From impressive sport highlights among local young athletes to a rash of criminal violence that swept through the community to major milestones from local leaders, the Yazoo community had its share of top stories over the course of 2021. 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 2021.
January
• The new year began with a story that spanned over the course of several months with no true resolution being met until the following summer. The reopening of Yazoo City parks sparked much controversy amongst city leaders and within the community. Having been closed since the COVID pandemic hit the community, the parks remained closed to the public in January. After several months of debate, the parks were finally reopened to the public.
February
• Juvenile crime began to take center stage during early February with the Yazoo City Police Department responding to a variety of youth-related crimes. From vandalism to burglaries to violent crimes, a spike in juvenile crime paralyzed the community for several months. Ultimately, two juveniles were charged with capital murder after an elderly man was shot and later died after a home invasion. Kalveonte Moore, 15, was charged with capital murder and home invasion. Tyler Fleming, also 15, was charged with capital murder.
• A historic winter storm hit Yazoo County in February, shutting down most of Yazoo for days. Conditions were so severe, the Post Office even stopped its deliveries. Area schools remained closed for days, and most travel was shut down due to dangerous road conditions. At the peak of the storm, Yazoo Valley had almost 75 percent, about 7,500 customers, of its membership without electricity. Within only a couple of days, Yazoo Valley linemen and work crews had restored most of the power to its members.
March
• Coach Emily Poe and the Lady Mavericks brought home the Class AA state title after an exciting basketball season. The Lady Mavericks went undefeated in the postseason play to complete the best season in school history.
• The murder of a 13-year-old child was the beginning of a violent crime wave in Yazoo City that continued with several shootings. Demonte Lee, 13, was found dead on March 13 on Eleventh Street, riddled with bullets and surrounded by bicycles. James Banks, 20, was charged with murder. A violent weekend soon followed with three straight days of shootings. Six people were shot at a nightclub. Two people were shot in a drive-by shooting. And a child was shot while sleeping inside her home.
• Former Police Chief Jay Winstead also resigned, admitting that his decision was made due to conflict with Mayor Diane Delaware.
April
• The Yazoo City High School baseball field was named in memory of the late Gerald Peyton. The beloved coach and community leader was known for his love to his players, the sport, his family and his community. That love will always be remembered with the field that will now forever bear his name.
May
• A multiple-vortex tornado ripped through Yazoo County, leaving about 30 homes damaged in its path. No fatalities or major injuries were reported during the storm, but a volunteer was injured during clean-up efforts.
• Within the month, two inmates were found dead inside their cells at the Yazoo County Regional Correctional Facility. Tyrone Grant, 44, was pronounced dead from natural causes, according to Yazoo County Coroner Ricky Shivers. Although natural cause was listed as the cause of death, two correctional officers were fired. William Ashley, 35, was also found dead in his cell. The deaths sparked several family members of inmates to come forward with allegations of abuse and negligence at the local jail.
June
• The Triangle Cultural Center began to make headlines after citizens expressed concern about the facility’s condition. Over several months, the future of the Triangle was tossed back and forth with city leaders. The center was listed on the Top Ten Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi. As the year concludes, the center remains in the same condition as it did in mid-2021 with talks that requests for repairs should be solicited in January of 2022.
• Thirty applications for barbers totaling about half a million dollars in Payroll Protection Program loan funds were approved during the COVID pandemic in Yazoo County, However, only nine of those applicants claiming to have lost revenue as barbers were licensed by the state.
July
• The alleged kidnapping of three local juveniles led to arrests surrounding drug dealing and child abuse. Following an intense investigation by federal, state and local agents, a home on Grand Avenue was raided, resulting in the discovery of the three missing children. Preston Flowers was charged with kidnapping, child endangerment, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Tamela Herron was charged with accessory after the fact, child abuse and possession of methamphetamine. Investigators believe the juveniles were being held against their will inside the home.
• The figures that Tax Assessor Denise Robertson provided to county leaders that showed a $13 million loss in total assessed value that she said were “spot on” appear to be incorrect after an outside consultant discovered a $10 million assessment error. The $10,798,415 million dollar difference came as a relief to county leaders because the error would have resulted in a 26-mill tax increase.
August
• Three guards at the Yazoo County Regional Correctional Facility pleaded guilty to having sexual relationships with female inmates. Christopher Hayes, 24, pleaded guilty to having sex with an inmate and conspiracy to have sex with an inmate. James Alexander pleaded guilty to three counts of having sex with an inmate. Ohaje Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to have sex with an inmate.
September
• A bank robbery, hostage situation and shoot-out with officers left two people dead in the streets of Yazoo City. What began as a bank robbery led to bloodshed after the robbery suspect took a female victim hostage, shooting and killing her after she attempted to escape. Following an exchange of gunfire between law enforcement officers and the suspect, he was also shot and killed inches away from the victim. Katrina Simpson, 36, was pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds. The suspect, Timothy Grayson, 54, was also pronounced dead from gunshot wounds at the same scene.
• A father and son, Wade Twiner and Lane Twiner, found guilty of hate crimes for the assault of two Yazoo County teenagers were sentenced to serve seven years in jail. After suspended terms, the duo will spend four years behind bars.
October
• Newly appointed Police Chief Joey Head is hitting the ground running with his new position, and he has many goals he would like to meet as the new leader of the Yazoo City Police Department.
November
• The Environmental Protection Agency overturned the approval of the Yazoo Pumps Project. Political blasts against the Biden administration, the EPA and even toward Congressman Bennie Thompson came flooding in following the announcement that the flood-control project was blocked yet again.
December
• Election season has arrived in Yazoo City with 20 candidates qualifying for the upcoming city elections. The post with the most interest is the mayoral seat with seven candidates vying for the post.
• Two female victims were shot during an altercation on Barnwell Street. Pending his release from the hospital, Calvin Williams will be charged with two counts of aggravated assault for allegedly shooting his estranged wife and sister.
Milestones
• After 47 years in the banking business, Butch Gary retired as president of BankPlus last May. Senior Vice President John Murry Greenlee now serves as the bank’s new president.
• Yazoo County native Mike Neely assumed his new role as Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association’s general manager and CEO last April.
• Richie Moore, general manager of the Public Service Commission, was named President of the Yazoo City Rotary Club. Stephen Harris, with Bank of Yazoo, was also named President of the Yazoo City Lions Club.
• After working with BankPlus for over two decades, Elaine McWilliams retired last June.
• Joey Head, former chief deputy with the Yazoo County Sheriff’s Department, accepted his role to lead the Yazoo City Police Department as its new police chief.
• Joe F. Seawright made his final delivery last November when he officially retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 34 years.
• The city of Yazoo City welcomes John Carroll as its new city clerk, Grace Ingram as its safety and risk manager and Danny Neely as its assistant building inspector.
Sports Highlights
• The Philadelphia Eagles now have a growing Yazoo fanbase after selecting former Yazoo County High School standout Kenny Gainwell in the fifth round of the NFL draft.
• Manchester Academy Lady Maverick Lanie Potter was recognized for her basketball career, spanning over six seasons in which she surpassed the 2,000-point plateau.
• The Manchester Academy Lady Mavericks brought home the Class AA state title after a history-making basketall season.
• Yazoo County High School senior Jamarion Stewart won the state title in the 181 Pound Weight Class at the 3A Powerlifting Meet last April.
• Manchester Academy’s Girls Tennis Team won the Class AA State Title last May.
• Family, friends and supporters of Jesse Henderson gathered at Yazoo County High School last June to show support for the track star as he prepared to participate in the qualifying trials for the Olympics.
• The Yazoo County Panthers won the annual Yazoo Bowl 12-6 against rival Yazoo City High School.
• Benton Academy’s Lindsey Hogue captured the state title with her performance in the Class 3A MAIS Cross Country Meet.
• Tri-County Academy brought home the MAIS 4A State Championship Title. The Manchester Academy Mavericks were also named the MAIS 2A State Championship Runner-up.
Fond Farewells
•A long-time member of First United Methodist Church and local history buff Harold Fisher died peacefully at his home on Jan. 2.
• Third generation attorney the Honorable William Henry Barbour died Jan. 8 at his home in Yazoo City.
• Longtime restaurant owner Grady Howell died on Jan. 23 surrounded by his family at home.
• Retired Yazoo County Road Manager Jimmy Druey Sr. died on Feb. 1 at the age of 75.
• Longtime family physician Dr. William Thompson died on Feb. 14 at his home in Yazoo City.
• Beloved coach Ralph Vanlandingham left behind a wealth of memories for his former athletes who loved him dearly.
• Local farmer Billy Joe Ragland, also known as “Rock,” died Feb. 15.
• Cattleman and former coach David Waters died on March 19.
• The community mourned the loss of beloved community leader and longtime educator Aubry Brent Sr.
• Businessman Rusty Perry died on May 2 at the age of 62.
• Beloved librarian Janet Nail died on May 3 with her family by her side.
• Longtime volunteer firefighter Eugene White died on May 9.
• Businessman J.R. Hancock died on May 15.
• The community also mourned the loss of community leader, volunteer and civic servant Alfreda Delaware.
• MS Ag Parts Manager Charlie Ward died last May.
• Community servant Linda Coleman died on June 19.
• Dr. Johnny Kennebrew, a former superintendent of the Yazoo City Municipal School District, died at age 72.
• Beloved volunteer firefighter Larry Adams died in the line of duty last August.
• Longtime law enforcement officer Ken Kiger died on Aug. 18.
• Judge Edward Cortright Jr., who served as the Yazoo County Chancery Judge for 26 years, passed away last August.
• City Building Inspector Russ Carter died surrounded by his wife and children.
• Beloved longtime educator Guyla Dixon died on Oct. 1.
• Beloved barber Mac Shipp died on Nov. 9.
• Veteran and POW survivor Lamar Rodgers died earlier this month.
News at the Newspaper
• Longtime Managing Editor Jamie Patterson was named The Herald’s new Editor and Publisher following the departure of longtime Publisher Jason Patterson, who accepted the Communication Manager position at Yazoo Valley Electric Corporation.
• Anna Rose Willingham joined The Herald staff as its new part-time reporter in August.
• Herald Sports Editor Joffre Washington earned third place awards for Best Sports Feature and Best Sports News Story during the state press awards ceremony.
• The Yazoo Herald won a total of 26 awards for journalism at the Mississippi Press Association annual meeting. Publisher Jamie Patterson won her fourth Bill Minor Award for Investigative Journalism, the top journalism award in the state.
