Tippah and Benton roundup, Sept. 18: Heat, food pantry and Ripley opportunity
RIPLEY — A heat advisory remains in place for Tippah and Benton counties heading into the weekend, while new local announcements include a Walnut food distribution, a food-truck opportunity in downtown Ripley and construction progress in Ashland. Blue Mountain Christian University also has a Thursday soccer victory to celebrate.
Here are five updates reported or announced Sept. 17–18, within the past 36 hours as of Friday morning, Sept. 18, 2026.
Heat advisory covers both counties through Saturday
Tippah and Benton counties remain under a heat advisory until 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, according to the National Weather Service in Memphis. Its bulletin issued at 10:23 p.m. Thursday lists heat index values reaching as high as 106 degrees across the advisory area and specifically includes Ripley and Ashland.
The agency warns that heat and humidity can cause heat-related illness. Residents heading outdoors should keep water available, take breaks in air conditioning and check on relatives and neighbors. See the National Weather Service advisory for updates before weekend activities.
Walnut food pantry set for Sept. 25
North Mississippi Primary Health Care announced Thursday that its next Walnut food pantry will begin at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and continue while supplies last.
The event flyer lists the Walnut Fire Department, 27880 Highway 15, as the distribution site. It limits pickup to three families per vehicle and asks drivers to keep driveways clear. The flyer carries the names of NMPHC and the Mid-South Food Bank. Details appear in the organization’s Sept. 17 announcement and flyer.
The Cut-Off seeks a regular food-truck partner
Ripley Main Street is seeking a food-truck operator to make The Cut-Off a regular downtown stop as Chula’s moves on to its next venture.
The organization says it wants an ongoing presence at the space, where plans include movie nights, markets, live music and other community events. Applications will open soon; the announcement does not give an opening date or deadline.
Operators can request details or notice when applications open by emailing ripleymainstreet@gmail.com or calling 662-512-0226. Read Ripley Main Street’s announcement, which RCTV19 reported Sept. 17.
Ashland administration addition reaches construction milestone
In Benton County, North Mississippi Primary Health Care shared a Thursday afternoon update on its administration addition in Ashland. The Sept. 17 construction post identifies the milestone as the slab being poured.
The brief update did not announce a completion date or a change in patient services.
BMCU women win 3-0, return home Saturday
Blue Mountain Christian University’s women’s soccer team defeated Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 3-0 Thursday at The Summit, improving to 2-5 overall and 2-1 in Southern States Athletic Conference play, according to the university’s Sept. 17 game recap.
Daniela Nieto scored in the first half, followed by second-half goals from Nayelli Aguayo and Alba Hernandez. Kiana Gordon stopped ABAC’s only shot on goal, and the Toppers finished with a 21-6 advantage in total shots.
BMCU is scheduled to host Wesleyan College at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at The Summit in the conference’s Women’s Soccer Match of the Week.
