By David HowellEditor COFFEEVILLE –  Mississippi State University has committed to filling the extension service’s county director vacancy in Yalobusha County following the retirement of longtime agent Steve Cummings in July. Mississippi State Univer-sity Extension Service Northeast District Head Dr. Bill Herndon attended the “first Monday” supervisor meeting on Dec. 6 to seek input for…

By David HowellEditor WATER VALLEY – The county’s health insurance premium will increase 12 percent, an amount that was less than expected.          The quote comes as supervisors prepare to renew the county’s health insurance plan with Blue Cross/Blue Shield next month. They had calculated a much higher increase, as much 20 to…

  By Jack GurnerReporter WATER VALLEY – Times were tough during Christmastime in the mid-1930s as the grip of the Great Depression tightened around Water Valley and the nation. Hard times made for hard people and mail carrier R.L. Stogner had the reputation of being a man who didn’t take any foolishness. In fact, most…

Water Valley Main Street Director Mickey Howley (on ladder) installed a new sign at Turnage Drug Store over the weekend. Local artist Bill Warren (left) painted the sign, which was commissioned by Binnie Turnage. Cliff Lawson (right) also helped with the installation.   –Photo Provided

Libby Kuchta worked for an estimated 18 to 20 hours painting  the nativity scene at the First United Methodist Church.  “It’s the largest painting that I’ve done so far,” she reported, as she and her children, Maggie Kate and Kade, view the Holy Family before church on Sunday. – Photo Provided

Supreme Court Overturns Sea’s Conviction By David HowellEditor JACKSON – An April, 2009, conviction of a Yalobusha County man was overturned by the Mississippi Supreme Court last Thursday in a split 5-4 decision. Curtis Leonard Sea had been convicted in Yalobusha County Circuit Court on five counts of sexual battery and sentenced to 25 years.…

The Herald has a special Christmas treat on our YouTube site. We’ve uploaded video segments of the Water Valley 1992 Christmas Parade. Click here to view the first of the three videos and then view the other two at the site.

Coffeeville’s Christmas Parade has been postponed until next Thursday at 6 p.m. The annual event was originally scheduled for this Saturday, but officials moved it because of the threat of bad weather.

State Fire Marshal Stresses Safety JACKSON – With overnight temperatures expected to drop into the 20’s this week, Commissioner of Insurance and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney strongly urges the public to be mindful of the fire risks associated with home heating. “This is the time of year when we see a marked increase in…

By Jack GurnerReporter WATER VALLEY – The Salvation Army will have troops on the ground in the city again this Christmas season thanks to a dedicated group of local volunteers led by Wilbur Herring. The retired businessman started ringing the well-known bell last year and raised over $3,000 for the organization’s charitable work. Among his…