Local Edition

September 15, 2026

Magnolia, Mississippi

Community reporting, editorials, columns, and local record

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Magnolia, MS 39652

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Headline

Lead stories and prominent coverage from the current edition.

  • President Jimmy Carter (1924-2024): This Southern Governor Was Elected President in 1976 When Americans Were Hunting Decency to Run the Country

    In an all-American sort of way, he was first elected to the local school board. Then Jimmy Carter became President of the United States of America. Well, not in one move. There were several elected jobs in-between those...

    Columns Headline News
  • Beloved Jacksonian Alison Jean “Tippy” Reimers Lyell (1940-2024) Passes

    ALISON “TIPPY’ LYELL (1940-2024) Alison Jean “Tippy” Reimers Lyell, age 84, passed away peacefully at her Jackson home on November 1, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born August 30, 1940 at the old...

    Headline Obituary
  • Longtime Gazette Contributing Editor, Guy Geller, Dies At Beachman Hospital

    Guy Geller (1936-2024) Guy Charles Geller, 87 years old, of the Progress community, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Beacham Memorial Hospital in Magnolia. A memorial service is planned at Silver Springs...

    Headline Obituary
  • Chris Laird Tabbed as New Southwest Volleyball Head Coach

    The revitalization of the Southwest Mississippi Community College Volleyball program took a major step forward recently with the hiring of Chris Laird as the team’s new head coach. Laird brings nearly 30 years of...

    Headline News
  • A Country Divided Cannot Save Itself

    The country is paying dearly for the division it has caused itself. Our countrymen—-you, me and everyone else—-are the blame. The shooter had the gun and pulled the trigger, but this is on all of us. Our politics...

    Headline Political
  • Southwest’s ‘Growling Wood’ Disc Golf Course Open to Public

    After much anticipation, the Southwest Mississippi Community College Growling Wood Disc Golf Course is open and available to the general public. It is located on the front (west) side of campus and stretches as far as...

    Headline News
  • Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center Welcomes New Family Medicine Residents

    STATE HEALTH OFFICER AND SOUTHWEST MEDICAL STAFF WELCOME NEW FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENTS--- At the July meeting of the medical staff of Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, the four new Family Medicine...

    Headline
  • Twists & Turns: Oh Dear! Where Are My Glasses!

    A most dreadful thing happened recently, and I am still in recovery mode! I misplaced my glasses! And no, they were not on my head. I checked there first! For those of you good people who do not need such sight...

    Headline
  • South Pike Welcomes Senator Laphonza Butler

    U. S. SENATOR LAPHONZA BUTLER GLAD TO SEE SOUTH PIKE SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT PERCY MARTIN--- On May 3rd, California’s U. S. Senator Laphonza Butler visited her hometown of Magnolia. She is shown here at the school...

    Headline
  • Whitney Strong Named a Stephen D. Lee Scholar at Mississippi State University

    STRONG RECOGNIZED AT MSU--- Whitney Strong, of Mccomb, MS, was recognized as a Stephen D. Lee Scholar during Mississippi State University’s spring 2024 commencement exercises. Strong is one of 113 students who...

    Headline
  • Will Low Voter Turnout Rates Continue in November 5th Presidential Election

    Our best writers follow a script that rarely fails them: They write of territory they know. Carla Heffner-Carlisle’s stories in her latest book, “Another Country,” detail her life’s journey from McComb to a...

    Headline
  • SOUND OFF: Magnolia Farmers Market Pavilion Unusable

    Several weeks ago, the Magnolia Farmers Market Pavilion became unusable and dangerous to the public. Shoddy workmanship and perhaps the lowest bidder have created a situation where a heavy crossbeam has fallen....

    Headline News
  • Will Low Voter Turnout Rates Continue in November 5th Presidential Election

    On the 60th year anniversary of this nation’s most important, courageous and successful drive to enlist more voters, the turnout rate in certain 2024 elections across America has been depressingly disappointing. In...

    Headline
  • The Sunday We Almost Ate Out at Renfrow’s Cafe

    People are just too mobile these days. Folks these days think nothing of driving to Tupelo or Memphis just to eat out. I vividly remember the single occasion when my family decided to “go out to eat” when I was a...

    Headline
  • Congressional Bipartisanship Key to Renewal of Farm Bill

    Like most Americans who didn’t grow up on a production farm or ranch, I didn’t know much until a later age about the term “Farm Bill.” That changed for me upon moving to Leland to operate the local weekly...

    Headline News
  • Dean Clower Named New Southwest Tennis Head Coach

    For the first time in seven years, the Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams at Southwest will be under new leadership. FitlifeSportsplex Tennis Pro Dean Clower takes over for Joyce Mabry, who was the coach since the sport...

    Headline News
  • Twists & Turns: The Importance of Porch Sitting

    Most every new home built in America today comes with a two car garage, 3 to 5 bedrooms and a kitchen that could hold the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. But something is missing in their structure. I’ll bet you can guess...

    Headline
  • La Mariposa Mercedes Café closed its doors in Magnolia on Sunday: Treasured Local Institution Moving From its Longtime Location to Summit

    MERCEDES RICKS TOASTING A FULL HOUSE OF FAMILIAR FACES ON CLOSING DAY INSIDE HER ICONIC MAGNOLIA RESTAURANT--- The legendary businesswoman, alderwoman, chef, and bartender toasted the overflow crowd eating at her famous...

    Headline News
  • South Pike JROTC Awards

    SOUTH PIKE JROTC AWARDS--- On May 16, 2024, at the South Pike Awards Program, on behalf of Judith Robinson Chapter, NSDAR, National Defense Chair Melissa Holeman presented the JROTC Bronze Medals to two cadets at South...

    Headline
  • Mississippi’s K-12 Public Schools Making Progress for Better Education

    Mississippi’s K-12 public schools have made verifiable progress in the past decade, none of it more important than stemming a tidal wave of student dropouts. One new report showing the states with the highest dropout...

    Headline
  • South Pike High School Graduating Class of 2024

    SOUTH PIKE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES THE CLASS OF 2024--- On Saturday, May 18, 2024, commencement exercises for the graduation of the class of 2024 was held at Willie Earl Jones Coliseum in Magnolia. The presentation of...

    Headline
  • Starkville, Mississippi Named “The Best Small Town In The South”

    STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, THE SOUTH’S BEST SMALL TOWN--- Starkville, home to Mississippi State University, is so much more than just a small college town. With multiple historic districts, great food all over town, and...

    Headline
  • Medicaid Expansion in Mississippi

    Second-term Gov. Tate Reeves experienced a close call only to emerge victorious once again in the fight over expanding a healthcare program that would have benefited a large group of Mississippi’s low-income and...

    Headline News
  • Osyka Elementary Perfect Attendance

    OES PERFECT ATTENDANCE--- Congratulations to the students of Osyka Elementary School that had perfect attendance during the after school tutoring program this spring. They were presented a certificate and a gift of...

    Headline