First All-Woman Jury In Water Valley Empaneled As A Petit Jury in 1976
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Two decades ago, District Attorney John Champion explained that Richard Hall’s sentence in connection with the failed beef plant would be served concurrently with his federal sentence, which could be up to eight years. With Champion at the news conference in Oxford were (from right) State Auditor Phil Bryant, U.S. Attorney Jim Greenlee, Champion and Attorney General Jim Hood.
20 Years—February 2, 2006 – The Water Valley Lions Club, aided by city workers, installed a new roof on the Railroad Depot Museum.
The Career Discovery, Computer Discover, and Technology Classes at Water Valley High School, were jointly hosting their second Valley Tech Expo on February 9 in the High School Multi-purpose building. Lynn Bonner, Pam Ivey, and Becky Crow, teachers, were in charge of the program and exhibits.
Richard Hall, head of the failed beef plant in Yalobusha County, plea bargained on both state and federal charges. However, even with this effort, he was expected to serve at least eight years in federal prison.
James Wright, son of Drs. Ben and Elizabeth Wright of Water Valley, would be a member of the Mississippi Lions All-State Band for the fourth year. James was a senior at Water Valley High School.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey P. Phillips was named the 348th Recruiting Squadron Non-commissioned Officer of the Year. Phillips, with 13 years of military service, is assigned to Little Rock AFB. He is the son of Paul and Anita Phillips of Water Valley and a 1990 graduate of Water Valley High School.
30 Years—February 1, 1996 – Work on a dam in the Otoucalofa Creek Watershed would serve a dual purpose—restricting flooding and soil erosion. The total cost of this project was projected to be nearly four million dollars.
The Water Valley High School Brass Quintet, “Touch of Brass,” earned a Superior Rating at State Solo and Ensemble Competition. Members of the group were Deon Hentz, tuba; Chad Innman and Robin Keisling, trumpets; Emily Gurner, French horn; and Chris Hardy, trombone.
Seven Yalobusha County students received degrees from the University of Mississippi at the conclusion of the fall semester. They were: Doris Lynn Vickery of Coffeeville; Candace Lou Stevens, Monte Jay Norris, Dexter C. Washington, Judy Lynn Sartain, Alicia Chris Forsyth, and Leslie Shea Vance, all from Water Valley.
Bethel Baptist Church was planning a Centennial Celebration. On the planning committee were Mary Alice Moorman, Ann Womble, Jim Gholson, Steve Frederick, Buster Jackson, and Bro. James Edwards, pastor.
Among Delta State students on the honor roll were: President’s HR, Jennifer Sartain of Water Valley and Kimberly Hill of Tillatoba; Dean’s List, Kevin Edwards, Natalie Norwood, and Leigh Ann Vaughn of Water Valley; Keri Denley and Andrea Snider of Coffeeville; and Sasha Baker of Oakland.
40 Years—February 6, 1986 – The Bank of Water Valley’s new downtown branch at the corner of Main and Wood Streets was almost completed.
Water Valley’s Anthony Herod landed a roundhouse kick that knocked his opponent out in the finals of the Western Taekwondo Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada, claiming a gold medal for him and earning a shot at the U.S. Olympic Team. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Herod.
Sandy Loper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Loper of Water Valley, is a finalist in Mississippi’s sixth annual Homecoming Queen Contest to be held in Jackson in March. Sandy is the reigning WVHS Homecoming Queen.
VFW Post 4100 will host a dance Saturday night. Providing the music will be Danny Dickey and The Rebel Rousers.
50 Years—February 5, 1976 – The first all-woman jury in Water Valley was empaneled as a petit jury. Women serving were Shirley Hall, Betty Jean Moorhead, Mrs. Allen Pullen, Mrs. Grade Hardy, Mrs. Jack Myrick, Katie Mae Hervey, Nell Gholson, Mrs. Walter Hardy, Jr., Mrs. Barney Pullen, Lola M. Pinkerton, Grace Hart, and Brenda Allen.
Winners in the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby were: Tony Turner, prettiest car; Estes Caldwell, most unusual car; Sterling Massey, 2nd place, Grand Prix Race; Chris Ostrander, 3rd place, Grand Prix Race; and Mike Todd, 1st place, Grand Prix Race.
Local Highway Patrolmen Lloyd Defer and Billy Houpt were presented a “Fatality Free” Citation by Gov. William Waller for having no fatalities in the section of roads patrolled by them in 1975.
60 Years—February 3, 1966 – Charles H. King is a “Cum Laude” graduate of Memphis State University at the end of the fall semester. The son of Mrs. John A. Bell and the late Charles H. King, he received a B.S. degree in History.
John Carter Cox, a 17-year-old student at Water Valley High School, is given credit for suggesting abandoned ditches under some Water Valley streets as “fall-out” shelters. Shown with Cox at one of the ditches is Defense Director Watson Hunt and WVHS Superintendent Clovis Steele.
Joel B. Edgar, Water Valley Lion Oil Dealer, was presented a plaque in commemoration of his 30 years of service to the company.
Mrs. J.C. Ray of Water Valley won a “Big Star” Disneyland trip. Her entry was made through Larson’s Big Star of Water Valley and the prize was a trip for her and a companion, airfare included.
The City of Water Valley received leases from the U.S. Corps of Engineers for land to be used for an air strip and for a sewerage lagoon.
70 Years—February 2, 1956 – Mr. and Mrs. Leon King celebrated their golden wedding anniversary January 29, 1956, at an open house, hosted by their children.
Members of Water Valley High School’s senior class, Jim McMinn, Patsy McCulley, Bill Harris, Russell Jones, Dickey Tutor, Lynn Raley, Inez Beene, Binnie Turnage, Benny Cole Taylor, Paul Shearer, Barry Bolen, Jimmy Baddley, and Tommy Howard, presented a jamboree.
Pvt. Lewis Frank Green graduated from the Telephone Installer Repairman’s Course at Southeastern Signal School in Camp Gordon, Georgia. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Green of Water Valley.
Blue Devils won semifinals in the Chickasaw Conference Tournament. Pictured were Tommy Howard and Jimmy McDonald, as they gained a tip off from Crenshaw during the game.
Lady Blue Devils, Eva Kimzey and Patsy McCulley, took a trip off from Sardis during the Southern Divisional Chickasaw Conference Tourney played at Water Valley.
80 Years—February 7, 1946 – Water Valley Boy Scouts, in celebration of the 36th anniversary of Scouting, took over the governing of Water Valley on Saturday. Appointed to serve were: James Sullivan, mayor; Johnny O’Bryant, city clerk and police judge; Billy Greer, marshal; and Curtis Berry, traffic officer.
“Many things have been requested to be bought by citizen of Water Valley and shipped over seas—usual items, shoes, soap, razor blades, ect.” stated Edward Shearer in his “Shearings” column. “But now, an unusual order, that is for shipment, has come to the Valley. Dewitt French, owner of French Drug Store, was requested to fill a prescription, written in Latin, for relatives of Nick and John Stamolis for their Greek relatives,” continued Shearer. (The Stamolis brothers were long-time owners and chefs at their restaurant in the Blackmur Hotel. Their food was delicious.)
Machines used in cotton production were being tested at the Delta Experiment Station in Stoneville. For some time mechanical pickers had been used, but upgrades were being testing at this facility and new devices for helping with the other labor intensive part of producing cotton, chopping, were being tried. A planter with exact spacing and a flame thrower to kill grass and weeds was included in the testing program.
