January 2 – Rural Education and Leadership (REAL) Christian Foundation, Inc. presented scholarship money to three local schools serving Simpson County. Genesis One Christian School, Grace Christian School of Mt. Olive and Hope Christian Academy in D’Lo each received $5,000.
January 9 – On Saturday, December 28, 2024 an EF 1 tornado ripped through Mendenhall and Simpson County leaving a wake of destruction. Because of massive power outages several residents, churches, Big Jim’s Meat Market, Rho Iota Zeta and others came together to feed the community and linemen.
January 16 – New Simpson County School District (SCSD) board members Thomas Ray Floyd and Terra Mallette were sworn in during the January 8 meeting.
January 23 – Simpson County Academy student Lilly Overby, cross country athlete, was named a Gatorade Player of the Year, the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their success on the field, in the classroom and the community.
January 30 – During a recessed meeting The Simpson County Board of Supervisors (BOS) unanimously approved a proclamation presented by Supervisor Wayne Womack in memory of the three men who died during the construction accident on the Strong River Bridge in October 2024.
February 6 – The City of Magee had several candidates qualify for the upcoming municipal elections including mayor and aldermen. Four mayoral; Ward 1 three candidates; Ward 2, two candidates; Ward 3, four candidates; Ward 4, three candidates; and, at large unopposed. The City of Mendenhall only had incumbents qualify for office.
February 20 – Repairs began to the bridge on State Route 28 at the Copiah/Simpson County that was severely damaged in 2024 after being struck by an over height vehicle.
Magee Police Department Officer Becky Freeman graduated from the National DARE program and was assigned to Magee Elementary School to teach drug resistance classes.
February 27 – The first annual Magee Mardi Gras Parade was held February 20 sponsored by Main Street Magee.
March 6 – Brett Favre pro football Hall of Famer and WJTV meteorologist Ken South participated in SCSD Read Across America event.
Long time branch manager of Magee Public Library Frances Meadows retired at the end of February. She spent 26 years serving patrons in Magee.
March 13 – The City of Mendenhall welcomed James Walker as its new Chief of Police following the retirement of Chief Candy McCullum.
Dr. Paul Lawrence announced his retirement at the SCSD March meeting, effective June 30, 2025.
March 20 – A political forum was held at Magee Community House giving City of Magee municipal candidates five minutes each to introduce themselves and state why they are the best candidate for the position. The remaining time was devoted to a question/answer session. The forum was sponsored by The Magee Courier/Simpson County News.
The City of Mendenhall Mayor and Board of Aldermen passed resolutions to dispense with upcoming primary elections and general elections, April 1, 2025 and June 3, 2025, respectively as there was no opposition to any city offices.
March 27 – Outstanding Business award was given to Rankin Accounting Service during the 65th annual Mendenhall Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Curtis and Etta Boyte received the Outstanding Citizen Award.
Keep Simpson County Beautiful sponsored the Great Simpson County Cleanup March 22.
April 3 – A comparison was made on costs of SCSD per pupil expenditures (PPE) from school year 2020-2021 to 2022-2023 the last complete figures available. It indicated an increase of approximately $2,000 per pupil. A detailed breakdown of expenditures per school within the district for the 2023-2024 year was not available in the current data on the MDE MS Succeeds Report Card though the trend seems to be toward increased spending for public education.
The Magee Volunteer Fire Department was selected as Business of the Year at the 69th annual Magee Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Magee VFD celebrated 75 years in operation.
April 10 – Simpson County Academy hired John Shows as its new headmaster following the departure of former Headmaster Nick Lee. Shows is a Simpson County native.
Election results were confirmed for the Magee Municipal Republican Primary Election. Mark Grubbs secured the nomination for mayor defeating Joe Worrell. Allyson Berch won against Chris Craft and Duane Simmons for Ward 1 Alderman. Incumbent Lawana Thompson defeated challenger Beth McCall Moore in Ward 2. Suzie Bourn defeated Lane Steele for Ward 3 Alderman by ten votes. At Large Alderman Sue Honea ran unopposed.
April 17 – The Magee Consolidated McLaurin Vocational Attendance Center committee received a $10,000 donation from the City of Magee to help with restoration efforts to the McLaurin Vocational Attendance Center.
The Mendenhall High School Archery Team won the AIMS Bullseye Archery State Championship that qualified them for nationals. The team won the tournament with a score of 3203.
April 24 – At a regular meeting of the City of Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen Police Chief Denis Borges informed the board parents of three juveniles responsible for damage to City Park bathrooms agreed to share equally the cost of repairs that totaled about $2,900.
May 8 – The Simpson County Development Foundation named Strong River Villa and Lakeview Place assisted living facilities Business of the Year. They are owned and operated by Faith Kennedy.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services selected Magee General Hospital as one of 10 additional hospitals across the country chosen to participate in the rural community Hospital Demonstration Program. MGH is one of three in Mississippi.
May 15 – The Simpson County BOS announced that county road crews will begin shoulder shaving and ditching operations beginning the third week in May. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to maintain and preserve the integrity of the county’s road infrastructure.
May 22 – Governor Tate Reeves was guest speaker at the annual Simpson County Fallen Officers Memorial paying homage to ten local fallen officers. He echoed words inscribed at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.: “It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, but it’s how they lived.” Reeves added, “Truer words have never been spoken.”
A huge crowd came out for the annual Mendenhall in May to enjoy good food, vendor sales, a car show and more. Young and old enjoyed the day-long event.
May 29 – Magee Mayor Dale Berry announced he will not seek re-election citing serious health concerns. He revealed that recent heart issues, along with medical advice from his cardiologist, led to his difficult decision to exit the mayoral race. Berry stated he would serve out the remainder of his term that ended June 30.
Keep Magee Beautiful was awarded a grant from The Southern Pine Members Helping Members program in the amount of $8,600 for beautification of Magee City Park.
June 12 – The SCSD Board of Trustees, by a unanimous vote, appointed Robert L. Sanders, Ph.D., as the district’s next superintendent, effective July 1, 2025.
During the regular meeting June 3, 2025 of the Magee Mayor and Board of Aldermen board members voted four to one to deny recreational vehicle parks in Magee after lengthy discussion.
The City of Magee elected Mark Grubbs as their new mayor, defeating his opponent Jim Snider. Ward 4 elected Julian Harper as their new alderman, defeating Melinda Green.
June 19 – At a meeting of the SCSD board members voted to officially rescind a motion passed by the previous board to build a consolidated high school. It passed with a majority vote; two members voted against the measure.
Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson threw his cowboy hat into the ring for governor in 2027. He is a former state lawmaker, a lawyer and Baptist minister. Gipson is also a Simpson County native and resident.
June 26 – On June 16 Mayor Dale Berry and Alderman Patrick Brown were honored at a retirement reception held at Magee First Baptist Church Family Life Center. Both were given plaques recognizing their many years of service to the City of Magee. Guest speaker was former mayor Jimmy Clyde.
