Staff Report OAKLAND – Repairs on a closed Hwy. 51 bridge could get underway as early as the end of this week after it was shut down almost six weeks ago. The bridge is located three miles south of the  Hwy. 32 and Hwy. 51 intersection, and spans the railroad. It was closed on Jan.…

By David Howell Editor COFFEEVILLE–With 1,500 shooters and even more spectators anticipated, plans are being finalized for the county to host Archery in Mississippi Schools (AIMS) 2014 North State Qualifier at the Multi-Purpose Building in Coffeeville on April 1 and 2.     Yalobusha County Economic Development and Tourism Director Bob Tyler checked off various details…

By David Howell Editor OAKLAND – An early morning armed robbery at Gas Mart in Oakland Monday appears to be identical to a January robbery at the same store.     Oakland Police Chief Russ Smith reported an armed man entered the business, located just off I-55 at 3:26 a.m. and waved his gun at the…

A very light dusting of wintery mix caused few problems in Yalobusha County and disappeared as fast as it fell.

Staff Report COFFEEVILLE– The anticipated Y-Fest 2014 is fast approaching and youth from Yalobusha and surrounding counties are invited to this non-denominational event hosted by the Yalobusha Baptist Association.     This year Y-Fest is scheduled March 7 and 8 and native Yalobushian Jordan White is the speaker. White was licensed and ordained at Water Valley…

By Jack Gurner Reporter WATER VALLEY – Big changes are coming to the Mechanics Bank’s Main Street facilities that will include a new facade and lobby and additional workspace for employees. But, nothing about the bank’s hometown personal service will change, according to Cam Tyler, President/CEO. “I think it is going to make us better…

Staff Report SYLVA RENA – Seventeen starving horses were seized Tuesday morning and the owner could face criminal charges for neglect. A neighbor reported the malnourished horses to the sheriff’s department almost three weeks ago and the case was turned over to In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection organization that is able…

By David Howell Editor WATER VALLEY–He may not have fulfilled his family’s railroading career expectations, but after five decades of taking care of patients, his choice was the right one.     You see, Dr. Paul Odom’s career was mapped out when he was just a kid. His father, a career railroad man, and his boss,…

By David Howell Editor WATER VALLEY–The local Sonic is ramping back up the work force in preparation of a mid-March opening after a fire gutted the building last August.     “It has taken longer than we anticipated,” reported Frank Hernandez, supervisor for the Westerfield Franchise that operates five Sonics including Batesville, Sardis, Bruce and Saltillo.…

Staff Report WATER VALLEY–Eighteen senior journalism students from Ole Miss completed a weekend reporting blitz in Water Valley as part of their class project.     Each student was assigned a person to interview and photograph during the project, which got underway on March 20 and continued on March 21 and 22. The students were working…