Look Back In Yalobusha History
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Demolition work on the Blackmur Hotel complex, which was heavily damaged by fire on Saturday, June 12, 1982, was nearing completion in March 1983. The structure, which was more than 100 years old when it burned, was no longer used for lodging, but housed Mitchell’s Drug Store, Pruitt’s Early Bird Donut Shop, Morgan Electronics and Village Flower Shoppe.
15 years ago, March 6, 2008 – Yalobusha County was still in the running for the possible construction of regional jail that would house county inmates and state inmates,thanks to bills in the House and Senate that would allow the Department of Corrections to contract with the county.
Libby Kuchta was featured in the Talk of the Valley column. She was pictured with a painting of Noah’s Ark in the basement of the First United Methodist Church.
The late Paul Roberson was honored by the Water Valley Rotary Club for his years of service to his country and to Water Valley.
Water rates were going up to help pay for replacing worn out infrastructure and increasing government regulations.
• 20 years ago, March 6, 2003 – WVHS EAST Lab students earned a perfect score and superior rating at the annual conference in Little Rock, Ark. Representatives were Pierre Allen, Justin Chandler, Andrew Simoneaux, Brittany Foxx, Charlsa Carr and Lauren Tolbert. Faculty members were Facilitator Liz Reynolds, Facilitator Brenda Gulledge and teacher Jeff Byrd.
Members of the Keel family and Keel connections were pictured on the front page after traveling to Hollywood to attend the television show “The Price Is Right” with Bob Barker. Nolen Keel was chosen to “Come On Down” and won a Persian rug.
Western Yalobusha County was to receive natural gas from the Oakland/Yalobusha Natural Gas District.
Arlene Wilbourn was the BorgWarner Employee of the Month for March.
Rep. Tommy Reynolds was honored for his work in support of education by the Institutions of Higher Learning for increasing the state student aid.
• 30 years ago, March 4, 1993 – Wildlife photographer Stephen Kirkpatrick was to headline the ninth annual Wildlife Tasting Buffet and Seminar, according to Eugene Shaw, chairman of the planning committee.
Coaches Mark Grubbs and Steve Fowler were organizing the Blue Devil Diamond Darlings and planning to raiser funds for a pitching machine. Coach Grubbs was the new baseball head coach.
Daryl G. Burney, chairman of the Yalobusha County Soil and Water Conservation District, was elected Second Vice-President of the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts.
Sharon Reed was a finalist in the Miss National Teen Pageant preliminaries.
Casey McCoy of WV was voted as “Friendliest” in the Wood Junior College Who’s Who elections.
J. C. Womble was named Employee of the Month for February at Holley Automotive.
Larry Carr was nominated to compete in the National FFA Agriscience Teacher of the Year program.
• 40 years ago, March 10, 1983 – The Pilot Club launched a puppet project in the elementary school to promote patriotism and good citizenship, according to Margaret Eubanks of the club. Participating in the first show were Dee Ann Cox, Joey Walker, Sean Horan and Missy Martin as puppeteers.
The Yalobusha County Baptist Association opened a new office at 800 Central Street with Mrs. Odell Sansom as secretary. Rev. Buford Sellers was Moderator of the association.
Seniors on the honor roll at WVHS were Doug Carter, Bill Taylor, Nancy Card, Emily Johnsey and Lisa Davis.
Tony Herod was among the winners during the State Recreation Activities Tournament held at Northwest Mississippi Junior College. Herod and Mitchell Hammond of Como won for ping-pong doubles.
• 50 years ago, March 8, 1973 – No paper bound into the volume.
• 60 years ago, March 7, 1963 – Big Jeff, an orange and white setter, won first place in the Derby Stake of the Memphis Amateur Field Trials held in Como. The dog was owned by Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Massey.
Brad VanWinkle, junior county cotton winner, was pictured receiving a 4-H Club jacket from Assistant County Agent Robert Wolfe.
“Who wants to plant a large garden this year?” asked Mel Allen of 134 Simmons Street in the want ads. Mr. Allen was offering garden space for rent.
• 70 years ago, March 5, 1953 – New streetlights that extend out from the post on metal arms were installed on Panola Street.
Dr. Jesse L. Roark, a native of Water Valley, was named new health director for both Yalobusha and Lafayette Counties. He had only recently returned from Philadelphia where he was a high ranking official in the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The ladies of the First Christian Church were holding a book review at the city auditorium with Mrs. Mildred Spurrier Topp of Greenwood, who would talk about her books, “In the Pink,” and “Smile, Please.”
Former Herald Editor the late Ed Shearer III as a high school student commented in his Brain Storms column that adults must think teenagers look pretty silly, but “I sure am havin’ fun.”
• 80 years ago, March 4, 1943 – Lt. James Howard White, brother of Herman White, was a prisoner of war, held in Germany.
With the departure of linotype operator and printer Dick Alexander for the service, the Herald force was reduced to Editor Edward B. Shearer and the society editor.
Local businessman Paul Parker withdrew from the race for state senate because of changes in the selective service that would mean he would probably be drafted into the military.
In the want ads, Mrs. C. C. Vaughn of Panola Street was looking for her white Persian male cat who answered to the name “Baby.” A reward was offered.
