20 Years Ago

Western Sizzlin’ has 2 fires

Fire struck Batesville’s Western Sizzlin’ Restaurant on Dec. 31 and Jan. 6 according to the Jan. 8, 1999, edition of The Panolian. Neither fire caused major damage, but Jan. 5 fire at Pizza Hut gutted the rear of the restaurant. Western Sizzlin’ would be destroyed by fire in September of that year and subsequently rebuilt.

Supervisors wrangle on raises

In the waning moments of the Monday, Jan. 11, meeting of the Panola County Board of Supervisors, four supervisors agreed to a two percent pay raise for county employees, but the matter was tabled after board attorney Bill McKenzie suggested they study the proposed raise more because an across the board raise would mean some employees who have received raises would get another increase.

Supervisor Mack Benson made the motion and Jessie Lyons, Robert Avant, and Dennis Lott voted for the measure. Calvin Land did not vote yes or no, and the vote stopped when McKenzie said a closer look at a pay increase was warranted.

January 12, 1999

40 Years Ago

First Queen Crowned

Melissa Austin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Austin of Courtland, was named the very first queen of the Tri-Lakes Horse Show Association for 1978-79.

One hundred forty contestants were present for the competition. Panola County winners include: Brandon Anderson, 5th place, Line; LaDonna Traywick, 4th place, Pony Pleasure; James Ray Barber, 5th place, Pony Pleasure; Conny Thornton, 2nd place, Pony Pleasure; Jeff Hentz, 4th place, Pleasure, 5th place, Long Poles, 5th place, Pony Barrels; Fred Hentz, 5th place, Flags (13-17); Kim Austin., 3rd place, Poles (12 and under); Melissa Austin, 2nd place, Halter Mares, 3rd place, Western Pleasure (13-17); Fran Gaines, 4th place, 50 yard dash (18 and over), 5th place, Poles; Joe Barnett, 2nd place, reining (open); Jimmy Austin, 2nd place, Flags (18 and over), 3rd place, Barrels (18 and over), 4th place, Arena Dash (18 and over); 5th place, 50 yard dash (open); Reginold Jones, 2nd place, Racking (open).

  

Butcher’s Block opens

Calvin Barefield opened the Butcher’s Block on Highway 6 east, according to Jan. 11, 1979, edition. With him were his wife Martha Bell and children Toy and Russ. The Butcher’s Block was located in the building that later housed Randy Boren’s insurance offices.

January 11, 1979

50 Years Ago

Burglars rob Heafner Motors

After distracting Heafner Motors night watchman C.E. Appleton with a bogus telephone call, burglars looted the safe of nearly $5,000. An acetylene torch from the repair shop was used to gain entry into the safe.

According to Appleton, two telephone calls pulled him away from the office when the burglary took place. The first caller hung up when Stapleton answered, he said, but the second caller claimed to be from the Mississippi Highway Patrol and asked for a wrecker.

MHP later verified that no wrecker was needed.

Pvt. Taylor  completes basic

“Army Private Clovis “Mac” Taylor Jr. of Batesville, son of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Sr, of Westmoreland Heights, has completed basic training at Fort. Chaffee, Ark., according to the Jan. 8, 1958, edition. Taylor is a graduate of Batesville High School and. Before entering military services, was associated with his father at Taylor Lumber Company.

Memphis losing its luster

In a not so un-biased shot at the City of Memphis, the Mississippi Press Association claims the City has nothing to offer the State of Mississippi, and the city’s newspapers, The Commercial Appeal, is “no longer interested in Mississippi circulation.”

Memphis is on its way to losing its position as “capital of North Mississippi” claims the Association, largely because Mississippi shoppers are bored with downtown Memphis, and are instead drawn to its malls.

But the malls are so confusing – which one is this? – that Mississippians would do better to shop at home, maybe in Oxford, Columbus, Tupelo, Starkville, or Greenville.

January 9, 1969

60 Years Ago

Batesville battles Bartlett in bowl

Four students from Batesville High School were selected to compete against students from Bartlett High School in The Commercial Appeal’s “”Quiz’-em-on-the-Air” program.

Selected for the competition were Batesville students Tommie Toney, Jimmie Eubanks, Pat Odom, and Josh Caffey, Jr.

The competition aired at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17.

Underwood Typewriter for Sale

For only $79.50 you can have the typewriter with the “golden touch.” It makes you feel “like you’re wearing magic gloves.”

Can’t afford the price? For just $5 down and $1.20 a week, the Underwood Typewriter can be yours to take home.

Three Grenada men arrested

L.M. Webb caught three Grenada men on his property and quickly hauled them off to the sheriff’s department.

According to Webb, the three parked their car directly beneath one of his Posted signs. They were fined $10 each.

January 15, 1959

Cutlines:

Blast1:   This photo was found in The Panolian files and was apparently brought to the newspaper office originally by Betty Still. It includes the winners – for the second straight year- of the Panola County Field Meet. Last names were included with the photo and some first names have been added as we could determine them. Buddy Graves is seated in front holding the trophy. Standing in the second row (from left) are Curry, Roberson, Drake, Darby, Eleanor Ray Davis Waldrup, Hendrix and Still’s aunt, Sarah Elizabeth Reed Palmer, (middle row) Fielder, Armistead Flint, Lester Betty Pettit, Pearl Alexander, Mangrum, Gladys Faye Reed Mann – Still’s mother, Roberson, Ruby Roberson, Jack Lott, (back row) Bob McCarter, John Tucker, Pat Bevell, Cecil Butts, M.F. Arnold, Robert McBroom, Tootsie Moss, and Dancy.

Blast2 :   South Panola’s Raymond Robertson (24) goes up for a rebound against a Hernando opponent in Feb., 1990.