Heavannah Holland Wins Kids Fishing Tourney with 3.8 lb Catfish

May 5, 2012
CLEAR SPRINGS RECREATIONAL AREA - Kids had fun but so did their parents, grandparents and others as over 225 kids (up to 16 years old) enjoyed the annual Kids Fishing Tourney which was held Saturday, May 5th.  The tourney is held each year at the Clear Springs Recreational Area in Franklin County.  Tourney Co-ordinator, Mr "Bill" Meriwether with the U S Forrest Service said " we would like to thank all that attended in addition to U S Forrest Service, the U S Wildlife and Fisheries, the National Park Service  , the Franklin County Sheriffs Department, the Franklin County First Responders and the Franklin County Ready Mix for their continued help and support each year".   Mr. Meriwether also said "I would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to all the volunteers and businesses but a special note to Mr. Barry Tyson for his continued efforts in helping to make this Kids Fishing Tourney a success".  Without Mr. Tyson's personal efforts, this may not be possible" ... 


The green shirts with the fishing tourney logo were everywhere ... 

Click to watch short video

This years winner was Ms. Heavannah Holland (above), a 12 year old 6th grader from Franklin Middle School.  Ms Holland is the daughter of Greg Holland and Robbyn Wallace.  This was her first tourney and she decided to attend after seeing a poster at the Bank of Franklin.  


Ms Holland caught the most fish at 22 total and the largest fish weighing in at 3.8 pounds.  She broke her fist pole and was able to continue fishing with a second pole.  She was supported by her Grandparents and a lot of friends and other family members.  


Lots of parents, grandparents and friends joined in for a day of family and fun.  If you did not attend this year, you missed a fun filled day. 

Ms. Heavannah Holland the tourney winner 

".... land them in the grass !
 clean'em later"  said winner Ms Heavannah Holland 

Walter, Sierra and Sadie Phillips enjoying the day !

...a little swimming to cool off during the day !

.. each of the 'points' were loaded with fishermen !

.. was a busy day for all volunteers
but so much fun to see the
Kids enjoy themselves ... 

Source: FCNews Staff Reporter 

SEE HER PICTURE - Mrs. Wilkinson Still Missing Since Friday

ROXIE, MS - Mrs Roxie Wells Wilkinson, an 81 year old Franklin County resident is missing.  Ms. Wilkinson was discovered missing around 2 pm Friday, March 30th  from her residence at 425 Peterson Rd off Hwy 98 near the Franklin / Lincoln county line at Smithdale.  Ms. Wilkinson has be diagnosed with early stages of dementia and also has a medical heart condition that requires medication.  Ms. Wilkinson also must wear glasses but her glasses were found in her home along with her required heart medication.  Her family searched for her for about one hour prior to calling the Franklin County Sheriffs office who immediately called the Franklin County Search and Rescue  Unit.  

A rescue operation was set up and a grid search began without success.  At about 7 pm on Friday the Southwest Search and Rescue used dogs, but did not get a 'scent hit' as to her location.  Also, the Angola Search and Rescue Unit joined in the search.  At about 2 am Saturday morning the search was called off and resumed at day break.  During the early afternoon Saturday, Lincoln County Sheriffs office added manpower to the search.  Search began again at daybreak on Sunday morning but was called off at approximately 11:00 am.  Ms Wilkinson is considered still missing. Ms Wilkinson was last seen wearing a pink top with white pants with white croc shoes.  She does not have ID, her purse or her glasses. Ms. Wilkinson also does not have her heart medication that is required. 


Based on speculation, by several unnamed sources, it is believed, based on the fact there have not been any 'scent hits by the dogs', that Ms Wilkinson may have been picked up by a person or person(s) in a vehicle.  She is not carrying any ID and has been diagnosed with early stages of dementia.  If anyone has any information or knows her whereabouts please contact the Franklin County Sheriffs office at 601-384-2324


Source: FCNews Staff 

Search Broadens for Elderly Lady as Lincoln County Sheriffs Office Adds to Search

ROXIE, MS -  UPDATE at 5:45 PM Saturday, March 31st / Search continues as Ederly Lady is still missing.  Lincoln County Sheriffs office adds additional manpower 


An 81 year old Franklin County resident is missing.  Ms. Roxie Wells Wilkinson was discovered missing around 2 pm Friday, March 30th  from her residence at 425 Peterson Rd off Hwy 98 near the Franklin / Lincoln county line at Smithdale, Ms.  Ms. Wilkinson has be diagnosed with early stages of dementia and also has a medical heart condition that requires medication.  Ms. Wilkinson also must wear glasses but her glasses were found in her home along with her required heart medication.  Her family searched for her for about one hour prior to calling the Franklin County Sheriffs office who immediately called the Franklin County Search and Rescue  Unit.  A rescue operation was set up and a grid search began without success.  At about 7 pm the Southwest Search and Rescue used dogs with did not get a 'scent hit' as to her location.  Also, the Angola Search and Rescue Unit joined in the search.  At about 2 am this morning the search was called off and resumed at day break this morning.  At this time (9:15 am Saturday, March 31st) the grid search is continuing.  Ms Wilkinson, who is an 81 year old white female, was last seen wearing a pink top with white pants with white croc shoes.  She does not have ID, her purse or her glasses. Ms. Wilkinson also does not have her heart medication that is required.  During the early afternoon today, Lincoln County Sheriffs office added manpower to the search.   If anyone has any information or knows her whereabouts please contact the Franklin County Sheriffs office at 601-384-2324


Source: FCNews Staff update

Search is Currently Underway for 81 Year Old Franklin County Resident, Ms Roxie Wells Wilkinson

ROXIE, MS -  An 81 year old Franklin County resident is missing.  Ms. Roxie Wells Wilkinson was discovered missing around 2 pm Friday from her home at 425 Peterson Rd off Hwy 98 near the Franklin / Lincoln county line at Smithdale, Ms.  Ms. Wilkinson has be diagnosed with early stages of dementia and also has a medical heart condition that requires medication.  Ms. Wilkinson also must wear glasses but her glasses were found in her home along with her required heart medication.  Her family searched for her for about on hour prior to calling the Franklin County Sheriffs office who immediately called the Franklin County Search and Rescue  Unit.  A rescue operation was set up and a grid search began without success.  At about 7 pm the Southwest Search and Rescue used dogs with did not get a 'hit' as to her location.  Also, the Angola Search and Rescue joined in the search.  At about 2 am this morning the search was called off and resumed at day break this morning.  At this time (9:15 am Saturday, March 31st) the grid search is continuing.  Ms Wilkinson, who is an 81 year old white female, was last seen wearing a pink top with white pants with white croc shoes.  She does not have ID, her purse or her glasses. Ms. Wilkinson also does not have her heart medication that is required.  If anyone has any information or knows her whereabouts please contact the Franklin County Sheriffs office at 601-384-2324


Source: FC News Staff Report

91 Yr Old Franklin County Resident Rescued Unhurt After Trek In The Woods

March 25, 2012
ROXIE, MS - The early morning started out bright and sunny for Mrs. Lola Mae Delaney, 91 years young, as she left home yesterday morning with her daughter, Bobbie Nell Delaney, on a drive from her house to visit one of her other daughters at her camp.   At about 6:15 pm she was found and rescued in the woods with a few scratches, bruises and little dehydration but otherwise in good shape for her 91 years.   Her being found and rescued continues to be consistent with the joint efforts of  MS Wildlife Officers, Franklin County Sheriffs Deputies, the Franklin County Constable, District 5 - Fire & Rescue Searchers and the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator along with family members and other local volunteers.  

This is an interactive Map 

You may click on to get more details

The ordeal began when both her and her daughter apparently became confused as to the direction to her other daughters camp and they turned down the wrong road by turning one road too soon.  They drove through a locked gate where they proceeded down the timber access road until their car became stuck in a grass plot near the end of the road. 


The daughter, Bobbie Nell Delaney said "we got out of the car and walked back toward  Union Church Road and at one point my mother started away from the road into the woods."   She said she told her mother that "you are going the wrong way"  but her mother insisted that it was the right way out and continued walking into the woods.   At that point, Bobbie turned around and walked toward the Union Church Road, then walked north to Henry Lane where she was spotted and picked up by Mr. 'Clutch' Aldridge.  Mr. Aldridge then took her to her sisters camp. 


The family went back to look for Ms. Lola Mae shortly after noon but could not find her. The family continued to search but did no call for assistance until about around 4:00 pm. At that point the Mississippi Wildlife Officers, Franklin County Sheriffs Deputies, the Franklin County Constable, District 5 - Fire & Rescue Searchers and the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator  responded.  The group began the search in the part of the woods where she was seen last but found no trace.  The search then was moved to the area where the car was located and she was found in that area at about 6:15 pm.   A little more than 2 hours after rescuers were called in. 


A Medic from Rapid Response was called to the scene and concluded she was fine other than a few cuts, scratches, a little dehydration and otherwise she was "doing pretty good for her age".   Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy Roger Causey brought Ms Delaney out of the woods on a 4-wheeler and reunited her with her family. 


A happy ending to an eventful day for Ms. Lola Mae Delaney.

Franklin Advocate Weekly Paper Reports on Recent Burglary Arrest By Franklin County Sheriffs Dept

ROXIE, MS -  The Franklin Advocate has serviced the local Meadville area since 1915. As an example of its continued service of bringing the weekly news to the Franklin County, the paper (located in Meadville, Ms) has reported, in its weekly publication, the following information about recent crime activity in and around Franklin County plus the arrest of several persons believed to be involved.  The picture below was taken of the front page of volume 125 number 23  distributed on Thursday, March 22, 2012 by Franklin Advocate and is a further example of their continued  informational articles. 

Franklin Advocate is the official publication for Franklin County and the Towns of Bude, Meadville and Roxie, Ms.  The weekly publication has been owned and operated by the Webb Family for over 50 years and continues to inform the local citizens of Franklin County. 


Readers may  purchase the weekly paper for 50 cents per copy ($26.00 per year) at most local business locations in Franklin County or reader may subscribe to weekly paper at the rate of: 

• $22.00 per year for mail delivery in Franklin County 
• $26.00 per year for mail delivery in La & Ms 
• $28.00 per year for mail delivery in other states 

To subscribe to receive via weekly mail, you may send check or money order to Franklin Advocate, P O Box 576, Meadville, Ms 39653. Gift subscriptions are also available. For additional information call 601-384-2484 during normal business hours. 


Source: FCNews Staff
FCNews Photo 

Ongoing Investigation in County Thefts Continues Despite Recent Arrest

ROXIE, MS - Franklin County News Blog Reported on Friday, February 17, 2012 that the Franklin County Sheriffs office had doubled the reward for information in the recent logging equipment thefts.  The ongoing investigation remains open and continues despite a recent arrest because it is believed there are more than one person (s) involved. 


As reported, it was discovered the thefts occurred late Sunday night - Jan 31st or early Monday morning - Feb 1st.   The following equipment was removed and considered stolen from three different locations in Franklin County. The following list and follow up information is: 

• A 1999 Black Kent Four Bolster Trailer. The trailer was stolen from the old saw mill location in Roxie, Ms. Owner of trailer is Smith Brothers Logging, Inc of Roxie, Ms. 

UPDATE: Based on information received, this trailer was found February 21st as part of some scrap iron sold to a Concordia Parish salvage yard. Through the cooperation of law enforcement officials from States of Louisiana and Mississippi, Concordia Parish, Adams and Franklin County, the remains of this trailer were identified and an arrest was made.  Sedrick B Middleton, a former Franklin County Deputy, was arrested, charged with possession of stolen property and is now being held in the Adams County jail without bail in connection with the thefts. The investigation is ongoing and it is believed, based on the arrest of Middleton, that there are more than one person involved.  

• A 1986 Yellow Nabors Low Boy Trailer. The trailer was stolen from the parking lot next to the Health Dept Office in Bude, Ms.  Owner of trailer is Smith Brothers Logging Inc of Roxie, Ms. 

UPDATE: During the ongoing  part of the investigation this trailer has be recovered. Location of the discovery and other information not available due to ongoing open investigation. After hearing the news of the recovery, a citizen said "other people involved should turn themselves in to Sheriff Newman because the net is closing in on them. People are just tired of people stealing and the courts are going to 'throw the book' at them if they don't".  The citizen also said " Sheriff Newman 'just don't give up' and he's (Sheriff) gonna get'em sooner or later because his arrest record over the years proves that". 

• Two  Logging Trailers were stolen from the parking lot of the Five Star Gas Station on Hwy 84 in Meadville, Ms. One trailer owner is Dale Dier of Meadville, Ms and other trailer owner is Brad Smith of Brookhaven, Ms.  

UPDATE: The ongoing investigation continues on these trailers.  Franklin County Sheriff James Newman continues to offer a reward for additional information in these thefts. 

Anyone having any information concerning the thefts or anyone knowing about the current location of any of the above remaining listed stolen equipment may contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at 601-384-2323 or any state or local law enforcement officer.  The reward amount remains doubled for information. 

Source - FCNews Staff