Look Back In Yalobusha History

• 5 years ago, Oct. 15, 2009 – Water Valley’s Main Street was no longer in the flood plain after the engineering company that prepared the maps was informed of the flood control work performed by the Corps of Engineers and the city.
Emergency responders were pictured pulling Eric Davis from a bridge construction site on Hwy 32 east after his pickup truck ran past a barricade and slammed into the concrete culvert.
Around 300 people gathered Oct. 8 for the dedication ceremony for the Ford’s Well Recreation Area and Spyglass Hill Trail. Howard Barton was recognized with the Corps of Engineers Commander’s Award for Public Service for his long-term efforts on the project.
The Blue Devils dropped their second division game, 42-13, to Aberdeen.
• 10 years ago, Oct. 14, 2004 – The Water Valley School District was among only 38 percent of Mississippi schools that met Adequate Yearly Progress goals set by the State Department of Education.
City officials secured grant funds totaling $552,000 to replace old sewer lines in the city.
Dr. Dee Milicevic began seeing patients at Family Medical Clinic after recently completing her residency in family medicine.
The Blue Devils fell short in spite of a furious fourth-quarter rally and lost to Bruce, 21-14.
First grade star students at Davidson Elementary School were Cooper Clement, James Dennis, Austin McCluskey, MacKenzie Gordon, Sakia Townsend and Matthew Zediker.
• 20 years ago, Oct. 13, 1994 – Yalobusha County’s unemployment rate was the lowest it had been in years at 6.4 percent and was under the state average.
Water Valley’s Blue Devils defeated Charleston, 27-16, for the fifth win of the season.
Members of the Anchor Club pictured promoting the sale of Mums for Homecoming included Stacey Hollowell, Beth Avants, Brandy Thomas and Shannon Mustachia.
A memorial service was help at Water Valley Elementary School honoring the late Betty James and the late Vickie Morgan.
The country home of Eva and Bob Williams near O’Tuckolofa Church was selected as the October Town and Country Garden Club Yard-of-the-Month.
• 30 years ago, Oct. 18, 1984 – The Blue Devils dropped a close one, 7-0, to South Pontotoc. The Junior High Devils were also defeated, 21-0, by Coffeeville.
Rev. and Mrs. Marvin Bibb were honored by the 20-member Yalobusha Baptist Association at an open house held at O’Tuckalofa Church.
Cheri Carr represented Yalobusha County in the “Sheep Lead” class at the Mississippi State Fair. It was her first year in the 4-H sheep project.
Members of local 643 of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers held a “Buy America” rally here under master of ceremonies Danny Forsyth, Southern District Representative of the ACTWA.
 • 40 years ago, Oct. 24, 1974 – Pictured on the front page were Mrs. Bill White, Mrs. Harold Williams, Mrs. Jimmy Berry, Mrs. Billy Williamson and Mrs. John McMinn, who were preparing for the Yalobusha Academy Christmas Bazaar.
The Blue Devils were defeated by the Lafayette High Commodores, 45-7.
The Junior High Blue Devils came from behind to tie Calhoun City, 20-20, in what was called their most exciting game of the season.
Dave Hollister, Water Valley Softball League Commissioner, presented the Championship Trophy to George Sprouse and Bill Aston, managers of the Yalobusha General Hospital team after they defeated Holley Carburetor’s Team in the playoffs.
• 50 years ago, Oct 22, 1964 – The Blue Devils defeated North Panola, 28-7, in their homecoming game. Homecoming Queen Peggy Morris was crowned during ceremonies before the game. Other maids included, Carlisle Throop and Cheryl French, seniors; Mary Lou Fortinberry and Paula Scarbrough, juniors; and Brenda Morris, sophomore. A special feature was little miss Kathy Hudson, who was dressed in a “miniature” cheerleader uniform and perched on the shoulders of cheerleaders Patti Axelrod and Martha Bess Cooper.
The Oddfellows honored Judge and Mrs. Kermit Cofer at a banquet in the Oddfellows’ Hall.
• 60 years ago, Oct. 14, 1954 – Senator John Stennis was set to visit the Water Valley Rotarians, announced W. E. Blackmur, program chairman.
The Blue Devils took on the Hernando Wildcats for the homecoming game and were defeated, 13-6.
Cecil Sager, postal employee, was pictured with a four-pound, 10-ounce sweet potato he dug from his garden.
The Jeff Davis school newspaper staff was saddened when their mascot, Ajab, a grasshopper, passed away suddenly.
Out of the 900 students at Mississippi State College for Women, ten were from Yalobusha County. They were Beverly Anna Badley, Lois M. Cofer, Beverly Ann Edwards, Elizabeth Ann Gafford, June Sanders, Elsie Mae White, and Mrs. Patricia Ann Wright, all of Water Valley and Chester Anne Pate, Elsie Nelle Pittman and Martha Anne Walker of Coffeeville.
• 70 years ago, Oct. 12, 1944 – A. I. Shaw of Coffeeville was found guilty of murder in the death of Jimmie Deskin, Camp McCain soldier. Shaw was given a change of venue and the trial held in Sardis.
Camp McCain at Grenada was declared surplus property by the War Department and was to be abandoned as soon after Oct. 15 as possible.
In an odd coincidence, John Gore, 13, brought in a large sweet potato of around seven-and-one-half pounds. There was no photo, but it must’a been something to see.
Water Valley was the topic of discussion when Olivia Browne saluted the city on her Memphis WMC radio program.
A small ad in the Herald called for guards at a war project near Knoxville, Tennessee. It is not known if any area residents applied, but the ad was believed to be for the then-secret Manhat-tan Project that produced America’s first atomic bomb.
• 80 years ago, Oct. 19, 1934 – Two Water Valley boys, W. C. Patton and J. S. Tyler, were members of the state dairy judging team that left for the international contest in Cleveland, Ohio.
Continuing the odd sweet ’tater coincidences… Clifton Hudson, young enterprising farmer of the Sylva Rena community brought a cluster of 10 Nancy Hall sweet potatoes dug from one hill to the Herald office for mention in that week’s newspaper.