As we pause today to remember civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. and his work to gain equality for all Americans through nonviolent and civil disobedience tactics, let us also pause to remember some of the good news that happened last week:

• Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez campus will begin a new career-ready program thanks to a $650,000 grant that will be split with the Wesson campus. The grant money will open the way for a new emergency medical technology paramedic program. The program is scheduled to have its first classes this fall. The program should help address Southwest Mississippi’s shortage of EMTs.
• The Mississippi Transportation Commission voted to support the designation of Interstate 14 one day after local officials discussed why they think an interstate is necessary for Southwest Mississippi and the entire state. The vote does not make an interstate certain for the area, but it is an essential step toward making the federal highway a reality.
• Kiersten Carr-Burns is happy to be named Ferriday High School’s Student of the Year, but the senior has her sights set on higher goals. With a 4.0 GPA, Carr-Burns is looking toward college and a career in medicine. She hopes to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge and major in biology, which she hopes will prepare her for medical school. Before she gets to college Carr-Burns says she has much to accomplish. Given her past successes, we know she can achieve whatever she sets out to do.

Let us remember thank those who continue to make our community great.