Updated: 7:51 PM Charities from all over east Mississippi and west Alabama have been slowly collecting all the traditional Thanksgiving food for the hungry. Some items are still in short supply.

Updated: 2:09 PM Member of Meridian's Highland Baptist Church are working hard on a long time tradition of the church in order to get ready for the holiday season. This year brings in the 26th addition of the 'Singing Christmas Tree' at Highland Baptist Church.

Updated: 6:52 PM Brother John Sweeney and a local group of bluegrass musicians were at the Lauderdale County Welcome Center in Toomsuba. They were there in order to perform for the traveling public.

Updated: 7:03 PM Saturday was Newton's Whistle Stop Marketplace, a taste of the Holidays. The city took the opportunity to kick off the holiday season. From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., customers had the chance to shop for unique, homemade items and sample quality food

Updated: 7:04 PM The United Way of East Mississippi announced Friday that it has reached 40% of its $900,000 goal for 2011.

Updated: 7:11 PM The Salvation Army says it has hundreds more requests for help than it was able to meet in 2009.

Updated: 10:55 PM A job fair was held Thursday evening at MSU Meridian. With unemployment rates hovering around 10% throughout our area, finding a job right now is a difficult task. With some successful self promotion, area job seekers were able to put their best foot forward in the hunt for employment.

Updated: 7:50 PM Dozens of locals proved Wednesday that they're willing to go to jail for a good cause.

Updated: 7:47 PM Northcrest Baptist Church has a need for clean, sturdy cardboard boxes to ship Operation Christmas Child gift boxes.

Updated: 8:01 PM Meridian's Household Hazardous Waste Day is this coming Saturday.

Updated: 11:06 PM Sunday was the benefit concert with all proceeds going towards the Muscular Dystrophy Association's local 'lock-up' event. The Temple Theater hosted the event in their ballroom.

Updated: 11:05 PM This year marsk the 42nd Annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope and F.W. Williams homes.

Updated: 11:26 PM Sunday was a busy day for residents and business owners in Philadelphia. The city hosted its holiday season open house in order to give customers a jump on holiday shopping and the city a boost to its economy.

Updated: 11:08 PM Dr. Randy McCoy, the Superintendent for Meridian Public Schools, met with business leaders this past Tuesday at the EMBDC's Business After Hours Event. That's where he talked about the significant role the community can and should play within the school system.

Updated: 10:24 PM Since the start of the school year, Sumter County High has been broken into three times. Due to these incidents, school officials are ramping up their security.

Updated: 9:22 PM The oldest alum from Meridian High School made a guest appearance this week showing of her talent that has left some people breathless.

Updated: 9:23 PM Eager holiday shoppers had another chance to get some early shopping done and a sneak peek at the latest items. Some of them did that at the Lauderdale County Farm Supply. Saturday was the Farm Supply's last day for their open house

Updated: 2:09 PM They were there to check out what items vendors had to offer at Christmas in the Highlands. A total of 70 vendors were there. Buyers and sellers say this is where unique gifts can be found with a good festive environment.

Updated: 7:05 PM This weekend marks the very first for the Salvation Army Angel Tree. One is now on display at Bonita Lakes Mall.

Updated: 7:09 PM Just in the past week, two individuals were robbed at gunpoint in Meridian. In the wake of this crime, officials are asking citizens to be a little more careful.

Updated: 11:25 PM Employees at Bonita Lakes Mall kicked off the holiday season with the arrival of the big, jolly man, Santa Claus.

Updated: 11:23 PM Local Boy Scouts and members of the Knights of Columbus Thursday night held their annual flag retirement ceremony.

Posted: 5:28 PM The town of Marion invites entries for its 3rd Annual Christmas Parade, set for Dec. 2.

Updated: 7:40 PM A new film aired Tuesday that is once again putting the spotlight on the city of Philadelphia and its past. That film is ESPN's 'The Best That Never Was'. It's the story of former Philadelphia High School running back, Marcus Dupree. The film follows Dupree from his high school days in Philadelphia, through his tumultuous college and professional career, to his life today after football.

Updated: 11:58 PM Sunday, staff members of the Queen City Nursing Center celebrated the facilities 40th Anniversary. That's how long employees have been offering their service to Lauderdale County and the surrounding communities.