Look Back In Yalobusha History
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Firefighters from Water Valley, Pine Valley, Velma and O’Tuck battled a blaze that consumed the Chittom’s Apartments in 2004. The building originally housed the Wood Street Methodist Church was totally consumed by the fire.
• 15 years ago, March 13, 2008 – Just enough snow to cover the ground fell overnight on March 8.
The hunt was underway for a new football coach at WVHS after head coach Trent Hammond resigned to take a position with the Franklin County School System.
City aldermen amended the beer ordinance to reduce the distance to churches from 250 feet to 150 feet allowing the Dunn Family Restaurant on North Main Street to sell beer with meals. At the same meeting, aldermen approved the new city flag and adopted new water rates.
Shelby Hernandez was first place winner, Breanna Baker took second and the Springhill North God’s Anointed Praisers took third in the first Yalobusha Idol contest sponsored by the Dynamic Conquerors team to benefit the Relay for Life.
Plans for a Herald flyer kite were included in the paper after several people told Herald reporter Jack Gurner he should go fly one. The plans are still online and available on the website at www.yalnews.com.
James Edwards was awarded the Yalobusha County Farmer of the Year award during the Agriculture Appreciation/Recognition Banquet. Others recognized included the late Doke French, Billy Dean and Christine Fielder, and John Ashford.
• 20 years ago, March 13, 2003 – D. R. Ingram and the late Joe Bailey were inducted into the Yalobusha County Agricultural Hall of Fame at the Agricultural Appreciation Banquet. Others honored included Leroy Edwards, Frank Berle Brooks, Brad Brooks, Kyle Jeffreys, Don Bowman, Steve Cummings and Joe Snider.
Pictured on page one preparing for the mission trip to Nicaragua were Cathy Aldy, Tommy Latham, Jamie Cofer, Billy Childs, Billy Flippin, Reeda Cofer, Josh Ragon and John Rue.
Oakland Mayor Riley Swearengen and Mississippi Rural Development Director Nick Walters were shown holding a symbolic check for $1.2 million for the Oakland-West Yalobusha Natural Gas Association.
Jonathan Bass was a member of the University of Southern Mississippi Symphonic Orchestra.
It was still chilly, but Sartain’s TrueValue store was advertising fishing supplies to get everyone thinking about warmer weather.
• 30 years ago, March 11, 1993 – The sixth grade class of Mrs. Barbara Hence at the elementary school was participating in a national petition to create and print a stamp to honor missing servicemen from all wars. Shown signing the petition were Jaclynn Chandler, George Rogers, John Dunn and Bridgett Rucker.
WVHS Band Drum Major Melanie Goodwin and Guard Captain Callie Cox were pictured wearing Mickey Mouse ears in preparation for the band’s trip to perform at Disney World.
The First Presbyterian Church was set to observe their 150th anniversary.
Gina Defer was promoted to Operations Officer at Sunburst Bank.
The “spec” building at Gardiner Industrial Park was on the rise after months of preparation and concrete work.
John Wood Jr. exhibited the Reserve Champion Other Breeds heifer at the Northwest District Livestock Show.
• 40 years ago, March 17, 1983 – The Corps of Engineers had increased evacuation of flood control storage in the north Mississippi lakes including Enid because of expected heavy spring rains.
Valerie Herod shared the Outstanding Non-finalist Award with Katri Couselman of Lucedale at the “Miss W” pageant at Mississippi University for Women.
Stan True was praising the warm weather over the past weekend and noted that about 40,000 turkey hunters would take to the woods for the season opening March 19.
• 50 years ago, March 15, 1973 – New Chamber of Commerce directors were Carl Smith, representing industry; Danny Ross Ingram, representing agriculture; Jimmy Maynor, representing businessmen; and Hazel Cook, representing businesswomen.
Pictured on the front page were WVHS Band officers Malinda Hill, Nancy Swanson, Paula Knight and Mary Childress. They were working with Dr. Pete Crowder, director of the Mississippi State Marching Band, who was in town to help prepare the band for the state contest.
Bobby Bell was pictured with an 81-pound catfish he caught.
Listed in the Tomorrow’s Men and Women column was Randall Lee Hyde, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hyde.
Mrs. J. C. Treloar was severely injured in a two car collision on Hwy. 7 south of town. She was in critical condition at Baptist Hospital in Memphis.
The Blue Devils baseball team was set to open their season against Coffeeville. Positions included James Fondon, third; Ronnie Pinkerton, shortstop; Reed Thompson, catching; Dennis Hall, second; Steve Hale, first pitcher; Cliff Craven, center field; Mike Horan, left field-first; Jim White, right field; and Marvin Hall, a freshman who was “looking good” as a pitcher and catcher, according to coach Butler McLeod.
• 60 years ago, March 14, 1963 – Dalton Hyde was named local chairman for the Red Cross.
The Blue Devil baseball team began practice with six of their starters missing after graduating last year. Coach Don Johnson said this year would depend on Joe Holt, Tommy Hudson, Kenny Taylor, Raymond Steele and Gary Cox.
Former Vallian Ralph Mitchell was named head football coach at Walnut High School.
The 4-H Council was to see a program on entomology at their meeting in the Coffeeville Courthouse, according to council president Beverly Allen.
Roving reporter for The Yellow Jacket, the WVHS newspaper included in the Herald, Ethelyne Turnage interviewed Ronny Scar-brough, who had recently returned from duty as a House page in Washington.
• 70 years ago, March 12, 1953 – Fire destroyed three homes in Water Valley leaving five families homeless. The fires were started from an explosion as a gas stove was being lit. Two of the Markette Street homes belonged to Mrs. W. J. King and one to Mrs. Loyd Howard. No one was injured.
T. O. Gore Sr. was reelected grand treasurer and Ed Shearer were advanced to the office of Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Commandery at the Knights Templar meeting in Jackson.
Airman Thomas W. Green was promoted to the rank of Airman First Class at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.
Teenage Ed Shearer III (future Herald editor) writing in his early “Brain Storms” column defined a small town as “One in which everyone knows what everyone else is doing, but they read the local paper to find out whether or not they’ve been caught at it.”
• 80 years ago, March 11, 1943 – Mrs. E. N. Nolen of the Bethlehem Home-maker’s Club, was the state winner in the Kitchen Improvement Contest.
The new telephone directory was being distributed to the 460 local homes and offices with telephones.
Loyd Simmons was promoted to private first class in the Army.
Private William C. Wood was at home visiting family. He is the eighth generation of his family to serve in the armed forces of the United States.
