Area News

Just before darkness settled over the Mississippi Delta, the lights of heavy wreckers and emergency equipment illuminated a rural intersection outside of Leland, where crews from Venuti Towing and Recovery, a long-running local wrecker service, recently spent ten hours responding to a difficult 18-wheeler rollover recovery. The accident involved a fully-loaded 18-wheeler tractor and trailer…

Delta Ducky, an organization in the Mississippi Delta, is known for its rubber ducks. Delta Ducky started off as a small game for people around town to play, but it quickly grew in size. Members of the organization hide rubber ducks around different areas of town and post photos of them on Facebook, and people…

At 61 years old, Linda proudly earned her High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma after an incredible 12-year journey with Mississippi Delta Community College Adult Ed. Throughout those years, she faced many of life’s challenges, including family responsibilities, personal setbacks, and changes in instructors. Despite every obstacle, Linda never gave up on her goal. Time and…

Delta State University congratulates alumna Celeste Embrey Wilson on her appointment to the Mississippi Supreme Court by Gov. Tate Reeves. Wilson, a Southaven resident, will represent Northern District 3, Place 1. Her appointment fills the vacancy created by the confirmation of Justice Robert P. Chamberlin to the United States District Court for the Northern District…

The scene is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Heat drifted through the streets and settled against the brick walls of the city as horse hooves clattered over uneven roads and merchants called out to customers passing by. Yet, inside the State House, later known as Independence Hall, the atmosphere was far heavier than the weather outside. Men…

By Jacob Venuti There is something special about growing up here in Leland. Our small town is tucked in the Mississippi Delta, next to the mighty Mississippi River. We aren’t known for our towering skyscrapers or crowded city streets; we are known for our people, traditions, and strong sense of community, and that can only…

Katherine Shamoon, a strong community leader, was recently awarded Top 40 under 40. Both Katherine and her mother, Susan Shamoon, spend lots of time running Shamoon Advertising. But when they are not completing business, they are out in the community helping others. Katherine was just recently sworn in as President of the Greenville Rotary Club.…

by Jacob Venuti For Nikki Thompson, canning isn’t just about preserving fruits and vegetables, it’s about preserving family, tradition, and a way of life that has been passed down through generations. A Leland resident for the past twenty years, Thompson’s roots in the Mississippi Delta run much deeper. Her family has called Leland home since…

Planters Bank recently announced the launch of Planters Impact Fund (PIF), a new nonprofit organization created to expand access to capital, strengthen economic stability, and support long-term community resilience across Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and surrounding states. Bank officials say Planters Impact Fund’s mission is simple: to cultivate economic opportunities to build resilient, thriving communities. Established…