Thursday, April 12, 2007
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Thursday, April 12, 2007 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | Photo Gallery |
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Fielder’s
Choice Other papers Weekly newspaper editors are pretty much addicted to looking at other weekly newspapers. As I’ve often said, when Pam and I go on any road trip, I stop in every small town and buy a newspaper. She always packs lots of quarters. It’s a great way to learn what the other folks are doing and perhaps improve your own product. I get several weeklies here at The South Reporter, most through “swaps” with newspaper friends across the state. I got my start in Mississippi journalism at The Itawamba County Times, and a chunk of my heart will always be in Fulton. I learned from the April 4 front page that Buster Davis, who we attended church with in Fulton and who was a great friend to my late father-in-law Phil Hefley, was named the Itawamba County Development Council’s Business Person of the Year. He has owned and operated Davis Ford in Fulton since 1964. The story’s lead paragraph reads, “Buster Davis is arguably the most recognizable businessman in Itawamba County.” I can think of no one more deserving. Longtime newspaper pal Waid Prather edits The Carthaginian, operating from Carthage and Leake County. Waid and I used to “hang out” together in Monroe County, he at The Amory Advertiser and myself at The Aberdeen Examiner. The Carthaginian’s top story on April 4 focused on a successful trip by two Leake County supervisors seeking financial assistance on various projects. The supervisors met with Trent Lott, Chip Pickering, plus staffers for Bennie Thompson, Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran. Also I found the Leake County Chamber of Commerce is presenting country music star Buddy Jewell in concert. He is headlining the FunFest 2007 on May 19. Jim Clark, who helped me grow up in the business at The Itawamba County Times, now publishes The Lee County Courier, with offices in downtown Tupelo. A front page photo April 5 showed Secretary of State Eric Clark presenting a check to the county board of supervisors. It was for $452,440, reimbursing the county for purchasing new voting machines last year. About $404,000 of the amount was federal funds, according to Clark. The Howell family, dedicated newspaper folks for many years, operates The Southern Reporter (and yes we do often get their mail by mistake) in Sardis. Development is no doubt stretching their way, too. Their top story from April 5 was headlined, “Developer looks to add homes in Como.” A Tennessee developer, Robert Smith, approached Como city officials for approval to develop a 145-acre residential tract of land in the city limits. Also included in the potential development are another 45 acres located outside the city limits. S. Gale and Jo Ann Denley, Joel and Lisa Denley McNeece, and Celia Denley Hillhouse are close friends at The Calhoun County Journal who I call on regularly for help and advice when it comes to newspaper work and computers and so forth. The Journal’s front page design is unlike any other. Each week a large, six-column photo dominates the top of the front page. On April 5, it featured Dr. Hank Bounds, state superintendent of education, taking a tour of county schools. Down in Aberdeen, where we lived for eight years, Mayor Cecil Belle had called a town meeting to give citizens a chance to say what they want, address some issues. Talks focused on the new Toyota facility to be built in northeast Mississippi, plus calls for unity in the city and a clean, neat town. Brian Blackley, who also spent some time with me in Monroe County, edits The Scott County Times based in Forest. Gov. Haley Barbour was planning a visit to Lake to discuss economic opportunities in that region of the state. A network of friends and a network of news – just a couple of reasons why I love this business. Report News:
(662) 252-4261 or south@dixie-net.com
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