Category: <span>Newsroom</span>

Recovery efforts from flash flooding are well underway, Lauderdale County and city of Meridian officials said Wednesday.

At a press conference, Lauderdale County Emergency Management Director Odie Barrett said heavy rain and wind Tuesday evening overwhelmed drainage infrastructure and caused flooding along the North Hills corridor and other areas of the city.

No fatalities were reported and emergency officials know of only minor injuries sustained during the disaster, Barrett reported. Damage to property, however, is still being assessed.

A local state of emergency has been declared due to the storms, and once damage estimates reach approximately $375,000, Lauderdale County can ask for a state declaration, Barrett said. Statewide, approximately $5 million to $5.5 million to qualify for federal disaster funds.

“We’re also looking at businesses, government buildings, any kind of infrastructure that may see some damage last night, that will also be included, and if possible, we’re going to try to get a state of emergency or a request for one after that,” he said.

Residents can report damage to their homes by calling 601-482-9852. Under FEMA guidelines, structures and areas not used for living space are not included in damage assessments, Barrett said, such as sheds, garages or patios.

While the flooding was unexpected, Barrett said the community was not caught unprepared. Lauderdale County, city of Meridian and town of Marion first responders, officials, road and public works and others worked tirelessly to help.

“That was a city, county effort working together for one cause and one purpose and that is to make sure our entire community was safe,” he said.

Residents displaced by the floods and needing housing assistance are encouraged to contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS. The organization is aware of the damage Meridian sustained, Barrett said, and residents can be put on their list for help.

Meridian Mayor Percy Bland said he was in a meeting when flooding initially occurred, and by the time he arrived on scene resources were already on route to help those affected.

“I told the guys when we were meeting this morning, to my knowledge, I didn’t know of anything like this that has happened all at once where we’ve had flooding in all sections of town, north, south, east and west all going on at the same time,” Bland said. “So, when you say historic and unprecedented, that’s just what we saw last night.”

Tuesday’s storms brought such a volume of water that there really wasn’t a way to prepare for what Meridian received. Cleaning ditches and clearing debris can help some, but nothing to the extent that would have prevented the floods.

“This was historic. This was something that you just don’t see, and with the amount of rain that hit in a short amount of time, there was nowhere for it to go but in the ditches and in the gullies,” he said.

Once the rain stopped, water levels fell rapidly, Barrett said. That shows the area’s drainage infrastructure was doing its job.

When disaster strikes in Collinsville, the men and women of the Collinsville Fire & Rescue are ready to respond. The organization, with roughly 30 active members, responds to fires, vehicle accidents, emergency medical calls, and other incidents.

Fire Chief Tony Grice said the department has seen an influx of new volunteers over the past four years, which has helped boost its numbers. Having a strong membership base is crucial, he said, because not every volunteer can respond to every call.

“You’ve got to have a large group of volunteers who, when people are at work or on vacation or simply unavailable, you have enough people to show up and take care of the scene,” he said.

Founded in 1966 by the Collinsville Community Club, Grice said the department also has strong relationships with other volunteer fire departments in the surrounding area. Bailey, Martin, Suqualena, and Duffee fire departments will all come to help Collinsville if needed, and Collinsville will respond to their calls in turn. A minimum of 3 departments are dispatched to all house fires.

Training is also a major part of the department, and CF&R is fortunate to have skilled professionals who can teach others. The department is about to start teaching Mississippi Fire Academy courses, including HAZMAT and other 12-hour academy classes, in-house. They have 15 students enrolled in an 18-week Emergency Medical Responder course that begins next week to prepare volunteers better to respond to medical and trauma calls throughout the district.

“I’ve got a dedicated group that really cares, and they always want to take that next step,” Grice said.

Capt. Noah McWhirter, the training officer, said firefighting is an ever-changing profession. Since joining the fire department 10 years ago, the time to put out a house fire has been drastically reduced, he said. New and better practices are constantly being added and updated, and training needs to evolve alongside them.

Grice said the firefighters going through the EMR class, which he plans to teach himself, will be accredited by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. The national certification will allow them to take those skills anywhere in the United States.

“They can take that certification that they get from here and go anywhere in the nation and be recognized as an EMR,” he said.

While current volunteer firefighters work to expand their skill sets, CF&R is also partnering with the Lauderdale County School District to build the next generation of volunteer firefighters.

“We are now working with West Lauderdale, and students there are actually enrolled in our EMR program, so they’re going to be certified as well,” Grice said.

Brody Gressett, who serves as Junior Firefighter Chief, said he’s been involved with the department for about a year, and it’s one of the best decisions he’s ever made. The training and camaraderie of the department are much more than he expected.

“I’ve met a lot of great people, learned a lot of great things,” he said.

The upcoming EMR class offers another opportunity to learn new skills. Gressett said his age, 16, limits the role he can play at the fire department, but the medical course is fair game.

While they come from different backgrounds and hold different professions, Collinsville VFD members are like a family, Grice said. They help each other, hold each other accountable, and work hard to do their best for the people they serve.

Collinsville Day

Throughout the years, CF&R has enjoyed strong support from the local community, and nowhere is that more evident than at the annual Collinsville Day celebration.

Set for Saturday, May 2, the festival celebrates the Collinsville community while also raising funds for the fire department’s needs.

Grice said this year’s celebration is sure to be a hit. More than just vendors, the event will include a car show, food, live entertainment, family activities, a touch-a-truck event, and more, along with a kids’ zone with a variety of activities to keep younger residents occupied.

Anna Smith of Explorer Acres, which is sponsoring the kids’ zone, said her business offers a variety of animal encounters, activities, and camps for young children. The kids’ zone is available for children aged 13 and under, with those under 4 requiring an adult to accompany them.

“We’ll have the bouncy house, the petting zoo, an archery setup, and we’ll have many other games,” she said.

Smith said there will also be fun farming-related activities for kids.

“Basically, we’re doing a small version of our camp,” she said.

Collinsville Day is set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about Collinsville Day or Collinsville Fire & Rescue, visit collinsvillefireandrescue.com or find them on Facebook.

 

Lauderdale County residents are encouraged to keep an eye on the sky heading into the evening with the threat of some severe weather moving through the area.

Rain and strong winds are most likely to hit the East Mississippi region, although tornadoes cannot be completely ruled out.

Lauderdale County Emergency Management Director Odie Barrett said first responders are ready for whatever comes their way.

“High winds, a lot of rain, wet ground, we could see trees fall over, tops of trees fall out, take out a couple power lines and then knock power out from different areas across the county,” he said. “That’s out biggest threat that we see tonight.”

As of 2 p.m., Barrett said the northern part of the county had already seen some hail ranging from pea size to half an inch. Another line of storms is expected to move through the area around 4:30 p.m., he said.

A tornado watch for Lauderdale County is in effect through 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Jackson. Much of Central Mississippi is included in the watch.

Barrett said a tornado watch can be thought of as having all the ingredients laid out and ready to start cooking. Once those ingredients are combined it becomes a tornado warning, he said.

While chances for severe weather are mostly limited to Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, wet weather is expected to remain through much of the week.

Any residents who do have storm damage to their homes are encouraged to report it to LEMA by calling 911.  Barrett said damage to outbuildings, vehicles and other structures, while frustrating, isn’t factored into damage assessments by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“The way the federal government looks at damage assessment, it has got to be inside of your home, the areas that you live in,” he said.

Barrett said he also strongly encourages residents to have their property insured. Having insurance can help recoup losses from storm damage even when federal aid is unavailable.

For more information about severe weather preparedness, to sign up for emergency alerts or find other resources, visit lemaonline.com.

 

 

Lauderdale County officials are looking forward to welcoming more visitors to the community next week as the 73rd Annual Jimmie Rodgers Festival kicks off May 7-9 in Meridian.

Claiming the title as the longest running music festival in the nation, the yearly event draws thousands to see up-and-coming musical talent and established artists alike pay tribute to Meridian’s “Father of Country Music.”

Born in Meridian in 1879, Jimmie Rodgers worked as a brakeman on the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad, which led to his moniker as “The Singing Brakeman.” While his music career was relatively short, lasting from around 1927 to his death in 1933, his impact on the music scene has lasted far longer.

In addition to being considered the “Father of Country Music,” Rodgers has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. His influence has also been cited by artists in americana, folk, bluegrass, blues and more.

Visit Meridian Executive Director Laura Carmichael said the Jimmie Rodgers Festival is one of the Queen City’s largest events, and the lineup of artists performing this year looks especially strong.

“Meridian is proud to have that and proud to be the home of Jimmie Rodgers,” she said.

The Jimmie Rodgers Festival kicks off Thursday, May 7, at The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience with performances by The Grascals, Southern Legacy and Becky Buller and Ned Luberecki. It will be followed Friday, May 8, by a performance from Jamestown Revival at the MSU Riley Center.

This year’s festival will culminate with Saturday’s celebration headlined by the Marcus King Band and featuring Brent Cobb, Maggie Antone and Lach Thornton at Meridian City Hall Lawn.

Carmichael said an influx of visitors is expected for the festival and especially Friday and Saturday nights as visitors make a two-day vacation of the event. Area hotels are already reporting increased bookings ahead of the festival.

The festival follows a busy spring for Lauderdale County. The Wings Over Meridian Air Show, Mahjong tournament, Threefoot Festival, Fam Jam, Sipp & Savor and other events have brought visitors near and far to the region. Carmichael said the past few months have been busy, but the increased visitor traffic that comes for the events has a positive impact on the community. Visitors stay in local hotels, eat at local restaurants and shop in local stores.

Visit Meridian is raffling off two VIP tickets to Saturday’s concert with details on the organization’s Facebook page. For more information about this year’s festival or to purchase tickets, visit jimmierodgers.com.

“It’s going to be another great weekend in Meridian,” Carmichael said.

Lauderdale County residents, elected officials and business leaders celebrated the grand opening of Red Hot Powersports with a ribbon cutting Friday with the dealership offering food, music and fun to the community.

A dealer for Kawasaki, Gravley USA and Big Tex Trailers, Red Hot carries a variety of motorcycles, dirt bikes, side-by-sides, ATVs, mowers, trailers and more. It offers parts and service to repair and maintain equipment as well.

Lauderdale County Supervisor Kyle Rutledge said the Carr family, which owns the business, has invested a lot in their community, with Red Hot Powersports being one of several businesses the family owns.

“It’s awesome, what you all have built and the investment you’re making in the community, and I just appreciate you all,” he said.

Owner David Carr, who also serves as president at Trucker Supply, said thanks is owed to the family’s longtime customers and employees who have brought success to the businesses. Starting with the Red Hot Truck Stop in 1955, he said, the family has been blessed with both.

“I was thinking last night, we had customers at employees at Red Hot, that have been loyal to us at Trucker Supply and came down here and bought motorcycles, side-by-sides and lawn mowers. So, they’re still customers,” he said.

Carr said his father impressed upon him that good employees can make or break a business, and he has passed that same mantra on to his sons. Employees are the ones who will interact directly with customers, he said, and it is vital to the business to have quality workers on staff.

Matt Schanrock, director of Meridian Main Street, part of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, said he was impressed by the line of products Red Hot carries.

“Thank you guys for carrying such gret products. Thank you for reinvesting into our community, and on behalf of the EMBDC, if you ever need any help just reach out and let us know,” he said.

Craig Hitt, chief administrative officer for the city of Meridian, said Meridian and Lauderdale County both have benefitted greatly from the Carr family’s business success, and he looks forward to seeing this new venture take off.

“We appreciate what you have already done. We appreciate your investment here and what you’re going to do,” he said.

Red Hot Powersports is located at 2622 N. Frontage Rd. For more information, visit redhotpowersports.com.

When homes catch fire, vehicles crash or residents suffer medical emergencies in Lauderdale County, the first people arriving to help aren’t getting paid. All throughout the county, volunteer firefighters respond to fires, medical calls and more, at all hours and all year round.

 

National Volunteers Week is April 19-25 and is used to bring attention to volunteer firefighters throughout the country.

 

Lauderdale County Volunteer Fire Service is made up of 17 stations, said Fire Coordinator Allan Dover. There are 22 physical buildings and more than 300 trained volunteers.

 

The frequency of calls is different for each station. Russell is currently the busiest station with around 150-225 calls per year, Dover said, with Collinsville and Martin seeing around 150 calls per year as well.

 

“It doesn’t seem like a lot whenever you talk about 150 calls, but on average you’re going to put at least two hours for that call,” he said. “So that’s 300 hours in a year that you’ve taken away from church, from family, from youth sports, things of that nature.”

 

Becoming a volunteer firefighter requires a lot of time. New volunteers go through a six-week orientation course and test before moving on to level 1 training, which is another six weeks. After that, it takes two more weeks to get through level 2 training, followed by eight hours at the fire academy.

 

While the official number is 88 hours to complete the training, Dover said its usually more around 250 hours to reach the level one and two certification.

 

“We will start our class on volunteer certification, and everybody’s really psyched. First night, 24, 25 people coming here, and then whenever they realize how much time they’re going to have to dedicate to this in order just to pass it, I’m down to 12, I’m down to 11 right now,” he said.

 

Fighting fires and responding to emergency calls takes a toll physically as well. Going from dead asleep to getting out the door as fast as possible in the middle of the night spikes blood pressure and heart rate, and over time, has an impact on the heart and circulatory system, Dover said.

 

Responding to fatal traffic incidents and other situations also impacts firefighters mentally, he said, and that can lead to mental health problems such as post traumatic stress.

 

In addition to the time and energy they’ve invested into being volunteer firefighters, Dover said firefighters also put their money into their service. Gas, insurance, car maintenance and other expenses come from the volunteers’ pockets.

 

Only around 1% of the population will ever need volunteer firefighters’ services, but everyone in the community benefits from their efforts. Fire departments’ capabilities play a large role in insurance costs for homeowners, Dover said. Insurance premiums in a Class 10 area, with limited fire protection, are roughly 41% more than in a Class 8 area, which includes a reliable volunteer department.

 

Each of Lauderdale County’s 17 stations is unique and has its own leadership structure. As fire coordinator, Dover said his job is to manage the big picture and let each fire chief run their department.

 

Currently, Dover is working with the Board of Supervisors on some insurance options that he says will benefit the county’s volunteer firefighters and provide them with more and better coverage than the current policy.

 

Lauderdale County firefighters are trained professional firefighters. While they may not get paid, they get their reward from the benefit they bring to the community.

 

Dover said he encourages residents to stop and thank their local firefighters for what they do, support their fire department’s fundraisers and, if passionate about public service, get involved.

 

Technology company Corderill LLC will be a tenant at Compass Datacenters campus in Meridian, the Mississippi Development Authority announced Wednesday.  The project represents a corporate investment of at least $100 million in data center equipment and will create at least 20 direct jobs.

Compass Datacenters announced plans in January 2025 to develop a hyperscale data center campus in Lauderdale County. The campus represents an overall investment of $10 billion, including tenants’ information technology equipment.

The Mississippi Development Authority has approved Corderill for its Data Center Incentive based on the company’s expectation to fill the new jobs requirement. The city of Meridian and Lauderdale County also are assisting with the project.

“We in Meridian, Lauderdale County, are extremely excited to have Corderill invest in our community as part of the Compass Datacenters project. This is a great example of how partnerships rule the day in economic development. Lauderdale County, the city of Meridian, the state of Mississippi and Mississippi Power Company are all working together to make Compass Datacenters and Corderill a reality in our community,” said East Mississippi Business Development Corporation President/CEO Bill Hannah

Gov. Tate Reeves said Wednesday’s announcement is another example of how the Magnolia State is building up its rapidly growing technology sector.

“Corderill’s $100 million investment in Mississippi as a tenant in the Compass Datacenter is another win for the citizens of Lauderdale County. By building the foundation modern companies require, we are attracting projects that create good‑paying jobs and long‑term opportunities for families in our state,” Reeves said. “This project reinforces our role in powering the digital systems that are shaping our future, and I am excited to welcome Corderill as the latest partner to Mississippi’s growing tech community.”

MDA Executive Director Bill Cork said the state’s preparation and ability to move quickly makes it easier for companies to build or expand. Lauderdale County already had the infrastructure Corderill needs, he said, which made the area a good place for the company to invest.

“Our forward-thinking approach enables companies to stay on track, generate revenue faster and create excellent jobs for the people of our state,” Cork said.

Lauderdale County residents coming to renew their car tag will need to take care of any outstanding garbage debt first as the Tax Collector’s office plans to begin holding tags for unpaid garbage bills May 1.

Tax Collector Doris Spidle said garbage bills are due each year by Feb. 1, and state law requires her office to hold vehicle tags after the May 1 deadline.

“It’s by statute that we hold the tags beginning May 1 for unpaid garbage fees, which means whether they owe one year, two years, three years, it doesn’t matter. They cannot buy a tag after May 1 without paying that garbage fee first,” Spidle said.

County residents pay a fee of $168 per year for garbage pickup, which covers residential pickup and roll-off dumpsters at county satellites for furniture, appliances and other large items.

The county also provides storm debris pickup, cleans up illegal dumpsites and offers amnesty day for household hazardous waste twice a year to help residents dispose of items the landfill won’t take.

Marion and Meridian have separate garbage contracts and bill their residents on a monthly basis. Residents of Marion pay $14.60 per month or $175.20 annually, while those living in the city of Meridian pay $25 per month for a total of $300 annually.

Delinquent notices were sent out to residents in March alerting them to their unpaid garbage costs, Spidle said. The notices also help catch people who may have moved or had another change, she said.

“They should well be aware of what they owe and don’t owe,” she said.

The Lauderdale County Tax Collector’s office is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents can also pay their garbage bills online at lauderdale.ibcpayments.com.

Lauderdale County supervisors on Monday presented Metro Ambulance Service with a proclamation recognizing National EMS Week.

 

Observed annually, National EMS Week raises awareness for emergency medical first responders and the role they play in maintaining public safety in communities throughout the nation. The week-long observance was first established in 1974, and is set this year for May 17-23.

 

Kevin Smith, executive director of Metro Ambulance Service, thanked supervisors for recognizing his employees. Metro’s emergency medical staff work serve all of Lauderdale County, he said, and they are deeply committed to helping their community.

 

“These are the people who take care of everyone in Lauderdale County every day,” he said.

Lauderdale County is in good financial health, receiving an Aa3 rating from the credit reporting company Moody’s. An Aa rating is reserved for entities with high quality credit and very low risk.

 

In an announcement Monday, Moody’s highlighted the county’s cash reserves and conservative spending as contributors to its decision.

 

“Fund balance and liquidity improved in fiscal 2025 due to expenditure reductions across various levels of government, and the county benefitted from about $1 million of higher than budgeted revenues. While cash levels representing about 60% of revenue are lower than prior years (in part due to ARPA spend down), cash levels remain substantial,” the company stated.

 

Just over halfway through the 2026 Fiscal Year, which runs through Sept. 30, Lauderdale County shows revenue of approximately $500,000 above budgeted figures, and county officials expect to maintain robust cash reserves heading into the next fiscal year.

 

County Administrator Chris Lafferty said the Board of Supervisors and county leadership work hard to make sure every taxpayer dollar is used to the greatest effect. Conservative budgeting and watching expenses carefully protects the county’s financial health and allows the county to keep costs lower for residents.

 

“This rating is attributed to the Board of Supervisors overall fiscal conservative approach to taxpayer dollars,” he said.

Lauderdale County officials were recognized Monday for helping Naval Air Station Meridian host the Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron last month.

 

Capt. Luke Davis, commanding officer on board NAS Meridian, said the Blue Angels and other acts participating in the Wings Over Meridian performance were impressed with the welcome and hospitality they received.

 

“They all commented, and I mentioned this at our other meetings, but they don’t get the type of treatment that they found here in Meridian at most other places that they go to,” he said. “We got our last debriefing from them on Friday, and they can’t wait to come back.”

 

Davis said Lauderdale County’s support for NAS Meridian and the Wings Over Meridian air show is greatly appreciated.

 

“Thank you all so much for supporting the air show and being such great partners,” he said.

Lauderdale County elected officials recognized three West Lauderdale High School teams during a visit to the kingdom Monday. Proclamations from Lauderdale County, the State House of Representatives and the State Senate were presented recognizing West Lauderdale’s Cheer, Girl’s Soccer and Boy’s Cross Country teams for bringing home state championships in their respective sports.

For most of the student athletes, this year’s championships were not their first, as all three teams are repeat champions. This year’s championship marked the second consecutive title for the Cheer Team and third for the Boy’s Cross Country.

The Lady Knights soccer team is also highly decorated, ending both the 2024 and 2025 season as state runners up and has six prior state championship titles.

Lauderdale County Supervisor Josh Todd, who serves as board presidents, said issuing proclamations for the champion teams cements their achievement in history. In 20 years, student athletes may have children attending West Lauderdale, and they will be able to look up the proclamation their parents earned.

“You may say, ‘Hey, my name is in Lauderdale County as well,’ and you’ll go pull it up. It’ll be online,” he said.

State Rep. Billy Adam Calvert presented resolutions recognizing the three teams. That legislation, he said, was voted on and passed by the House of Representatives and records that into the State House history as well.

“You’ve worked hard, and your parents have worked hard. And because you’ve worked hard, we appreciate what you do, and we’re just here to honor you,” he said.

Sens. Jeff Tate and Tyler McCaughn, who each represent portions of West Lauderdale School District, also presented resolutions acknowledging the student athletes’ accomplishments from the State Senate.

Sen. Tate said the proclamations hit home for him as his two young daughters are heavily involved in local soccer leagues, and he knows the time and effort that goes into the sport. Student athletes from all three teams should be proud of the hard work they put in and the records they accomplished.

The Lauderdale County residents on Saturday disposed of hazardous household waste during the county’s Solid Waste Amnesty Day at the Road Department’s Central Garage.

Funded through a grant from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Amnesty Day is an opportunity for residents to get rid of old paint, used oil, tires, electronics and other materials that cannot be included in regular household garbage.

Roughly 300 vehicles came through the event, which ran from 8 a.m. to noon.

David Mayatt, who helped oversee the event, said Lauderdale County tries to offer the service each spring and fall.

“It’s where the citizens can get rid of waste that doesn’t need to go to the landfill, like old oil, old gas, old aerosol paint, tires, appliances, fluorescent light bulbs, stuff like that,” he said.

Residents face limited options when looking to dispose of hazardous materials, Mayatt said. Landfills won’t accept them, and there aren’t many alternatives. By hosting Amnesty Day and giving residents a chance to get rid of hazardous garbage properly, the county can both provide a service to citizens and cut down on instances of dumping in county ditches.

“This all boils down to trying to keep Lauderdale County beautiful,” he said. “Keep it off the side of the roads and stuff like that.”

The next Amnesty Day is set for Sept. 19, 2026.

Lauderdale County took a step forward in mental health care Friday as Mississippi State University-Meridian opened its new Mental and Behavioral Health Clinic. University officials said the clinic will both benefit students pursuing several medical degree programs at the Meridian campus and bring more resources to bear on addressing mental health needs in the community.

 

Rep. Billy Adam Calvert, who represents part of Lauderdale County in the state House Of Representatives, said Mississippi is experiencing a mental health crisis, and the new clinic will train more professionals to address that problem.

 

“When I first ran for office in 2019, mental health wasn’t on the radar for me, running. I didn’t really have a wealth of knowledge about it,” he said. “But since then, the state, we have probably spent $700-$800 million of state funds on mental health. So to me, this is a big deal. This is a big deal that can help patients.”

 

Calvert said the need for mental health care is nationwide, and he commends MSU for stepping forward to help address it.

 

Lauderdale County Supervisor Josh Todd, who serves as board president, said he also welcomes the new clinic to the area. In addition to growing access to mental health, he said he has personal reasons for wanting the clinic open as his daughter looks to enroll next fall.

 

“My daughter is able to stay home. My daughter isn’t going out of state to another college. She’s staying right here,” he said. “Now 20 years ago that did not mean a lot to me, but it does now.”

 

MSU-Meridian Executive Vice Provost Dr. Peter Ryan said university leadership is excited to have the clinic open and bring opportunities for both students and those needing mental health services.

 

“We look forward to serving this community in mental and behavioral health and also training the next generation of mental and behavioral health specialists,” he said.

 

Dr. Lesley Clack, dean of the School of Health Professions, said the clinic is open and ready to provide mental health care to those in need.

 

“We have therapists ready to provide adult, children and group and other types of services, so we are open and ready to serve you here, and we are very proud of that,” she said. “We also have the opportunity of this being a great training ground for our students, and so we are very excited about that as well.”

Mississippi Air National Guard members from Meridian’s Key Field were recognized for outstanding service Thursday during the Air and Space Force Association G.V. Sonny Montgomery Chapter’s 19th annual meeting. The yearly event highlights service members from units attached to the 186th Air Refueling Wing who have gone above and beyond in leadership, excellence and determination over the past year.

 

Langford Knight, president of the G.V. Sonny Montgomery Chapter, said the mission of the Air and Space Force Association is to support the Air National Guard and its members however it can. Recognizing those who have demonstrated their commitment to service is a key part of that effort, he said.

 

Recognized as Outstanding Airman of the Year is Senior Airman Ashton Bailey. While still relatively young, Bailey has shown a talent for problem solving and finding solutions when it matters, said Col. Cydridge Gray of the 186th Air Component Operations Squadron. Gray said Bailey leans forward into the challenges, works to understand the mission and come up with solutions that achieve the mission goals.

 

Recognized as Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year is Tech Sgt. Tyler Fleming. Lt. Col. Philip Garrett of the 186th Civil Engineering Squadron, said Fleming came to the 186th from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and immediately began improving the unit’s emergency response capabilities. In addition to rewriting the Emergency Management Plan, which hadn’t been reworked in a decade, he organized the first major accident response exercise in 14 years, provided training to more than 250 members of the Guard and more.

 

“In just a couple months in the job, I was seeing visitors come through the building, and they weren’t coming to me. They were coming to Ty,” Garrett said. “Everything from safety, security forces, wing plans.”

 

Recognized as Outstanding Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year is Master Sgt. Merche Copeland. As senior non-commissioned officer Copeland is tasked with managing the 51 people in the 186 Medical Group. She helps guide and mentor them, hold them accountable and address issues that come up throughout the week, said Lt. Daniel Ward.

 

“I don’t know what we would do without her,” he said.

 

Recognized as First Sergeant of the Year is Senior Master Sgt. Ira Hamilton. On a recent deployment to Guam, Hamilton was tasked with leading 205 people in flying more than 400 refueling missions, which in total delivered more than 13 million pounds of fuel to aircraft operating in the Pacific region, said Chief Master Sgt. Chris Guyse.

 

“He is a role model who inspires both officers and enlisted personnel, consistently encouraging their personal growth while fostering a culture of excellence,” Guyse said. “His leadership, compassion and unwavering dedication made him the clear choice for this honor.”

 

Receiving the Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Benthall Leadership Award is Master Sgt. Jason Horton. The Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Benthall Leadership Award is given to airmen who conduct themselves with integrity, leadership, excellence and show a heart for service, said Capt. Addison Swink of the 186 Logistics Readiness Squadron, and Horton fits that perfectly

 

“Master Sgt. Horton leads with humility, purpose and commitment to others that reflects the very qualities Chief Benthall was known for,” Swink said.

 

Receiving the G.V. Sonny Montgomery Patriot Award is Senior Master Sgt. Richard Cavenaugh. Capt. Tyler Monk of the 248 Combat Airfield Operations Squadron, who presented the award, said much of what he has learned about being a leader has come from Cavenaugh.

 

“He has taught me so much about leadership and about how to treat people,” Monk said. “This guy will give you the shirt off his back.”

 

The Air and Space Force Association also recognizes Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics instructors by selecting a Teacher of the Year. Receiving this year’s award was Union High School’s Amanda Cassel.

 

Knight said he had a chance to visit Cassel’s AP Computer Science class, which she began three years ago, and was extremely impressed by what he saw. Students were not only learning how to work with computers, but also had to make decisions and be able to explain why they took the path they did.

 

“It wasn’t two plus two equals four or this is how you write a code. You had to be able to defend why you want it this way. The critical thinking is what this is all about. This is what the future is all about,” he said.

 

As her airmen are recognized, Col. Cynthia Smith, commanding officer for the 186th ARW, said other Meridian Guardsmen are representing the Magnolia State while supporting current military efforts. While not able to give specific details, Smith said members of the 186th ARW are deployed in support of Operation Epic Fury, against Iran, and were previously involved in Operation Midnight Hammer, a previous military initiative in June 2025 targeting Iranian nuclear sites.

 

The days of viewing the National Guard as a slow-moving, hard to mobilize support organization are gone, Smith said, and members of the 186th ARW must be mission ready at a moment’s notice.

 

“If you’ve studied history, there was a time when the Guard was considered just a flying club, not really taken seriously. It was a reserve, but it was a reserve that would take a long time to build up to where they needed to be to be used, and in a lot of cases sort of looked down upon by the active duty,” she said. “Boy has that changed.

 

“We maintain a level of readiness now, and I can speak to this, the response time that we have from the time I get the phone call to the time they need to be prepared to go out the door is no longer counted in months or weeks or days. It’s counted in hours.”

 

The guest speaker for Thursday’s meeting was State Sen. Jeff Tate, who represents parts of Lauderdale and Clarke counties. Tate is also chair of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, and spoke about legislation impacting the National Guard.

 

Earlier this year, the State Legislature passed Senate Bill 2018 which created a reimbursement for National Guard members for premiums paid for TriCare insurance. The bill was signed by Gov. Tate Reeves in March and has gone into effect.

 

Tate said that bill was the fourth piece of legislation taken up by the Senate as the body wanted to send a clear message that helping the Guard is a priority.

 

“That was a bill that we passed week one, and that was to show that that was our priority in the Senate,” he said.

 

Other initiatives taken by the Senate include a measure to curb claim sharks from scamming or taking advantage of veterans’ claims, legislation allowing local governments to contract with military installations for infrastructure projects, authorizing a study of ibogaine, which has been shown to help veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and more, Tate said.

 

While prior to taking over as committee chair, Tate said his proudest achievement in helping the Guard came through efforts securing a $20 million state appropriation to build a new fire and rescue station at Key Field. The earmark was by far the largest Lauderdale County has seen and was made to show the state’s commitment to the 186th ARW as it competed to house the next generation of tanker aircraft.

 

“The biggest thing that I love about my job is that it is my responsibility to find that veteran and get them with the VA to a phone number that actually works, to an individual that’s going to make sure that that benefit gets taken care of,” he said.

 

 

 

Maryon Sillimon is a lifelong resident of Lauderdale County. She grew up in the Lauderdale community and later the Collinsville area. Her fascination with first responders started early from watching the television show “911.”

 

That fascination led to a friend sending Sillimon an application to become an E-911 dispatcher, and she’s been doing it ever since.

 

“I was like, ‘ok. I think this is something I can maybe get into,’” she said. “I ended up starting it and loving it. I think this is one of my best jobs I’ve had.”

 

With almost a year into the job, Sillimon said it can be demanding. Dispatchers have to juggle multiple things at once and keep calm under pressure to gather critical information and send potentially lifesaving care where it is needed most.

 

E-911 dispatchers are the first point of contact in the public safety sphere for many people, and there is always a dispatcher ready to answer if a 911 call is needed.

 

“We’re the first, first responders. You call, we answer. We get you to whoever you need, whether it’s fire, medical or officer,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how small it is or how big. We’re there. We’ve got your back.”

 

Dispatches will do everything in their power to help, Sillimon said, but they need patience and cooperation from callers to get the job done. Those calling 911 can expect a lot of questions, she said, and that is because first responders need information to know what to expect, how to prepare and how best to address the situation when they arrive on scene.

 

“That’s where the patience has to come in because if we don’t know, we can’t help,” she said. “So it helps us make sure our fire department, our police officers know exactly what they’re walking into, so we have to ask questions.”

 

April 12-18 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and Lauderdale County is using the observance to highlight the work of its E-911 dispatchers and the vital role they play in public safety. Anyone interested in learning more about being an E-911 dispatcher can call 601-482-7559.

With more than 17 years as an E-911 dispatcher, Kenneth Rowell has heard it all. There are the good calls when problems are solved and the caller is able to go about their day, and there are calls that are hard to handle.

 

Rowell, who was born and raised in the Lawrence community in Newton County, started off his career in law enforcement. He joined the Forest Police Department as a police officer in 2005.

 

In 2007 multiple knee surgeries in both legs led him to pivot to 911 dispatching for Forest first responders instead. A few years later, he joined Lauderdale County E-911 and has been working there ever since.

 

“I had three years prior dispatching there, so altogether I’ve got 17 years dispatching, 20 years law enforcement, “ he said.

 

One of the first things a 911 dispatcher will ask when someone calls is where they are calling from, Rowell said. It’s a critical piece of information in getting help on the way.

 

“I need to know where. If I know where, I can send somebody if nothing else,’” he said.

 

E-911 dispatchers serve a critical role, Rowell said. Parts of the job have been enjoyable while others have been tragic. Rowell said he is the only one at the E-911 center dispatching on June 9, 2022, when Meridian Police Officer Kennis Croom was killed responding to a domestic violence call.

 

“You get your highs; you get your lows. It’s a job, and we don’t get a lot of pats on the back. It’s a thankless job, and we know that when we take the job.”

 

For those who do have to call 911, Rowell said be patient. Dispatchers are doing everything they can to help, but they need information to ensure the right resources are sent that way.

 

“We get called, and we get cussed at and fussed at, and we’re just tryin to save you and trying to help you. People don’t understand that,” he said.

 

April 12-18 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and Lauderdale County is using the observance to highlight the work of its E-911 dispatchers and the vital role they play in public safety. Anyone interested in learning more about being an E-911 dispatcher can call 601-482-7559.

A Wayne County native, Josh Hollingshead started his career in corrections. He worked for years in Greene County before moving to Meridian and working at the Lauderdale County Detention Facility.

 

After losing a job and needing to find work, he reached out to a friend about a potential spot in the E-911 office. Working in the corrections field gave him an idea of what the job would require and showed he can succeed in high stress environments.

 

“I knew that this was an available choice, and I knew I would be kind of good at it just from my previous background,” he said.

 

That was more than nine years ago, Hollingshead said, and he’s still going strong at Lauderdale County E-911.

 

One misconception about the job, he said, is the amount of information dispatchers get from calls. Movies and television paint a picture where dispatchers can instantly identify where someone is calling from and what response is needed, but that isn’t reality.

 

“People have this false sense of how 911 works from Hollywood, and it’s just not the case,” he said.

 

Callers get frustrated with dispatchers because they ask so many questions, but those questions are being asked for good reasons. Hollingshead said dispatchers need to understand the full situation to help first responders prepare and know the urgency needed in their actions.

 

All 911 calls are taken seriously, Hollingshead said, but there is a difference in responding to a minor shoplifting call as opposed to bank robbery, or firefighters heading to a call with visible flames instead of the smell of smoke.

 

Another common issue is the time it takes from the initial 911 call to get first responders to the scene. While law enforcement, fire ighters or emergency medical personnel are dispatched quickly, it will still take a few minutes for them to travel to the emergency.

 

“I think the big takeaway is you call 911, be patient and cooperate,” he said.

 

April 12-18 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and Lauderdale County is using the observance to highlight the work of its E-911 dispatchers and the vital role they play in public safety. Anyone interested in learning more about being an E-911 dispatcher can call 601-482-7559.

Zacharie Rigdon never thought a career as an E-911 dispatcher was in his future. The Meridian native went to school to be an Emergency Medical Technician before working at a variety of jobs in the area.

 

“I think I was doing delivery driving for the specialty pharmacy here and ended up seeing the position open up here,” he said.

 

After more than 2.5 years as a dispatcher, Rigdon said the job is both challenging and rewarding.

 

“This is one of those jobs you really don’t know what it is until you get to it,” he said.

 

Describing the job as “multitasking to the max,” Rigdon said being an E-911 dispatcher in Lauderdale County provides an opportunity to talk to a lot of different people. Dispatchers field calls from Meridian and Lauderdale County residents and coordinate with local law enforcement, fire and emergency medical agencies.

 

With its location on the interstate, Meridian and Lauderdale County also see E-911 calls from truck drivers and others who experience trouble while passing through.

 

“You’re listening to all your radio people, officers, deputies, making sure you get people to the right spot and the appropriate people to the right spot,” he said.

 

Helping direct resources to those in a moment of need is rewarding, Rigdon said, but it can also be frustrating as dispatchers don’t always know the outcome of their work. Once first responders arrive on scene and take over, dispatchers may not learn what happened to the callers they tried to help.

 

“We get the beginning of the call. We don’t always get a resolution to it,” he said. “That’s one of the tougher parts because you don’t always get to know this ended like this, this ended like that.”

 

There are also calls where dispatchers do learn the outcome and learn their efforts helped the person on the other end of the phone, and those situations are very rewarding, Rigdon said.

 

When calling 911, Rigdon said the dispatcher is going to ask a lot of questions, and there’s a reason why. The more information dispatch can gather, the more prepared first responders can be and the safer the situation is for everyone.

 

“We want to make sure we get you the appropriate amount of response, plus we want our officers safe also. Officers, firemen, any of our medical people that we get dispatched out, we want to make sure they’re safe also,” he said. “It’s a two-way street. We want them as safe as possible and our people. We want everyone to have a peaceful resolution to whatever issue happens.”

 

April 12-18 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and Lauderdale County is using the observance to highlight the work of its E-911 dispatchers and the vital role they play in public safety. Anyone interested in learning more about being an E-911 dispatcher can call 601-482-7559.

Residents seeking to run in two special elections this fall can make their campaigns official as the qualifying period for candidates is open through Aug. 20.

 

Special elections were called for Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk and District 2 Justice Court Judge after deaths of two county officials left those seats vacant. The elections will be held in conjunction with this year’s general elections, set for Nov. 3.

 

Election Commissioner Brenda Harris said the special and general elections will all appear on one ballot to make things simple.

 

“It’s not going to be two separate ballots,” she said.

 

The November ballot will also include seats for U.S. House of Representatives, one of Mississippi’s two U.S. Senate seats, and Chancery, Circuit and Court of Appeals judges, as well as County Court judges.

 

Awana Simmons, election commissioner for District 3, said judicial candidates do not run by party, which is why they did not appear on the primary election ballot in March.

 

Candidates for Circuit Clerk must be qualified electors in Lauderdale County and have lived in the county for two years prior to the election. Justice Court Judge candidates must also be qualified electors and have lived in the county for two years prior to the election. Additionally, those seeking the judicial seat must have a high school diploma or equivalent degree and complete a training course within six months of taking office.

 

All Lauderdale County voters will see the Circuit Clerk race on their November ballot, but only residents of Justice Court District 2 will see candidates for the judge’s seat.

 

The winners of the special elections will serve out the remaining year of the current four-year term and run for a full term in office again in 2027.

 

“They will serve one year, and then they’re going to have to run again,” Election Commissioner Gloria Dancy said. “That’s the cycle.”

 

More information and qualifying paperwork are available at the Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk’s office.

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Lauderdale County is celebrating the second full week of April as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Celebrated annually, this week honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to the world’s citizens.

 

The Lauderdale County E-911 center fields calls from Lauderdale County, Meridian and Marion, and coordinates first responders including fire, law enforcement and emergency medicine.

 

Kevin Smith, executive director for Metro Ambulance Service, said telecommunicators are trained professionals who are the first point of contact for people in a crisis. It could be a relatively minor problem or something beyond horrific, he said, yet they are trained to remain calm and professional, working to connect people to the emergency resources they need.

 

“That’s the hardest job of all,” he said.

 

Smith said the job goes far beyond answering the phone and putting information into a computer. Telecommunicators can be the last voice someone hears or have to hear the sound of a parent who just lost their child. It’s a job that the public depends on, he said, but often underestimates the toll it takes on those who do it.

 

“They are an integral part of the entire public safety sector,” he said.

 

Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun said National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is a time to recognize the people who aren’t in the spotlight but are always behind the scenes helping both the public and first responders through emergencies.

 

“It’s a good opportunity to recognize individuals who aren’t seen by the public but really are first responders,” he said.

 

Information provided by 911 dispatch is essential in responding to emergency calls, Calhoun said, and the data telecommunicators gather helps law enforcement and other emergency responders understand the situation and plan their response. The work of 911 telecommunicators absolutely makes a difference, he said.

 

“We’re extremely thankful for their diligent, hard work every day that helps us serve the community,” he said.

 

In recognition of their dedication, local businesses are stepping up to provide lunch, dinner and dessert for the county’s telecommunicators throughout the weeklong observance. Sponsoring businesses include:

 

—Domino’s

— Raising Cane’s

— McDonald’s

— Captain D’s

— BeeHive – Marion

— Subway

— Jeans Restaurant

— Newk’s

— Mr. Rogers

— Papa John’s

— Southern Fryers

— Kentucky Fried Chicken

— Magnolia Restaurant

— Western Sizzlin

— McAlister’s

— Meridian Community College

— ComSouth

 

A swag box for telecommunicators is also being provided by Chick Fil A.

 

Lauderdale County currently has a staff of 17 emergency telecommunicators and is working to hire more. Anyone interested in becoming a 911 telecommunicator can call 601-482-7559 for more information.

County supervisors from across Mississippi visited the Queen City this week for the annual Mississippi Association of Supervisors Minority Caucus convention. Throughout the three-day conference, the leaders learned about data centers and economic development, leadership and conflict resolution and recognized those who have made a difference in the community.

At a breakfast panel Wednesday, East Mississippi Business Development Corporation President and CEO Bill Hannah talked about the process in landing a $10 billion data campus investment from Compass Data Centers. Driving the deal, which ties for the largest economic development project in state history, was having a shovel-ready site and cooperation from Mississippi Power, which will supply electricity to the facility.

 

“They’re going to build these buildings over a span of about four years, and the reason they’re doing that is they’re building buildings as they get power from Mississippi Power,” he said. “Their goal is to have two buildings complete and operational by December of ’26.”

 

Joining Hannah in discussing data centers were Garrett Wright, executive director of Rankin First Economic Development Authority in Rankin County, and Pablo Diaz, president and CEO of the Vicksburg Warren Partnership in Warren County. Both are involved in data center investments in their communities as well.

 

With the boom of data centers has come concerns about the electricity and water consumption, Diaz said, but the examples cited are poor comparisons to what is being brought to Mississippi’s communities today. An Amazon data center planned for Warren County will be air cooled 91% of the time, he said.

 

“Even though everybody is very scared of stories that they might have read about cases in Virginia, cases in New York, it’s not the same,” he said. “A data center in 2026, especially coming from a company like Amazon, is a very different animal than the data centers of 10 years ago or 15 years ago.”

 

The data centers being built in Lauderdale County will also be air cooled, Hannah said, and the Mississippi Public Service Commission oversees electricity rates to make sure costs don’t get too high.

 

Wright said the data center project in Rankin County will be water cooled, but the project’s needs won’t require any additional capacity from the water system. Planned upgrades to the system, which predate the data center, are more than enough to supply water needed to keep equipment cool.

All three economic development officials emphasized the importance of site preparation, having shovel-ready locations with utilities ready for companies to come in and build what they need.

 

“I would certainly encourage you to focus on site development, to focus on making sure you’re working on those industrial parks, on those sites, that you have your data available so you can actually react to these opportunities when they come along,” Diaz said.

 

Supervisors also heard from Lauderdale County Judge Veldore Young Graham, who serves as a county court and youth court judge. She encouraged visiting officials to put the interests of their communities ahead of personal gain, advocate for the people and institutions in the community and be agents of change bringing opportunities to their constituents.

 

“You are a problem solver. You’re the overseer. You cannot give up,” she said. “You can get tired, but you can’t give up, and you’ve got to show up.”

 

Graham also spoke about youth court and its role in handling delinquency cases, issues of child abuse or abandonment and dependency cases, where a child no longer has a legal guardian. In Mississippi, she said, state law gives cities the option of having a youth court, but it is mandatory for counties.

 

Being the elected officials responsible for funding youth courts throughout the state, Graham encouraged supervisors to visit their youth courts and learn more about their role in the community, their needs and how county resources allocated to youth courts are put to use.

 

“Go spend some time in your youth court. As a supervisor, go sit in for a morning or an afternoon and hear and see what is going on in your community,” she said. “That’s the only way you’re going to know what’s going on and what you can do to help.”

 

During Wednesday’s lunch the Minority Caucus also recognized four longtime Meridianites for their contributions to the community. The Community Legends Luncheon recognized Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi Executive Director Ricky Hood, longtime teacher and community advocate Melba Clark-Payne, Dr. Ronnye Purvis, who delivered almost 18,000 babies throughout his medical career, and the honorable Rev. Bishop W.C. Brown, who has served as pastor at Fifth Street Baptist Church for more than 40 years.

Lauderdale County residents can take part in making their community better as the county Road and Bridge Department rolls out a Citizen Engagement Portal.

 

Through the portal, residents can report issues such as damage to roads, drainage issues, signage needs and other non-emergency maintenance requests. The online portal is open to residents anytime and can be accessed from either a smartphone or computer. Once a work order is submitted, residents can track its progress through the Citizen Engagement Portal to see where it is in the process of being addressed.

 

Road Manager Rush Mayatt said the portal, which uses the IWorq software platform, is a way for residents to report issues directly to the Road Department to be resolved.

 

In years past, residents have reported drainage, road and other issues through their county supervisor or someone they know in the Road Department, Mayatt said. While that can work, it takes time to get to a point where a work order is generated and can be delayed by misplaced notes, busy schedules or forgetfulness.

 

“The more you can get away from those type things and people have a way of inputting that stuff, the better off we’ll be, the less work we’ll miss, the more efficient I think we’ll be and so on,” he said. “So that’s kind of the whole thought process behind the Citizen Portal.”

 

Mayatt said the Road and Bridge Department, for a long time, also depended on written work orders and old-fashioned paperwork to dictate day-to-day tasks, but it too has moved to the IWorq platform to streamline the department’s efforts. The platform tracks hours on equipment, materials used, labor costs and more, he said, and can be used to plan maintenance on vehicles, assess when it’s time to roll equipment over, and look up previous work done on county roads.

 

“It’s a very useful tool if used correctly,” he said.

 

As part of their submission, residents will be asked to provide their name, email, phone number, a description of the issue they’re reporting and a location/address of the problem. The more detail residents can provide, the easier it is for Road Department crews to find the source of the issue and determine what needs to be done to address it, Mayatt said. Residents can also upload photos with their submission, he said, which can be very helpful.

 

“It truly is a resource for the citizens to use, to be more convenient and to ultimately make us more efficient,” he said. “I hope, as time progresses, people continue to use it more and more, and I think ultimately it’ll be just that. It’ll make us better.”

 

Residents can access the portal at lauderdalecounty.portal.iworq.net or through the Road Department’s website or social media.

MERIDIAN, Miss. – A high-energy weekend of events anchored by the Wings Over Meridian Air Show generated a significant boost for tourism and the local economy in Meridian and Lauderdale County.

 

With multiple events taking place across the community, Wings Over Meridian weekend drew 43,900 spectators for the air show and resulted in hotel occupancy rates exceeding 82% over the three-day period, a strong indicator of increased overnight stays and visitor spending. Local hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses all experienced heightened activity, driven largely by out-of-town guests.

 

In addition to the air show, the Mississippi Mahjong Tournament welcomed 160 participants, bringing in competitors and supporters from across the region. Meanwhile, downtown Meridian saw hundreds gather for Jet Jam, a Friday night concert organized by the Arts and Community Events Society featuring Standing Still: A Tribute to Elton John, adding to the vibrant atmosphere and contributing to increased foot traffic for local businesses.

 

“It was an exceptional weekend for Meridian and Lauderdale County,” said Laura Carmichael, executive director of Visit Meridian Tourism. “With strong hotel occupancy, diverse events, and visitors traveling in from outside the area, we saw a meaningful economic impact that benefits our entire community.”

 

Tourism officials note that weekends like this not only generate immediate revenue but also elevate Meridian’s visibility as a destination capable of hosting multiple large-scale events simultaneously. The success of Wings Over Meridian weekend reinforces the community’s growing reputation for delivering engaging experiences that attract visitors and drive economic growth.

 

Another surge in visitors to the Queen City is expected this weekend as thousands attend The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience’s annual Sipp & Savor event Saturday. The yearly celebration brings together some of the region’s brightest culinary minds and masterful mixologists for an evening of fun benefitting the arts and cultural museum.

 

For more information about upcoming events and attractions in Meridian and Lauderdale County, visit www.visitmeridian.com.

More than 100 elected officials from Mississippi’s 82 counties are in Meridian this week as the Mississippi Association of Supervisors Minority Caucus hosts its annual conference in the Queen City. The yearly gathering kicked off Tuesday afternoon with opening remarks at the MSU Riley Center.

 

Lauderdale County Supervisor Joe Norwood welcomed visiting supervisors and encouraged them to take full advantage of Meridian’s museums, restaurants and other features while they are in town.

 

“We are happy to have y’all here. We just want to make sure that you enjoy yourself while you’re here, learn something while you’re here and make a great contribution to our economy,” he said. “And we’ll return that when we come to your perspective place.”

 

Supervisor Josh Todd also welcomed the visiting officials and said the county hopes this will be the first of many events the Minority Caucus will hold in Meridian.

 

“If y’all need anything, please let us know. Please enjoy this beautiful city and our county, and we welcome you all.”

 

Meridian Mayor Percy Bland also welcomed supervisors and encouraged the Minority Caucus to return to Meridian for next year’s conference as well.

 

The MAS Minority Caucus Conference is scheduled to run through Thursday afternoon with supervisors attending a number of panels and presentations on topics ranging from leadership and conflict resolution to data centers.

 

“Y’all are here to make decisions on you all’s counties, so y’all take some of these good ideas that you’re going to learn back to your communities,” Bland said.

Mississippi Public Service Commissioner De’Keither Stamps received a warm welcome Monday as he presented the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors with a check for more than $7.2 million. The funds come from taxes on public utilities that are overseen by the statewide commission.

Stamps, who represents the central district on the commission, said the PCS wears a number of different hats, including roles in governing utilities, promoting economic development and general problem solving. The commission’s main goal, he said, is to make sure utilities are paying their fair share.

“Our number one job is making sure that each county and city receives the appropriate amount of resources. From the utility companies for the investment that they’ve made inside of your county,” he said.

Over the past few years, Stamps said, the Public Service Commission has worked with Lauderdale County to connect the county’s industrial parks to power, gas, water, sewer and other utilities. Those utilities are the building blocks of economic growth, he said.

While it is occasionally excluded from Mississippi’s metropolitan areas, Lauderdale County is one of the state’s most populous regions, and fostering growth and development is good for everyone, Stamps said, and the PSC wants to support that growth wherever possible.

“Keep up the great work. We’ve got a lot more great things to do,” he said.

Supervisors thanked Stamps for visiting and for bringing the funding to Lauderdale County.

Supervisor Joe Norwood said the Board of Supervisors meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, and Stamps is welcome back anytime.

Lauderdale County’s financial picture is looking bright, according to a draft of the fiscal year 2024 audit. County officials met Friday with representatives from the Mississippi State Auditor’s office to review the audit results and discuss the county’s financial picture.

Beth Stuart from the State Auditor’s office said the best opinion a county can get on an audit is “unmodified,” and Lauderdale County reached that level on all but one metrics the audit measured. That includes an audit of federal dollars spent as part of the American Rescue Plan Act funds, she said.

“If the county has over $750,000 of federal expenditures in a given fiscal year, then we have to audit that,” she said.

The metric not found to be unmodified isn’t due to any error but instead because the county doesn’t include Lauderdale County Tourism and Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library in its financial reports. Stuart said the finding is due to that lack of data, not anything the county did wrong.

In fiscal year 2024, Lauderdale County spent $6.5 million in federal funding, Stuart said, with the majority coming from pandemic-era stimulus money.

“We didn’t have any findings or anything there, so it was unmodified, the best you can do,” she said.

Also raising no concerns were the county’s use of emergency and sole source purchases.

Emergency purchases are allowed when going through the usual procurement process, which usually takes several weeks, isn’t feasible. Broken pipes or HVAC systems, storm damage and other similar, unplanned incidents are examples of situations where emergency purchases can be needed.

Sole source purchases are made when the county needs specific equipment only available through one vendor, such as body and vehicle dash cameras for the Sheriff’s Department or proprietary parts for large machines at the Road Department.

One area of improvement identified by auditors was the need for proper bonding. Several county positions required to be bonded were either not bonded or rolled together under blanket bonds.

Supervisors, clerks and other county positions are required to have surety bonds, which act as a kind of insurance for taxpayers against wrongdoing. In the event of fraud or other misuse of public money, the bond protects both the county and taxpayers from losing their money.

County Financial Analyst Kaylee Ward said it’s likely an issue with the paperwork and not the actual bonds. In years past, bond confirmation documents have gone to individuals’ homes instead of the courthouse, creating a situation where a county employee is properly bonded but records are incomplete.

“There may be a few that aren’t actually bonded, but most of them are,” she said.

Auditors said the insurance company that issued the bonds should be able to confirm who is and isn’t bonded. Once the proper paperwork is filed, those findings will be resolved.

County Administrator Chris Lafferty said the county can work toward having all bonding documentation sent to the courthouse so that it can be filed properly going forward.

“Maybe moving forward our practice is no matter what we have them mailed here,” he said.

The Lauderdale County Animal Control Shelter on Thursday gratefully accepted a donation in memory of Donna Jill Johnson, who faithfully served the citizens of Lauderdale County in the Circuit Clerk’s Office for more than 32 years.

 

In lieu of flowers, friends and colleagues chose to honor Johnson’s life by contributing to a cause that was near and dear to her heart. Through their generosity, a total of $600 was raised and shared between the City of Meridian Animal Control Shelter and the Lauderdale County Animal Control Shelter.

 

Those wishing to honor her legacy include the Lauderdale County Tax Assessor’s and Collector’s Offices, Lakeisha Jackson, Shuntavia Pickett, Que Willis, Shannon Campbell, Michael Martin, Donna Googe, Sandy Rainer, Ava Wilson, Tina Moore, Nikita Wilkins, Wykisha Burton, Joyce Jernigan, Alesia Baylor, Suzanne Youngblood, Vicki Lashane, Jim Burton, Cory Griffin, Brennan Ward, Lisa Palmer, Erich Jerscheid, Awana Simmons, Carla Manley, Heather Miles, Kate Martin, and Renee Covert.

 

Lauderdale County Animal Control Director Rocky Rockette said the funds will go toward carrying the mission of the shelter forward and helping as many animals as possible.

 

“To everyone who gave, please know that your contributions will help us continue our mission of doing what we can for as many as we can, all while honoring the legacy of Ms. Donna Jill,” he said. “Thank you all for your continued support of the Lauderdale County Animal Control Shelter.”

 

Brian McCary, director of Meridian Animal Control, said Johnson was enthusiastic about helping the cats that come through the city shelter, and the city’s portion of the donations will be put toward the shelter’s cat program in her honor.

 

“Donna’s heart was all about cats. She touched hundreds of lives here at the City of Meridian animal shelter with donations throughout the years to have cat spay and neutered,” McCary said. Community cats, cats that didn’t belong to anybody, cats that didn’t have anybody that cared for them except for Donna Jill. This donation will be set aside to strictly go to that community cat program. We are beyond grateful for every donation we receive, but this one is just a little bit sweeter to me.”