Look Back In Yalobusha County History
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Cooper (in space suit) and Coulter Clement were promoting a space exhibit at Blackmur Memorial Library in April 2003.
• 15 years ago, Apr. 24, 2008 – Water Valley observed its 150th birthday with a Founders Day celebration Saturday, April 19 downtown. Good weather, great food, terrific music and a large turnout contributed to the day’s success, according to the event’s sponsors, the Water Valley Main Street Association.
Goodwin Construction Co., LLC was honored by VP Buildings for their work on the Desoto Honda facility in Olive Branch.
Chessie Clark of Water Valley was among 21 freshman at Delta State University inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, a freshman honor society.
Hershel Howell’s book Lim was published by PublishAmerica.
New Chamber of Commerce officers are Ron Hart, president; Tonya Eubanks, vp; Joy Turner, secretary; and Clay Ashford, treasurer.
Miranda Phillips signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Northeast Mississippi Community College.
The WVHS Blue Devils track team won the District 1-2A Track Meet at Tupelo.
• 20 years ago, Apr. 24, 2003 – Lady Devil basketball standout Jocelyn Spearman signed a scholarship agreement to attend and play for East Mississippi Community College.
Gov. Ronnie Musgrove signed into law House Bill 1493 to provide $14 million in additional funding guarantees for the beef processing plant at Oakland.
Jacqueline Dione Johnson received a Masters Degree in Special Education from Florida Gulf Coast University.
Mike Edwards was elected to head the Mississippi Agricultural Consultant’s Association, a professional association of crop consultants who serve as advisors to 85 percent of the state’s cotton farmers and a large percentage of the state’s other row-crop producers.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nathaniel L. Potts was called to active duty from Company K, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division based in Memphis.
Mae Ivy Livingston was given an 80th birthday party by her family and friends at Turnage Drug Store, where she worked more than half her life.
• 30 years ago, Apr. 22, 1993 – A loud explosion at the Holley Automotive Plant was heard as far away as Coffeeville but did very little damage Saturday, Apr. 17. Plant Manager Travis Clement said that the exact cause was unknown, but it appeared an oil line feeding a large compressor ruptured and allowed oil fumes to fill the small building in which the compressor was housed. One wall of the structure and the roof were damaged.
STAR Student Kevin Edwards named his Dad, Biology instructor Mike Edwards as STAR Teacher at WVHS.
• 40 years ago, Apr. 28, 1983 – WVHS Blue Devil track girls relay team and boys mile relay team won the Conference Meet. Team members pictured included Jane Fleming, Jackie White, Carla Phillips, Pam Harris, Pat Harris, Larry Baker, Clifton Moore and Michael Turner.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Bailey were pictured on the front page with a turkey Gerald called for about an hour and 15 minutes before bagging.
Mrs. Dessie Caulfield received three awards for poetry at the annual meeting of the Mississippi Poetry Society in Natchez.
• 50 years ago, Apr. 26, 1973 – The Municipal Airport was closed until further notice due to the Yocona backwaters, according to Jack Thompson, chairman of the Municipal Aviation Commission.
The Ernest Edrington home on Blount Street received the Yard of the Month sign from the Garden Club of Water Valley.
Johnny Bland completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas.
• 60 years ago, Apr. 25, 1963 – Young Batesville attorney Charles G. “Cliff” Finch was running for District Attorney.
Touring Columbus Air Force Base were local Explorer Scouts Barron Caulfield, John Stokley, Pete Smith, John Cox, Sidney Elliott, Billy Humphreys, John Hunsicker, Eddie Cofer, Jimmy McCay and Bill Gafford.
Pictured on the front page working on an educational unit behind the First Christian Church were Edd Pannell, minister; and Marvin Tutor. Workers Jim McMinn and Bill Moorhead didn’t stop working long enough to smile for the photographer.
• 70 years ago, Apr. 23, 1953 – The WVHS Senior Class was pictured on page one. At their graduation the past Friday night, Joann Taylor presented the valedictory address and Bettye Stokes the salutatory.
The Blue Devil baseball team took both Camp Ground and Oakland in district play.
It was reported that Gov. Hugh White issued seven times more pardons than Governor Fielding White, who was known for his pardons.
• 80 years ago, Apr. 22, 1943 – Major Ken McCullar, a member of one of Yalobusha County’s most prominent families, was killed in a tragic accident. Major McCullar’s B-17 hit a small kangaroo, the impact breaking the hydraulic lines leading to the wheels, and he was killed when it aircraft crashed in flames. His death made headlines in the nation’s newspaper as he was considered America’s leading heavy bomber pilot in the Southwest Pacific.
Students in the First Baptist Church kindergarten class in April of 1993 were (front row, from left) Pam Stevens, Tripp Edwards, Devin Moore, Randle McCain, Hogan Vollbracht, Justin Chandler, Lee Gray, Matthew Lucas and Elton Newman; (second row) Megan Craven, Jewell Downey, Jason Langdon, Kevin West, Matthew Snider, Austin Shaw, Justin Thomas, Shannon Crow, Daniel Melton, Chelsi Anderson and Daniel Reynolds; (third row) Kim Pullen, Danny Harris, Jace Hamilton, Jeffrey Vance, Chad Fischer, Meredith Stevens, Phillip Ross, Justin Smith, Larry Harris and Kathy Magee.
