From impressive sport highlights among local young athletes to a collection of hard-hitting news that swept through the community to major milestones from local leaders, the Yazoo community had its share of top stories over the course of 2023. Unfortunately, the community also experienced much loss with the passing of many beloved figures. But the future looks promising with several young future leaders already in the works.
Here’s a look at the top stories and highlights from 2023.
January
• The community saw its first murder case with a shooting death in the Scotland community in rural Yazoo County. Austin Holeman, 22, was pronounced dead on the scene by Coroner Ricky Shivers, who said the victim had been shot multiple times. Elijah Curtis Savell, 44, was later arrested and charged with capital murder.
• The community mourned the loss of Rev. Dr. Gregory Robertson, who served as pastor of New King Solomon M.B. Church and was a former alderman for Ward 3. He passed away in Texas at 65 years old.
• Yazoo also experienced another loss with the passing of Charles Moore, a former Yazoo City Fire Chief and member of the Board of Directors for Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association.
• The medical marijuana industry is slowly starting to grow within Yazoo County as cultivation facilities and dispensary locations prepare to begin their operations.
• Local civil rights activist and former county supervisor Herman Leach passed away, following a fire at his Jonestown home.
• Pafford Ambulance Services was presented the keys from the Yazoo County Board of Supervisors to its newly constructed facility at the District 3 Volunteer Fire Station.
• After serving as director of the Triangle Cultural Center since 2017, Lois Russell announces her retirement from the local historical center.
February
• The Yazoo community was well represented at this year’s Super Bowl with native and Philadelphia Eagles Fletcher Cox and Kenneth Gainwell in the spotlight.
• A Shady Lane Apartment shooting left a juvenile dead from multiple gunshot wounds and another juvenile recovering in a hospital with injuries. Coroner Ricky Shivers said Jalen Littleton, 16, died while being taken by ambulance to a helicopter transfer site. The shooting is among other incidents being reported among local youth. Violent altercations and school disruptions have also been reported, with many connected to gang activity. James Banks and Kendrick Myers would later be charged with first degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
• For over a decade, the Voice could be heard over the Yazoo airwaves every Friday night. The Voice, also known as Walter Patterson, announced the weekly football games for the Manchester Academy Mavericks. But as he places his microphone down to announce his retirement, there is a lull of silence…signaling the end of a local era.
• The qualifying deadline for the upcoming county elections has closed with a total of 54 candidates.
• The city school district has been awarded a multi-million dollar grant, the largest grant award in the history of the Mississippi Achievement School District. The AWARE in Mississippi Grant Award (AWARE MS): Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education distributes $1.79 million dollars annually, $7.2 million dollars total.
• The community mourns the loss of beloved former educator Marie Downs, who impacted local students for close to five decades with her instruction, mentorship and love.
• The Manchester Academy Mavericks made history with their first MAIS Division III Soccer Championship.
• Yazoo City native and famed actress and model Stella Stevens passed away in Los Angeles from Alzheimer’s disease at 84 years old.
March
• A Red Storm consumed a crowd of over 5,000 people when the Yazoo City Indians secured a 53-43 victory over the Raymond Rangers in the MHSAA Class 4A State Championship. The basketball team, led by Coach Anthony Carlyle, brought home the state title after 27 years.
• An assortment of firearms and narcotics were removed from the streets of Yazoo City following a raid conducted by local officers and state agents. David Richardson, Takeanu Johnson and Tylrec Moore Sawyer were all charged in connection to the raid.
• The neighboring communities of Silver City and Rolling Fork remain in shambles after a deadly tornado ripped through the area, leaving a trail of destruction for at least 60 miles. It has been reported that at least 21 people are dead following the EF4 tornado.
April
• Tracey Wardley, 19, is charged with murder in the shooting death of his mother during the early morning hours at a home on Ridge Road. Coroner Ricky Shivers said Deidra Jenkins, 49, was pronounced dead on the scene from a gunshot wound to the head.
• Yazoo City welcomes Mac Flynt to the community as he assumes his leadership role at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Yazoo.
• Johnathon Demita was named as the 2023 Lineman of the Year for Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association.
• Kiristi Mills arrives as the Triangle Cultural Center’s new director.
May
• After two decades in operation, owner Mitchell Saxton of Ribeyes Steakhouse announces his retirement. The business has been purchased by Jay and Missy Shackelford.
• There are several titles that Mrs. Vay Gregory McGraw carried with her in her nine decades of life. But Yazoo Legend would probably be the best one that suited her and her incredible life. The beloved citizen passed away at 95 years old.
• The Manchester Academy Mavericks pulled out a 16-10 North State Title win over Tunica.The Mavs would continue the celebration after capturing the MAIS Class 3A Baseball State Championship with a 13-1 victory Saturday night in game three of the series at Tallulah Academy.
• Numerous shootings have been reported within Yazoo City with the most recent incident leaving a 16-year-old dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Coroner Ricky Shivers said Ja’monta Leandrew Mitchell, 16, was pronounced dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
• The Yazoo City Police Department finds itself without a leader this week following the resignation of Chief Kenny Hampton, who said conflict between he and Mayor David Starling led to his departure.
• Dennis McFee has been selected by the PSCYC Commission to become their next CEO/general manager after the departure of Richie Moore, who served the position for several years.
June
• After being closed for about ten months, a completely renovated Yazoo County Health Department reopens this week with much-needed improvements to the historic building.
• Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association brought home a national award in the 2023 Spotlight on Excellence Awards, a competition among America’s electric cooperatives, sponsored by the Council of Rural Electric Communicators (CREC) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Yazoo Valley received a Gold Award in the Best Individual Ad category. Jason Patterson created the award-winning entry using photographs he had taken of Yazoo Valley employees working throughout the year.
• The city of Yazoo City welcomed a new police chief in what one alderman labeled as “an emergency hire” in response to criticism from a fellow board member in the hiring process. On a 4-1 vote, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen appointed Fredrick Randle as the new leader of the Yazoo City Police Department. Alderwoman Elizabeth Thomas was the sole opposing vote in the appointment. Along with serving as leader of the local police department, Randle will also serve as Leflore County’s emergency management director, based in Greenwood, which is about 57 miles away.
• The body of a man with multiple gunshot wounds was found inside a vehicle near City Hall during the early morning hours in Yazoo City. Coroner Ricky Shivers said Richard Baker, 36, was pronounced dead on the scene.
• Cecil John Cartwright Jr., 93, dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend of Yazoo City, passed away at home surrounded by his beloved family on June 17 after a long and beautiful life.
• A suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder case of 16-year-old Jamonta Mitchell, who was gunned down in Clubview Circle last month. Willie Nune, 21, was charged with murder following an arrest by the U.S. Marshals Service. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigations and the Yazoo City Police Department also assisted in the case.
• Ten days after Fred Randle was hired by the city council to lead the Yazoo City Police Department, he submitted a letter of resignation from the local post.
July
• Following the resignation of former police chief Fred Randle, veteran law enforcement officer Patrick Jaco III has been selected to serve as interim chief of the Yazoo City Police Department.
• One of three escapees from a Hinds County juvenile detention center was captured in Yazoo City. Robert Earl Smith Jr., 16, was taken into custody from a home on Grand Avenue by the U.S. Marshal Fugitive Task Force.
• The community mourns the loss of beloved Coach Archie Carlyle. His 45-year coaching career included seven state championships, and he was inducted into the MAC Hall of Fame in 2018.
August
• Local civil rights leader George Collins passed away, leaving a remarkable legacy within the local community and beyond with his political activism.
• Three shootings with injuries were reported in Yazoo City with local officers following strong leads and recovering two vehicles possibly involved in two of the shootings. Investigators also believe the shootings were connected.
• Called the state’s “Femme Fatale” by the local district attorney’s office, a female murder suspect was found guilty of a 2017 Yazoo County murder. A Yazoo County Circuit Court jury found Stephanie Denise Ward guilty of first-degree murder and hindering prosecution, and she was sentenced to life behind bars without the possibility of parole. The jury found her guilty of the 2017 murder of Navy veteran Roger Lee Scruggs Jr., of Brandon.
• The Yazoo County Regional Correctional Facility welcomes a new warden with the appointment of Chaz White.
• A suspect has been charged in connection to one of three shootings. Akyrion Phillips was charged with aggravated assault.
• A first-degree murder suspect was found not guilty by a Yazoo County jury. A Yazoo County jury found murder suspect James Bank not guilty. Banks was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 13-year-old Demontae Lee, who was murdered near Eleventh Street and Prentiss Street on March 13, 2021.
September
• A suspect has been charged in the shooting death of a 15-year-old juvenile in Yazoo City. Mike Patterson Jr. was charged with murder after turning himself in to the local authorities.
• John Carroll resigns from his post as city clerk.
• The city of Yazoo City welcomes its new police chief with the appointment of veteran law enforcement officer Terry Gann.
• The team’s motto for the season is “Kudzu bumpdown, thumbs down.” And the Yazoo County Panthers were proud to shout the motto after their 27 to 6 victory over the Yazoo City Indians during the Annual Yazoo Bowl.
• Beloved banker and community leader Miller Holmes Jr. passed away at the age of 79.
• Five juveniles were charged in connection to a shooting in Yazoo City. Although no injuries were reported in the shooting, the juvenile suspects were apprehended with stolen firearms in their possession.
• The historic Blue Front Café celebrated 75 years of the Blues in last weekend’s celebration at the world-famous juke joint in Bentonia.
• Close to half a million dollars in grant funds will be provided to Yazoo County Emergency Management from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials.
October
• A Yazoo City man is dead after what investigators describe as an ambush shooting in broad daylight. Coroner Ricky Shivers said Tujuwon Wyatt, 22, was pronounced dead on the scene of the shooting from multiple gunshot wounds.
• Local beloved coach Fred Street passed away, leaving behind over three decades of teaching and coaching in the local community.
• Former city clerk Kaneilia Williams returns to her post within the city of Yazoo City after a 3-2 vote by the city council.
• A habitual offender is back behind bars after being charged with several crimes that spanned over a few hours. The suspect allegedly shot two victims, assaulted a minor and threatened another victim with a handgun before being apprehended by officers within an hour of the last incident. B’Avion Carter is charged with three counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and simple assault upon a minor.
November
• A capital murder suspect was apprehended by local police officers after a brief foot chase in Yazoo City. Ladwell Japheth Roma Brown, 24, has been charged with capital murder in the ambush shooting death of Tujuwon Wyatt, 22.
• The Tri-County Academy Rebels brought home the MAIS 4A State Championship in their 26-13 victory over the Bowling Green Buccaneers.
December
• The community mourns the passing of beloved businesswoman Frances Pierce, who passed away at the age of 85. For most of her life, Pierce was a business entrepreneur, fondly remembered for her family business, Black’s Fabric and Department Store on Fifteenth Street in Yazoo City.
• The community celebrates the upcoming arrival of a new food pantry distribution center and an emergency disaster support building following the recent groundbreaking by Tulane Baptist Church.
• The murder case of Phillip Dunn in 2020 took a series of surprising turns as the investigation made headlines with a plot line that resembled a movie. The story takes another turn after the case was dismissed recently in a Yazoo County Circuit Court. Tommy White Jr. was charged with murder in connection to the death of Dunn in February of 2020. Three years later, a motion was filed by Trent Walker, special prosecutor with the district attorney’s office, to dismiss the case. Judge Jannie Lewis-Blackmon agreed with Walker’s motion and granted the order on Nov. 27.
• A local murder case was dismissed in a Yazoo County Circuit Court. Fredric McKee was charged with murder in November of 2020 in connection to the shooting death of Temeka Delorse Lacey. Three years later, a motion was filed by Dana Evans, a state prosecutor, to dismiss the case. Judge Jannie Lewis-Blackmon agreed with Evans’ motion and granted the order on Dec. 5.
• Commissioner Willie Simmons shared with Yazoo County leaders a multitude of road and bridge projects slated to begin within the county. If the progress continues within the Mississippi Department of Transportation along the lines of plans involving both state and federal funds, Yazoo County could see about $56 million dollars’ worth of projects over the next few years.
