An effort to clean the Pearl River will take place today in Monticello, as volunteers with Pearl Riverkeeper work to pull trash from the waterway. The Pearl River Clean Sweep will start at 8 a.m. today. Last year, about 200 pounds of trash were pulled from the river. Project-wide, more than 700 volunteers collected 33,840 pounds in 2018.

Below is a look back at a few more positive stories from the past week:

• Pam Whitaker is the new children’s and youth services coordinator at the local library. She replaces Kasie Brown, who was promoted to head librarian recently. Whitaker became involved in library work after teaching at Alexander Junior High School and at North Pike Middle School in Pike County. Whitaker had earned degrees in social work, special education and science, but it’s the love of books and children that stole her away to the library. She is now in charge of the Storytime program on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and the Summer Reading program. She hopes to start a chess club in January.

• The Brookhaven High School College and Career Readiness class hosted a food drive at the high school this week. Teacher Stephen Keys said students, parents and faculty were informed of the food drive, and his students were excited to see it succeed.

“It’s surprising, they were anxious and eager to give back,” Keys said. “To me, that lets me know we have some good kids at Brookhaven High School.” Keys said the donations would be split between Brookhaven Outreach Ministries and the Darlene Slater Rehabilitation Center for Women, more commonly known as the Doll’s House.

• Aubrey Britt of Loyd Star and Grayson Childress of Brookhaven High were both overall winners Tuesday at the Jackson Public Schools Cross-Country Challenge meet at Choctaw Trails in Clinton. Britt, a sophomore, finished in 20 minutes and 39 seconds to beat her closest competitor by 77 seconds. Sophomore Grayson Childress finished in first place for Brookhaven with a time of 16:50, beating out Grayson Edwards of Northwest Rankin by 11 seconds.

• Habitat for Humanity is searching for its next homeowner. Even while the 15th build for Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County is taking shape a nail at a time, the organization is looking for someone to live in house No. 16. Habitat will host a Homeowner Applicant Orientation at its offices at 230 South First St. today from 10 to 11 a.m. for anyone who has questions about the application process and the qualifications required to own a Habitat home.