North Mississippi Herald

12/02/2025

CITY OF WATER VALLEY BOARD MEETING
December 2, 2025
6:30 pm - AGENDA

• Call to Order
• Adopt the Agenda
• Approve Minutes
• Approve Monthly Claims
• District 34 Representative Kevin Horan
• Hearing for property at 605 Chestnut Hearing (7 PM)
• Main Street Report
• Planning Commission Report
• Historic Preservation Committee
• Electric Commission Report
• Park Commission Report
• Declaration of Local Emergency (ongoing for electric department)
• Marco Gooch - Second Chance
• Will Carter – Bldg Permit Fees - Dilapidated Properties
• Christmas Dinner For City Employees– December 8, 2025
• December 4, 2025 – Bond Meeting
• Grant Thompson – City wide emergency planning
• Set zoning hearing for Calhoun and Stephens Street
• Police Chief Jason Mangrum - Discuss parking space MOU with school. (Authorize Chief to sign MOU)
• Executive Session: Personnel

12/02/2025

TVIfiber has officially completed its buildout in Water Valley, and they're ready to celebrate!

Everyone is invited to swing by the BankFirst Community Room on Main Street anytime between 4 and 8 p.m. for a drop-in reception during Christmas in the Valley on Friday, December 5. It’s the perfect chance to visit, celebrate, and enjoy the evening.

11/26/2025

Deadline Approaching for Statewide Residential Safe Room

Pearl – Mississippi residents have until November 30th, 2025, to apply for the Statewide Residential Safe Room Grant Lottery Program. This reimbursement grant program will provide up to $3,500 to help Mississippi homeowners install a FEMA-compliant safe room/ storm shelter on their property to protect themselves from severe weather.

Mississippi citizens can apply for the Residential Safe Room Grant Program by going to my.msema.org and clicking Safe Room Application at the top of the page.

Funding is limited. There are 38 available grants per county. This program is not first-come, first-serve. All eligible applicants will have an equal chance of being selected through a statewide lottery once the application period ends. The application to enter the lottery is open through November 30th, 2025. If any grants remain unclaimed in an individual county, they will be entered into a second drawing among statewide applicants.

Mississippi homeowners in any of the 82 counties are eligible to apply. The home must be a primary residence only (single-family homes). If homeowners live in a mobile/manufactured home, they must also own the land on which their home is located. Renters, duplexes, apartments, and community safe rooms are not eligible.

For more information on the Statewide Residential Safe Room Grant Program and a step-by-step guide on how to apply, visit Statewide Residential Safe Room Grant Program | Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

EMGrantsPro is the leading edge online grant management tool for State Emergency Management departments - especially Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation.

11/26/2025

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY TRAVEL PERIOD 2025

Jackson, Miss. – The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) will begin the 2025 Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Period on Wednesday, November 26, at 5pm and end on Sunday, November 30,
at midnight. State Troopers will work diligently to encourage safe travel during this busy travel period by organizing high-visibility patrols to deter speeding and distracted driving, and conducting safety checkpoints to enforce occupant restraint laws and remove impaired drivers from Mississippi roadways.

“As we enter this Thanksgiving season, may we be reminded to be thankful for all things. With increased travel across Mississippi, we encourage everyone to buckle up, slow down, and drive safely,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. “We are grateful for the
men and women who continue working through the holiday to keep our state safe.”

During the 2024 Thanksgiving travel period, MHP investigated 187 crashes, resulting in two fatalities, and made 80 DUI arrests on state and federal highway

11/13/2025

A contractor (not affiliated with the city) working on a lot off of Market Street has pushed a tree over a line and damaged our system resulting in the current outages. Crews have been dispatched and power will be restored as soon as possible.

11/11/2025

🎄 The Chamber Elf couldn’t wait another minute! She made an early visit to Water Valley to make sure everything is ready for this Saturday’s Holiday Open House and Tailgate in the Valley.

📸 Here she is caught in action with North Mississippi Herald editor David Howell, probably checking that Santa gets good press coverage.

📰 Be sure to grab this week’s Herald for a full-page ad listing all the participating businesses and prizes for Holiday Open House. You don’t want to miss it, and our elf certainly didn’t!

11/10/2025

🇺🇸 Veterans Day Program Set for Tuesday in Yalobusha County 🇺🇸

The Veterans Day observance in Yalobusha County will be held Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at VFW Post 4100, located at 11535 Hwy. 315 North.

This year’s guest speaker will be Sammy Sain, who served 22 years of active duty in the United States Army.

Originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, Sain dedicated his career to serving his country with honor and distinction. During his military service, he was stationed at several locations across the globe, including Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Carson, Colorado; South Korea; and six years in Germany, where he was assigned to Kirchgoens and Hohenfels.

Sain completed four combat tours in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, demonstrating unwavering commitment and courage in the defense of freedom.

He now lives in Yalobusha County with his wife.

A light lunch will be served following the program.

11/01/2025

The Water Valley Blue Devils won their final game in regular season play again East Union High School, 32 - 22, to remain undefeated in Region 2-2A play. The Blue Devils are 8 - 2 and advance to the first rounds of the playoff scheduled Friday night, Nov. 7, at Bobby Clark Field.

10/27/2025

10/26/2025

There were a few tears flowing Friday night as senior Blue Devil cheerleaders, band members and ball players were honored before the final home game in regular season play. The Blue Devils defeated Strayhorn, 42 - 28, in a come-from-behind win to cinch the district championship for Region 2-2A. The Blue Devils are 7 - 2 and will travel to East Union Thursday night.

10/26/2025