NEW ORLEANS

Tornado causes major damage in Mississippi

Emergency officials say an apparent tornado caused significant damage Sunday evening in Hattiesburg, Miss., after passing along a main road.

Forrest County Fire Coordinator Chip Brown says there is major damage in Hattiesburg and Petal, including on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. He couldn’t confirm injuries.

The National Weather Service says bad weather is likely to stretch into Fat Tuesday in southeast Louisiana. Jefferson Parish has canceled a Monday night parade.

82-year-old says he’s OK after tackling suspect

An 82-year-old Washington mansays he was a little sore but otherwise OK after tackling and helping police catch a felon one-third his age.

Terry Miracle, of Longview, was weeding in his garden Fri- day when heard a commotion. It was police chasing a burglary suspect identified as 27year-old Morgan Perry Bluehorse.

As officers chased the suspect through yards and over fences, Miracle launched a “cross-body block” and his knee collided with the suspect.

Festival is the country cousin to Mardi Gras

Fasnacht is the country cousin to Mardi Gras — not as big and brash as the Louisiana carnival, but a pre-Lent party nonetheless. And it has a dual purpose: to scare away Old Man Winter.

In the West Virginia hamlet of Helvetia, the descendants of Swiss and German immigrants joined hundreds from across the state Saturday night to celebrate traditions that date back to the Druids.

They danced and drank, wearing scary costumes and masks. Some partied until just before dawn.