Archived Stories

WATER VALLEY – A severe storm that tracked across the county Saturday evening spawned intense lightning that could be the culprit in the ignition of a massive warehouse fire in Water Valley. Dozens of firefighters from across Yalobusha and neighboring counties battled the blaze at WareHouse 72 in the W.C. Gardiner Industrial Park until the…

WATER VALLEY – The owners of WareHouse 72 were scrambling to handle shipments already in route to the warehouse after the fire Saturday night gutted the building. Cayce Washington reported the warehouse primarily houses automotive components from global suppliers that support U.S. markets. WareHouse 72 is owned by Cayce and Michelle Washington and Sasha and…

The success of the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Watermelon Carnival comes from scores of volunteers who pitch in each year. One of the volunteers with the most longevity and enthusiasm is Tonya Eubanks. Her earliest memories of the carnival date back to when she was a child attending the event with her…

One of the ingredients that makes the annual Watermelon Carnival successful is many hard-working volunteers. For some, that may mean rolling up their sleeves to help each summer during their three-year term on the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Board. Others find a spot, a position that needs filling and return year after year…

The annual Shuffield Car Show started in the early 1990s, but you might say the roots of the show date back decades earlier. Odie Shuffield’s love of cars extends back to his teenage years, when he first started driving. Although more than 60 years have passed since he was legal to drive, he still has…

WATER VALLEY – It’s that time of the year again. For the 52nd time in the city’s history, the watermelon will be celebrated. Thousands will gather at City Park and all around town to participate in activities that range from a walk/run to family gatherings and reunions – all set to a musical beat provided…

It’s the last few days of summer for Water Valley kids. The weeks of do-nothing freedom can be counted down in hours at this point.  I can vividly remember these days from my own youth and the feelings of instant nostalgia for a summer I was still actually experiencing. The neighborhood kids and I engaged in…