Sunday in Tippah County comes down to four things: the heat and drought have not broken and the county’s burn ban request is still sitting unapproved, Friday night’s football games went the wrong way for both Ripley and Walnut, and Blue Mountain Christian’s soccer and volleyball programs had one of their better weekends of the young season.
Heat holds, burn ban still unofficial
The formal heat advisory that covered Tippah County expired at 8 p.m. Saturday, and no new one has been issued for Sunday. That does not mean the weather broke — the National Weather Service in Memphis is still forecasting a high near 99 degrees today with no meaningful rain. The first real chance for relief is a modest 20% shot at showers Monday afternoon and evening, with highs easing into the low 90s Tuesday and the 80s by Wednesday as a weak cold front finally moves through.
The county’s burn ban request has not moved much either. The Tippah County Board of Supervisors and the county’s volunteer fire departments asked the Mississippi Forestry Commission for a 30-day ban on Friday, and two days later Tippah County still is not on the commission’s official list. Compliance remains voluntary in the meantime, though county officials are asking residents to treat it as if it’s already in force given how dry conditions have become — the county was drought-free as recently as mid-August and is now rated abnormally dry countywide, with 65% of Tippah in moderate drought as of the forestry commission’s most recent reading. Once the ban is formally approved, violating it becomes a misdemeanor carrying a $100 to $500 fine, enforced by the sheriff’s department. Anyone with questions can reach the Board of Supervisors or their local volunteer fire department.
Friday night football: rough outings for Ripley and Walnut
Ripley hosted unbeaten East Webster on Friday hoping to snap a two-game skid, but East Webster proved too much, winning 34-0 to extend its win streak to 18 games and improve to 4-0, according to a MaxPreps recap. The loss drops the Tigers to 1-3 on the season.
Walnut’s night wasn’t any easier. The Wildcats fell 6-0 at Alcorn Central, unable to find the end zone against a defense that has now won two of its last three games after an 0-5 start. Walnut sits at 2-2 and returns home to face Myrtle at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25. Falkner was idle this week and comes back Sept. 25 at home against East Union. For the latest as it’s confirmed, TippahSports.com’s Tippah County coverage is the place to check.
Blue Mountain Christian’s soccer teams both battle to draws
Blue Mountain Christian’s women’s soccer team celebrated Senior Day at The Summit on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Wesleyan College in Southern States Athletic Conference play, TippahSports.com reported. Wesleyan’s Caleigh Patton scored from about 35 yards out in the fourth minute, and the Toppers spent the rest of the match trying to answer — they outshot Wesleyan 17-5 in the first half alone but went into the break down 1-0. Daniela Nieto finally tied it in the 77th minute, her seventh shot of the day, and neither team found a winner. Blue Mountain finished with a 28-16 shot advantage overall. Kiana Gordon came on in relief in goal and made five saves. The Toppers travel to face UT-Southern next Saturday in Pulaski, Tennessee.
The men’s team also settled for a draw, tying Louisiana Christian 1-1 on the road at Wildcat Field. Louisiana Christian struck first in the 21st minute, but Davi Vieira headed home the equalizer at the 85:37 mark off a free kick from teammate Rainato — his first goal of the season, according to TippahSports.com’s recap. Blue Mountain outshot the host 13-11, and goalkeeper Luan Nascimento played all 90 minutes with six saves. The result moves the Toppers to 3-1-3 on the season. They’re back home Tuesday against Central Baptist College at The Summit.
Toppers volleyball rallies past Faulkner
Blue Mountain Christian’s volleyball team, coming off a season-opening sweep of Andrew College in its Southern States Athletic Conference opener, picked up another win this weekend, rallying past Faulkner University in four sets after dropping the opening set at home. The Toppers won three straight to close it out.
What else to watch
Ripley Main Street is still looking for a food-truck operator to hold a regular spot at The Cut-Off downtown, with an eye toward movie nights, markets and live music at the venue. Anyone interested can email ripleymainstreet@gmail.com or call 662-512-0226. And North Mississippi Primary Health Care’s next food pantry distribution in Walnut is set for 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Walnut Fire Department, limited to three families per vehicle while supplies last.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
