DES Is In The Bottom 50 Percent Of Schools In The State
Dear Editor, What do school rankings really mean? What is a D rating? “Reading, Mathematics, and Science proficiency rates are below the state median for the given year. Reading or mathematics growth in the all students group is below the state median for the given year.” This is according to a publication from the…
Read MoreFourteen Year-Old Envisions A Job And Some Wheels Will Bring Freedom
By Coulter Fussell It’s peak summer. We’ve just returned from a few days at Fort Morgan down on the Alabama coast and I witnessed an amateur firework show put on by vacationing strangers on the beach that could have rivaled the original rockets’ red glare. I’m not sure anything ever shot out of the actual…
Read MoreBetty’s Week
Life on the farm is still great, but I’m getting excited about the prospect of going home. Pictures of the bathroom renovation seem to be showing progress, and I’m in my last three weeks of chemo. So far this series has gone smoother. Have slept much better, and pain has been almost non existent –…
Read MoreObituaries 07/08/21
Peggie Ann Basinger OLIVE BRANCH – Peggie Ann Basinger of Olive Branch went to be with Jesus on June 17, 2021. Peggy was born July 31, 1932 to William and Beulah Taylor of Water Valley. She was an avid mystery admirer and always ate her dessert first, but most of all, she enjoyed spending time…
Read MoreMagnolia Market Returns Saturday
“If you never did you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.” – Dr. Seuss By Linda Robinson Herald Contributor WATER VALLEY – What did you miss if you didn’t go to Main Street Association’s inaugural Magnolia Square Farmers Market last month? You missed an outing with your family. You missed neighbors you…
Read MoreSchool Board Affirms Decision To Terminate DES Principal
WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to affirm the recommendation by Superintendent Jerry Williams to terminate Davidson Elementary School Principal Trevor Hampton. The decision came during a heavily-attended school board meeting last Wednesday night, June 30, and was made public two days later. Hampton was placed on administrative…
Read MoreBond Set For Brooks
WATER VALLEY – A $75,000 bond was set during a preliminary hearing in justice court Tuesday morning for Billy Brooks. The bond requirements set by Justice Court Judge Janet Caulder also require electronic GPS monitoring if Brooks posts bond. Brooks, 42, was charged with first degree arson on June 18, charges that stem from his…
Read MoreObituaires 6/24/21
Lucy Beard WATER VALLEY – Mrs. Lucy Beard, 60, transitioned on Monday, June 14, 2021 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She was born October 5, 1960. Graveside services were held on Thursday, June 17, at 2 p.m., at Orwood Cemetery in Taylor. Serenity-Daniels Funeral Home of Water Valley is in charge of the…
Read MoreNew Attorney Joins Defer’s Law Practice
By David Howell Editor WATER VALLEY – After almost two decades operating as a sole attorney, Tommy Defer has added a new attorney to his practice. Will Phillips joined Defer in April after graduating from the Mississippi College School of Law. “I always said if I brought someone in, it would have to be the…
Read MoreSchool Officials Gearing Up For ‘Normal’ Year
By David Howell Editor WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley School District is gearing up for the 2021-2022 school year with as normal as possible routine for students following the unanimous vote by school board members to adopt a health and wellness policy recommended by Superintendent Jerry Williams. “We are trying to go back as…
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