Thomas Howard

Meridian

Reporter at The Meridian Star

Journalist, photographer, part-time runner. I bark at squirrels so my dogs don't have to. Tweets are my own.

Articles

Supervisors move forward with fire department grant - Meridian Star

13 hours ago | meridianstar.com | Thomas Howard

Published 8:23 pm Thursday, May 15, 2025 Lauderdale County supervisors on Thursday passed a resolution clearing the way for the county to apply for a grant intended to rehabilitate one of the volunteer fire departments.
MSU-Meridian criminology students gain firsthand insight of night court - Meridian Star

16 hours ago | meridianstar.com | Thomas Howard

Published 5:21 pm Thursday, May 15, 2025 By MSU-Meridian Report Meridian Municipal Court Judge Dustin Markham speaks to MSU-Meridian students during a recent visit as part of an immersive, experiential learning program. Photo by Marianne Todd/MSU-Meridian MERIDIAN, Miss.—Judge K. Dustin Markham donned his black judicial robe when he approached a group of Mississippi State University-Meridian students in his courtroom—immediately garnering their full attention.
Community remembers fallen officers at memorial event - Meridian Star

18 hours ago | meridianstar.com | Thomas Howard

Published 3:20 pm Thursday, May 15, 2025 Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun speaks Thursday at the East Mississippi Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Ceremony at the Lauderdale County Government Center. The observance was held as part of National Police Week, which runs May 11-17.
Looking and seeing the beauty around us - Meridian Star

19 hours ago | meridianstar.com | Thomas Howard

Published 2:20 pm Thursday, May 15, 2025 By Brad Dye Is it a leaf or is it a Luna? I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a more gorgeous Luna moth than this one that I was fortunate enough to see while turkey hunting in Clarke County in April. How often do we look at our surroundings and fail to see all of the beauty and wonder that exists? How often do we take that beauty and wonder for granted? Photo by Brad Dye What did I miss?
PHOTO GALLERY: Jamal Roberts Parade - Meridian Star

1 day ago | meridianstar.com | Thomas Howard

Published 8:31 am Thursday, May 15, 2025 1 of 97 Meridianites lined 22nd Avenue Wednesday afternoon as they welcomed American Idol finalist Jamal Roberts back home with a parade and concert at City Hall lawn. Roberts, a Meridian native and physical education teacher at Crestwood Elementary School, was voted one American Idol’s Top 3 contestants Monday and is set to perform in the season finale Sunday evening. You Might Like...
Alabama’s Taylor celebrates God’s message in new book - Meridian Star

1 day ago | meridianstar.com | Thomas Howard

Published 5:15 pm Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Alabama native Charles Brookins Taylor grew up listening to the whippoorwills while sitting on the porch, and those memories are the foundation of his new book “In Search of the Whip-poor-will Love Song.”Taylor, an U.S. Air Force veteran who returned to Butler, Alabama after a three decade career teaching in Long Island, New York, said returning to his porch after retirement in 2001 led to the discovery of the whippoorwills’ true message.
Community celebrates new Holiday Inn Express at ribbon cutting - Meridian Star

1 day ago | meridianstar.com | Thomas Howard

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Business and community leaders joined Lala Enterprises Wednesday as it cut the ribbon on the new Holiday Inn Express on South Frontage Road. Photo by Thomas Howard Elected officials and business leaders celebrated the opening of the Holiday Inn Express on Wednesday with a ribbon cutting at the newly constructed hotel.
EMCC conducts spring 2025 graduation ceremonies - Meridian Star

1 day ago | meridianstar.com | Thomas Howard

Published 12:07 pm Wednesday, May 14, 2025 By EMCC Report East Mississippi Community College Class of 2025 graduates participate in one of three graduation ceremonies that took place May 9-10 on the college’s Golden Triangle campus. Submitted photo East Mississippi Community College conducted spring 2025 graduation ceremonies Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, in the Lyceum Auditorium on the college’s Golden Triangle campus.
Williams’ big inning lifts Clarkdale over Pisgah - Meridian Star

2 days ago | meridianstar.com | Thomas Howard

Published 8:30 am Wednesday, May 14, 2025 By Brandon Shields Luke Williams sends a pitch toward home plate Tuesday as Clarkdale took on Pisgah in game one of the MHSAA Class 2A Baseball South State Championship. Photo courtesy of Brandon Shields PISGAH — All Luke Williams needed was one big inning. Clarkdale plated all six runs in the top of the fifth as the Bulldogs got past Pisgah 6-2 in Game 1 of the MHSAA Class 2A Baseball South State Championship on Tuesday night.
Homecoming celebration for Meridian's own Jamal Roberts set for Wednesday - Meridian Star

2 days ago | meridianstar.com | Thomas Howard

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, May 14, 2025 By City of Meridian Report A map provided by the city of Meridian shows the route of Wednesday's parade celebrating American Idol contestant Jamal Roberts. After weeks of watching, cheering and voting for American Idol contender Jamal Roberts of Meridian, residents – as well as fans from across the state and other locales – are ready to celebrate his Top 3 victory before he heads to finals.