In the 1990s — 20 years ago

Jennifer Dickerson of South Panola and Miles Mitchell of North Delta were honored through the Wendy’s High School Heisman Program, the January 28, 1999 edition reported. Dickerson and Mitchell were featured in photos with Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas.

In the 1980s — 30 years ago

The 1989 South Panola Tigers boys basketball team won the Chickasaw Conference championship for the first time since 1976, according to the Jan. 25, 1989 edition.

Team members were Rodney Pugh. T. Madkins, Raymond Robertson, Steven Farris, Carol Young, Marvin Houston, Barry Potts, Reginald Lambert, Niles Norris, Bo Shegog, Brian Young, Stacy Niles, Eric Lawson, John Burgess, Derrick Powell, Keving Cosby and Reginald Cox. Bennie Abson was the coach.

In the 1960s — 50 years ago

“Major William Wallace Ford, a native of Panola County, was killed by hostile forces during a mortar attack on his helicopter base Jan. 10, 1969 at Can Tho, Vietnam,” according to a story in the Jan. 23 edition of that year.

Ford had been born at Curtis and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Weber Ford. He attended schools in Curtis and Batesville before moving with his family to California.

110 years ago — 1909

Dr. M. M. Randolph

“Dr. M. M. Randolph died at his home a few miles west of Courtland last Thursday night,” the Jan. 21, 1909 edition reported.

“He was a very old citizen, being eighty-four. He had lived in Panola County a long time, at the time of his death being one of the oldest citizens and one of those who had lived here the longest time. Old age had so taxed his strength that he seldom left his home.

“He left several sons and daughters, all of whom were present at his burial except Mrs. T. E. Monteith, of Low Moore, Va. She could not get here in time for the burial.

“Dr. Randolph practiced medicine and farmed in Courtland neighborhood for many years. Before the town of Courtland was built, the place was known as Randolph’s Crossing. The land belonged to him. He was one of the best known citizens of his section a generation ago, and he has many a friend in the southern part of this county to regret his going and wish him peace in the world beyond the skies.”

160 years ago — The Panola Star

“Collegiate exercises were resumed on Monday the 3rd inst., at the University of Mississippi,” according to a report in The Panola Star, Jan. 12, 1859.

“As there has been considerable sickness this winter amongst the students attending the University, we fear some will be induced, from this fact, to believe that Oxford is an extremely unhealthy place. So far from this being true, we dare say that there is not a city, town or village within the limits of the State of Mississippi, where the residents enjoy better health than do those in Oxford.

“Hitherto there has been but very little sickness amongst the students of this Institution; but this winter they have been so very unfortunate as to be visited by pneumonia and typhoid fever — diseases which have prevailed with dire effect in every county in the State.

“We are gratified to learn that two young gentlemen of our town, who contemplated entering College at Lagrange, Tenn., have finally concluded to enter the Literary Department at the University of Mississippi. Does not every Mississippian feel it obligatory on himself to assist in rearing this institution of learning in his own State, which will reflect honor upon that State and her citizens who cherished it in its infant years?”

In 1859, the University was in its 11th year of operation, having been founded in 1848 with eight students.