Good news was not in short supply this past week, with the pages of The Daily Leader bursting with positive stories. Below is a look back at a few of those good news headlines.

• The undefeated Brookhaven Academy softball team is hosting the Cougar Classic Tournament today at the Hansel King Sports Complex. The Lady Cougar junior varsity team begins play at 9 a.m. The varsity squad takes on Jackson Prep at 11:50 a.m. followed by Simpson at 2:40 p.m. and Centreville at 5:30 p.m. Teams from Jackson, Sylva-Bay, Lamar Christian, Cathedral, Marshall Academy, ACCS, Columbia Academy, Franklin Academy and Lamar Christian will also be competing.

• The Brookhaven High School girls’ cross-country team picked up a big  team victory last week at the Mississippi College High School Season Opener.  Brookhaven won the meet with 89 team points as they just edged out defending 6A state champions Ocean Springs by two points. Nineteen teams from across Mississippi and Louisiana competed in the race.

• Volunteer fire departments in Lawrence County are working to lower fire ratings by installing hydrants in areas outside Monticello. Around 30 to 40 fire hydrants have already been installed throughout the county in rural areas in two previous projects. The Lawrence County Fire District includes about 125 active volunteer firefighters including municipalities. Monticello has three paid firefighters as well.

• Retired police Command Maj. David Johnson was recently honored by the Brookhaven School District for his service as a school resource officer. Board President Willie “Doc” Harrison said Johnson made his mark on Brookhaven schools, where he started as a substitute teacher when he was also a recently-hired rookie at the Brookhaven Police Department, nearly a quarter-century ago. “I appreciate you for having the heart that you have for Brookhaven. I don’t think there’s nobody out there that has a bigger heart for this district,” Harrison said.

• Members of the Junior Auxiliary of Brookhaven are planning a special Second Saturday Storytime beginning today. The JAs partnered with the library to present “Falling in Love with the Library” at the start of the new school year in an effort to get youngsters interested in reading. They’re continuing that project today at 10 a.m. with the first of several half-hour storytime sessions scheduled through March.