A look back through my old journals reminded me that July 4th of 1994 was another Independence Day spent on Diego Garcia, that charming little atoll located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. As stated in a past column, the holiday celebrated on what is basically an American naval base situated on a British…

My daily Facebook Memory popped up today and apparently back in 2012 I felt the need to publicly observe that Water Valley was very, very hot. In the same post, I also declared that Main Street smelled like “asphalt, fajitas and spent firecrackers.” Well, here we are…12 years later and nothing has changed. Now, don’t…

• 15 years ago, July 9, 2009 – Yalobusha County’s total assessed value increased 4.4 percent, almost doubling the previous year’s growth. The total assessed value of the county was $74,169,067, according to Tax Collector/Assessor Linda Shuffield. First District Congressman Travis Childers visited the county for a “Coffee With The Congressman” event at the Coffeeville…

The boards of both the Town of Oakland and the Oakland Chamber of Commerce are pleased to invite area citizens to join in planning for the future of the town and the area on Saturday, July 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Chamber Building at 304 Holly Street. “We are so excited to…

The Fourth of July commemorates when the United States gained its independence and historically the day is filled with celebrations. The Fourth is one of the most colorful and interesting celebrations of the year. It’s a time to get together with friends, enjoy your favorite summer foods, listen to music and have a great time.…

WATER VALLEY – A groundbreaking celebration was held Saturday, June 22, for a new park and community garden located at 728 County Road 103 west of Water Valley. The Timothy Garden feature over 20 raised garden beds, providing space for local residents to cultivate fresh produce, learn about sustainable gardening, and enjoy nature. Organizer Jason…

I hope everyone has had a great week and is staying cool. It’s unreal to me how hot it is and I hate to see what August is going to be like. I’m sure I say that every year though. When it’s cold I want hot, when it’s hot I want cold. It’s funny to…

WATER VALLEY – Pirates, Superheroes and Greek Legends took over Blackmur Memorial Library the past few weeks as part of the Summer Library Program. The program – Adventure Begins at the Library – wrapped up Wednesday, June 26, with a trip into outer space. Kids participated in activities and crafts related to space exploration, including…

GUMS CROSSING – Construction on the longest bridge in the county is nearing completion and will open for traffic in August. The Gums Crossing bridge located on County Road 221 spans the Skuna River on the backwaters of Grenada Lake, a route that has been impassable since February, 2019, when the original bridge sustained crippling…

TILLATOBA – The Jamie L. Whitten Plant Materials Center (PMC) hosted a vibrant and educational Wildflower & Pollinator Field Day on Thursday, June 20. This free event featured an exciting lineup of activities, presentations, and demonstrations designed to celebrate and promote the importance of wildflowers and pollinators in our ecosystem. Michael Richard, PMC manager, welcomed…