Gaines Baker, counsel for the Panola County Board of Supervisors, said last week an agreement has been reached with the owners of a road the county has maintained for decades, not knowing the small stretch was actually private property.

The short cut-off road runs from Hwy. 51S to the main road that leads to Pope School, and buses have long used the road to access the highway. Road manager brought the matter to the board’s attention about a month ago after researching land records.

The owners of land on each side of the road – the Green Family – had indicated they would shut down the road soon. This would have caused problems for the buses which would not be able to turn south on the highway without part of the buses crossing into the northbound lane.

Upon finding out the intention of the real owners of the road, Bean began working with the Mississippi Department of Transportation to find a solution to the problem.

Baker also contacted the Green family representative and began negotiating a deal that would be acceptable to both parties. The attorney said the family agreed to give the county an easement for $3,500 and the assurance the road would be maintained as usual.