65 years ago, July 29, 1954
“Paving of all the streets in the Golden Acres subdivision and parts of a number of other city streets wil begin in the near future as a result of the sale of $35,000 street improvement bonds Monday.”
“The suspense will be over for the entrants in the Little League Queen contest when the winner is crowned after the game at Westerfield Little League Park Friday night, July 30. … The four girls in the race are Kathy Branton representing Ulmer’s, Carole Gatewood representing the Cardinals, Mary Vivian Singley representing the Homers and Judy Waldrop who is representing the V-8s.”
60 years ago, July 30, 1959
“State Commander Wendell Craft of Tylertown will be the featured speaker at the August meeting of the local American Legion post on Aug. 6, Commander L.O. Petty announced this week.”
50 years ago, July 31, 1969
“Wairt Ellis Jones, highly respected resident of the Friendship-Greens Creek community, recently retired from the Mississippi State Highway Department because of ill health.”
“Fifteen Marion County 4-H members exhibited their skills in horsemanship in the sixth annual 4-H Horse Show held July 25. Judge for the show was Howard Wright. … Winner of the senior division high point trophy as Billy Joe Clark, and winner of the junior division high point trophy was Terry Pounds.”
40 years ago, Aug. 2, 1979
“Republican candidate for governor, Gil Carmichael, brought his campaign to what he still calls home Tuesday when he met with supporters and visited with friends in Columbia. A native of Columbia, he grew up here and had a press conference Tuesday in Harris Drug Store, where Mr. Carmichael said he first learned to keep books. … Mr. Carmichael worked at the drug store in 1942, ’43 and ’44 but had been in the ‘business world’ before then. When he was 9 years old he delivered 200 papers a week for a Mr. Welch for $3 a week. At Christmas he sold fireworks at the back of Watts and remembers that his mother worked there at the same time Attorney Maurice Dantin’s father was an employee. Mr. Carmichael also worked at the Columbia Theatre, where he remembers moviegoers could see a double feature on Saturday for 11 cents. … His father, Calvin Carmichael, was from Goss and was a lumbermill operator. His mother was a Smith from Pearl River County.”
30 years ago, July 27, 1989
“The families and friends of five law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Marion County since 1960 were among the crowd gathered on the lawn of the courthouse Monday morning to witness a dedication ceremony honoring the men. A special monument was unveiled during the memorial service that will serve as a reminder of the officers’ service to this community.”
“The Columbia Academy drill team officers and sponsor were awarded a total of 18 superior ribbons during the Universal Dance Camp held at the University of Southern Mississippi. ‘Cougar Price’ officers Andrea Byrd, Amy Fornea, Christi Robertson and Meredy Weston, along with director Lisa Tanner, participated in a four-day camp held annually for pompon, drill teams and dance teams.”
“University of Mississippi graduate Charles K. Hill of Columbia has been accepted to medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. … He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Frank S. Hill Jr.”
20 years ago, July 29, 1999
“Members of a citizens’ group who are advocating a write-in campaign in Beat Four said Monday that even if state law does prohibit allowing write-in candidates, a position they question, the issue could be decided at the federal level. Advocates of a write-in campaign have expressed concern that only one candidate remains on the Democratic ballot after the incumbent, the late Billy Ray McKenzie, died after qualifying to run for re-election. No Republican candidates qualified for the race. Donald Pounds, chairman of Concerned Citizens of Beat Four, said he expects the results of the Beat Four Supervisor’s race to be challenged in court. … McKenzie’s widow, who was appointed by the Marion County Board of Supervisors to complete her late husband’s unexpired term, has been suggested as a possible write-in candidate.”
“American Quarter Horse enthusiast Keegan Greenlee of Columbia will be competing in the 28th annual American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show and Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, Aug. 6-14. … Keegan is the 12-year-old daughter of Keith and Kelly Greenlee of Columbia and is an eighth grader at Jefferson Middle School.”
10 years ago, July 25, 2009
“Former Mayor Harold Bryant on Thursday joined current Mayor Reed Houston and the Board of Aldermen to receive the deed to the former National Guard Armory property on the corner of Sumrall Road and National Guard Road. The Mississippi Department of Human Services deeded the land back to the city for the building and 10 acres surrounding it, as part of a negotiation that was begun several years ago when Bryant was mayor.”
Pictured Above: In this photo from 30 years ago, July 27, 1989, three members of the Columbia Academy Honor Society attended the National Leadership Training Center in Lake Tahoe, Nev. The confrence attendees were, from left, Angel Lewis, Sandra Griner and April Ulmer.
