As we close out the month of June and head into Fourth of July week with anticipation of Wednesday’s patriotic celebrations, let us pause to reflect on the good news of the past week.

But not before we take a few sentences to plug a couple of the Miss-Lou’s main Independence Day celebrations: on Wednesday — a fireworks festival on the riverfront in Vidalia from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. with a fireworks show starting at dusk and then, on Saturday, a patriotic-themed boat parade and blessing of the boats on Lake St. John in Ferriday.

Now, let’s look back at a few of the many good news items from the last week of June:

• Just in time for the summer heat, Entergy announced it will be cutting residential electric rates an average of $12 per month for July through September, based on 1,000-kilowatt hours of usage thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that lowered Entergy’s corporate tax rate 14 percent from 35 to 21 percent and Entergy is passing along the entire saves to customers.
• In the spirit of compromise, Trinity Church agreed to ask for a B-2 zoning rather than a B-4 zoning of the church’s former school property which will allow for lighter industrial prospects for the property than the originally requested B-4 zoning. Now the measure must meet approval by the Natchez Board of Aldermen, and a public hearing is set for 11 a.m., July 10 at the City Council Chambers on Pearl Street.

• Natchez Little Theatre produced a stellar production of an adaptation of Disney’s “The Lion King.” Several young thespians had a chance to strut the boards and learn the ropes and by all accounts the play’s costumes and settings were well done, as were the musical numbers and acting. Great show all around.
• Ferriday High School junior Meinyaun Smith who was featured in our Bright Future story last week, certainly has a bright future. She has already started taking college courses toward earning a degree in pharmacology, and she hopes to use her career to help people. We’re sure she will.

Happy Fourth of July! Be safe and stay cool.