An old journal reminds me that I was in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the 4th of July of 1998. It was my second year to spend most of my time there while supporting a squadron of ships loaded with army equipment that was stationed in the Persian Gulf. There was nothing…

Friday, July 5, 1935 – Herald editor L.C. Barber recorded a birthday celebrated by the North Mississippi Herald. The newspaper turned 44. Captain McFarland established the Herald in 1888. He was a grand old soldier and won spurs in the war. Mr. J.D. Peacock succeeded Capt. McFarland as editor and owner of the paper until…

I hope everyone had a wonderful week. Things have been great at Mt. Liberty. We had music night on Sunday, and everyone did a great job—it was an amazing evening! I love praise and worship; it ushers in the Spirit, and I always feel so much better afterward. The Spirit was certainly present Sunday. We…

WATER VALLEY – If you’re looking for the perfect thing to wear to this year’s Watermelon Carnival, we’ve got you covered, literally! Stop by the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce office on Saturday morning, July 5, between 10 a.m. and noon. Chamber board members, Linda Maynor and Janet Dickey, will be there to help…

WATER VALLEY – It’s not every day you see a youth director dangling from the sky with a guitar—but that’s exactly what happened at First Christian Church’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) last Wednesday, June 25. First Christian Church Youth Director Lexi Fowler promised to face her fear of heights and perform in a city bucket…

OAKLAND – A standing-room-only crowd of family, friends, and Oakland residents attended the swearing for the mayor and alderpersons Friday evening, June 27. Mayor James Riley Swearengen, Oakland’s mayor for the past 36 years, welcomed the crowd and congratulated the winners of the election.  Swearengen did not seek re-election. Justice Court Judge Janet Ross Caulder…

WATER VALLEY – The city’s longest serving employee will retire at the end of the month, ending a career that lasted almost half a century. Michael Scroggins’ tenure spans eight mayors, several airport mishaps and more storms, floods, tornadoes and ice storms that he can remember. The decision to retire came earlier this year and…

COFFEEVILLE – Court dates are scheduled next month for four defendants charged in the 2023 death of West Memphis teenager Fredarrious Wilson. Husband and wife, Bralin Jackson and Layvonnia Jackson, Brandon Jackson and Devin Smith were each charged with first degree murder by deliberate design and conspiracy to commit murder after Wilson’s body was discovered…

By Joe Gurner Blackmur Library WATER VALLEY – As the summer starts to heat up, Blackmur Memorial Library’s summer program is beginning to wind down. The Summer Library Program theme this year is Color Our World and attendees have been learning a lot about art in the world around them, playing fun games and making…