Year in Review, part 2: April to July
As we find ourselves with just one more week in 2018, it’s important to take time to look back at most impactful stories of the year.
Here is the second part of The EAGLE’s Year in Review.
County breaks ground on business and activity center
Members of the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors and other elected officials gathered on County Road 406 in April for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new Lafayette County Business Complex and Multipurpose Arena, which was described as six years in the making.
Eric Axley wins Inaugural Mississippi Classic
Axley was named the winner of the inaugural North Mississippi Classic, which was shortened to 54-holes due to rain on April 22. It was the journeyman golfer’s second win on the Web.com Tour, and his first in 13 years.
Shots fired at The Lyric Theatre
Police responded to a shot fired on April 27 as people were entering the Lyric Theatre for a “Shoot Your Shot” jersey party. One single shot was fired into the air, and partygoers evacuated the building. No one was injured from the gunshot, but one man was injured by broken glass as he escaped the theatre.
Lafayette High wins the Class 5A MHSAA tennis championship
Commodores claimed in their first state championship in their first state title appearance, defeating Stone County 4-3 in the Class 5A state tennis championship at the Parham Bridges Tennis Center.
Sherwin Haynie wins “Citizen of the Year”
Sherwin Haynie, of Abbeville, was named “Citizen of the Year” during the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Foundation’s annual meeting on May 16 at the Inn at Ole Miss. Haynie was chosen from a list of nominated candidates and judged by a committee on their positive volunteer contributions.
Ole Miss beats LSU for the SEC baseball crown
Ole Miss’ pitchers four-hit LSU as the fourth-ranked Rebels erased an early deficit and tacked on runs throughout to claim the program’s third-ever SEC Tournament Championship, and its first since 2006, with a 9-1 win at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
Long-time librarian Nancy Opalko retires
To the children who visit the Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library, Nancy Opalko’s voice might sound like some of the puppet characters who have entertained them for years. This year marked Opalko’s 25th at the library, who retired at the end of June.
Lafayette County dedicates Fire Department Station 17
The Lafayette County Fire Station 17, located on Highway 6 East, officially opened the week of June 4th. Coordinator Wes Anderson spoke during the dedication ceremony for the new station on Thursday, June 14.
The amorphophallus titanium, or corpse flower, visits Oxford
The amorphophallus titanum, also known as the titan arum, bloomed in the foyer at the Thad Cochran Research Center at Ole Miss on Saturday, June 16, 2018. The plant features a pungent aroma when it blooms.
Ole Miss grad wins Miss Mississippi crown
Asya Branchm a Booneville, Mississippi native and an integrated marketing communications major at the University of Mississippi, was crowned Miss Mississippi after already holding the crown of Miss Tupelo.
Taylor storm topples trees, wipes out power lines
Three major roads leading into Taylor were impossible to travel following a storm in Taylor, Mississippi. According to Taylor resident and alderman Ellen Meacham, Meacham was traveling home from Memphis at the time of the storm, and could see the lightning in front of her.