2010 – A Year In Review

January

Water Valley firefighters were called to Rolling Hills around 1:40 p.m. New Years Day to put out a grass fire that residents say was set by youths playing with fireworks.

Betty Shearer reported in her column that several Vallians and other former Water Valley folks attended the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Sunday, Jan 3.

Yalobusha County Supervisors started the New Year at a meeting Jan. 4 defending their decision to combine the justice court offices in the Water Valley and Coffeeville courthouses to one location – the Carothers building located two miles south of Water Valley.

Supervisors also voted Jan. 4 to purchase the former Odom Rural Health Clinic to house the county’s health department office.

Water Valley School District board member Pierce Epes served at his first school board meeting Jan 4. Epes replaced former board member Ray Hawkins, who did not seek re-election. Also during the 15-minute meeting, Lamar Burgess was elected as board president.

The Yalobusha General Rural Health Clinic, the county’s new $2.2 million family medical facility, opened Jan. 5 to rave reviews from patients.

Water Valley Aldermen voted Jan. 5 to accept a bid from Mechanics Banks to be the City’s depository at 1.35 percent annual percentage yield.

Fire destroyed a house at 107 Clay Jan 6.

The first days of the New Year were freezing cold with temperatures falling into the single digits. A photo on the front page Jan. 7 showed a broken faucet in the Oak Hill Cemetery spraying water that caused an ice patch to form on the hillside.

The Herald reported in the Jan. 7 edition that Jimmie R. Jones, 75, died December 24, 2009, at Yalobusha General Hospital. Jones was a long-time grocer in Water Valley.

Yalobushians turned out in force Sunday afternoon, Jan. 10, for the opening of the Yalobusha Rural Health Clinic.  Doctors Heidi Pratt and Paul Odom showed off the new facility often acting as tour guides.

Yalobusha County was awarded $11,690 by the Emergency Food and Shelter (EFS) Program to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services for the nation’s hungry, homeless, and people in economic crisis.

The yard of Cecil and Melvin Ford, located at 713 Market Street, was selected as January’s Yard of the Month by The Garden Club of Water Valley.

Water Valley received a $100,000 grant from the Mississippi Development Authority to help pay for SCADA equipment to monitor the water system and wastewater treatment plant, according to an announcement in the Jan. 7 edition.

The Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake were releasing 18,326 gallons of water a second, which amounted to reducing the lake level only three inches per day, according to a report in the Jan 7 Herald.

Yalobusha officials closed the county offices and the courthouses in Water Valley and Coffeeville on Jan 7 because a mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow fell across the area overnight.

Ben Love, 21,  of Tillatoba was killed Jan. 10 when his Ford F250 pickup overturned after crossing the railroad tracks on County Road 55 at Scobey.

On Monday, Jan. 11 just after noon, firefighters were called to Country Road 230 just south of the intersection with Hwy. 315 to battle a stubborn grass fire that burned a shed and about 30 bales of hay.

Dr. Jessey Higdon, Sr., Director of Interdisciplinary Programs at the North Mississippi Regional Center, received the prestigious Paul D. Cotten Leadership Award at the Mississippi Mental Health/Mental Retardation joint conference in Philadelphia, it was announced in the Jan. 14 Herald.

In a photo published in the Jan. 14 Herald, Water Valley High School students Avery Larson, Callie Davis and Courtney True modeled Blue Devil sweatshirts, hoodies, and wind suits available through the Beta Club’s sportswear fundraiser.

There was funny money floating around the county, according to the Jan. 14 Herald, and law enforcement officials were warning businesses to be on the lookout for counterfeits, particularly $5 and $100 bills.

The Blue Devils met the Coffeeville Pirates Jan. 16 at WVHS. The Pirates won 57 to 52 in overtime after a 45 to 45 tie in regulation play.

City of Water Valley offices and departments were closed Monday, January 18, for the Martin Luther King holiday.

Water Valley Firefighters Brent Rogers and Cameron Cummings used foot power to put out a grass fire near the airport Monday, Jan. 18, around 2 p.m. The slow moving fire had almost burned itself out and there was no need to unroll the hoses.

Reopening a full-service gas station in the arts and crafts style building at 129 S. Main Street was the topic of discussion at the Planning Commission meeting Monday night, Jan 18.

Lady NWCC Ranger guard De’Kisha Fondon of Water Valley sparked a scoring outburst by knocking down three consecutive three-point shots as part of a big win over the Coahoma Lady Tigers 104-53 Jan. 18 in Clarksdale.

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Yalobusha County Homemakers, Inc. met at the Multi-Purpose building in Coffeeville for the club’s first meeting of the year.    

The Y-Fest 2010 Prayer Meeting was held at First Baptist Church Coffeeville on January 19.

Superintendent Sammy Higdon told School Board Trustees at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19, that a cut in the School District’s budget for next year is going to affect another 27 staff members, some of whom will be losing their jobs.

Keith Spence of Grenada spoke on the life of Davy Crockett at the Yalobusha Historical Society meeting Jan. 21.

The girls’ softball field under construction on Market Street is well lit thanks to an agreement between Mayor Larry Hart and Oxford Mayor Pat Patterson. Aldermen approved an agreement during a special called meeting last Thursday, Jan. 21, allowing the City to accept the gift of surplus ball field lights from the City of Oxford.

The Mississippi State Tax Commission diverted $241,773.93 to Water Valley from July to December 2009, it was reported on Jan. 28. That’s down two percent from 2008, when the town received $246,402.40 during the same six month-period.

A photo in the Jan. 28 Herald showed Yalobusha Coroner Ronnie Stark and Deputy Coroner Debbie Jackson with their department’s latest purchase, a new van. Stark reported the van would allow his department to better serve the citizens of Yalobusha County. Stark and Jackson also thanked county officials and others who recognized the need for the vehicle.

The Lawrence Turner Community Building, the first completed building project in the state funded by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was dedicated Jan 29 in the Rolling Hills community.

The Bozarts Alliance, a group of 11 area artists, hosted their first show Friday, Jan. 29, at Bozarts Gallery downtown.            

The horse show season started Jan. 30 at the Yalobusha County Multi-Purpose Building.

The North Mississippi Herald won 14 advertising awards in the Mississippi Press Association’s 2009 Better Newspaper Contest it was announced Jan. 30 during the association’s annual Mid-Winter Conference.

Austin Hodge, 16-year-old son of Angie and Tim Hodge, found out Jan. 30 that he and his family would be going to the Super Bowl thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi. Austin had been treated for Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare disease that attacked the bones in his face.

February

Supervisors weighed the pros and cons of enrolling in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) during the “first Monday” supervisors meeting held Feb. 1 in Water Valley. Among the benefits are the availability of conventional mortgages for people who have property in the flood zone.

Every dollar matters. That’s what Superintendent Sammy Hidgon told School Board members Feb. 1 as he recommended over a million dollars in cuts to the district’s budget. A shortfall in revenues will caused massive cuts in the education budget.

Coffeeville Aldermen voted to hold a public hearing at the beginning of the Feb. 2 meeting regarding property at 17478 Okahoma St. Aldermen adopted a resolution declaring the property a menace to public health and safety and the owner was given until Apr. 2 to clean up.

Aldermen declared May 8 as Main Street Market Festival Day at their regular monthly meeting Feb. 2.

Madison Heath, 12-year-old daughter of Hollie Fortune of Coffeeville and the granddaughter of Buddy & Sharon Durr of Water Valley, was pictured Feb. 4 donating 11-1/2 inches of her hair to the Locks of Love program. Blue Devil Tavi Toles appeared to be doing basketball ballet as he is tripped up during Water Valley’s final home game of the season Feb 4. The Devils won the contest, 60-52.

More than 50 hunters attended a public meeting at the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center Friday night, Feb. 5. They were there to discuss changes in the state’s 2010/11 deer season following the introduction of House Bill 1282 that increases the number of gun-hunting days, shifting the primitive weapon season to the first three weeks in November.

The Yalobusha County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held its annual Black History Program Feb. 6.

Qwatetric Williams, State President of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America and his fellow WVHS local members celebrated FCCLA Week February 7-13.

A runaway tire from an 18-wheeler rolled 75 yards across a yard striking a car and damaging a house on Feb. 10. The tire came from a truck traveling from Bruce down Hwy. 330, according to Sheriff Lance Humphreys.

D.C. Logan, a standout running back for the Blue Devils, signed with Northwest Community College, it was announced in the Feb 11 Herald.

De’Kisha Fondon of Water Valley was one of seven Lady Ranger sophomores honored after the game between Northwest Mississippi Community College and the Coahoma Lady Tigers Feb. 11.

When asked what he thought about Valentines Day, Michael Davis, 11, said, “It’s a day when you show your love for other people.” Michael was shopping for  on Saturday, Feb. 13.

Alderman Donald Gray was pictured joking with Robin Coleman, a supervisor for Mississippi Blood Services, as he gave blood during a community blood drive Feb. 13.

Big snowflakes fell Monday afternoon, Feb. 15, providing beautiful winter scenery. The flurry followed several hours of snowfall Sunday night that turned the countryside white, although accumulation was less than an inch. The snow did hamper traffic, as it melted on roads and bridges.

Yalobusha and Calhoun County firefighters joined forces Feb. 18 to battle a structure fire on the Ed Newman property off Hwy. 32 East near the county line.

Harvey L. Allbritton, wanted by the FBI for grand larceny and possession of methamphetamine, was behind bars after law officers with the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department and the Coffeeville Police Depart-ment made an arrest Feb 19.

On Feb. 22, students at Davidson Elementary School challenged students at Water Valley High School and Junior High School to raise money for Yalobusha County Relay For Life.

Water Valley school  board members voted 3-2 on Feb. 22 to reject over a million dollars in budget cuts recommended by Super-intendent Sammy Higdon for the 2010-2011 school year. A shortfall in state revenue was behind the recommendations.

Dr. Bob Hill, Pastor of Faith Baptist Church, was run over and injured by a Honda three-wheeler Feb. 26 in the yard of the church at 1300 Eckford Street. Kevin Noel Scanlon, 29, was arrested for aggravated assault in connection with the incident.

March

The WVHS Football Team kicked off its 2nd Annual Lift-A-Thon on March 1. All proceeds go toward new Away uniforms for the 2010-2011 Season.

On March 1 the recreation season began at Enid Lake with the opening of campgrounds and day use areas.

District School Board members voted 3-2 March 1 to accept budget cuts for the 2011 school year recommended by Superintendent Sammy Higdon except for five items involving athletics.

Water Valley Aldermen voted to replace problematic stage lights at the City Auditorium at their regular “first Tuesday” meeting March 2.

Police investigated the death of Carey Shantell McCollins, 31, who was shot March 2 at a residence on West Lee Street just west of the Suggs Street intersection.

Residents and staff at Yalobusha General Nursing Home presented a plaque to Shirley Berry on March 3 commemorating 40 years of volunteer service to the facility.

Outfielder Ronnie Ferrell and freshman starting pitcher Tarus Hervey, both of Water Valley, contributed to a pair of wins for the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers against the Southwest Tennessee Saluqis in the first game of a doubleheader March 3 at First Tennessee Fields in Cordova.

Yalobusha firefighters were kept busy the first week of March with brush fires, according the March 4 Herald. County volunteers were called out almost daily and sometimes the calls came one after another.

The Yalobusha County Soil and Water Conservation District gave out seedlings March 4 in front of Mechanics Bank.

The March 4 Herald noted that the Water Valley Town and County Garden Club planted daffodils around town including over 600 bulbs at the Yalobusha County Nursing Home and in the renewed Baker Street Park.

The Coffeeville Board of Aldermen approved at their March 5 meeting the standard yearly fire contract with the county to provide fire protection outside the town limits, but within a five-mile radius.

About 800 people attended the eighth annual Yalobusha County Baptist Association sponsored Y-Fest Program on Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6 in Coffeeville. The Tom Edwards Band of Clinton performed for the crowd.

The Water Valley Lady Devils played their home opener and first division game Monday, March 8, against the Independence Lady Wildcats at Crawford Sports Complex.

Following an intense 36 hour search, the Yalobusha Sheriff’s Department arrested James Bardo of Coffeeville March 10 in connection with possible arson and alleged burglary of a residence.    

The March 11 Herald featured photos of the WVHS baseball team playing a doubleheader March 6. Players pictured in the photos by Judy Robbins included Cole Camp, John Michael Grimmett, Chris Conard, and Josh Johnson.

Long Time Coming, an art exhibition commemorating the Civil Rights Act of March 1964, opened March 5 at Bozarts Gallery on Main Street.

The Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) reported in a meeting with the Water Valley School District Board of Trustees on March 8 that 16 inquiries were made and 14 applications received by the Feb. 12 deadline in the search for a new superintendent of the district.

Fire destroyed the unoccupied home of the late Dewey Jarrell, former County Civil Defense Director, just before 9 p.m. March 8. Coffeeville and Velma firefighters along with other county volunteers worked the fire until past midnight.

Yalobusha Emergency Responders were called to the Long Branch bridge on Hwy. 32 West around 2 p.m. March 11 after a man fell from the rocks while fishing. The man  reported that he had broken his wrists in the fall.

Census forms are beginning to arrive in Yalobusha County mailboxes March 15 as the U. S. Census Bureau begins its decennial headcount of America.

Cell phone and wireless broadband service will be improving this year in Mississippi, Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley told the Water Valley Rotary Club March 16.

Coffeeville Fire Chief Mack Burns was pictured scooping up debris after a two-car crash on Hwy. 330 March 19. An auto traveling eastbound on Hwy 330 collided with a blue car turning into the parking lot of the Hwy 330 Superstop. Witnesses described the collision as a “horrific crash” that knocked the blue vehicle almost 100 feet.

The Water Valley School District’s policy of an automatic one-day suspension for students who use profanity was questioned by Levert Hawkins at the March 22 School Board meeting. He asked that the school’s administrators be given some flexibility in their choice of punishment when a child uses a profane word or phrase.

Lexi Fowler, a sixth grade student at Davidson Elementary School, won first place in the Class II Chemistry Division of the Mississippi Region VII Science and Engineering Fair March 24 at Ole Miss.

A House Bill introduced by Representative Tommy Reynolds authorizing Yalobusha supervisors to build a jail anywhere in the county passed the House in a 114 – 4 vote on March 25.

Water Valley Municipal Airport will receive $138,684 for runway and taxiway rehabilitation, according to an announcement March 26 by U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker.

Northwest Community College freshman starting pitcher Tarus Hervey of Water Valley kept his record perfect at 3-0 by striking out six in 5.1 innings of work against the Mississippi Delta Trojans March 27.

In conjunction with Passport Day in the USA 2010, the Water Valley Post Office held a Passport Fair March 27.

April

An 18-month old child, Randell Edward Taylor, and his father, David Lee Taylor, were injured April 1 when their auto ran off Hwy. 315 about a mile east of the city limits. Taylor said the uneven road over a recently installed culvert caused him to lose control of his Ford Focus. The stretch of highway had reportedly been the subject of complaints after a bridge at the location was replaced with a culvert.

Yalobusha County’s unemployment rate dropped slightly going from 17.2 percent in January to 16.9 percent in February, according to the April 1 issue of the Herald.

The Herald also reported April 1 that Yalobusha County is one of eight counties in Mississippi that would currently violate an Environmental Protection Agency proposal to strengthen the national smog standards.

A bridge replacement project that has been stalled after a neighboring landowner objected to the proposed work possibly was headed to court following a vote by supervisors during the “first Monday” meeting held April 5.

Early art works by Gretchen E. Harris were on display in the lobby of Renasant Bank on Central Street during April.

The use of all tobacco products in City parks will become illegal after Aldermen amended the parks ordinance at their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, April 6.

Coffeeville Aldermen voted to begin the process of annexing the 330 Super Stop located at 14836 Hwy 330 at their regular monthly meeting April 6.

In a photo published April 8, Jonnie Mayo gleefully points out the next victim to the Red Hats Relay for Life fundraiser. The Red Hats swept through the city on their  trolley taking unsuspecting hostages for a good cause. Jonnie was being helped out by Linda White, Mary Sue Stevens and Snooky Williams, who appeared to be really enjoying his hat.

Tanner Shuffield, Cody Shuffield, Jonathan Colclasure, Cameron Brooks and Cody Person competed in Kappa Alpha’s annual boxing tournament April 9 at Ole Miss.

Steffi River, 19-year-old daughter of Jayne and Keith River, was selected 2010 Watermelon Queen during the Junior Auxiliary sponsored Watermelon Pageant Saturday, April 10.

Police were investigating the theft of a silver Sears 12-foot aluminum v-hull boat from a residence on Stephens Street April 14.

A former Water Valley resident, Reginald “Reggie” Pulley, went on trial in Gwinnett, Ga, according to a report in the April 15 Herald. He allegedly beat an acquaintance to death with a television set in April 2008. Pulley, a 1997 graduate of WVHS, was indicted on charges of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and two counts of theft by taking.

The Water Valley Rotary Club challenged other civic organizations, clubs, political entities, business organizations, corporate enterprises, and churches to support the school system by adopting a grade at Davidson Elementary School. The challenge was issued in the April 15 Herald.

Yalobusha County was only two percentage points behind the national mail participation rate for the 2010 Census, according to the latest figures April 15 from the Census Bureau. Nationally, 64 percent of households had mailed back their Census forms, while 62 percent of Yalobusha County households had participated.

On April 15 the Water Valley Junior High Blue Devil football team competed in the second annual South Panola Spring Jamboree. The Blue Devils came away with a split record in the two abbreviated games, defeating Pope 32-18 and falling to Charleston 14-24.

The Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual banquet April 15 in the multipurpose building at Water Valley High School. Melvin and Cecil Ford were presented the Braswell Hatcher Service Award. Dr. Robert Khayat, former Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, played country and gospel music on his guitar which he learned to play while in the NFL.

The City is financially sound, Mayor Larry Hart said during a brief state of the City address at the April 15 Chamber of Commerce banquet. “We’re not rolling in the bread,” he said. “But, we are comfortable. Even to the point that we’ve decided to start putting down a little asphalt.”

SPACE, a multi-sensory space experience art show, opened at Bozarts Gallery April 16.

A TEA Party rally for the area was held in Oxford Saturday, April 17, at Avent Park.

Supervisors agreed to loan two county-owned sewage aerators to Water Valley during a recessed meeting held April 18 in Water Valley.

School Board members approved a credit recovery program that replaces traditional summer school at their regular meeting April 18. The purpose of the program is to help students recover credit for courses they did not compete during the regular school year.

Absentee voting started Monday, April 19, for the June 1 Republican Primary Election. Voters chose from three candidates competing in the First Congressional District including Alan Nunnelle, Angela McGlow-an and Henry Ross.

Effective 22 April 2010 anglers can keep seven Largemouth Bass of any size on Sardis and Enid lakes, so say the Corps of Engineers.

The Water Valley Blue Devil Boy’s Track Team finished second in the division track meet April 22 at Winona.

Teams from all over Yalobusha County were cooking, raffling, and selling at the annual Relay For Life April 23. The event continued through the night at the Crawford Sports Complex.

Randall Lee Collins, 53, of Batesville was killed April 25 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on County Road 36 near the Enid Lake levee.

May

Yalobusha County was spared as violent weather passed through Mississippi for the second consecutive weekend. An estimated four to six inches of rain fell in Yalobusha County, pushing O’tuckalofa Creek to the top of its banks May 2.

School District personnel will be furloughed for up to three days for each of the next two years under a plan approved by the School Board May 3.

The Region 2-3A Track Meet was held at Winona Tuesday, May 4. Water Valley finished in fourth place, with 11 boys and one girl qualifying for the North State  Meet, which was held Saturday, May 8.

The possibility of a new business opening on North Court Street east of Central was discussed at the regular monthly Board of Aldermen meeting May 4. Mayor Larry Hart told Aldermen that some business people were interested in City property that fronts North Court Street between the back of Defer’s Service Station and the old railroad bed.

Gary Brown Haire of Water Valley and Christopher K. Williams of Meridian were found dead on the south bank of Sowashee Creek in Meridian May 5 as a result of drinking alcohol while taking Benzodiazepine, according to a toxicology report issued by the Meridian Police Department.

Hot dogs, chef salad, baked beans, oven fries, applesauce, and a variety of milks were on the Water Valley School District lunch menu for May 6.

Students at Imagination Station presented their 7th annual Art Show Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May 8, at the school located at 32 Main Street.

The Water Valley Football Booster Club sponsored a crappie tournament at Enid Lake on May 8. The tournament had originally been scheduled a week earlier, but inclement weather forced organizers to delay the event. Tommy Hill and Richard Allen took first place.

The Old Pine Valley Community Center trail ride, held annually on the second Saturday in May, was held May 8.

Twenty-two students from Yalobusha County were among the 2,247 University of Mississippi students who received degrees May 8.

Water Valley’s Blue Devil baseball team made a two game sweep of the Corinth Warriors May 8.

After a 7-0 start to the season, finishing as runner-up in the division, and an 11-6 regular season record, the Water Valley Lady Devils’ season came to an end May 8 after dropping two games to the Nettleton Lady Tigers.

Dr. Deborah Moran was appointed Superintendent of Schools for the Water Valley School District, according to an announcement in the May 13 Herald.

Moran assumed the duties of Superintendent July 1. She replaced retiring Superintendent Sammy Higdon, who served in the school district for 25 years, both as principal and superintendent.

Graduation exercises were held at Northwest Mississippi Community College on May 14.

Police investigated a burglary that occurred just after 12:30 a.m. May 16 at O’Tuck Supply at 831 Wise Street. An officer arrived on the scene in under a minute and discovered a portion of an outside wall had been pulled open to gain entry to the building.

A two-car crash on County Road 25 east of the second intersection with CR 113 caused several minor injuries just after 7:30 p.m. May 16. Emergency responders had to work in a blinding rainstorm to extricate victims from one of the vehicles.

Some customers in Yalobusha County saw their garbage pickup day change beginning May 17 after the company that provides curbside garbage pickup in the county put an additional garbage truck to work.

Yalobusha Nursing Home celebrated National Nursing Home Week with events and themes each day. On Monday, May 17, the nursing home hosted a cookout. On Tuesday, May 18, balloons were released in honor of each resident.

Kevin Noel Scanlon escaped from the Yalobusha County Jail May 13 and eluded authorities until May 18 when he was captured by U.S. Marshals in Lafayette County at a friend’s house.

The WVHS Class of 2010 had 66 seniors who were candidates for diplomas during the graduation ceremony May 20 at the Tad Smith Coliseum on the Ole Miss campus in Oxford.

The Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department joined the Mississippi Highway Patrol and safety advocates across the country in support of the 2010 “Click It or Ticket” mobilization May 24.

The annual Clean-Up Day at Enid Lake received the first place award in the Federal Government category from Keep Mississippi Beautiful April 29.

June

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks began accepting applications for the 2010 Alligator Hunting Season on June 1.

BorgWarner was granted two ad valorem tax exemptions on property with a total value of $1,655,435 at the regular monthly meeting of the City Board June 1.

A high-speed pursuit that began in Tallahatchie County and crossed over into Yalobusha County ended around 2:30 p.m. June 2 when the vehicle crashed into the “bridge out” warning sign on County Road 18.

Water Valley School District’s 3rd annual Blue Devil Youth Camp was held June 3.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) awarded Yalobusha County a solid waste assistance grant of $20,400 that will be used by the county for employment assistance for a local solid waste enforcement officer and to clean up unauthorized dump sites, it was announced in the June 3 Herald.

Davidson Elementary School held registration June 2 – 4.

On Saturday, June 5, the First United Methodist Mission Team will go to La Mora, a village in the mountains of Nicaragua, Central America. This year the team built a church building for the people there.

During a two-hour work session at the “first Monday” meeting, held in Water Valley June 7, Yalobusha supervisors hashed out details of the proposed flood ordinance. Benefits for participating in the federal flood program include the availability of conventional mortgages for people who have property in the flood zone.

Work began June 7 on renovations at Coffeeville Town Hall under a $50,000 grant administered by the Mississippi Development Authority.

Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held June 10 at The B.T.C. Old-Fashioned Grocery on Main Street and at the new Shelter Insurance Agency at 909 Central Street.

Tuition was increased by the Northwest Mississippi Community College Board of Trustees during their meeting June 10.

Linda and John Lancaster’s yard at 721 Market Street was selected as June’s yard-of-the-month by The Garden Club of Water Valley, it was announced in the June 10 Herald.

Water Valley High School’s Class of 1950 held their 60th reunion June 12.

The Tri-Lakes Western Horse Show was held on June 12.

Nineteen teams from around the area participated in the Water Valley Invitational Tournament for 7-11 year-olds held June 13 at Crawford Sports Complex. In spite of the high 90 degree temperatures, from 800-1000 people participated.

Caleb McMahen, 19-year-old son of Lee McMahen and the late Gil McMahen, received the Bruce Gurner Memorial Scholarship for 2010, according to an announcement in the June 17 Herald.

A two-car crash June 18 on Hwy. 32 west near County Road 225 injured three people, not seriously. A small dog belonging to one of the victims was rescued from the wrecked car by emergency responders.

The Water Valley School District held a public hearing June 21 on its proposed $10 million budget.

The North Half 4-H Cookout Contest was held in Coffeeville at the Yalobusha County Multipurpose Building on June 22.  There were 69 participants representing 15 counties.  The overall winner of the Pork Junior category was Brooke Fielder of Yalobusha County.

Yalobusha County supervisors participated in an hour-long work session with Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Plain Management Specialist Stackey Ricks during a meeting June 23.

Makenzie Chandler (12), John Paul Ashford (3), and Cody Inman (11) modeled the Watermelon theme shirts available from the Water Valley Junior Auxiliary in the June 24 Herald.

Water Valley hosted the NEMCABB Summer Regional Tournament at the High School Baseball Field on June 24 and June 25.

Water Valley’s nine-year-Old All Stars won the 2010 Dizzy Dean All Star Bash in Batesville June 25-27.

Another 2,000 feet of Hwy. 32 East was blocked off June 28 beginning just east of County Road 223 to continue a five-bridge project scheduled for completion in February of 2011.

Sylandria Roberson won’t soon forget her 19th birthday June 28. Sylandria, known as “Fat Cat” to her friends, was on the way home from her job at Windsor Foods when she and Mandy Hilliard ran off Hwy. 32 West in a rainstorm sometime after 4 p.m.

The Mississippi Native Wildflower Conservation Program’s Wildflower Tour Day was held June 30 at the Jamie L. Whitten Plant Materials Center outside Coffeeville.

July

The City’s emergency warning sirens cost less to operate and are more reliable after the installation of 2.8 miles of cable during the first week of July.

The North Mississippi Herald won six awards, including a first place, in the annual Mississippi Press Association Better Newspaper Contest, it was announced in the July 1 edition.

The youngsters from Cotton Candy Kids day care marched down Main Street July 2 in honor of the 4th of July.

Park Rangers at Enid Lake patrolled on land and water and were stationed at every swimming beach during the 4th of July holiday.

Except for the noise of fireworks, Police reported a quiet July 4th holiday weekend in the City.

An annual tradition, Yalobusha County Tax Collector/Assessor Linda Shuffield presented the 2010  tax rolls to supervisors on July 6. Supervisors learned the total assessed value of the county decreased 2.3 percent, down from last year’s 74,169,067 to 72,426,321 this year.

Aldermen met July 12 for what was supposed to be a very short special meeting. However, a required reading of amendments to the City’s flood plain ordinance took right at 40 minutes.

The Water Valley Arts Council held an art camp on July 12-16 for children in grades 1st to 6th. There were 49 campers and 27 scholarship kids participating.

Police were investigating an attempted strong-arm robbery that occurred in the early morning hours of July 15 at the Sonic Drive-In on South Main Street. Ron King, a manager at the fast food restaurant, was leaving the business around 12:10 a.m. when he was attacked by two young black males.  

On July 15, two of the state’s favorite sons presented “An Eve-ning of Songs and Stories with Charles Pittman and Robert Khayat” at the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery at Enid Lake.

The Junior Auxiliary of Water Valley, Inc. hosted the Enid Lake Bass Tournament Saturday, July 17.

The family of Lucius and Mollie Perkins Bell, along with the related families of Pritchard, Fly, Porter, and Perkins, held a reunion on July 17 at the Yalobusha Country Club.

The School Board adopted the $10,504,929.92 budget for FY 2011 July 19 during a six-minute long meeting held before the regular session. New superintendent Dr. Deborah Moran was on hand for her second official board meeting.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office, Oakland Police, Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department and the County Fire Investigator were examining evidence in a suspected arson fire that was reported July 20 around 1:15 a.m. at 413 Redbud in Oakland.

Supervisors passed a resolution July 20 adopting the final version of flood ordinance, a move that will allow the county to enroll in the National Flood Insurance Program.

The Tri-Lake Fairgrounds Summer Festival was held July 21 through 24 at the Fair-grounds located on Highway 315-West, across from the VFW in Water Valley.

 Five Water Valley boys competed in the IKF World Classic Championship Tournament held July 23 -25 in Orlando, Fla. The crew, dubbed Team Mississippi, included Codie Shuffield, Tanner Shuffield, Cody Gilcrest, Cody Person and Cameron Brooks.

Suzanne Fischer represented Water Valley in the 61st Mississippi Miss Hospitality Pageant, July 25 – July 31 in Hattiesburg.  

Weather related power outages occurred all over Yalobusha County Monday, July 26,  and into Tuesday morning, July 27, as thunderstorms brought heavy rain and high wind to the area.

 In partnership with the Mississippi Bass Federation, MDWFP hosted the first ‘Camp Fish’ to North Mississippi youth July 26-29 at the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery.

Mrs. Ruby Taylor’s residence at 1308 Central St. was selected as July’s yard-of-the-month by The Garden Club of Water Valley, it was reported in the July 29 Herald.

Mississippi received just $175 in restitution during fiscal year 2010 from two of the men involved in the failed Mississippi Beef Processors plant in Oakland. Richard N. Hall Jr., former owner/manager, paid $75, leaving a balance of $548,085.59 owed to the State, according to the Audit Exceptions Report issued July 31 by State Auditor Stacey E. Pickering.

August

Representatives of the softball booster club appeared before the School Board Monday night, Aug. 2, seeking permission to build a concession stand at the Lady Devil Softball Field.

The City budget for the upcoming fiscal year is projected at $2,640,150, just $116,250 above the current year, Mayor Larry Hart said during the Aug. 3 City Board meeting.

At the same meeting, Aldermen voted to outlaw the sale and possession of Synthetic marijuana.

August 4 marked the first day to qualify to run for school board races in both the Water Valley School District and Coffeeville School District.

The Herald reported on Aug. 5 that temperatures were expected to be 97 degrees with scattered showers Friday and 96 degrees on the Saturday for the Watermelon Carnival weekend.

That same issue detailed a program under which Yalobusha County families can receive a smoke alarm and free installation thanks to the county’s volunteer fire departments.

Steffi River, 2010 Watermelon Queen, and her court were presented at the Watermelon Music Festival Thursday night, Aug. 5, in the Civic Auditorium.

The annual Watermelon Carnival was held Aug. 5-7. Betty Shearer reported in her column, Betty’s Week, that Watermelon weekend was great! There were no major problems for police over the Carnival weekend, according to Lt Rick McCuan of the WVPD.

The Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross raised $3,335 at their annual charity golf tournament held at the Yalobusha Country Club on Aug. 7.

A Water Valley man, Gage Moss, 21, was arrested following a late night pursuit Aug. 12 by Water Valley police and sheriff’s deputies that meandered around the county. The school year began Thursday, Aug. 12 and the District School Board met in a special called session to approve tax resolutions for both Yalobusha and Lafayette Counties.

Football kicked off Friday night, Aug. 13, with a scrimmage game at 7:30 against Vardaman. WVHS set the tone early and often with their physical brand of Football and won the half 12-0 over the Rams.

Working on a tip received Aug. 14, Coffeeville Police arrested Brandon Spearman, 20, and his girlfriend, Tesla Weeks, 19, for stealing around $5000 worth of merchandise from the Avery Outdoors distribution warehouse on Tennessee Street.

Things were going well for the first days of the new school year, Superintendent Dr. Deborah Moran told School Board members at  an Aug. 16 meeting.

The Rotary Club of Water Valley decided to “adopt” Water Valley’s first grade teachers and provide the supplies that were cut from the district budget. At the same time, the club challenged other organizations to adopt a grade of their own, it was reported in the Aug. 19 Herald

United Blood Services held a blood drive at the Coffeeville First Baptist Church Family Life Center Thursday, Aug. 19.

Pictured in the Aug. 19 Herald was Johnny Gullette, who outfitted his lawnmower with an umbrella and electric fan to keep him cool while he mowed the lawn.

The Blue Devils won a heart stopper, 13-7, over Bruce Aug. 20.

Works from the recent Art Camp were on display through the middle of September in the lobby of Renasant Bank, the Herald reported Aug. 26.

Water Valley beat Coffeeville, 28-0, in the Railroad Classic on Aug. 27.

The Rockalicious Kids’ Concert was held Aug. 30 at the Bandstand on Front Street in downtown Coffeeville.

A Huntsville, Ala., firm was hired by Yalobusha County supervisors on Aug. 30 to update the county’s aerial tax maps at a cost of $28,000.

The 7th grade and 8th grade Blue Devils both won their season openers against Coffeeville Aug. 31. The seventh grade won 22-6, while the eighth grade won 6-0.

September

Taxes will edge upward in Yalobusha County, as the county and both school districts asked for a millage increase, it was reported in the Sept. 2 Herald. The millage rate will increase 2.59 mills for the county, combined with an 8.23 mill increase for the Water Valley School District and a 3.86 mill increase for the Coffeeville School District.

An 18-year-old foster child led authorities on a high-speed chase that ultimately ended in Calhoun County Thursday morning, Sept. 2, after she lost control of the stolen car she was driving.

Calhoun City defeated the Blue Devils, 10-7, at Calhoun City Sept. 3.

A Coffeeville woman, Viola Farmer, 46, was killed in an early morning accident Sept. 4 after the vehicle in which she was riding  collided with an ambulance. The accident occurred on County Road 211 near Oakland.

A structure fire on County Road 123, about three miles southeast of Water Valley, destroyed a shop in back of the James Russell home on Sept. 5.

All City of Water Valley Offices and Departments were closed Monday, Sept. 6, to observe Labor Day holiday.

Water Valley Rotary Club Past President Nell Jobe received the Rotary 2009-2010 Presidential Citation at the Sept. 7 meeting for the club’s service work over the past year.

The Town and Country Garden Club met Tuesday, Sept. 7, and toured the rustic country homes of Nancy and Joel Rogers and Mary and Sam McCachren in the Pine Valley Community.

Coffeeville’s new $320,800 town budget for 2010-2011 was adopted during the Sept. 7 meeting of the Mayor and Board.

Yalobusha farmer Ross Burney and his crew were pictured harvesting almost 400 acres of sweet potatoes planted in the county in the Sept. 9 Herald.

The First Presbyterian Church of Water Valley completed the second stage of extensive renovation to the 113 year-old building, according to an article in the Sept. 9 Herald.

Davidson Elementary School moved to a Successful rating and met growth standards, according to accountability model results released Sept. 10 by the Mississippi Department of Education. Water Valley High School remained at the Academic Watch level and did not meet growth standards.

The Water Valley Arts Council Studio Crawl was held Friday night, Sept. 10. The event, in its second year, drew a good crowd who did the walking tour of 12 local art studios with more than 25 participating artists.

The 1990 Class 3A State Football Championship Team was honored during half-time Sept 10 at Homecoming. The Blue Devils were 15-0 for the year, the only team ever to achieve this record.

The 2000 Water Valley high school cheerleading squad, who took top state honors that year, were also honored. They are Ashley Sims, Megan Edwards, Desiree’ Dickey Faust, Kellie Magee Gholson, Lee Ann Holt, Alana Reed, Anna Crow Gordon, Jennifer House Burrowes and Mandy Mills.

The 2010 homecoming court at Water Valley high school presented Sept. 10 included Andrea Daniel, Megan Westmoreland, Moquinada Gooch, Brittany Hodge, Queen Kreneice Reid, Cienna Olmstead, and Hanna Rotenberry.

The Devils took J.Z. George, 41-14, during the homecoming game.

On Monday, Sept. 13, all three young Blue Devil Football teams traveled to Calhoun City to take on the Wildcats. The 7th grade team tied the Wildcats 14 to 14; the 8th grade team suffered their first loss of the season; and the Junior Varsity Team did not fare any better.

The $2,640,150 Water Valley City budget for the upcoming fiscal year was approved during a special called meeting of the Board of Aldermen Tuesday morning, Sept. 14.

Yalobusha supervisors approved their budget for the new fiscal year following a public hearing in Coffee-ville Wednesday, Sept. 15. The new budget includes a 2.59 mill tax increase with expenditures budgeted at just over $3.7 million while the estimated revenue is projected at just over $3.4 million.

David Dunn of Oakland, a volunteer in the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program, is one of 500 volunteers nationwide who are taking America’s annual frog-and-toad census, run by the U.S. Geological Survey, it was reported in the Sept. 16 Herald.

The Yalobusha Historical Society met on Sept. 16 with guest speaker Charles Pittman, a former State Senator now an aide on the staff of Gov. Haley Barbour.

The Blue Devils had a memorable 27-21 win over North Pontotoc on Sept. 17.

On Sept. 17, Oakland Police Chief Russ Smith and Officer Jason Irby arrested Orlando Lyons, Jr. of Charleston on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to sell and resisting arrest.

A stray bullet from a gunfight late Sunday, Sept. 19, grazed Kevin Braziel, 35, on the neck. He was sitting on a coach in his girlfriend’s apartment on Davidson Street at Edgefield when the bullet came through the window around 10:30 p.m.

The Garden Club of Water Valley met at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 20, at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall and on Sept. 25 they sponsored the annual Scarecrow Trail in City Park.  

Another week and the Water Valley Blue Devils avenged another loss from last year with a 33-6 win over Independence Sept. 24.  

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake held the annual “Hunting and Fishing Day” Saturday, Sept. 25 at Riverview Recreation Area.

Yolanda Hawkins pled guilty in Circuit Court to a reduced charge of man-slaughter in the death of Hugh E. Nicholson Jr. Hawkins, 26, was sentenced Sept. 27 to one year and two days time served plus 18 years, 363 days probation.

Cossar State Park will not close as scheduled on October 31, according to a letter dated Sept. 30 asking the Mississippi State Personnel Board to delay a previous request to eliminate the work force at the park.

Unincorporated areas in Yalobusha County were placed under a countywide burn ban during a Sept. 30 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

Mississippi District Health Officer Dr. Alfio Rausa was pictured on Sept. 30 at an open house cutting the cake to celebrate the county’s health department’s move to its new location at 645 Main Street.

October

Yalobusha County firefighters were called out around 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, to assist Calhoun County volunteers at a “massive” woods fire near the intersection of Calhoun County Roads 284 and 285.

The Blue Devils defeated Nettleton in overtime, 23-20, Friday Oct 1.

The Farmers Market Fiesta and Antique Tractor Show was held Saturday, Oct. 2, in Railroad Park downtown.

A lone white male armed with a handgun robbed the Regions Bank on North Central Street just before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5.

Federal Judge Sharion Aycock issued summary judgment Oct. 5 in favor of Yalobusha County in a  lawsuit filed by former Civil Defense Director Cecil Harrison.

Coffeeville Aldermen asked the Yalobusha General Hospital to transfer ownership of the old ambulance service building on Front Street to the Town; it was reported at their Oct. 5 regular meeting.

In a matchup of two of class 3A’s hottest teams, the Aberdeen Bulldogs used their big play ability and stingy defense to shutdown division foe Water Valley, en route to a 35-14 home victory Oct. 8.

Members of the Davidson High School Class of 1967 hosted a fish fry Saturday, Oct. 9. Proceeds will go toward scholarships and class projects.

The crowd was estimated at about 3,000.

A Lafayette County man, Christopher Eric Cooper, 39, accused of being the city’s first bank robber in memory was in City Court Oct. 11.

Eric Jason Craft, 34, of Texas faces federal charges after being arrested by the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department while serving a warrant Oct. 11.

Water Valley defeated South Pontotoc, 38-14, at home Oct. 15.

On Saturday, Oct. 16 a Community Sing-Along was held in City Park sponsored by the Arts Council of the Water Valley Main Street Association.

Northwest Mississippi Community College sophomore Suzanne Fischer of Water Valley was crowned 2010 Homecoming Queen for the Senatobia campus on Oct. 16.

On Sunday, Oct. 17, First Presbyterian Church celebrated 167 years.

Congressman Travis Childers spent the afternoon Tuesday, Oct. 19, visiting with farmers during his “Putting North Mississippi First” working tour. Childers visited Burney farms, outside Coffeeville, before heading to the Yalobusha Gin. At the Gin, the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation presented Childers the Friend of the Farm Bureau by the American Farm Bureau Federation for his “sustained and exemplary support of farmers” as a member of the 111th Congress.

First District Congres-sional candidate Alan Nunelee brought his “Take Back America” bus tour to Water Valley on Oct. 19.

Chad Kimzey, President of the Fans of Fast Pitch, told School Board members Oct. 19 that there is a group of girls who are interested in playing slow pitch softball.

About $675,000 dollars has been invested in the City’s downtown since the Water Valley Main Street Association has been active and another $210,000 of investment is planned during the next year, Bill Taylor, President of the WVMSA said during the group’s annual general membership meeting Thursday, Oct. 21.

Pine Valley Fire Department’s annual Haunted Hollow was held Friday, Oct. 22, Saturday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 30.

Water Valley (8-2 overall, 3-1 league) squeezed past Winona, 31-21, Oct. 22 to at least clinch second place in the division.

Power was out in the city for just over an hour Sunday morning, Oct. 24, beginning just after 3 a.m. The outage enabled Electric Department workers to connect power to the new cleanroom facility at BorgWarner and repair equipment in the main substation on Gore Circle.

Chrissy, a little lost poodle, was returned to her owner Oct. 27 thanks to the help of Animal Control Officer William Beard and the Herald’s Betty Shearer.

New hiring procedures will go into effect starting next month at BorgWarner’s local manufacturing facility, according to an article in the Oct. 28 Herald. Human Technologies, Inc. with corporate offices in Greenville, S.C., will be used exclusively for the company’s temporary staffing needs as of Nov. 1.

Dr. Gary Brown Jackson, a Yalobusha County native, has been named director of the Mississippi State University Extension Ser-vice. He will assume his duties as head of the statewide educational outreach system Jan.1, 2011, it was announced in the Oct. 28 Herald.

Police Chief Mike King suggested that city residents observe Halloween on Saturday night, Oct. 30, instead of Sunday Night, Oct. 31.

November

Yalobusha Supervisors set a $25 fee at their meeting Nov. 1 for a developer’s permit that will be charged for any new home, mobile home, garage outbuilding, commercial building or home addition proposed in the county.   

Average daily attendance (ADA) for the Water Valley School District was 95.45 percent during the first month of the school year, just 1.05 percent below the district goal of 96.5 percent, Superin-tendent Dr. Deborah Moran reported Nov. 1 at the regular meeting of the School Board.

The Mechanics Bank branch at 1508 E. University Ave. in Oxford was robbed by a black male wearing a ski mask at 11:37 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Assistant District Attorney Smith Murphey won a four-person race for a circuit court judge’s seat Tuesday, Nov. 2, avoiding a November 23 runoff.

Attorney Larry Little of Oxford was appointed Municipal Judge Pro-Tem during the Nov. 2 “first Tuesday” meeting of the City Board.

The Water Valley Blue Devils secured their spot in the second round of playoffs with a dominating 28-0 victory over Corinth Nov. 5 at Bobby Clark Field.

An Oakland man, Lewis Pitchford, 30, faces misdemeanor and felony charges after his alleged involvement in the theft of almost a dozen heavy duty batteries. The batteries were stolen from three different rural locations in the county in the late night or early morning hours on Nov. 10 or 11.

VFW Post 4100 held their annual Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 at the monument on Main Street in Water Valley. More than 100 people attended.

The Yalobusha Giants, an eight year-old USSSA travel baseball team comprised primarily of local talent, was ranked number one in the nation by the USSSA AAA 8U Coach Pitch Rankings, according to a report in the Nov. 11 Herald.

The annual harvest supper was held at the Yalobusha County Nursing Home last Thursday, Nov. 11.

Blue Devil Tavi Toles waves to the crowd as he is transported off the field Friday night, Nov. 12. Toles broke his leg in the game and had surgery the next morning. The Blue Devils won the game, 31-0.

A young Water Valley man, Jeremy Michael Barber, 19, was killed in the early morning hours Sunday, Nov. 14, when his vehicle crashed near the old bridge on Hwy. 32 about a mile and a half east of the city limits.   

The Friends of the Coffeeville Public Library hosted a holiday decorating program, “Savor the Season,” Sunday, Nov. 14, in the Coffeeville First Baptist Church Family Life Center.

Water Valley Police arrested two people from Calhoun County, Elinda Broughman, 28, of Calhoun City and Willie Armstrong, 29, of Derma, and charged them with felony possession of marijuana.

Ashley Phillips, the 17-year-old daughter of Darlene and Rodney Phillips, signed a letter of intent Monday, Nov. 15 to play softball for MSU.

Lonzo Lezell Griffin of Courtland and Cypress, Texas; and Michael Allen, of 80 Vaughn St., Coffeeville were arrested last Tuesday, Nov. 16, in what is described by Yalobusha County Sheriff Lance Humphreys as “one of the largest drug rings in the state.”

Yalobusha Sheriff Lance Humphreys was pictured Nov. 18 with two new deputies, Regis Mister and Thomas West. A DUI grant is funding the salary of one extra deputy, allowing  Humphreys to create another position in the department. The second deputy was hired to fill a vacancy in the department.

Taylor Anne Trusty, a student at Davidson Elementary School, won first place in the 23rd Annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest, it was announced Nov. 18. Taking second place was Jacob Marker and third was Vaughn Hart.

The students at Davidson Elementary School showed their appreciation with songs of thanks to their teachers, principals, staff and a whole bunch of others Nov. 19, during the yearly Character Program. The words to these original songs were written by music teacher Mary Freeman.

The Water Valley Blue Devils clinched a spot in the third round of playoffs with a 31-0 win at Ruleville Central Friday, Nov. 19.

Supervisors took another step Nov. 22 to ensure compliance with newly enacted flood ordinance in the county by requiring utility companies to have proof that  the county has issued a developer’s permit before connecting services to any new home, renovation, mobile home or other structure in the county.

The annual Community Thanksgiving service was held in Woodland Hills Baptist Church Wednesday, Nov. 24, beginning at 7 p.m. Rev. Barry Dickerson was the speaker.

Mickey Howley of Water Valley was elected by fellow Main Street managers and members to the Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) Board of Directors, according to a report Nov. 25.

Blackmur Memorial Library is now serving as an access point for on-line services through the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, it was reported Nov. 25.

Mississippi’s duck season opened Friday, Nov. 26.

The Water Valley Blue Devils, a team en route to a dream season, had their year come to a nightmarish end in a 10-7 third round playoff loss to bitter foe, Winona.

The Water Valley Community Band’s Christ-mas Concert was Nov. 28 in the Water Valley Civic Auditorium.

December

The Garden Club of Water Valley selected the yard of Fay Ross, located at 912 North Main Street, as December’s Yard-of-the-Month.

Doris Cox led the annual Christmas Parade down Main Street Dec. 4 as Grand Marshal.

Fans of Fastpitch Softball held a catfish dinner Dec. 4, in the Railroad Depot on Main Street to help complete the softball field.

Blue Devil Eric Buckley scored the game-winning shot just as the buzzer sounded against North Panola Dec. 4.

Law enforcement officers arrested 27 people on drug charges in Water Valley and other areas of Yalobusha County beginning Dec. 6 during “Operation Waterfall.”

Yalobusha County’s Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance premium will increase 12 percent, it was learned during the Supervisor’s meeting Monday, Dec. 6.

Police Chief Mike King reported to the City Board Dec. 7 on the recent drug arrests.

Athletes at Water Valley High School were selling chances beginning Dec. 7 to win one of three Black Angus steers donated to the Water Valley Athletic Department by Ingram Cattle Company.

Christmas dinner was served at both the Davidson Elementary and Water Valley High School on Dec. 8.

Water Valley’s Junior High Blue Devils won two games and lost one on Dec. 9 against the Pope Bulldogs.

The 2010 Christmas season marked the 38th year that the tree-shaped decorations have been used, according to the Dec. 9 Herald, and some of them are beginning to show their age.

Herald Sports Reporter Reid Bankston gave the WVHS Blue Devils a B+ for their just completed 11-3 season in a report published Dec. 9.

The Salvation Army’s presence in the city under volunteer Wilbur Herring was the topic of a Dec. 9 story in the Herald. The volunteers were given a promotion this year – a bigger kettle – after they raised over $3000 last year.

The anticipated Panola Playhouse production of “Annie” started Friday, Dec. 10, with Tom Latham of Water Valley as Daddy Warbucks.

Turnage Drug Store got a new sign Dec. 12 painted by local artist Bill Warren.

A contentious county-wide developer’s permit fee set by Yalobusha Supervisors was revised  following a 4-0 vote during a recessed meeting held Dec. 14.

The school district was less than one percent away from their goal of 96.5 percent average daily attendance, Superintendent Dr. Deborah Moran announced at the Dec. 16 School Board meeting.

 Bob Tyler, Director of the Yalobusha County Economic District, was recently appointed to the Mississippi District Export Council (DEC), according to a report in the Dec. 16 Herald.

The Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department joined other law enforcement and highway safety agencies across the nation Dec. 16 to take part in the Drunk Driving Over the Limit Under Arrest campaign.

On Saturday, December 18, Senior Outside Linebacker J.D. Fondon, Head Coach Brad Embry, and Defensive Coordinator Richard Russo all aided the North Squad to a 19-14 victory in the 62nd Annual Bernard Blackwell All-Star Classic held in Ocean Springs.

A reception honoring retiring Circuit Court Judge Andrew C. Baker was held on Monday, Dec. 20, in the courtroom of the Panola County Courthouse at Batesville.

The Yalobusha County Circuit Clerk’s offices will be open on New Year’s day until noon to allow absentee voting for the Jan. 11 special election for the Northern District Transportation Commissioner, according to the Dec. 23 Herald.

The area was preparing for Christmas and the Dec. 23 Herald featured some of the holiday preparations. The letters to Santa from Yalobusha County youngsters contained detailed want lists of some old standbys such as Barbie and toy trucks along with the new electronic games and computer accessories. One youngster wanted Santa to bring her Dad some ashes.