Open the gates and let the races begin

At 5 p.m. Friday, the qualifying deadline for municipal elections was reached and candidates in Cleveland used every spare minute to file.

“This is probably going to be one of the biggest elections we’ve had in a long time,” Wendy McClain, city clerk said.

Two late additions in the mayoral race and one surprise transition helped to increase the magnitude of the election.

For months, current Ward 3 Alderman Billy Nowell had been the lone ranger vying for the mayor’s chair after the announcement that Mayor David Work would not seek reelection. Now, Nowell has two more competitors.

Cynthia Blockett qualified Friday to run as a Democrat in the May 5 primary. The winner of that race will vie for the seat against 24-year-old businessman John Joel, who qualified as an Independent with over 50 signatures on a petition and thus sparked the creation for a June 2 general election.

ROSEDALE — A Bolivar County grand jury convened here Monday at the first judicial courthouse and handed down indictments to six people, with charges ranging from false pretense to murder.

Only three days after being arrested by the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Department, Terry Faust was indicted on multiple counts, including burglary of a dwelling, armed robbery, aggravated assault and kidnapping.

For 27 years, Shelby Air Service has served the aerial application needs of farmers in north Bolivar County. Owner Ike Brunetti still has the first plane he bought when he went into business for himself. “I’ve always been in the business — I’m second generation,” said Brunetti.

His father Finley Brunetti went through the Marigold Flying School with Johnny Dorr and young Ike, a nickname bestowed by an aunt, recalls being bitten by the flying bug early.

“In my recollections as a child, I remember aircraft,” he said. “I remember watching my father fly Steermans in the early ‘60s, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Finley Brunetti operated a flying service out of Rosedale until he passed away in 1970 and his wife sold the business, according to his wishes. Still, Ike pursued his chosen career with determination. He said, “I had to be around an airplane.”

Beth Black: Southern Distributors, How News really travels

By Keith Wood
The Cleveland Current Senior Writer

Newspapers.

Even in the 21st century Internet environment, almost everyone reads them, most every day. Whether it is a local paper or a national paper, readers seem to cling to having a tangible, touchable news informant in their hands. But has anyone really thought about how that issue actually got to one’s house and into their news-ready hands?

Meet Beth Black of Southern Distributors, a newspaper distributor who is making sure publications arrive on time, and at the correct address. Black, 29, of Cleveland, formerly of Indianola, is the owner and general manager of Southern Distributors.

Grand opening, Crowds pass through doors to new hi-tech music laboratory

By Keith Wood
The Cleveland Current Senior Writer

Way back when, at the crossroads, on the stroke of midnight, Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul for the ability to play the blues. If only someone had been there to record it. With the new Delta Music Institute at Delta State University, such alleged first moments of musical greatness will never be seen as missed opportunities again.

This weekend marked the grand opening of the Delta Music Institute. The official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place today at 2 p.m. at Whitfield Gymnasium on DSUs campus, followed by an open house at the facility.

Director Tricia Walker said, This is an exciting time for the DMI program. What we have here is something we are very proud of both academically and technically. I think the program and studios will give our students an edge.

Knightline Revisited

By Michael Simmons
The Cleveland Current Managing Editor

Bolivar County may soon find itself in court after a deadline was given by Mid-Delta Empowerment Zone Alliance CEO John Greer Jr. at Mondays board of supervisors meeting to develop a plan to repay approximately $240,000 from a loan to the failed motorcycle business venture, Knightline Products Inc.

They have 60 days to give us something in writing on what theyre gonna do, Greer said. We should have something from them, but were set to take this thing to court.

Rail line could give county economic boost - Supes looking for future growth possibilities

By Lynn Lofton
The Cleveland Current Contributing Writer

Efforts are underway to make the Bolivar County Port at Rosedale a multi-modal transportation center giving industries access to water, rail and highway. Rail is currently the missing option but that will change if funding is secured to refurbish the old line from Rosedale to Greenville.

The county owns the rail line but it needs repair to add another transportation option for companies to use, said Judson Thigpen, executive director of the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce. Larger industries want access to railroad. Weve probably lost some companies because we did not have it. Having rail access will be another feather in our cap for economic development. Some eight or nine years ago the rail line was embargoed.

Nostalgia at night, The Warehouse opens for dinner with casual, playful dishes and snazzy cocktails

By Melissa Townsend
The Cleveland Current, Contributing Writer

Its not yet 6 p.m. and a local mix of downtown business owners, educators and khaki-clad locals are already trickling in.

Calling it a day, they congregate at the dimly backlit bar with exposed brick for cocktails, conversation and nibbles, settling into barstools and booths inside Clevelands new hot spot for libations and casual eats. Its officially happy hour.

The Warehouse, a popular lunchtime eatery on Sharpe Street, is now serving dinner six nights a weekand the local nighttime dining scene is suddenly more enticing. In early February, The Warehouse completed renovations to expand serving hours and accommodate patrons after dark, now offering a new dinner menu, wine list and signature cocktails.