James Meredith, one of the pioneers of the civil rights movement and the first black student to successfully enroll at the University of Mississippi was the speaker at the Friends of the Oakland Public Library meeting on February 11.  Meredith encouraged elders to take interest and responsibility in the “raising” of youth in their communities. …

By Jack Gurner Reporter  WATER VALLEY – Com-munity members are offering to help with the search for a new superintendent, school board trustees learned Monday night. Elementary school parent Kagan Couglin appeared before the board at the regular monthly meeting for February and presented some ideas that have been circulating among school system stakeholders. “I’ve…

By David Howell Editor WATER VALLEY – Supervisors agreed to hire Brent Gray as the Multi-purpose Building manager on a temporary basis until Mississippi State Extension Service can hire a new ag agent.             Gray resigned as the county’s ag agent last month, but told supervisors he would continue to manage the arena, which includes…

Construction On Assisted Living Center Could Start In Early Fall  By David Howell Editor WATER VALLEY – Yalobusha General Hospital administrator Terry Varner made a third trip to a county meeting last month to discuss a $6 million proposal to add new services and continue renovations at the county-owned hospital and nursing home.             Varner…

By David Howell Editor  WATER VALLEY – The county will have the first contested Republican primary for a county office in recent history after Dennis Townes joined the District 1 Supervisor race as a Republican.             Townes will face Mickell Dunn in the Republican primary on August 4. Four candidates have also qualified on the…

By Jack Gurner Reporter  WATER VALLEY – For the third time in just over five years, the school district board of trustees has hired the Mississippi School Board Association to assist in the search for a new superintendent.             Current superintendent, Kim Chrestman, announced his retirement Monday, Feb. 2, at the regular monthly meeting of…

By David Howell Editor WATER VALLEY –  The list of political hopefuls keeps growing with the race for District 2 Supervisor attracting the most attention with nine qualifiers.              Larry Joe Gray qualified Friday and Hosea Bradford and Richard “Rickey” Wood both entered the race Tuesday morning. All three submitted qualifying papers to run on…

            Mable Faye Williams Dorris celebrated her 100th birthday Tuesday, February 10.   Her children are Buster Dorris, Jimmy Dale Dorris, Billy Joe Dorris, Nita Faye Dorris Atkinson, Tommy Dorris, and Jacky Dorris. She has 13 grandchildren,and many great- and great-great grandchildren. She is the widow of Gonnie S. Dorris.             For many years, she worked…

By Jack Gurner Reporter WATER VALLEY – City officials are lowering the business license fee and sales reporting requirements for beer and light wine sellers.             The recommendation by Mayor Larry Hart that the license fee be returned to the original $15 from $250 and reporting of sales figures be reduced from quarterly to yearly…

WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a ribbon cutting for Blu-Buck Mercantile on Thursday, February 19, at 2 p.m.             The event is also an open house and owner Kagan Coughlin plans to have tours in portions of the interior of the buildings. Coughlin worked for more than a year…