Obituaries 11/23/2023
Clyde Mitchell BATESVILLE — Clyde Mitchell, affectionately known as “PAPA,” passed away peacefully at his home in Panola County. Born June 15, 1946, in Water Valley, he was the son of Earl and Clara (Burgess) Mitchell. Clyde spent his formative years in Water Valley and then Batesville, where he attended Patton Lane High School and…
Read MoreBlues Festival Scheduled In March
WATER VALLEY – Water Valley Main Street Association Director Alyssa Benedict reported planning is underway for a blues festival scheduled in the city on March 27. Benedict shared details about the Casey Jones Blues Festival during her monthly report to city officials during the Nov. 7 meeting. Planned activities for the event include music, vendor…
Read MoreInside The Blue And White
The Blue Devils were counting down the dayslast week as Thanksgiving break was right around the corner! Students were having classroom parties to celebrate, teachers were having Thanksgiving lunches and overall, everyone was excited about the week-long break! The teachers and faculty decided to host a Thanksgiving lunch and call it “Friendsgiving.” Teachers planned this…
Read MoreReynolds: Bid For Mayor Likely
WATER VALLEY – A longtime state lawmaker who will complete his 11th and final term as a state representative at the end of the year is strongly considering running for mayor in Water Valley. District 33 Representative Tommy Reynolds told the Herald Monday that he plans to be on the ballot for mayor if nothing…
Read MoreTeacher Charged With Enticement Of A Child, Child Exploitation
WATER VALLEY – A former art teacher at Water Valley High School was arrested and charged with child exploitation and enticement of a child. District Attorney Jay Hale reported Emily Swinkowski, 27, was arrested and charged on Nov. 6 by officers with the Water Valley Police Department. Hale reported that the Water Valley Police Department…
Read MoreYalobusha Voters Pick Gray, Walton, R. Horton
WATER VALLEY – Water Valley Mayor Donald Gray was elected the county’s next Chancery Clerk in the Nov. 7 General Election after receiving 64 percent of the votes cast in the two-person race. Gray ran as an independent candidate and tallied 2,749 votes, defeating Democratic candidate Terry Rockette, who received 1,523 votes. Gray will succeed…
Read MoreAssistant Principals Handle Duties At DES
WATER VALLEY – Water Valley School District Superintendent Jerry Williams reported assistant principals Lee Gray and Melinda Allen are sharing principal duties at Davidson Elementary School. The two assistant principals are handling the day-to-day responsibilities after DES Principal James Watson was recommended for dismissal on October 5. Williams is retiring at the end of the…
Read MoreSchool Board Will Determine DES Principal’s Fate
WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley School District Board of Trustees will determine the fate of Davidson Elementary School (DES) Principal James Watson in the coming weeks after he was recommended for dismissal by Superintendent Jerry Williams. Watson was removed from duty by the superintendent on October 5 and requested an employment hearing. The grueling,…
Read MoreMade It Back With No Time To Waste
I set a record this week during my almost 20 years of publishing the Herald, the most days out of the office. After covering the election last Tuesday night and delivering the papers Wednesday morning, I headed to New Orleans where my parents live and did not return to the office until Tuesday morning –…
Read MoreTurnage Is Thankful For ‘Arrests’ In The City
Dear Water Valley Police Department, Thank you for your month-long fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. When Chief Jason Mangrum arrested me, it was my first time to be arrested in my whole life. But when I found out why (unlike many others) I was glad. You did a great job arresting folks and…
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