Looking Back In Yalobusha History
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Yalobusha Civil Defense responders and ambulance personnel remove the body of Charles V. Bruce from his Cessna 150 that crashed 45 years ago, Sept. 24, 1977, on Long Branch Farms between Water Valley and Oakland. Bruce had left Hattiesburg en route to his home in Oxford earlier that day.
– Photo by Jack Gurner
• 15 years ago, Sept.. 27, 2007 – BorgWarner officials made a second plea Sept. 20 to the board of aldermen for help with a soaring tax bill that went from $250,000 in 2001 to almost $900,000 in 2007.
Six trustees were appointed to the board of the Yalobusha Economic Development Authority: Eddie Ray, Earl Gibson Jr., Ray Hawkins, Keith Miller, Walt Moore and Jan Dean Wortham
The Blue Devils fell to the Senatobia Warriors, 42-0.
Members of the WV junior high cheerleaders were Courtney Anthony, Sarah Howell, Davelin Woodard, Meagan Westmoreland, Corie Jones, Hanna Rotenberry, Cienna Olmstead, Molly Van Winkle, Chelsea Snider, Chelsea Wilbourn and Kirstyn McMinn.
Davidson Elementary School students pictured preparing for their fall festival were Staton Sparks, Kierra Hudson, Jordan Lowery, Derrick Gooch, Carrigan Moody, Shy Folson and teacher Christie Lowery.
• 20 years ago, Sept. 26, 2002 – Sheena Carothers was Little Red Riding Hood in the Missoula Children’s Theatre presentation of the same name. Leah Byars, Rebecca McGavock and Sasha Owens played her three friends.
The Devils rolled over the Coldwater Cougars, 44-0, improving their record to 3-1. Pictured were Jeremy Rockette breaking up a Coldwater pass, Justin Thomas gaining some ground and Rico Gillard making his second touchdown of the game.
A Salute to American Character program was held at Davidson Elementary honoring local law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and the National Guard. Bro. Hal Clark gave a talk on making the right choices.
Jennifer Jones was inducted into the M Club at the University of Mississippi after lettering in cross-country and track.
• 30 years ago, Sept. 24, 1992 – Rev. Guy Reedy was retiring from the pastorate of First Baptist Church after serving for more than 22 years. During his years membership increased from 573 to 710.
J. G. “Buster” Treloar announced his candidacy for the District 33 position in the Mississippi House of Representatives.
The Blue Devils fell to the Senatobia Warriors, 37-13, in what was called payback for three defeats over the past two seasons.
Seven former Blue Devils were members of the NWCC Ranger football team: Derrick Gooch, Trea Higdon, Lenair “Bam” Person, David Allen, Rodney White, Jason Goodwin and Bryant Mix.
Concept Mold, Inc. held a grand opening at its facility in the W. C. Gardiner Industrial Park.
Cassandra Hawkins was a finalist in the Miss Pre-Teen Mississippi Scholarship and Recognition Pageant in Jackson.
Lyn-Michelle Lynch was elected vice-president of Phi Mu sorority pledge class at Ole Miss.
• 40 years ago, Sept. 30, 1982 – The Blue Devils won their first game of the season, defeating the North Panola Cougars, 14-6, in overtime.
The city purchased the Illinois Central property from Blount Street to the Lafayette County line. Plans were indefinite, but there was talk of building a new street to relieve the ever increasing Main Street congestion.
Performing with the NWJC Ranger Marching Band were Yalobushians Debbie Person, Lisa Walls, Linda Norwood, Kevin Surrette and Paul Forsythe, all of Water Valley, and Richard Farris, Tammy Williams and Dwight Vick, all of Coffeeville.
• 50 years ago, Sep. 28, 1972 – The Blue Devils fell to long-time nemesis Senatobia Warriors, 31-8.
WVHS cheerleaders were Joy Samuels, Zandra Morris, Frances Adams, Margie Potts, Teresa Moorhead, Patricia Hawkins, Nancy Abernethy and Dorothy Sanders.
Butch Surrette was pictured with his prize-winning foxhound, Enid Lake Tucker.
Rotary Club members heard about unemployment insurance and the workings of the Employment Security Commission from Johnny Craven, a former Water Vallian, of the agency.
Charles Coleman won the $50 drawing at Peoples Wholesale Co.
• 60 years ago, Sep. 27, 1962 – The ’62 Blue Devils were pictured on the front page after they blanked the much favored Olive Branch Eagles, 13-0.
The junior Devils tied the Senatobia Warriors, 7-7, with a Jimmy Maynor touchdown and a Harold Henderson extra point. Their homecoming was scheduled for the next Tuesday night.
Jones Supermarket at the corner of North Main and North Court was closed for three days to complete their remodeling program.
Sabrina Fortenberry was one of the Northwest Misses precision drill team.
Elmer Lee Redwine, 29, was killed while driving a gravel truck at the I-55 construction project.
• 70 years ago, Sep. 25, 1952 – The Water Valley Junior Auxiliary – although already in full operation with 20-odd members – was to receive their charter on Oct. 10. Mrs. Thomas
Peters of Meridian, president of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, would present the document at a special luncheon held in the Masonic Temple.
David Lee Hale, 15-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. David Hale, received his Eagle Scout Badge, one of the highest honors a Boy Scout can earn.
The Blue Devils lost to Sardis, 14-7, amid a flurry of fumbles.
• 80 years ago, Sep. 24, 1942 – The Herald got a new editor and publisher in the person of Phillip E. “Moon” Mullen of Oxford. The announcement by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dale of their “retirement” from the newspaper business for the duration of the war came as he received a promotion to first lieutenant in his work as intelligence officer at Camp Shelby.
Mullen and his father published the Oxford Eagle where he was assistant editor and advertising manager. He and wife and two children were moving to town to live in the house formally occupied by the Dales. The Herald staff was to continue including Society
Editor Eleanor Moorhead, linotype operator Wilbur Wright and printer and advertising manager Ira Anderson.
Mullen would only publish the paper for four months, leaving the newspaper in anticipation of service in the armed forces. In January, 1943, the ownership of the newspaper changed hands as Lt. and Mrs. Jack Dale told the paper to Edward Shearer, Grady Cook and Ned Lee. Shearer was the editor.
