state convention April 25-27 at the Howard Johnson Inn. Registration for the convention will be at 8 a.m. on April 25, and the convention will begin at 9 a.m. with three full days of professional workshops, business sessions and fellowship.
Eleven contact hours for continuing education are planned, 10 of which may be used to satisfy the semi-annual CE requirement for the IV Certified LPNs.
For more information, call Jim or Mae Blackledge, (601) 763-5151; Opal Ezell, (601) 833-1360 or Emily Garner, (662) 566-4611.
Homestead exemption deadline nears
The deadline to file for homestead exemption is March 30. The following criteria must be met to be eligible to receive homestead exemption tax benefits:
Be a legal resident of Mississippi;
Own and occupy the property as of Jan. 1, 2001;
Purchase Mississippi license plates for all vehicles owned; and
Comply with Mississippi income tax requirements.
To apply for homestead exemption visit the tax assessor's office at the Lauderdale County Courthouse. For information, call 482-9779.
NOTE: If no changes have been made, and you do not qualify for any additional exemptions, there is no need to reapply.
LAWS to hold classes in April
The Lauderdale Association of Women Shooters is taking applications for the 2001 Spring Handgun Safety Class. The class is taught by NRA certified firearms instructors and is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on April 17, 19 and 24. An April 21 session will be held at a private range.
If you are interested, please call to reserve your place in the class. Each student receives individual attention from an NRA instructor at the range. Space is limited. For information, call 681-8575 or 485-5725.
Main Event set for April 26
The 13th annual Main Event will be held April 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center. The day will begin with the presentation of the Hartley D. Peavey Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. Exhibitors are welcome and the deadline to apply is April 6. Admission is free. The event is sponsored by the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation.
For information, call 693-1306.