Look Back In Yalobusha History
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Site preparation was underway for the Bank of Water Valley’s new downtown branch at the corner of Wood and Main Streets in March, 1985. Sidewalk superintendents gathered Tuesday morning to watch the former parking lot being dug up and the old vault foundations removed. Carothers Construction Co., Inc. was in charge of the project.
Tornado season was underway in 1985, less than a year after the devastating tornado that ripped through Water Valley and Brother Guy Reedy shared words of comfort. Reedy wrote in a Letter to the Editor in the March 14, 1985, edition that he was listening to his radio when he heard the announcer make reference to the “tornado season” being from late February until May. Reedy said he felt himself tense up and literally for a moment felt a degree of fear that swept through him as he remembered the events of 1984.
“Then I began to wonder how our fellow citizens of Water Valley would fare as the tornado season produces storm warnings,” Reedy wrote.
That prompted Reedy to share a few reassuring thoughts to help his fellow citizens cope. The list started with advice to be reasonable and do not let the storm warnings be intimidating.
“These are facts of life that are no more a danger to us now then in the days prior to April 21st. This type of thing is subject to the laws of nature as it has always been. The fact is that for years we lived together
Be strong of faith, as there is no greater source of strength and peace of mind that the Lord.
Reedy also shared to be honest with yourself, talk about your fears in prayer to God and to a close friend. He also recommended seeing your pastor or another leader you trust.
10 Years Ago, March 12, 2015 – Herald columnist Mickey Howley reported the winter bleakness continued after another round of snow. Howley reported five snow days and counting. In another related article, Jack Gurner’s drone photo showed the snow blanketing the ground along Main Street.
Gurner also wrote the Herald staff was fed up with the winter weather. “That’s it… The Herald isn’t reporting on any more snow this season,” he wrote.
Eddie Ray was on the agenda during the monthly Board of Aldermen meeting. Ray explained the goals for a newly formed organization, the Water Valley Business Alliance.
Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association reported that construction was completed on a new electrical substation in the Water Valley industrial park that would improved service and had the possibility of supplying the City of Water Valley with backup power in the event of an outage.
Planning was underway to recognize the Panola Street birthplace of Hubert Creekmore with a historical marker. The Water Valley Arts Council had been working for the last year with the Department of Archives and History on the project.
20 Years Ago, March 10, 2005 – The Blue Devils baseball team had managed seven wins through the first 10 games of the season, but Head Coach Doug Robbins said his team was lacking emotion when they needed it most. His comments came as the team played a double-header against 4A Hernando at home. Before the game, the team expressed their appreciation for the community’s support of the newly renovated field. Dr. Joe Walker tossed the first pitch.
The Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum acquired the bulk of railroad artifacts that had been housed in the Vaughn Railroad Museum. A victim of the statewide cost-cutting aimed at state parks, the museum had closed in 2004, leaving the artifacts without a home.
Kevin Kimzey presented John Ingram with the Yalobusha Farmer of the Year Award.
30 Years Ago, March 9, 1995 – The Town and Country Garden members planned to “Plant the Town Red.” They had sold hearty, watermelon-red crepe myrtle plants to citizens in the city. The ladies encouraged local citizens to put out these crepe myrtles would be a blaze of red in late summer, especially for the Watermelon Carnival. Club members also planted a number of these shrubs on city property.
Members of the O’Tuckolofa Sportsman Club who participated in the Enid Lake Habitat Day were Trey Magee, Brandon Magee, Lester Michelletti, Billy Wilbourn, Tommy Hill, Eddie Peacock, Eddie Magee, Dean Hill and James Rounsaville.
The Water Valley Band Boosters were sponsoring a “Water Valley Melon Contest.” For readers wondering what kind of this contest this was – it was a Womanless Beauty Contest. The melons pulled for the vine for this festive affair were Michael Redwine, Kevin Hughes, Robert Lewis, Clark Logan, Larry Smith, Bill Finch, “Jimbo” Thompson, Donnie Morris, J.C. Womble, John Hollister, Dr. Barry Weeks, Alan Wallace, Mike Edwards, Butler McLeod, Sheriff Lloyd Defer, Eddie Ray, Roger Thomas, Jimmy Parrish, Terry Anthony, Wayne Harris and Keith River. Advance tickets cost $4.00 each.
Half-a-hundred candidates had qualified to run for Yalobusha County, District and Beat Offices when the deadline expired on March 1. The sheriff’s race had attracted five candidates as Danny Barton, David Gray, James Riley Swearengen and Jimbo Thompson were hoping to unseat incumbent Lloyd Defer.
40 Years Ago, March 14, 1985 – The New Water Valley Jaycees announced details for the Second Annual Water Valley Womanless Beauty Pageant that was scheduled later in the month. Buddy and Kay Bain from Channel Nine would be the Master of Ceremonies, the Valley Breakers would perform during the intermission and admission was $2 for adults. Contestants already entered were Sammy Anthony, Bill “Spud” Boydston, Vice-Mayor Travis Clement, Brett Crawford, Dean Cummings, Ronnie Dickey, Eddie Foster, Butch Hayles, Joey Joyner, Greg Jones, Bruce Logan, Timmy Martin, Donnie Morris, Ricky “Monk” Morris, Mike Redwine, Randy Terry, Fire Chief Bob Ward and J.C. Ward.
The United States Achievement Academy announced that William Earl Stevens had been named a 1985 United States National Award winner in Agriculture.
50 Years Ago, March 13, 1975 – “Sonny” Lollar was elected president of the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce during a meeting of the Board of Directors. Other officers elected were J.W. Holloway, Jr., Vice-President; Jane Johnson, Secretary; Hazel Cook, Treasurer; and B.C. McCullar, Manager.
Spring football practice was in its third week for the Water Valley Blue Devils. Pictured were Coach Jerry Harmon and players Dwight Burgess, Gordon Simpson and Frankie Green as they worked out on the exercise machines.
A tornado touched down south of Water Valley, near Velma, Wednesday morning. There were no injuries, but considerable damage to buildings and trees in the area was reported.
60 Years Ago, March 11, 1965 – Voters in Water Valley would decided Thursday whether the City would issue revenue bonds not to exceed a half-million dollars for the purpose of constructing a sewage disposal lagoon.
People’s Wholesale advertised Dixiana ready to eat whole hams for 39 cents per pound, green cabbage for five cents per pound, four pound bags of Jonathan Apples for 39 cents and bananas for 10 cents per pound.
80 Years Ago, March 15, 1945 – A number of sportsmen from Water Valley, Coffeeville and surrounding territory met at the City Auditorium to organize a Sportmen’s Club. Officers elected were
J.B. Massie, President; Shine Tyson, Vice-President; E.L. Womack, Secretary-Treasurer; J.W. Mauldin, Sr., L.A. Norris, I.T. Westmoreland of Water Valley, G.W. Armstrong, Jr. of Coffeeville and James Moore of Oakland were elected directors.
The Home Agent, in her column, urged housewives to renew their interest and efforts in saving all fats possible. The shortage of used kitchen fat was acute. The government collected used fats for munitions, medicines, military soaps and scores of civilian uses.
110 Years Ago, March , 1915 – Prof. T.C. Bradford, Superintendent and head of the Yalobusha Agricultural High School was a visitor in Water Valley Tuesday. Prof. Bradford reported the school was in excellent condition and both school work and farm demonstration work were underway for the coming year. Yalobusha County had approximately 67 acres of farm land used by the school for all purposes, farming, stock raising and demonstration work. Bradford urged citizens to visit the school to help “loosen up” most liberally when called upon for financial assistance.
