The South Reporter — Thursday, July 9, 2009

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Thursday, July 9, 2009
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‘Start of a new day’
• Holly Springs officials take oath of office

By BARRY BURLESON
Editor

Photos by Barry Burleson

Benediction

From left are aldermen Harvey Payne Sr., Garrie Colhoun, Johnnie A. Bagley, Calvin James, Russell Johnson, pastor Curtis Ferrell and Mayor Andre’ DeBerry. Ferrell is leading the benediction to close the swearing-in ceremony for Holly Springs elected officials.

Denise Anders-Modest challenged Holly Springs elected officials to forge forward, not backward, during their four-year term.

“The next four years will not be easy,” the pastor of Anderson Chapel CME Church said during the swearing-in ceremony Friday. “It will be a daunting challenge. Do not push back; push ahead.

“God calls us to shape an uncertain destiny. You’ve been called upon to shape the destiny of Holly Springs.”

Accepting the oath of office were Andre’ DeBerry, mayor; Johnnie A. Bagley, alderman-at-large; Russell Johnson, alderman, Ward 1; Calvin James, alderman, Ward 2; Garrie Colhoun, alderman, Ward 3; and Harvey L. Payne Sr., alderman, Ward 4. New to the group are Bagley, James and Payne.

Sewer bill signed

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

A local and private bill, key to expansion of sewer service to a mobile home park located in the northwest corner of Marshall County, was signed into state law by Gov. Haley Barbour June 30, according to Sen. Bill Stone.

The bill, requested by the board of supervisors, was necessary as a means for the Marshall Utility Service to guarantee the collection of fees from residents after the system is laid, he said. Others in the local delegation - Rep. Jack Gadd, Rep. Tommy Woods and Rep. Kelvin Buck - helped supervisors get the bill before the Legislature this year as well, Stone said.

County officers make arrests in burglaries, shooting

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

Marshall County Sheriff Kenny Dickerson reported the arrest of four suspects on charges of burglary and one arrest for aggravated assault in a shooting in the Laws Hill area.

Wesley A. Underwood, 22, of 9187 Highway 178, Byhalia, and his brother Jessie W. Underwood, 20, of Briarwood Court, Highway 178, Lot 57, Byhalia, and Janis S. Burmeister, 18, of 2586 Deer Creek Road, Byhalia, were arrested early Friday morning of June 26.

Kudzu Festival features lots of new activities

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

Holly Springs and Marshall County are set for lots of home-style and family-style fun next week with the coming of the 21st Annual Kudzu Festival downtown.

The festival this year has something for all ages and interests and is a family-oriented event. Beer will be limited to an enclosed tent set aside for those 21 and older. Musical entertainment and a sponsor-appreciation dinner will be under the tent at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

The main entertainment is Friday, according to Amy Heaton, executive director of the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce. Using only local talent, the musicians, singers, performers, readers, are invited to register at 5 p.m. at center stage at the courthouse lawn Friday to get in the lineup. The talent show starts at 6 p.m.

City celebrates new police station

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

Holly Springs officially opened its new police station on J.M. Ash Drive June 29 with a ribbon cutting, tours of the facility, and food and cold drinks.

Police Chief Robert Pearson welcomed guests, including members of the current board of aldermen, Mayor Andre’ DeBerry, newly elected aldermen, justice court judge Earnest Cunningham, county prosecutor Shirley Byers, justice court clerk Monet Autry, constables Don Cothern and Johnny Fitch, public works director Don Hollingsworth, architect Michael Jones, Tim Prewitt, construction administrator with JBHM, city clerk Belinda McDonald, and many city employees and friends of the city.

Byhalia police respond to theft, disturbances

The Byhalia Police Department responded to 41 calls during the past week.

Chief Gary Looney released the following report – alarm calls, 9; motor vehicle accident, 1; disturbances, 3; thefts, 1; vehicle thefts, 1; escorts, 3; animal-related calls, 2; assists, 3; medical assistance, 5; fires, 1; miscellaneous, 12.

Byhalia police officers also made eight arrests during the past week.

Rural Development celebrates homeownership

June is National Homeownership Month.

USDA Rural Development is participating in this annual event by recognizing new homeowners in the area. Our new homeowner did not want her name in the paper but she received her home loan under Rural Development’s Direct Loan Program.

Police officers arrest three

Holly Springs police officers made three arrests last week, one for burglary and two for embezzlement, and investigated a burglary and breaking and entering, according to chief Robert Pearson.

Arvell Dukes, 22, and Courtney Bowen, 21, both of Holly Springs, were arrested Wednesday, July 1, and charged with embezzlement, he said.

Photo by Sue Watson

Thanks to sheriff

Courtney Blair (right) with the Mississippi Department of Transportation, Batesville office, presents sheriff Kenny Dickerson with a certificate of appreciation for his department’s participation in MDOT’s Inmate Litter Program. The program is supported by MDOT and works with county sheriff departments to use volunteering inmates to pick up trash along county roads and state highways. “It helps us to present a better image, a cleaner image, to those who travel through or live in Marshall County,” Dickerson said. Non-violent offenders, usually those who are in jail for failure to pay child support, are typically the type inmates who volunteer to clean the highways, he said. The inmates get in return fresh air, sunshine, exercise and hours outside the cell, he said. Anyone who knows of a road that is particularly littered with trash is encouraged to report it to the sheriff's department. Dickerson said his inmates would get to it as soon as they can. Pictured with Sheriff Dickerson and Blair is Yolanda Jones, office assistant with the sheriff’s department.

Megan Tate named Entertainer of the Year

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

Twenty-year-old Megan Tate of Potts Camp notched her Southern gospel music career ahead two weeks ago at the annual convention of the Music City Gospel Showcase held in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

She was voted Entertainer of the Year for Gospel Singing by the artists attending the convention. About 50 artists attended, she said.

Photo by Sue Watson

Open house

The Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Bureau and Main Street recently held an open house at their new joint location at the corner of North Market and East College. From left are Ishmell Edwards, Bill Mobley, Garrie and Sherry Colhoun, Stephanie Movre, Amy Heaton and Cynthia Brewer.

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