Last week’s good news kicked off early Monday with a local tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

Children took the lead in the annual youth banquet, singing, reading poetry and giving speeches.

Each year this program highlights the talents of our young people while paying tribute to King.

It’s great to see the potential that our children have to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Other good news from last week included:

4The Ferriday Police Department has found an alternative way to punish young offenders. They make them write.

An essay writing program keeps the teens out of jails, in school and replaces community service projects like picking up trash.

The essays must meet strict requirements and offer the teens a chance to learn while paying for their crime.

4Tourism leaders in Natchez have found a new way to promote our town. The Convention and Promotion Commission voted last week to contract with a database company which will target Natchez advertising to the right audiences. Tourism is our biggest industry, and it’s time we focused on making it all that it can be.

Let’s hope the coming week brings as much good news as the last one.