Local News
City under a burn ban
A very rainy May has become a vague memory now as a hot, dry summer weather has fallen over east Mississippi and much of the South.
As a result of the low rainfall this month, fire officials with the City of Meridian have issued a burn ban effective immediately.
"The burn permits that have already been issued are still valid at this time but we strongly request all permit holders not to burn until we lift the burn ban," Meridian Fire Department Chief Jeff Homan said in a press release issued from his office Monday afternoon. "Obviously, we won't be issuing any more burn permits until the outside conditions change. We will let the public know when conditions are favorable again to burn outside."
Homan went on to say any reports of outside burning of any kind during the time the ban is in effect will result in the fire being extinguished by MFD personnel.
"Remember, all outside burning inside the Meridian city limits must be permitted by the Meridian Fire Department," said Homan. "And such burning must be supervised at all times by the permit holder."
The dry conditions are also being felt outside Meridian into Lauderdale County.
Lauderdale County Fire Coordinator Clarence Butler said Monday afternoon there is not a burn ban for the county as yet but discussions are heating up along with the temperatures.
"We are watching it very closely," Butler said of the deteriorating conditions. "It's getting bad and some of the farmers are feeling it as are other residents."
Butler said if conditions don't change in the next two weeks, there likely will be serious talks during the next meeting of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors which will convene July 7.
"We will also be in touch with officials at the Mississippi Forestry Commission," said Butler. "They are very concerned about the conditions as well."
County fire records over the past couple of days only noted two instances of a brush fire in the county. Toomsuba Fire and Rescue was able to respond to one incident while Bailey answered the call on another. No real damage was reported.
According to local forecasts, this dry, hot period is expected to last for at least two more weeks. Weather maps don't show any substantial weather systems west of Mississippi that might bring any sort of wet relief.
"We ask anyone in the county if you have to burn anything, make sure you do it on days where there is low wind," said Butler. "Also, have a good source of water nearby just in case the fire tries to get out of control. I would request that residents not burn at all during this time. Give it time and maybe we will get a little rain to help knock down the fire threat."
- Local News
-
-
Honing Skills
The men and women who make up Lauderdale County's volunteer fire departments all have one thing in common – the desire to protect and serve their community.
Of course these volunteers don't get paid for their service, and although some are retired, there are many, like Bo Land from the Martin community, who work full-time and have a family.
That means volunteer fire department members must train nights and weekends. -
MPD probing weekend incidents
Detectives with the Meridian Police Department are investigating two incidents that reportedly occurred Sunday, one of which was an alleged armed robbery and the other a shooting.
-
Deadly accident claims two lives
Meridian police are investigating a single-vehicle traffic accident that killed two people and sent two others to a local hospital on Monday.
-
Partnership formed to promote fire safety
Last year, Key Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to 116 single family fires in its seven-county service area – 48 of which were in Lauderdale County.
"That's fires with total or major destruction," said Susan Wehr, executive director of the Key Chapter. -
Happy Birthday Meridian
Sesquicentennial is a big word, but what it means is simple — A sesquicentennial is a 150th anniversary.
2010 is Meridian's sesquicentennial, and the celebrations here will begin this week and go on for the rest of the year. -
Navy League accepting scholarship applications
Each year, the Meridian Area Navy League awards two $500 scholarships to deserving students to help with costs of higher education. This year, however, the organization upped the ante and will bestow two $750 scholarships. -
Arbor Day program set for Tuesday
The Lauderdale County Welcome Center celebrates Mississippi's Arbor Day this week.
-
Fans show team spirit at Temple viewing of Super Bowl XLIV
The smell of hot nachos and cold beer is all around you. You can see beads of sweat falling from Peyton Manning's brow as he hurls the ball. The voice of the announcer booms on the loudspeakers.
-
Star of The Week: Megan Mowdy
Meridian Community College Sophomore Megan Mowdy lives to sing, and she loves to share her passion for music.
20-year-old Megan is a Kemper County resident, and her love of music helped her to become the first member of her family to attend college. -
4-H leader is driving force behind community service
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Newton’s business and civic leaders have always expected a visit from Johnnie Mae Walker on behalf of the annual 4-H bike-a-thon for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, but they grew worried when other people appeared in her place.
- More Local News Headlines
-
