Local News Briefs

Hummingbird Celebration this weekend in Holly Springs
The sixth annual Hummingbird Migration Celebration takes place this weekend, September 9-11, at the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center, 285 Plains Road, in Holly Springs.

The event, one of the largest Audubon-sponsored nature festivals in the country, coincides with the peak of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s southward migration.

During the festival, and with the gardens in bloom, literally hundreds of hummingbirds can be seen feeding at the stations to fuel up for their migratory flight.

Last year, a record 6,500 visitors were a part of the festivities. A huge draw for festival goers are the bird-banding sessions with renowned hummingbird experts Bob and Martha Sargent of the Alabama-based Hummer/Bird Study Group.

In addition to the bird-banding sessions, event highlights will include – demonstrations with live bats, alligators and small mammals; programs about the care and release of Mississippi wildlife; guided nature walks; wagon rides on the preserve; tours of the historic Strawberry Plains plantation home; a nature products trade show; a children’s activity tent; the speaker’s tent; and presentations focusing on reptiles and endangered species found in Mississippi.

For more information, please call the Audubon Center at Strawberry Plains, at 662-252-1155 or visit www.msaudubon.org.

Tickets for the festival are $5 for adults, $3 for children.

Hurricane Katrina victims admitted free to festival
While the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are headed south through Strawberry Plains Audubon Center, Audubon is inviting all Coastal Mississippi, Coastal Louisiana and Alabama residents who have moved to the area because of Hurricane Katrina to attend free its annual Hummingbird Migration Celebration.

The event starts on Friday, Sept. 9, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A driver's license I.D. with a coastal address will serve to replace the $5 admission fee for adults and $3 for children with adults.

A special free program with Harry the Hummingbird for all children and those participating in the Hummingbird Art Contest will be held Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 4 p.m. at the Courthouse Gazebo on the Holly Springs Square. Families and children are all invited to attend.

Board OKs added charge to garbage bills for fuel costs
The Marshall County Board of Supervisors approved a 35 cent fuel surcharge (3.5 percent increase) to be added to Marshall County residential garbage bills effective September 1, 2005.

The additional charge is to off-set an increase in fuel costs.

Resourceful Environmental Services has agreed to reverse this surcharge if diesel fuel costs fall below $2.20 a gallon.

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