Illegal Dumping Getting Worse
|
by Jason C. Mattox
Senior Staff Writer
Panola County leaders are tired of getting trashed on an almost daily basis.
District Two Supervisor Robert Avant said the illegal dumping problem in the county continues to get worse with each passing day.
"The county has got to do something about this before the problem gets even more out of hand than it already is," he said.
Avant said two loads of trash and garbage were dumped at a new site near Crenshaw within a 48-hour period.
"I drove by the site once and it was empty," he said. "The next time I went by, at least two loads had been put in there.
"People have created a full-fledged dump in the area now," Avant said.
Supervisor president Jerry Perkins said a lot of people are ignoring or tearing down the no dumping signs put up by the county.
"The signs are not helping that much," he said. "People are continuing to dump."
|
|
Back-Up in Ditch
Creating Problems
|
|
By Jason C. Mattox
Senior Staff Writer
A clogged ditch is causing a stink for some Sardis neighbors.
Residents of Court Street told the Mayor and Board of Aldermen they have a ditch in the neighborhood that needs some major work.
Ann Jones, speaking on behalf of the group, said she believes having the ditch dug out would help alleviate the problem.
"Last year the sewage was leaking into the ditch, and that smell is horrible," she said. "Something has got to be done to get us some relief."
Jones said because of the sewage draining into the ditch, city crews had cleaned out the ditch at least four times in 2003.
"A manhole in the area was overflowing and it was spilling right into the ditch," Mayor Richard Darby said.
|
|
New Law Office Building Changes City’s Look; Indicative of Growth
|
|
By Jason C. Mattox
Senior Staff Writer
Now that construction is coming along on the new office for Batesville attorneys Smith Phillips Mitchell & Scott motorists on Interstate 55 are getting a different view of the city.
The mutli-story building, next to the post office, should open mid-to-late summer and will afford the attorneys and staff more space and a higher visibility.
"Batesville and northwest Mississippi have seen lots of progress since Briggs Smith and I founded the Smith Phillips law firm here 30 years ago," said Richard T. "Flip" Phillips. "Our firm and many of the clients we represent have been fortunate to be part of that progress.
"One key to Batesville’s success is its strategic location in the fast-growing region of northwest Mississippi. DeSoto County, Tunica and Oxford all present examples of the phenomenal growth with which we are surrounded," Phillips added. The intersection of I-55 and Highway 6 in Batesville is at the heart of this growth."
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
SPHS Cheerleading Squad Garners
More Recognition
|
 |
South Panola School District Superintendent Dr. C. L. Stevenson (left) presented senior cheerleaders Jessica Cain (middle) and Brittany O’Conner with a resolution from the Board of Trustees for their success as a competitive cheerleading squad.
|
by Jason C. Mattox
Senior Staff Writer
South Panola High School’s cheerleading squad received more recognition earlier this month for their successful season as a competitive squad.
During the March meeting of the South Panola School District Board of Trustees, Superintendent Dr. C.L. Stevenson presented the squad and its sponsors with a resolution congratulating them on their success.
The cheerleaders placed ninth in the national Universal Cheerleading Association competition.
"You really helped put our school on the map as far as competitive cheerleading," Stevenson said.
"This is the best looking crowd we have ever had present for a meeting," he said referring to all but one of the cheerleaders who were in attendance for the meeting.
Board president Lygunnah Bean said the school board was very proud of the efforts put forth by the cheerleading squad.
|
|
Miss Hospitality Pageant
on Tap Sunday
|
|
| Nine contestants will compete for the title of Panola County’s Miss Hospitality on Sunday, March 28.
According to Batesville Main Street Manager Colleen Clark, the winner will not be announced until the Panola Partnership’s annual banquet on April 27.
"The judging will be done during the pageant, but we will not announce the winner until the banquet," Clark said.
The winner will replace Brooke Carmichael as Miss Hospitality and advance to the state pageant on July 30-31 in Hattiesburg.
This year’s contestants are: |
 |
Jessica Lynn Bogan, a graduate of North Delta School who is currently enrolled at the University of Mississippi where she majors in accounting, will represent Burns Development Group.
Elizabeth Cain, a graduate of South Panola High School who is currently enrolled at Northwest Mississippi Community College where she majors in pre-optometry, will represent the Junior Auxiliary of Batesville.
Christina Elizabeth Flint, a graduate of South Panola High School who is currently enrolled at Delta State University where she majors in elementary education, will represent the Rotary Club of Batesville. |
 |
Nikki Mitchell, a graduate of North Delta School who is currently enrolled at the University of Mississippi where she majors in risk management, will represent the Sardis Chamber of Commerce.
April Suzanne Murphree, a graduate of South Panola High School is currently enrolled at Northwest Community College where she majors in elementary education, will represent the Batesville Junior Women’s League.
Whitney M. Prather, a graduate of South Panola High School, will represent the Batesville Lions Club. |
 |
Samantha Sherwood, a graduate of South Panola High School who is currently enrolled at the University of Mississippi where she majors in insurance/risk management, will represent the Batesville Civitan Club.
Amanda (Amy) Claire Smith, a home school graduate who is currently enrolled at Delta State University where she majors in business, will represent the Sardis Woman’s Club.
Sarah Beth Sullivan, a graduate of North Delta School who is currently enrolled at Mississippi State University where she majors in elementary education, will represent the Pan-Gens. |
|
|
