Wedding Mischief Nearly Delayed The Ceremony
Oakland celebrated its oldest citizen, Mrs. Ora Lumas, this past week at a celebration of her 99th birthday! Mayor Stephanie Patterson presented Mrs. Lumas with an engraved plaque in tribute to her status. Mrs. Lumas expressed her gratitude for Mayor Patterson and others checking on her during Winter Storm Fern. Mrs. Lumas said she had…
Read MoreObituaries 07/30/2026
Geneva A. Cobern WATER VALLEY – Geneva A. “Sue” Cobern, 76, of Water Valley, passed away peacefully July 22, 2026, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Born in Water Valley, Sue Cobern was the daughter of the late Kenneth M. (Snow) Samuels and Quay W. Samuels. She graduated from Water Valley High…
Read MoreLiquor Vote Was Scheduled In The County In 1966
20 Years—August 3 2006 – The TWL Building (formerly Parker’s Ben Franklin and currently BTC) was about to share the fate of the old Bank of Water Valley. A developer in a neighboring county is in the process of purchasing the three-story building, which he plans to demolish and use the bricks for a development.…
Read MoreThe Work Behind The Weekend
By the time this column appears, Water Valley will have entered the final stage of getting ready for the Watermelon Carnival. This is the stage when banners are hanging, grass is being cut, flowers are getting an extra drink of water and people all over town are asking important questions such as, “Who has the…
Read MoreThe Landlord Every Artist Hopes For
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Oxford businessman, Dick Marchbanks, this past Saturday. I contacted his real estate office just that morning for run-of-the-mill business and was told the sad news directly. Even though I knew Marchbanks (as I always called him) had been sick for a long time, the news still…
Read MoreCommunity Will Celebrate Dr. Abraham’s Career
WATER VALLEY — After 48 years of practicing medicine, Dr. George Abraham says the hardest part about retirement isn’t finding something to do. It’s walking away from something he still loves. “I’m already missing it,” Abraham said. Abraham retired June 30 after spending the past decade with Yalobusha Health Services, caring for patients at Odom…
Read MoreReady, Set, Meet The Teacher!
The countdown is on, and we are excited to welcome everyone back for another fantastic school year. We can’t wait to see all of our students and begin a year of learning, growing, and making memories together. This year’s theme is “Glow as We Grow!” We know it’s going to be a bright and successful…
Read MoreA Stroll Through Carnival Weekend
WATER VALLEY – The 56th annual Watermelon Carnival will fill Water Valley with music, food, old friends and a lot of laughter. By the time the weekend is over, most of us will have eaten more than we planned, stayed longer than we intended and visited with at least six people we had not seen…
Read MoreOakland Hosts Back-To-School Celebration
OAKLAND – Families are invited to celebrate the start of a new school year at Oakland’s Back-to-School Kick-Off on from 10 a.m. until noon, Saturday, July 25, at the Riley Swearengen Walking Track at 61 Walnut Street in Oakland. Presented by the Oakland Area Chamber of Commerce, the event is free and open to everyone.…
Read MoreHill Construction Completes New Medical Examiner Facility
OXFORD – A new Mississippi Department of Public Safety facility is expected to strengthen death investigations across North Mississippi by bringing forensic pathology services closer to the region. Water Valley-based Hill Construction LLC recently completed the $6.6 million Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office in Oxford. The facility joins Mississippi’s regional medical examiner system, providing a…
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