65 years ago, July 15, 1954
“Columbians will vote on a proposed increase of one-half of one per cent in city sales tax Tuesday, Aug. 17, in accordance with a resolution adopted by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen Monday night. The proposed increase in revenue from the additional sales tax is tagged chiefly to assist in carrying out the city schools program this year.”
“Over 125 applications for the nine available clerical positions at the New Orleans Furniture Manufacturing Company’s office here were taken Thursday by company officials.”
“B.B. Bradley, former secretary of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, this week joined the staff of the Sunday Mirror and The Columbian-Progress. Bradley will serve as a general news reporter, feature writer and photographer for the local newspapers.”
“Fred H. McDaniel Jr., chancery clerk of Marion County, has been named as one of the six aides in the state organization of the VFW.”
“Following factory-wide two-week vacations at Reliance Manufacturing Company, employees are being put back to work at the rate of 8-10 per day, according to D.F. Day, plant superintendent. Slightly less than 500 persons are employed at the plant right now, he stated, and full employment of approximately 600 persons is expected to be reached by the end of this month.”
60 years ago, July 16, 1959
“The Richland Creek Church of God is sponsoring a benefit supper at Uncle John Thornhill’s home in Thornhill Hollow as it has in past election years. Following the supper, serving of which will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Kelly J. Hammond will serve as the master of ceremonies for the program. A county-wide affair, candidates have been invited to attend and to take their turn at presenting their candidacies for offices in the coming elections.”
50 years ago, July 17, 1969
“Dr. W.H. Jones has been appointed to Columbia Municipal Separate School District School Board by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. He succeeds Dean Noblitt, whose term expired.”
“Mississippi State Highway Department project forces in Columbia, headed by Project Engineer J.G. ‘Bud’ Sowell, are currently supervising one of the biggest projects in Marion County history. U.S. Highway 98 from the Pearl River bordering Columbia through the town of Foxworth three miles westward is being four-laned through rugged terrain, and a new high-level bridge has been built over Pearl River.”
“Complete, detailed coverage of the Apollo 11 flight is being carried through the facilities of radio station WCJU, beginning with lift-off Wednesday morning and continuing through splashdown next Thursday, July 24. Live coverage of key events in the historic moon shot will be aired locally from ABC News, as will special interrupt bulletins as interesting events develop in the flight.”
“Phillip Singley, local attorney and farmer of the East Columbia community, was elected president of the Federal Land Bank Association of Hattiesburg, which includes the Columbia area.”
40 years ago, July 19, 1979
“Reports from the Calgary Stampeders football camp indicate that Terry Irvin of Columbia is very much at home in the line-up for his second year. A graduate of Jackson State, he played with the Stampeders last year, ending with an enviable record. Veteran cornerback Terry Irvin is considered one of the best ‘hit’ men in the Canadian League. … Irvin keeps in training while at home during the summers, sometimes training at Jackson State and sometimes up and down a local hill. He and Walter Payton, also of Columbia, frequently get together for a workout session. Irvin is a son of Mrs. Inez P. Irvin of Lampton and P.S. Irvin of Columbia.”
“Steve Gray is the new men’s golf champion at Columbia Country Club after shooting 77, 70 and 70 for a total of 217 in the championship tournament that ended Sunday. Runnerup is Ronnie Lott, who shot 75, 77 and 70 for a total of 222.”
30 years ago, July 13, 1989
“The Columbia Board of Aldermen voted Monday night to name attorney Forest Dantin as the municipal judge, the first time someone other than the mayor has held that position, according to city officials. ‘I think it will be a whole lot better this way,’ said Mayor Harold Bryant, who was in favor of separating the responsibilities but did not vote on selecting the new judge. He added that previous mayors he had talked with had also recommended the change. ‘It takes a lot of pressure off the mayor,’ Bryant said. ‘I think there are times when being mayor and city judge can be a conflict of interest.’”
Pictured Above: In this photo from 30 years ago, July 13, 1989, the Columbia Dixie Youth League at Griner Park 11-12 All-Star team included, front row, from left, Mark Buckley, Bow Stringer, Glen Edwards, Todd Blackwell (batboy), Paul Lawrence, Tony Moree and Matt Dillon. Back row, Lance Williams, coach Larry Williams, Ryan Stringer, Donny Pittman, coach Doug Blackwell, Brad Bourne, Ben Blackwell, Gerald Gordon, Kevin Davis and coach Bobby Davis.
