Tippah County News Today, October 12: Walnut Volleyball, Heat Before Cold Front, Walnut 5K
Today in Tippah County comes down to four things: Walnut volleyball playing for a state championship berth tonight, one more day of near-record heat before a sharp cold front arrives Friday, the rescheduled Walnut Firehouse 5K on Saturday, and Mississippi’s Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week, which begins today.
Walnut Volleyball Plays for a State Berth Tonight
The Walnut Lady Wildcats (31-4) travel to East Union High School in Blue Springs for the North State final at 6 p.m. Their opponent is unbeaten East Union (36-0), which beat Walnut 3-1 when the teams met Sept. 1. Walnut comes in on a 12-match winning streak and has swept all three of its playoff opponents, most recently Myrtle last Thursday. Our North State final preview has the details, and TippahSports.com also has a preview of the rematch.
Walnut is the only Tippah County volleyball team still playing. Ripley, Pine Grove and Falkner have finished their seasons. Walnut and Falkner are set to combine into North Tippah High School after the 2026-27 school year, so this group is among the last to play under the Walnut High School name. The winner advances to the state championship. We will post the result after the match.
Heat Holds Through Thursday, Then a Cold Front
If you are heading to Blue Springs tonight, expect warm weather. The National Weather Service in Memphis has Ripley near 90 today, near 91 on Tuesday and near 92 on Wednesday and Thursday, with overnight lows in the low 60s. Forecasters said the region is flirting with potential record-breaking warmth through at least Thursday. Little or no rain is expected in Tippah County this week.
The pattern changes late Thursday into Friday. Our Tippah County cold front report shows the current Ripley forecast at a high near 78 on Friday, near 69 on Saturday and near 74 on Sunday, with lows in the 40s. Keep a jacket handy for Saturday morning, and consider bringing in tender plants if lows trend colder.
The cooler air will not end the dry spell. The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Oct. 8 shows all of Tippah County in at least moderate drought, with about 46 percent of the county in severe drought. Supervisors extended the burn ban through Oct. 18 and are expected to decide on any further extension at their Oct. 15 meeting, as we reported in Sunday’s roundup. Please skip outdoor burning until then.
Severe Weather Preparedness Week Starts Today
Gov. Tate Reeves declared Oct. 12-17 Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week, according to our report based on SuperTalk Mississippi. The governor’s office noted that tornadoes can happen in October, November and December, and that Mississippi recorded seven between October and December last year. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service will share one topic each day: make a plan today, severe thunderstorms Tuesday, tornado safety Wednesday, flash flooding Thursday and warning reception methods Friday. No severe weather is expected in Tippah County this week, which makes it a good time to sort out where your family would go and how you would get warnings.
Walnut Firehouse 5K Is Saturday
The Walnut Firehouse 5K, the Walnut Volunteer Fire Department’s biggest fundraiser, was moved from Oct. 10 to Saturday, Oct. 17 at 8:30 a.m. because of forecast heavy rain. The race is open to runners and walkers, and every dollar goes to the department. The flyer lists a USATF-certified course, door prizes, a medallion for every finisher and shirts guaranteed for the first 100 participants. Registration is $25, and race-day sign-in was listed as 7 to 8:20 a.m. Check the Walnut Fire & Rescue Facebook page for updates. The 5K follows Walnut’s senior night football game against Hamilton on Friday, Oct. 16.
Around the Network
Tupelo police arrested James Boullion, 20, of Walnut on Oct. 7 on a felony shoplifting charge from a Sept. 8 incident at the Best Buy on North Gloster Street, according to our report. A judge set bond at $2,500, and the case will go to the Lee County Grand Jury. A charge is not a conviction.
In Alcorn County, Alcorn News MS reports Corinth voters choose a mayor Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Corinth City Hall. Also from Alcorn News, citing the Daily Corinthian, aldermen adopted an emergency ordinance Friday banning kratom sales in the city, which you can read about in their story. In DeSoto County, DeSoto County News has its own look at preparedness week and the weekend cold front.
More Local Coverage
For everything we have published, visit the Tippah County News and Ripley News category pages.
