The new millennium began much as the last one ended. The year2000 was a year of great economic and cultural progress, politicalturmoil and the standard heartaches associated with living in aviolent and mistake-prone world.

January

The turmoil and confusion of the 2000 Presidential race wasforeshadowed here in the Gubernatorial campaign where neitherDemocrat Ronnie Musgrove nor Republican Mike Parker, a Brookhavennative, captured the majority vote. The historic election wasforced into the state Democrat-controlled Congress when the state’selectoral votes were split evenly at 61-61. Musgrove got the nodJan. 4. It was the first time the Mississippi Congress had tochoose a governor.

It was announced in early January that the first new Mazdadealership granted in more than two years would call Brookhavenhome. The Mazda franchise was awarded to Albritton-SullivanFord-Lincoln-Mercury.

Former Brookhaven alderman George C. Brown, 90, died Jan. 18 ina two-vehicle collision at the intersection of West Cherokee Streetand Brookway Boulevard.

February

Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s new $2.3 million ThamesCenter was named in honor of Dr. Billy B. Thames on Feb. 3. Thamesserved as president of the college from Jan. 20, 1968, to June 30,1997.

Bank of Brookhaven officially opened their temporary home officeFeb. 7. Construction continues on the permanent offices.

Funeral services were held Feb. 10 for Bruce Holmes Brady, anationally-known artist from Brookhaven. Brady, 65, died Feb. 8 atKing’s Daughters Medical Center after a lengthy illness. He becamethe editor of Outdoor Life magazine in 1972 and published severalbooks. He became a professional sculptor in 1983 and his bronzeworks gained immediate appeal, including the private collections ofPresident Ronald Reagan and Sen. Bob Dole. His works also includethe Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame’s Charlie Connerly MemorialTrophy.

A former Lawrence County receiving clerk, Paulette Tullos,pleaded guilty Feb. 14 to embezzling $2,840 that she used to payfor personal items while in that position.

Dedric Stringer, 20, and Frederick Jefferson, 20, both of SilverCreek, were arrested for carjacking and kidnapping a Brookhaven mannear Monticello in February. Heather Hux, 20, of Monticello, wasalso arrested on accessory charges. The three Lawrence Countyresidents are still waiting for their day in court.

Next: March and April