Look Back In Yalobusha History

• 5 years ago, April 2, 2009 – Austin Brooke Mills was crowned Watermelon Queen at the annual pageant.
Long-time businessman Paul Parker introduced the new Main Street Association manager Mickey Howley at a meeting of the Rotary Club. Parker praised the MSA and Howley, calling him the “biggest booster” for the town.
Three Jackson men were arrested by Sheriff’s Deputies after they attempted to peddle counterfeit merchandise at various stops along I-55 in Yalobusha County.
A lost pit bull hitched a ride with Lasha Hollowell and she gave him a ride to the police station. His name turned out to be Chino and he had run away from the Johnsey on the south end of town.
The latest figures from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security showed that the unemployment rate at the end of February was hovering at 13 percent.
Isabella Kelly of Water Valley won second place in the Mississippi Public Broadcasting Holiday Card Contest.
The Blue Devil baseball team under Coach Doug Robbins defeated division foe Eupora, 3-0.
• 10 years ago, April 1, 2004 – An over-the-top April fool’s day story about the railroad returning to Water Valley got some negative reviews by Herald readers. Some didn’t get the joke in spite of the description of trains running down the middle of Main Street. The railroad has always been a sensitive issue here.
Anthony Rockett of Water Valley was charged with three counts of aggravated assault stemming from the shooting of three people at a Coffeeville night spot March 21.
Water Valley Junior Auxiliary 2003-2004 provisional members included Leah Ann Wrenn, Brandy Russell, Mary Ann Jackson, Beth Villegas, Lee Ann Vance and Jill Hill.
Compassion Ministries received a donation from the Oxford TeleCom Pioneers. Bill Norris, a member of the group presented the check to Compassion Ministries chairman Raymond Aven.
Students making the “A” honor roll at Faith Christian Academy were Markyta Pomerlee, Samantha Allred, Mary Hill, Amber Burney, Amy Bell, Rebekah Hill, Miriam Hill and Kathryn Crocker.
• 20 years ago, March 31, 1994 – Five WVHS juniors attended the annual Rotary International Leadership Conference at Olive Branch: Yoshia Hence, Randy Goodwin, Jinny Fachman, Ben Eakes and Jimmy Parrish.
Fred H. Eakes was promoted to Senior Vice President of Mechanics Bank.
“The Store,” an outlet store featuring apparel for the family, opened in the building at the corner of North Main and North Court Streets. The business was operated by Pete and Brenda Smith.
Charles Potts, a tree surgeon for more than 40 years, was pictured about 65 feet above the ground in a large oak tree in City Park that was damaged by the February ice storm.
WVHS DECA students placed in the District 2 DECA competition at Itawamba Community College. They were Heather Horan, third, apparel and accessories; Jennie Griffin, fifth, apparel and accessories; Sholunda Rucker, first, food marketing; Jennifer Jackson, sixth, general marketing; Stacy Avant, first, hospitality and tourism marketing; Travis Romberger, fourth, retail merchandising; and Scott Russell, Eric Allred and Michael Sutherland, third, quiz bowl.
• 30 years ago, April 5, 1984 – The team of Kim Herring, Kevin Herrera, Chris Vick and Denise Riley won the Senior division of the State Future Problem Solving Bowl held in Columbus at MUW. The Intermediate Team – Valerie Phillips, Robert Todd, Angie Brooks and Sandra Evans – won second place.
Dianne Redwine Morris was appointed Postmaster of Harperville after serving with the Postal Service since 1978.
Melissa Edwards was selected as STAR Student at WVHS and she selected Mrs. Elsie Ashford as STAR Teacher.
Tammy Foster and Kerry Redwine each received a $100 Savings Bond for selling more than 200 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies in the fund drive here.
Guy Dale Shaw found some balloons in his garden with messages attached. Young students from Margaret Willes Elementary School in Amarillo, Texas launched the balloons and asked the finder to respond. Shaw said he planned to write and send the youngsters info about Water Valley and Yalobusha County.
• 40 years ago, April 4, 1974 – The WVHS Band received an “Excellent” rating on the field at the state band contest held at Hinds Junior College. The high rating was achieved in spite of a heavy rainstorm that greeting the band as they marched onto the field.
Herald Editor Edward B. Shearer mentioned two national events in his Shearings column: President Nixon’s visit to the Mississippi Economic Council meeting in Jackson and the current fad of streaking. Neither Nixon or streakers came to Water Valley.
Members of the Garden Club of Water Valley joined the city clean-up campaign by planting dogwood trees in Railroad Park. The group included Garden Club President Mrs. Paul Parker, Mrs. Ernest Edrington, and Mrs. C. C. Stacy. Helpers included Ernest Edrington; Jimbo Thompson, clean-up chairman; Jodie Burks, Jaycee chairman; and Mayor Watson Hunt.
Yalobusha received a $10,000 grant to provide fire protection in the county under authority of a law passed by the 1973 legislature. The Water Valley and Coffeeville Fire Departments divided the county into two fire districts.
Mrs. Linda Ingram was honored for her work with the Lovely Lane School here. She received a plaque for Rev. C. C. Wiggers, District Superintendent of the Sardis District of the First Methodist Church on behalf of the North Mississippi Conference.
• 50 years ago, March 26, 1964 – The Water Valley Jaycees published a map of the city drawn by registered land surveyor Tom Childress, who was pictured with Jaycee President Don Holloway holding the map.
Bluford McCullar, manager of the new Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, was pictured with Chamber President Oscar Parsons.
The Junior 4-H Livestock Judging Team – Marty Langston, Shelby Rogers, Harry Avant and Bill Harding – and the Senior 4-H Livestock Judging Team – Early Nichols, Don Harding, Harold Waller and Steve Moore – won second place at the Northwest District Livestock Show in Batesville.
Mayor Stanley Perkins signed a proclamation for Library Week with committee members Mrs. Hamric Henry, library board chairman, Mrs. J. Warren Ray, Mrs. Kermit R. Cofer and Mrs. Toxey T. Fortinberry.
Mrs. Cora Beene, past president of the Rebekahs of the State of Mississippi, was honored with a party at the Oddfellow’s Hall.
∑ 60 years ago, April 1, 1954 – The P.T.A. at Camp Ground school was sponsoring a womanless wedding with such characters as Mr. and Mrs. Paris France (Chester Shoemake and Johnny Schmitz); their daughter Petite France (Elmer Mills); and Billy Jack Hill as the minister. Others included Harvey Reed, Lawrence McDonald, Carlton Pass, Floyd McCain, Harry Sartain, and Edwin Earl Hill.
The Junior Class at WVHS was presenting the play, Best Foot Forward. Some memorable moments in the show included Charlie Harris in red shorts, Tommy Swearengen wearing shoes that were too small, Peggy Hart making out with Bobby Garner and Baxter Jones dancing with a pillow.
Kathryn G. Williamson, librarian at WVHS, won $75 in the Lion Oil Company Teacher Essay Contest for her essay titled “My Responsibilities As A Teacher.”
• 70 years ago, March 30, 1944 – Roosevelt Hervey, who worked at the home of Miss Eliza McFarland, was struck by lightning while standing under a clothesline. He suffered severe burns on the back and legs, but was making a recovery in the hospital.
Thomas J. Casey was appointed to succeed John F. Sharkey as superintendent of the Mississippi Division of the Illinois Central Railroad here. Mr. Sharkey became superintendent at the Vicksburg Division.
In the want ads John Taylor had Easter rabbits for sale; $1.50 to $2 each.
• 80 years ago, March 23, 1934 – Two Confederate veterans “answered the last call,” according to notices in the Herald. John P. Spurgeon, 87, who had been in ill health for some time, and Thomas H. Walker, 87, who had also been in ill health, passed away over the last week.
The Trusty Undertaking Company opened their establishment in the Goodwin block on Main Street. They had purchased a modern Flxible combination ambulance and hearse and rendered day and night ambulance service.
The Water Valley Melon Growers Association issued a warning to members to buy only the highest quality Cuban Queen and Tom Watson seeds. Melons grown here were destined for northern markets and had to be of the highest quality.
Enoch Vines and Jim Durham crashed the Edward Bell truck into a car on South Main Street belonging to Mr. Cook. Then they hit Mr. Morgan’s truck and took a part off another truck belonging to Ritter and Stone at their place of business. They continued further up the street wrecking the car belonging to the Davenport Brothers in front of their store. The last hit stopped the truck and sent the boys to the hospital.