Tippah County News Today, Sept. 30: Friday Rain, Burn Ban, Voter Deadline

Wednesday in Tippah County is about four things: a stretch of hot, dry weather that finally looks ready to break, a burn ban that stays in force until the rain actually arrives, a voter registration deadline that is now less than a week away, and a big week for Ripley and Walnut volleyball. There is also news from Blue Mountain and a couple of fall events worth putting on the calendar.

Rain Is Coming Friday, but Not Before Two More Hot Days

Today and Thursday look sunny, with highs near 91 in Ripley and a light southeast wind. Then the pattern changes. In its forecast discussion, the National Weather Service in Memphis says a weak cold front will move through as moisture climbs to near-record levels for this time of year. Our own Tippah County rain forecast story lays out the timeline: a 30 percent chance of showers late Thursday night, then showers and thunderstorms likely Friday (70 percent), with a quarter to half an inch possible during the day and about the same again Friday night.

Saturday turns much cooler, with a high near 79 and rain chances staying around 70 percent that night. Forecasters do not expect severe weather, since instability and wind shear look limited. Drier, cooler air should settle in early next week.

The rain can’t come soon enough. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor map put all of Tippah County in at least moderate drought, with severe drought covering roughly 45 percent of the county, up from none a week earlier.

The Burn Ban Stays Until the Ground Is Wet

Tippah County’s outdoor burning ban remains in effect, and one good rain does not end a drought. Read our earlier coverage on the official Tippah County burn ban and on why the Tippah and Benton bans are staying in place before lighting anything.

Neighbors to the west are in the same boat. Our sister site Alcorn News reports that the Alcorn County Fire Service has banned outdoor burning of yard debris, leaves and brush from Sept. 28 through Oct. 12, with fines of $100 to $500 for violators. The same report notes that fire crews are stretched thin by a statewide shortage of volunteer firefighters. Alcorn News also says the Corinth Green Market and Fall Festival has been moved from Oct. 3 to Oct. 17 because of the rain in the forecast, if you were planning the drive.

Voter Registration Deadline Is Monday, Oct. 5

If you are not registered for the Nov. 3 election, you have until close of business Monday, Oct. 5. You can register in person at the circuit clerk’s office or mail in the state application postmarked by that date. Tippah County Circuit Clerk Phil Koon’s office in Ripley can be reached at 662-837-7370. Our voter registration deadline story has the full details, including the state hotline. In-person absentee voting begins Oct. 24.

Volleyball: Ripley Takes the Region, Walnut Rolls

Ripley’s Lady Tigers swept Senatobia to finish 6-0 in district play and win the Region 3-4A title for the second straight year, earning the No. 1 seed for the Class 4A playoffs. Ripley is 14-14 overall against a tough non-district schedule that included Oxford, Caledonia and Neshoba Central. Coach Julianna Potts’ team gets home-court advantage early in the postseason once the MHSAA releases the bracket. More in Ripley volleyball wins Region 3-4A title for a second year.

Walnut, meanwhile, swept Ripley 3-0 at home on Senior Night Monday and has won eight straight. The Wildcats are 27-4. Falkner snapped a four-match skid with a 25-16, 25-8, 25-8 win over Jumpertown and stands 8-16 overall and 6-3 in district play. Thursday night, Falkner hosts Biggersville and Pine Grove hosts Saltillo, both at 6 p.m. Our Tippah County sports roundup has the rest. Over at Tippah Sports, No. 16 Blue Mountain Christian’s men’s golf team finished fifth at the Innisbrook Invitational in Florida, and the women placed eighth.

Blue Mountain Christian’s President Will Retire in 2027

Dr. Barbara C. McMillin, the eighth president of Blue Mountain Christian University, will retire June 30, 2027, after 15 years leading the school. She arrived in 2012 and is originally from Falkner. Under her leadership the school moved from Blue Mountain College to Blue Mountain Christian University and added nursing and kinesiology programs. Board of Trustees chair Rev. James Lewis said she “has led Blue Mountain with conviction and with care.” Details on the presidential search are expected in the coming months. Read the full story: Dr. McMillin to retire in June 2027.

Community Calendar

• Dumas Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bounce houses, a petting zoo, cornhole, vendors, and a costume contest at 12:30 p.m. Hot dog and hamburger plates benefit the Dumas Fire Department, and a Facebook auction supports new playground equipment. Full details here.
• Walnut Movie Night on Main. A big crowd turned out Sept. 26 for a free showing of Toy Story 5 with popcorn, hot dogs and a chalk art station. The town says it wants to do it again but has not set a date. See the Walnut Movie Night story.
• Ripley Public Library is hiring a part-time clerk at 308 N. Commerce St.; applicants must be 18 or older and available Saturdays.

Infrastructure and Storm Recovery

The Mississippi Department of Transportation says the $194 million Ripley bypass is on budget and on pace for completion in summer 2028. Separately, FEMA is awarding $3.6 million to the Tippah Electric Power Association for repairs from the January 2026 winter storm, the largest piece of an $8.3 million Mississippi recovery package. Both are covered in our Sept. 29 county roundup.

For more, browse the Tippah County News and Ripley News category pages, and check our Sept. 28 daily roundup if you missed it.