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MAS Minority Caucus hears data center panel, honors local legends

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.

Former educator and community advocate Melba Clark-Payne is honored Wednesday during the Mississippi Association of Supervisors Minority Caucus Community Legends Luncheon at the MSU Riley Center.

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.

Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi Executive Director Ricky Hood, left, is recognized at the Mississippi Association of Supervisors Minority Caucus Community Legends Luncheon on Wednesday. Hood is pictured with Lauderdale County Supervisor Craig Houston, who presented the award.

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.

/ By Thomas Howard / Newsroom/ 0 Comments

New Citizen’s Portal gives residents power to report road issues

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.

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Wings Over Meridian weekend delivers strong tourism impact for Lauderdale County

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.

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MAS Minority Caucus kicks off annual conference in Meridian

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.

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Commissioner Stamps returns $7.2 million to Lauderdale County

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.

/ By Thomas Howard / Community/ 0 Comments

Community celebrates with 26th Avenue underpass ribbon cutting

Meridian Museum of Art Collective, Lauderdale County and city of Meridian officials and community leaders dedicated a colorful new entryway into the Queen City on Saturday with a ribbon cutting for a recently completed mural along the 26th Avenue underpass.

The mural, which stretches from one side of the underpass to the other, includes bright colors and shapes, with the words “Lauderdale County” on one side and “Meridian MS” on the other.

Leslie Carruth, a member of the Art Collective, which designed and created the mural, said the design is much more than it first appears. While abstract, the shapes and lines making up the mural are actually places in the city that have been manipulated into the flowing design.

The bright colors are also a nod to the area’s history, as artists chose to match colors from native African cloth in reference to the historc African American Business District sitting just east of the underpass’s north side.

 

“This was by far the biggest square footage mural that we’ve ever done, and it really could not have been done without the community days and our volunteers coming out and helping us,” she said.

Laura Carmichael, executive director of Visit Meridian, Lauderdale County’s tourism arm, said the new mural is a fantastic addition to the city. Visitors coming into Meridian love stopping and taking pictures with the colorful display.

“This is just evidence of the creative culture we have in our community, and Visit Meridian is so proud to be a part and the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors as well, and we just support you, and we want to be here for you,” she said. “You’re making an instagramable moment for our visitors. As they come into our community, they love to get pictures by these beautiful pieces of art.”

Helen Sims, membership director for the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, said the Art Collective is not only making the city beautiful with its murals but also providing an avenue for future artists to discover their creativity. The collective held several community paint days welcoming volunteers to assist in painting the large mural.

“I just think that it gives us all inspiration, and I may not have this talent, but I can definitely celebrate it,” she said. “And I’m so thankful that we’re here today and this group of people that are big supporters and the fact that these artists are not only impacting us but generations to come in making our city beautiful.”

In addition to the 26th Avenue underpass, the Art Collective is also responsible for numerous murals throughout the community including the Temptations and Jimmie Rodgers on Fourth Street, a welcome mural off of 18th Avenue, a Beatles mural at Freddie’s Fine Spirits, a mural at Meridian Airport and private murals at Naval Air Station Meridian and Meridian Coca-Cola.

The group is currently working on a mural as part of an alleyway revitalization project between Weidmann’s Restaurant and the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation offices off 22nd Avenue.

/ By Thomas Howard / Awareness • Community/ 0 Comments

Pinwheel garden shines light on child abuse awareness

April is National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, and community partners dedicated to fighting mistreatment gathered in front of the Lauderdale County Government Center to set up a pinwheel garden marking the occasion.

A pinwheel garden set up at the Homicide Victim’s Memorial outside the Lauderdale County Government Center draws attention to Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, observed annually in April.

Participating in the event were Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department, Lauderdale County Youth Court, the District Attorney’s office, Meridian Police Department, Wesley House and more.

Brandy Rea, executive director of Wesley House, which operates the East Mississippi Child Advocacy Center, said responding to child abuse cases takes a team with a wide array of skills. From mental and physical health to law enforcement, food and shelter, it is a community effort, she said.

“We truly do have one of the best multi-disciplinary teams in the country. I will stand by that all day, every day. You all are dedicated, you’re passionate. I’ve never seen a group come together so quickly with different personalities and different lenses and perspectives, but at the end of the day we all share that common goal of protecting and keeping these kids and families safe and helping as much as we can,” she said.

Each year, Wesley House establishes a pinwheel garden in recognition of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month to bring attention to those in need of support. Rea said pinwheel gardens have previously been installed at the Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian, but the decision was made this year to put it at the Homicide Victim’s Memorial at the Government Center.

“The pinwheels became a sign of prevention for child abuse several years ago, and it’s just a sign of hope and joy that we can hopefully prevent future child abuse but also help those who have experienced it,” she said.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun said his department works closely with Wesley House in cases where child abuse is a factor. The nonprofit’s efforts through its Child Advocacy Center are instrumental in not only helping abused children but also in holding abusers accountable for their actions, he said.

“We want to hold adults who abuse children accountable, and Wesley House helps provide us with the resources we need to do that through their child advocacy center,” he said.

Those interested in helping support efforts against child abuse can support Wesley House through monetary donations, donated food and clothing or by giving their time as a volunteer. If someone wants to help, Rea said, the nonprofit organization will find a way they can contribute.

For more information about Wesley House or its efforts in the community, visit wesleyhousemeridian.org or call 601-485-4736.

/ By Thomas Howard / Community • Ribbon Cuttings/ 0 Comments

Lauderdale County leaders cut ribbon on Hope Village recreation center

Business owners and elected officials from Lauderdale County celebrated new opportunities for abused and neglected youth by cutting the ribbon Wednesday on the new ABC Recreation Center at Hope Village for Children.

Founded in 2000 by actress and Meridian native Sela Ward, Hope Village takes in abandoned and abused children from all 82 Mississippi counties. It offers a variety of services including residential and transitional living, as well as proper medical, mental and dental healthcare and education.

The new ABC Recreation Center, named in recognition of the Mississippi Associated Builders and Contractors, involved a completely new roof, renovating the building from top to bottom, new electrical and more. Robert Smith, who served as president of the Mississippi chapter in 2023 and spearheaded the project, said numerous member contractors donated time, labor and materials to make the recreation center become reality.

“It’s been an honor to be involved in this project and see it turn out like it did,” he said.

Helen Sims, membership director for the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, which organized Wednesday’s ribbon cutting, said ABC set an example for others to follow. The organization saw a need in the community and got to work meeting it.

“That’s what the EMBDC wants to be. We want to bring people together, make the right connections and make improvements to our community, and so we just really appreciate you setting such a great example for all of us today,” she said.

Terri Province, executive director of Hope Village, said children in custody of Child Protective Services aren’t able to take part in some activities their peers enjoy. Hope Village, for example, cannot drop a child off at the movie theater or allow them to participate in a sleepover.

“Those are the things that teenagers need to develop their social skills,” she said. “And since we couldn’t’ do that, we had to provide a place for them to do that.”

The ABC Recreation Center offers an exercise room, art studio, space to watch television or movies, play games and more. Province said it allows teens at Hope Village to build those crucial social bonds while also complying with CPS regulations.

“Thank you so much. I know that our kids are going to love this forever, and it’s just really exciting because they’re great kids, and this allows them to explore some talents that they might not ever have known they had,” she said.

 

/ By Thomas Howard / Projects/ 0 Comments

County highlights online permits as summer projects loom

Lauderdale County residents planning summer projects don’t have to make a stop at the permit office as the county now offers an option to purchase permits online.

Permits are required for any type of construction, such as an addition, a new building, a shed or pole barn, or setting up a mobile home.

Cathy Lummus, director of the permit office, said the permit requirement is not intended to be punitive but instead is an effort to comply with the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance adopted by the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors in 1992.

The ordinance enables county residents to purchase flood insurance, and the only way to enforce the ordinance is through the permit process. Outside of the flood prevention ordinance, the county does not mandate construction be built to a certain code and does not perform inspections.

Permits can range in price but are reasonable. Permits for mobile homes and smaller projects start at $15, residential construction permits cost $25, commercial development at $50 and any property located within a flood zone at $75.

In addition to the permits, the permit office also participates in the Program for Public Information, which is a planning tool from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for communities in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System. Under the PPI, county efforts to raise awareness and educate residents about flood hazards translate into savings on flood insurance.

Similar to a community’s fire rating, the better the rating, the less insurance costs for residents in the community. Lummus said the best level Lauderdale County can reach without implementing building codes is a Class 7, which would give residents a 15% reduction on flood insurance costs. Currently, the county is a Class 8, and residents see a 10% reduction on flood insurance.

For more information about the county’s flood plain ordinance or to purchase permits online, visit lauderdalecounty.org/county-departments/permit-office.

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County officials hear good report on yearly audit

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.

Lauderdale County Supervisor Josh Todd and County Administrator Chris Lafferty thumb through the county’s fiscal year 2024 audit as they meet with representatives from the State Auditor’s office on Friday.

“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.

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Solid Waste Amnesty Day set for April 18

Lauderdale County residents have an opportunity to dispose of waste that can’t be put out with household garbage as the county hosts a Solid Waste Amnesty Day on April 18.

Set for 8 a.m. to noon at the Lauderdale County Road Department, 210 Windmill Drive, Amnesty Day is a chance for people to dispose of old motor oil, paints and solvents, tires, appliances and other hazardous materials.

Solid Waste Enforcement Officer Daniel Mabry said the county tries to organize two amnesty days per year to make it easier for residents to properly dispose of their hazardous waste. Things like old batteries, fluorescent bulbs and electronics can be difficult to otherwise get rid of in the proper manner, he said.

“It can be difficult for residents to dispose of hazardous materials, and so we offer Amnesty Day twice a year to give them a chance to get rid of these materials properly,” he said.

Earlier this month, county supervisors approved contracts with Rhino LLC and Complete Environmental to collect and dispose of waste collected during the Amnesty Day event.

Mabry said there is no cost to participate in Amnesty Day, and it is open to Lauderdale County residents outside the city limits.

“The city of Meridian offers Amnesty Days for its residents. They receive a grant for their Amnesty Days inside the city limits, while we receive grant money for Amnesty Day outside the city limits,” he said.

Lauderdale County makes use of Solid Waste Assistance Grants through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to help cover the costs of Amnesty Day events. The non-competitive grants can be used to cover up to 75% of the cost, with the county providing the remaining 25%.

The county is also currently applying for a competitive Solid Waste Assistance Grant for $60,000 to help combat illegal dumping, as well as a separate $180,000 Solid Waste Assistance Grant to launch a waste tire removal program.

Items accepted during Amnesty Day include:

— stale gasoline

— pesticides/herbicides

— solvents

— used oil (limit of five gallons)

— paint

— fertilizer

— appliances

— TVs/computers

—  brake fluid

— antifreeze

— sharps

— batteries

— paint thinners

— fluorescent bulbs

— expired medication

— tires (limit of five passenger tires per household)

/ By Thomas Howard / Projects • Road Work/ 0 Comments

Road work in Meehan area continues as part of State Aid road project

As Lauderdale County announced the completion of a road improvements package Thursday, work to repair additional county roads is already underway.

Workers with Chris Albritton Construction spray down the road in preparation for paving Friday in Meehan.

Meehan Savoy Road, Suqualena Meehan Road, York Road and Centerhill Martin Road are part of a State Aid Road project bid out in December. Work on the roads includes pre-leveling, chip sealing and micro sealing, said Road and Bridge Coordinator Ryan Mosley.

 

“They’re laying the base down in some of our more problem areas, rutting, cracking areas and stuff like that. They’ll be clipping the shoulders as well, getting the drainage right on it, but really just doing kind of like a base layer,” he said. “Then they’ll come through right there at the end, their last process will be whole surface treatment of it. They’ll do a chip seal and micro seal.”

The work is being done by Chris Albritton Construction, out of Laurel, for a total cost of $3.2 million. Albritton submitted the lowest and best of six bids received.

Mosley said crews are currently tackling the pre-leveling work on Meehan Savoy Road. Once that is complete the contractor can come in and pave, he said. Workers will likely be in the area for the next month or so due to the amount of base repair needed.

“We knew there was a lot of base repair on this road,” he said.

Also on the list is Centerhill Martin Road, which is heavily used by vehicles traveling to and from local schools. Mosley said Albritton is aiming to tackle that road after school lets out for the year in May.

“Everything’s going fine. No trouble so far,” he said.

Funding for the road project is coming from the county’s allotment of State Aid Program funds. Counties receive money from the Mississippi Office of State Aid Road Construction to address roads and bridges on designated State Aid routes each board term (every four years). The funds are specifically for State Aid roads and bridges, and cannot be used for other infrastructure.

Counties also receive Local System Bridge Program, or LSBP funds, for bridges not on State Aid routes, as well as State Aid Bridge Program funds, which are a newer pot of money specifically aimed at addressing problem bridges on State Aid routes.

/ By Thomas Howard / Projects • Road Work/ 0 Comments

County completes road improvements project

The Lauderdale County Road & Bridge Department is proud to announce the completion of multiple roadway improvements across the county as part of our ongoing infrastructure program.

Roadways Completed

• Newton Martin Road (4.54 miles)

• Springhill Road (3.26 miles)

• Chip Pickering Drive (2.9 miles)

• Lauderdale Road (2.0 miles)

• Luther Walker Road (0.32 miles)

• Lizelia Road (included under striping scope)

Scope of Work Completed

Each roadway received asphalt resurfacing (overlay) to restore the driving surface and extend pavement life. Final improvements included:

• Thermoplastic double yellow centerline striping

• Thermoplastic white edge line striping

• Raised pavement markers installed at consistent intervals (~40 feet)

Project Execution

• Asphalt resurfacing completed by Walters Construction Company

• Striping and reflectors installed by Image Striping Company

These improvements enhance roadway visibility, ride quality, and overall safety for residents, school transportation, and emergency services throughout Lauderdale County.

We appreciate the public’s patience during construction and remain committed to maintaining and improving infrastructure across our county.

/ By Thomas Howard / Community/ 0 Comments

Dunn’s Falls Fishing Rodeo set for Saturday

Area families are invited to celebrate the outdoors by visiting one of Lauderdale County’s outdoor attractions while nurturing future outdoors enthusiasts as the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks hosts its Youth Fishing Rodeo at Dunn’s Falls.

With lines hitting the water at 9 a.m., the youth fishing rodeo allows children under 15 to fish in a well-stocked lake and practice the sport while learning more about conservation and respect for Mississippi’s outdoor spaces. MDWFP staff make sure there are also plenty of hungry fish to catch as well.

Saturday’s rodeo is open for children age 2-15, and will run from 9-11 a.m. There is no cost to take part in the rodeo, but families will need to provide their own bait, rods and tackle. Prizes will be awarded.

MDWFP hosts youth fishing rodeos at different locations throughout the state each year to introduce children to the great outdoors.

Dunn’s Falls, located in southern Lauderdale County, is the site of a 65-foot waterfall that was once used to power a mill for local grain. The site is now a park managed by Pat Harrison Waterway District, as well as a natural refuge area. The park is a popular spot for sightseeing, picnicking, camping and hiking.

/ By Thomas Howard / Community/ 0 Comments

Residents encouraged to plan ahead for air show traffic

Local hotels are booked up as thousands of visitors are expected to travel to the Queen City this weekend to see the U.S. Navy’s famed Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron perform at Wings Over Meridian at Naval Air Station Meridian. With the additional traffic comes an increased need for safe driving and proper planning on the road.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun said residents and visitors alike should plan to arrive early for the Wings Over Meridian performance. Gates open at 9 a.m. each day, with the program kicking off at noon, but security checks and additional traffic volume will eat up a substantial portion of that time.

“It’s going to take longer than you think to get in, to get parked and to get to spot where you can watch the air show,” he said.

Saturday and Sunday performances mark the first time in approximately 15 years that the Blue Angels have flown at NAS Meridian, and previous experience has shown one of the biggest challenges is getting everyone on base, parked and at the show. In addition to arriving early, Calhoun said he strongly encourages everyone to visit the event website, www.wingsovermeridian.com. The site is a wealth of helpful information including a lineup of performers, information on allowed and prohibited items, and directions to get to the parking area.

“People need to review that, know where they’re going, and they should plan on going early,” he said.

Bringing a chair is also an excellent idea, Calhoun said.

Preparations for the air show have been months in the making, and Lauderdale County deputies will be assisting with security for the event, Calhoun said. Mississippi Highway Patrol will also have a presence at intersections along the way to the Navy base.

“Our main function in the air show will be augmenting on base security for the event, as well as doing escorts for some dignitaries that will be here,” he said.

Wings Over Meridian is free and open to the public to attend. In addition to flight performances, the family-friendly event will feature a variety of static display aircraft, simulators, food trucks and more.

For those wanting to avoid traffic, the city of Meridian is offering additional free parking at Uptown Meridian Mall, with shuttles running from the mall to NAS Meridian from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

/ By Thomas Howard / Community/ 0 Comments

Lauderdale County Animal Control receives Episcopal Church of the Mediator grant

Lauderdale County Animal Control is proud to announce it has been selected as one of several animal welfare organizations to receive grants from the Episcopal Church of the Mediator.

Each year the church holds a barbeque plate and freezer goods fundraiser and uses the funds to award grants to organizations making a difference in the community. The 2025 fundraiser was held in October, with recipients announcing the grant awards last week.

Animal Control Director Rocky Rockette said the shelter received $750 to support its efforts addressing Lauderdale County’s homeless pet population.

“We are incredibly thankful for the support from the Church of the Mediator,” said Rockette. “This grant will make a real difference by helping us expand access to essential services that benefit both pets and the community as a whole.”

Rockette said he wants to thank the church and all who supported the fundraising effort for their part in making the grants possible. The Lauderdale County Animal Control Shelter remains committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, reducing shelter intake, and improving outcomes for animals in need. He said community partnerships like this play a crucial role in achieving those goals.

Roadside Rescue Network, another grant recipient, said on social media the money provides crucial flexibility for unexpected expenses.

“Support like this means more than just funding—it gives us the flexibility to step in wherever the need is greatest, whether that’s medical care, supplies, or the unexpected moments that come with rescue,” the rescue said. “Because of this grant, we can keep saying ‘yes,’ to animals who need us most. Thank you, Episcopal Church of the Mediator, for standing with us and making this work possible.”

The city of Meridian Animal Control said funds it received from the Episcopal Church of the Mediator will be put toward a spay and neuter program for area cats.

“We are beyond grateful and honored to be trusted with the funds,” the city shelter said.

For more information about spay and neuter programs or to support the Lauderdale County Animal Control Shelter’s mission, please contact the shelter at 601-485-1849 or email rrockette@lauderdalecounty.org. Residents can also follow the shelter on Facebook at Friends of the Lauderdale County Animal Control Shelter.

/ By Thomas Howard / Projects • Road Work/ 0 Comments

Lauderdale County starts dirt removal at Marion Town Hall

Lauderdale County Road Department crews are working to prepare the site for the town of Marion’s new Town Hall by removing a large dirt berm from the land ahead of building construction.

Lauderdale County Road Manager Rush Mayatt, left, and Marion Town Engineer Shaun Miles discuss site preparations for Marion’s new Town Hall on Monday while county crews work to remove truckloads of dirt from the site.

County supervisors in November agreed to assist Marion with dirt removal and site grading up to $35,000 in cost. Work was delayed while the two entities waited for an interlocal agreement to be reviewed by the state Attorney General’s office.

 

Road Manager Rush Mayatt said crews began removing the dirt Friday and continued Monday with approximately 10 trucks running in a continuous cycle. The dirt is being taken to the county barn to be used for future projects.

 

“They had a big knoll here that we cut, and of course we’re hauling the dirt to one of my barns, kind of like beneficial use. About 7,000-8,000 yards that we’ve moved,” he said. “We’re basically getting this down to what I consider a rough grade for the contractor to come in and do the site work.”

 

In November, Mayatt estimated around 7,000 yards of dirt needed to hauled away before work on the town hall itself could begin. That estimate is still on track, he said Monday, however the complete amount removed will depend on what needs to be done to get the site ready.

 

Marion’s request came after bids for the town hall construction project in October came in over budget, forcing town leaders to look at ways to reduce costs. One large factor was the dirt removal and site grading, which added several hundred thousand dollars to the overall project amount.

 

In December, Marion officials awarded the Town Hall project to D&E Construction for $1.6 million. Between the dirt work and several alternate options, the project came in approximately $300,000 under original costs.

 

Mayatt estimates county workers will be at the site for another week or so, but the sooner the county can wrap up its part of the project, the sooner the contractor can come in and begin their work.

/ By Thomas Howard / Newsroom/ 0 Comments

Law enforcement graduate from Crisis Intervention training

Law enforcement officers from agencies throughout the region learned new skills this week as they took part in the East Mississippi Crisis Intervention Team Basic Crisis Intervention Team Officer Training in Meridian.

The 40-hour course covers a variety of topics including verbal de-escalation, substance abuse disorders, pharmacology and more. Officers heard from those in the mental health field as well as practiced their new skills in roleplay scenarios.

“There’s no better mechanism to practice the skill that you just learned than actually, physically doing it,” said Lt. Andy Matuszewski, Crisis Intervention Team coordinator for the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department. “And there’s a lot of realism involved even though we’re in an artificial environment because all of the things we put in front of them were actual calls that we faced out in the field.”

Matuszewski said the Crisis Intervention Team would not be able to do what it does without the help of community partners such as mental health professionals, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and others.

“Without those folks, we just really couldn’t do anything,” he said. “We have people travel from all over. We had some partners from the Department of Mental Health come in and do a presentation on suicide travel all the way up here from the coast. The director for NAMI for the state of Mississippi drove over from Jackson, so it’s truly a community effort.”

Thanks is also owed to the Meridian Public Safety Training Facility for both hosting the class and providing lodging for several members, he said.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun said the Crisis Intervention Training prepares officers to go back to their communities and help those in their time of need. Doing so, however, is not achievable alone, and success requires help from others.

“Now since you’ve been through this program, it helps to make this work, but you can’t do it by yourself,” he said. “It’s in the name. Crisis Intervention Team. It takes multiple entities and people to make this work.”

Completing the 40-hour course gives officers the knowledge and training needed to respond to mental health crisis and as they look to put their new skills to test in their communities, Crisis Intervention Matuszewski said his message to the graduates is, “Do the work.”

“Nobody asked for the crisis that happened to them in that moment, and you may be the person with unique skills in that particular moment to make the difference for that person and their life cycle,” he said. “Your efforts could have far-reaching effects because of the change you make for that one person. You may change the trajectory of an entire family for generations to come because you found the solution. It is absolutely worth every bit of effort.

Graduates from Crisis Intervention Team Officer Training include:

  • Garrett Brooks-Leake County Sheriff’s Office
  • Bradley Capps – Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
  • Samuel Chase – Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
  • Micah Fortenberry – Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
  • Jerry Fox – Smith County Sheriff’s Office
  • Wyatt Gore – Philadelphia Police Department
  • Matthew James – Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
  • Toby Kitchens – Leake County Sheriff’s Office
  • James Leach – Union Police Department
  • Alexis McGowan – Philadelphia Police Department
  • Victor Moore – Kosciusko Police Department
  • Wilbert Nelson – Kosciusko Police Department
  • Tony Riddle – Philadelphia Police Department
  • Terrance Willis – Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
/ By Thomas Howard / Newsroom/ 0 Comments

Lauderdale County Animal Control Shelter accepts donations in memory of Donna Jill Johnson

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.”

/ By Thomas Howard / Community/ 0 Comments

Former Mets manager Mickey Callaway named coach of Meridian Blues

The Meridian Blues baseball team on Thursday announced former Major League Baseball player and coach Mickey Callaway will coach the team heading into its inaugural season this May.

Meridian Blues officials announced Mickey Callaway will be team coach as the Blues look to start play in May.

At a news conference, Blues General Manager Larry Gill said bringing someone with Callaway’s experience and background to the team is an asset as Meridian’s professional baseball team looks to build quickly.

 

“What stood out most during the process was his vision, not just for winning games but for building a culture, a culture rooted in accountability, preparation and pride,” Gill said. “That’s exactly what we want Meridian Blues baseball to represent.”

Baseball has deep roots in Mississippi, Callaway said, and Meridian has its own rich history with the sport. While loving the sport and playing is good, he said being a coach is about more than just finding wins on the field.

“Through my experience coaching this game and playing this game, I realized that we’re really developing kids, not just to play baseball, but to go on and have successful careers after baseball, be successful businessmen and leaders in their community,” he said. “That’s kind of what I nerd out the most about is leadership, and I’m very excited to get to be a part of a community that is really taking pride in and leading their young kids in the community to aspire to do something that most don’t get to do.”

The Meridian Blues offers a unique opportunity for local youth, Callaway said. As spectators, they will get to see professional athletes compete while interacting with the players at a personal level, he said.

As the Blues look to start play in the Mid-America League in May, Gill said the team is setting a clear goal for what it hopes to accomplish.

“Our goal is simple, complete at the highest level, develop talent and give our fans a team and experience that they can believe in every single night,” he said.

Meridian Blues General Manager Larry Gill introduces Mickey Callaway as the team’s first coach.

Meridian Mayor Percy Bland said thanks is owed to Chief Administrative Officer Craig Hitt and Mid-America League Founder Mark Schuster for their efforts bringing the Blues to Meridian. Conversations about the team started between the two several years ago, he said, and it is their cooperation that made Thursday’s announcement possible.

Meridian is proud to have the Blues, Bland said.

In addition to the coaching announcement, Blues officials also announced the results of a contest naming the mascot, a red fox. The mascot will be called Mojo.

/ By Thomas Howard / Tax Assesssor/ 0 Comments

Tax Assessor reminds residents of April 1 deadline to file homestead, renditions

Lauderdale County Tax Assessor Whitney Hodges is reminding residents the deadline to file for homestead exemptions and return business renditions is just a few weeks away. All homestead applications and renditions must be completed by April 1.

Homestead exemptions save residents money on their property taxes, with several different exemptions available. A regular homestead exemption can be filed by homeowners of any age and can reduce property taxes by $100-$300.

Residents over 65 are eligible for an increased exemption, which waives taxes owed on the first $75,000 in property value. Veterans considered 100% disabled qualify for a total exemption from property taxes.

To file for homestead, residents must have owned the property on or before Jan. 1. A homestead exemption worksheet is available on the Tax Assessor’s website.

Residents who have previously filed for homestead but have had changes to the deed will also need to reapply.

Hodges said her office has taken in more than 1,100 homestead applications so far this year and residents are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity during the application window.

In addition to homestead applications, the Tax Assessor’s office is also reminding business owners that renditions are due. State law requires businesses to submit real property renditions to the Tax Assessor each year by April 1.

Hodges said businesses with no change in assets can simply sign and date the form mailed to them and send it back to complete the process.

Businesses that do not file renditions by the deadline are assessed a 10% penalty on the assessed value of their assets. That penalty compounds for each year missed and can add up quickly.

While there are more than 3,000 businesses in Lauderdale County, just over 700 renditions have been received thus far, Hodges said, and she wants to encourage businesses to complete the process ahead of the deadline.

Rendition forms were mailed to each business in the county earlier this year and are also available online.

The Tax Assessor’s office will be open 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 21, to help those unable to come in during regular working hours.

/ By Thomas Howard / Community/ 0 Comments

West Lauderdale CTE students take part in county cleanup

The streets of Collinsville are a little bit cleaner thanks to West Lauderdale High School Career and Technical Education students after more than 150 students took part in a cleanup effort organized by Lauderdale County Solid Waste Enforcement.

CTE Teacher Suzie Sanders, who teaches the Educator Preparation program, said the school is always looking for ways students can participate in community service. West Lauderdale previously participated in a cleanup effort several years ago, she said, and it is good to see the activity return.

“We’re just wanting them to practice a good work ethic, clean up, be proud of the school, be proud of the community,” she said. “When they all get outside working together, they’ll have a good time. It doesn’t matter what they’re doing.”

Sanders said Lauderdale County Solid Waste Enforcement and Meridian Waste, which provides residential garbage service to county residents, provided a lot of support for the school’s effort.

Daniel Mabry, Solid Waste Enforcement Officer for Lauderdale County, said students worked to clean up West Lauderdale Road from the four-way stop in Collinsville to West Lauderdale High School. The cleanup, however, goes beyond picking up litter, and it also helps raise awareness about littering and shows students the impact litter has on the community.

“What you can instill in us today, it’ll come back to us tomorrow,” he said.

Cole Crozier, Meridian Waste District Manager for Mississippi and West Alabama, said the company was proud to sponsor the cleanup. When Mabry reached out about the event, he said it was something Meridian Waste wanted to support.

“We thought this would be a great idea to get out and get with the community, show them what we do and how we do certain things, and we just thought it’d be a great thing to give back to the community,” he said.

Meridian Waste emphasizes giving back, Crozier said, and working with students is an opportunity to not only show how to properly dispose of trash but also to prevent more litter in the future.

“We’re just grateful for the partnership with the community and the leadership of Lauderdale County and the School and Mrs. Sanders. We appreciate it and look forward to remaining a great part of the community,” he said.

Mabry said everyone who participated in Wednesday’s cleanup will also be treated to lunch on Thursday by Meridian Waste in recognition of their efforts.

“Meridian Waste is going to feed them lunch and just reward them for the good work that they’re doing out here today,” he said.

/ By Thomas Howard / Grant Funding • Projects/ 0 Comments

Lauderdale County receives $819,000 TAP grant as one of five recipients

Lauderdale County officials joined Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons and other elected leaders from the East Mississippi region Tuesday as the county was one of five recipients of Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant funding.

Simmons presented the county with a check for $819,000, which will go toward the second phase of a walking trail project along Sowashee Creek. The first phase saw the trail stretch from 29th Avenue to Grand Avenue.

Lauderdale County was one of five recipients of Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant funding awarded Tuesday by Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons.

“On behalf of the Department of Transportation, the Commissioner Busby, Commissioner Caldwell and myself, along with our Executive Director Brad White and the 2,700 employees that we have, we are so grateful to be working with our local partners like you who are here today to make things happen,” Simmons said.

TAP funds are federal dollars administered through the Mississippi Department of Transportation for projects improving pedestrian safety, handicap accessibility and infrastructure for bicycles and other non-motorized transport.

Supervisor Josh Todd, who serves as president of the Board of Supervisors, said the county is fortunate to have Simmons serving as commissioner for the Central District. Regardless of politics, Simmons is there to support the people of East Mississippi, he said.

“I don’t know how many of y’all rode across a bridge or road on the way here, but not one of them is a Democrat or Republican, and this man sees none of that,” Todd said. “He sees us. He sees East Mississippi, and he sees what we can be and who we are right now.”

In addition to Lauderdale County, other entities receiving TAP grant funds include the city of Meridian, town of Marion, town of Scooba in cooperation with the Kemper County Economic Development Authority and East Mississippi Community College.

In total, Simmons said the grants add up to around $5 million in federal funds for infrastructure in the East Mississippi region.

“As commissioner, I am so excited to be here today and to be able to provide this $5 million to the East Mississippi community for our pedestrians,” he said.

/ By Thomas Howard / Grant Funding • Projects/ / 0 Comments

Lauderdale County moves forward with projects, grant applications

Lauderdale County supervisors moved forward with several projects Monday as multiple county departments look to apply for grant funding. Among the items discussed were grants for the Sheriff’s Department, Amnesty Day and funding to build a new fire station at Center Ridge.

Sheriff Ward Calhoun said his department plans to apply for an antiterrorism grant through the Mississippi Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $462,806.21. The Sheriff’s Department could receive all or some of the funding through the grant or not be selected for funding at all, he said.

The grant does not require any matching funds from the county.

Supervisor Craig Houston said the county has also received more than $450,000 through a Community Development Block Grant to build a new fire station for Center Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. Located in the northeast corner of the county, Center Ridge was built in 1989 but never fully completed.

“We’re going to be able to build a new fire station in that community,” he said.

The Board of Supervisors on Monday also discussed the upcoming solid waste Amnesty Day set for Saturday, April 18, at the Lauderdale County Road Department’s central office, located at 210 Windmill Drive in Meridian.

Amnesty Day gives residents an opportunity to dispose of waste that cannot be accepted as part of regular household pickup. Hazardous materials such as motor oil, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, paints and solvents and car tires will be accepted.

Supervisors approved quotes from disposal companies Rhino LLC and Complete Environmental for disposal of materials collected during Amnesty Day. The board also approved applications for a $60,000 grant to combat illegal dumping, as well as a separate $180,000 grant to launch a waste tire collection program.