Petty Officer 3rd Class William Ballard, a native of Atoka serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Norfolk, Va. Ballard graduated in 2020 from Munford High School. The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Atoka. “It’s important to stay true to a cause or purpose,” said Ballard. “There’s a commitment required to serve in the … [Read more...] about Atoka native William Ballard serves aboard Norfolk-based USS Ross
Features
One in custody, one still at large after highway shooting
One of the suspects in Friday morning's shooting on Hwy. 51 North has turned himself in, Sheriff Shannon Beasley confirmed on Saturday. Dalton Richard, 21, of Brighton, was charged with two counts of attempted murder. His girlfriend, Kassie Carpenter, 21, of Mason, is still at large. The shooting took place near Jack Bennett Road. Witnesses said two cars were next to each … [Read more...] about One in custody, one still at large after highway shooting
Brighton teacher and coach Stan Gatlin is not shy about expressing his views
Stan Gatlin was 20 in 1996. He had just earned his associate’s degree from Mary Holmes College in West Point, Miss., was the valedictorian of his class and was preparing to move on to Jackson State University, where we would eventually earn his bachelor’s and two advanced degrees. He decided to apply for a job at veterinarian office in Jackson, Miss. because he was interested … [Read more...] about Brighton teacher and coach Stan Gatlin is not shy about expressing his views
Hughlett family persevered through some tough times to make their mark on history
Janice Brown-Woods has lived in the Dallas area for many years. Now 56, she has raised a family and manages a team of computer engineers at IBM. But on a recent sunny Tuesday afternoon, she found herself on a small country road in her hometown of Brighton overseeing a passion project that could not be any more personal. The story of how Brown-Woods ended up on Mathis Road … [Read more...] about Hughlett family persevered through some tough times to make their mark on history
Yarbrough artifacts on display at new Smithsonian museum
As a girl growing up in Hardeman County, the daughter of sharecroppers, Hattye Mae Thomas Yarbrough couldn’t imagine many of the things she’s seen in her 95 years. “Never in a million years” is when she thought she’d see America’s first African American president, for instance. And “never in a million years” did she ever think she, the star basketball player from Paris, … [Read more...] about Yarbrough artifacts on display at new Smithsonian museum
A simple kind of man: Former Heisman candidate Johnnie Jones says there’s no place like home
Whenever the Tennessee Volunteers football team has a bad game, Johnnie Jones said he hears a lot of cajoling from other people. “People will always say something,” said Jones with a wide grin. “Especially when they play Alabama. People will joke with me and talk about my college days.” This is because Jones was the leading rusher for the University of Tennessee under coach … [Read more...] about A simple kind of man: Former Heisman candidate Johnnie Jones says there’s no place like home
