If quitting smoking is your New Year’s resolution this year, then you’re in good company. Plan ahead and make this healthy resolution a reality.     Quitting smoking can be challenging. Help is only a phone call or a click away for any Mississippian who wants to stop smoking.  The Mississippi Tobacco Quitline offers cessation…

Staff Report ENID LAKE –A total of 16 bald eagles were spotted during the annual Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey held last Wednesday at Enid Lake. Rangers and four volunteers spent the morning combing the area for the majestic birds and the sighting included 13 mature and three immature eagles.     Corps Natural Resource Specialist Chris…

By Jack Gurner Reporter WATER VALLEY – The city will be highlighted as part of this year’s celebration of Mississippi’s creative economy. Governor Phil Bryant proclaimed 2014 as the “Year of the Creative Economy” during a ceremony in December with renowned pianist Bruce Levingston, a Mississippi native. The “Year of the Creative Economy” will feature…

By Jack Gurner Reporter WATER VALLEY – Record breaking cold temperatures caused problems for the local school district last week including stranding the Beta Club in St. Louis. “We realized way ahead of time that we were going to have extreme conditions,” said Superintendent Kim Chrestman, “and we tried to make as much preparation as…

By David Howell Editor WATER VALLEY– Rotary District Governor Tommy White made his 41st noon speech in his district during a visit to his home club in Water Valley on Tuesday.     White is mid-way through his term as governor of District 6800, which spans 42 clubs in north Mississippi and Shelby County, Tennessee. He…

By Jack Gurner Reporter WATER VALLEY – The local school district – like other districts in the state – is moving toward full implementation of Common Core for the 2014-2015 school year. While some opponents are still fighting the new education standards, Gov. Phil Bryant and leaders of the state legislature support the adoption of…

By David Howell Editor OAKLAND –The search for two armed robbers wanted for the bold early morning holdup at Oakland Gas Mart last week continues as media across the area have broadcast surveillance foot-age.     “We are hoping that someone may recognize one of the suspects,” Oakland Police Chief Russ Smith told the Herald. Although…

By David Howell Editor COFFEEVILLE– Supervisors worked efficiently through a lengthy agenda in the first meeting in 2014 that included mostly routine matters.     Mechanics Bank was selected as the county’s depository, after bidding a half-percent interest rate for banking the county’s funds in 2014. The bid was opened during the Monday meeting, Jan. 6.…

Staff Report ENID LAKE– Enid Lake’s annual Habitat Day is less than a month away and organizers have scheduled an organizational day at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Enid Lake Field Office. The planning meeting is scheduled to coordinate the annual Habitat Day on February 1, when volunteers place cedar trees in the barren lake…

By Jack Gurner Reporter WATER VALLEY – School board trustees approved a 30-page revised version of the district’s dropout prevention plan during a special called meeting of the board Monday at noon. Superintendent Kim Chrestman told board members that all districts with graduation rates below 80 percent are required to get a revised plan approved.…