A United States Army Color Guard marches through the Bolivar County Expo Center Saturday during a ceremony held for the unveiling of the county's newest war memorial. Photo by Taylor Mitchell, CNL

Area pays tribute to fallen war heroes

By Taylor Mitchell
The CNL

There is no greater sacrifice than to give one’s life to his or her country.

Saturday morning at the Bolivar County Expo Center, Mississippi soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan and Iraq were honored with their own memorial to the fallen heroes of Mississippi.

“This has been a dream of mine for two years now,” Sonny Roncali, the Mississippi Delta Purple Hearts Commander said. “It was wonderful. I am overwhelmed with the turnout and how they feel about it.”

Hundreds of war veterans representing every major conflict the United States has fought in since World War II were present.

The memorial shows a picture of every fallen Mississippi soldier in both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, starting from the year 2003 to 2008.

The portrait memorial dedicated to Mississippi's fallen heroes from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Photo by Taylor Mitchell, CNL

By Taylor Mitchell
The CNL

The Ruleville Economic Development Committee may soon begin a dropout assistance program in partnership with Mississippi Delta Community College.

The plan, aimed at giving high school students who are at risk of becoming dropouts, the necessary skills for success, as well as an opportunity to earn a GED.

The program was unveiled Thursday night in Ruleville at a meeting of the Ruleville Economic Development Committee.

“What we want to do, is not only teach the GED to people, but teach a skill that when they accomplish the GED, they have a skill that goes with it,” Larry Bailey, President of Mississippi Delta Community College, said. “It’s very similar to high school students who get to complete their degree and have gone through some of the technical programs in high school.”

By David Johnson
The CNL

Billy Marlow has announced his candidacy for alderman-at-large in Ruleville.

Ruleville will hold municipal elections on May 5. Marlow has qualified as a Democrat.

Marlow, 56, is a lifelong resident of Ruleville.

"The real reason I'm running is this is my home," Marlow said. "This community has meant so much to me. I feel like I am supposed to give back to the area that raised me up. When my time has passed, I want to know that I have done what I could to make the community a better place. That's what it is about to me."

Marlow has already made a reputation for himself for generously giving of his time and talents to the Ruleville community.

By David Johnson
The CNL

Approximately 100 customers of the Boyle-Skene Water Association filled the auditorium of the Mississippi State Agricultural Extension Service building Tuesday night for the much-maligned entity's annual meeting.

The gathering, which lasted a total of 23 minutes, fell short on widely expected controversy.

The Boyle-Skene Water Association is currently under investigation by the FBI, the United States Justice Department and the Mississippi Attorney General's Office for a bevy of allegations, ranging from civil rights violations to the theft of materials and federal funds.

While the auditorium was pulsing with tension and the occasional off-colored remark could be heard from the audience, verbal sparring was held to a minimum. The two board members whose seats were up, Thomas Worbington and William Thomas Jr., were re-elected unanimously without opposition.

Former board member G.R. Harden, broke the silence, just before the meeting was adjourned.

"When Mike took over this thing, it was through a hostile takeover," Harden said, standing from his seat in the audience. "I want us to dismiss the whole board and Mike (Tarver) and re-vote on a new board."

By David Johnson
The CNL

An employee for the City of Ruleville refused requests to release simple public information to The Cleveland News Leader on four occasions last week.

Ruleville city clerk Edna Beverly refused to release names of candidates to the paper who have filed qualifying papers to run in the town's upcoming municipal election scheduled for May 5. Beverly cited her unhappiness with stories and opinion columns that have appeared in The CNL that she thought portrayed her in an unfavorable light.

"I'm not giving y'all anything, and I don't have to," Beverly told the newspaper on Friday. "I've checked with the state, and I don't have to tell anybody nothing."

Of course, lists maintained by city clerks of candidates who have filed qualifying papers for public office is very much open for public inspection.

The CNL published a story written by reporter Natalie Pierre in its Jan. 18 edition which contained quotes from citizens critical of Beverly made during the town's regular monthly board meeting. Citizens questioned why the town paid Beverly as its clerk, when she did not perform the duty of recording the municipality's minutes at board meetings. One citizen, the story stated, questioned if Beverly was capable of performing the duties of a city clerk.

New eatery making a splash

Diners enjoy the fantastic food and family atmosphere at Ann's Fish House Thursday Night. Located on the banks of the Sunflower River, the restaurant has become one of the hottest eating spots in the region. Photo by Tonja Hewitt, The CNL

By Taylor Mitchell
The CNL

There's a new sight to see along Highway 8 between Cleveland and Ruleville, appropriatley hugging the banks of the Sunflower River.

It's Ann's Fish House, which has quickly become the hottest place to dine in the Delta.

“If you count people coming out here as a response, it has been overwhelming,” Chuck Tackett, owner of the restaurant said. “You can’t get in here at night. It’s unbelievable.”

At night, Ann’s Fish House is noticeable from a mile away. Set along the river, Ann’s is almost perfectly placed, and yet, it was only by coincidence.

“That part didn’t really play into anything,” Tackett said. “It just so happened that this spot was for sale and it was next to the river. It all fits together, though. If it had been on top of a hill, I would have still done it.”

By David Johnson

The CNL

Burke passes away Saturday in Southhaven hospital

The city of Cleveland lost one of its most outstanding citizens Saturday, as alderman Norman Burke passed away in a Southaven hospital.

Burke, who represented the city's Second Ward, had been battling a lengthy illness.

Burke, 63, was also well known as the longtime and highly-regarded band director at East Side High School.

Sources say Burke died in his sleep at approximately 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning. He had recently been transfered to Baptist Medical Center in Southaven after a lengthy stay in a Jackson hospital. He was undergoing rehabilitation in Southaven, according to sources.

"I am very sorry to hear it," said Cleveland mayor David Work. "His wife called me at about seven o'clock this morning. I'm going to miss him.

"I thought a lot of Norman. I enjoyed working with him. He was a good alderman."

Funeral arrangements had not been announced prior to The CNL press time Saturday night.

Burke's colleagues on the board echoed the mayor's sympathy and warm regards for Burke.

By David Johnson
The CNL

Cleveland mayor David Work told The Cleveland News Leader on Friday that he was still undecided on a bid to seek a second term.

Work, who was elected mayor in 2005, said he will make a decision soon.

"I'll decide with the next week or two," Work said.

By Natalie Pierre
The CNL

Jerry Wigginton spent over 32 years teaching mathematics at Cleveland High School. His wife, Bonnie, worked as a record keeper at Baxter.

According to them, they lived what many would describe as an ordinary life.

For a while.

The couple got a taste of what was to come in 1975 as Jerry suffered his first heart attack at the age of 35.

Wigginton remained out of the classroom for nearly a year, taking medicine and trying to nurse himself back to good health while his wife, Bonnie Wiggington, did everything she could possibly do to help her husband recuperate.

It was only the beginning, as ordinary would become an extraordinary battle against what some would have seen as insurmountable odds.

By David Johnson
The CNL

Voters will go to the polls in Cleveland on May 5 to elect new city officials in the Democratic primary.

But for the first time in the history of a city that has towed the line as Democrats, there will be a general election held on June 2.

Attorney Kirkham Povall, a candidate for alderman in Ward 4, confirmed to The Cleveland News Leader last week that he will qualify as an independent.

"I will file as an independent," Povall said. "I'm just finalizing my petition."

Businesswoman Debbie Holder has qualified as a Democrat in Ward 4.