Tippah County roundup, Oct. 28, 2026: Nov. 3 ballot guide; Ripley golfers win state title
RIPLEY, Miss. — Tippah County voters will decide federal, judicial and local contests Nov. 3, with the final opportunity for eligible voters to cast an in-person absentee ballot approaching Saturday. A new Tippah News ballot guide details the races and voting hours ahead of Tuesday’s election.
Other local coverage includes Ripley’s state golf championship, Halloween weekend plans and a Main Street fundraiser. Regional reports address storm repairs and the labor market just across the Tennessee line.
Featured image: Tippah County polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. (Stock photo) (Photo: Funknendai / Wikimedia Commons (CC0))
Ballot includes contested court seats and election commissioner race
Tippah News’ Nov. 3 ballot guide, citing the Southern Sentinel and the Mississippi Secretary of State’s candidate list, identifies U.S. Senate candidates Cindy Hyde-Smith, Scott Colom and Ty Pinkins, and U.S. House candidates Trent Kelly, Cliff Johnson and Johnny Baucom.
Contested local judicial seats include Circuit Court District 3, Place 2, with Bart M. Adams, Shirley C. Byers and Steven Patrick Jubera; and Chancery Court District 18, Place 1, with Jenessa Carter Hicks, Sarah J. Liddy, Jennifer L. Shackelford and Michael Watts. District 1 voters will also choose among Larry “Doc” Dollar, Stephanie Ford, Tony Jones and Leta Kelley for county election commissioner.
Polls are open 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Nov. 3. Eligible absentee voters can vote at the Circuit Clerk’s office in Ripley from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 30, and 8 a.m.–noon Saturday, Oct. 31. The guide lists 662-837-7370 for questions about precincts and voting.
Ripley boys capture Class 4A golf championship
Ripley High School’s boys golf team won the 2026 MHSAA Class 4A state championship, according to Tippah News, citing Ripley Main Street’s announcement. Parker Mcalister and Baker Behm both finished among the top three individuals. The report says team scores and a full official leaderboard were not yet posted when the source story was published; it follows Ripley titles in 2023 and 2024.
Halloween events fill Ripley and Walnut calendars
A Halloween weekend guide, based on Southern Sentinel reporting, lists church trunk-or-treat events in the Ripley and Walnut area and advises families to check individual churches for times and weather-related changes.
The Spirit of Ripley Festival and Chili Cookoff begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, downtown, with a Ripley High School pep rally at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 31, the Cars for Kids Great Pumpkin Run runs 8 a.m.–3 p.m. in downtown Ripley, with a costume contest at 12:30 p.m. Walnut’s Sweet Treats on Main begins at 6 p.m. that evening.
Main Street raffle sales end Friday
Ripley Main Street’s raffle will close ticket sales at 5 p.m. Oct. 30, with winners announced every 30 minutes during that evening’s festival. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20, with up to $500 in cash and donated local prizes, according to the association’s announcement reported by Tippah News. Proceeds support downtown beautification, and ticket holders need not be present to win. The association also plans a holiday open house Nov. 1 from noon to 4 p.m.
Regional update: Hardeman repairs and unemployment
The Hardeman County Arts Council has replaced roof trusses and metal damaged by Winter Storm Fern and is finishing exterior trim before interior repairs, Tippah News reported, citing the Hatchie Press. No reopening date has been announced. The report connects the January storm to damage in Tippah County as well.
Separately, Hardeman County’s September unemployment rate was 4.6%, tied for Tennessee’s fourth-highest county rate, according to Tippah News’ report citing state labor figures and the Magnolia Post. All Tennessee county rates fell from August. The report notes that employers in Tippah and other nearby Mississippi counties form part of the cross-border regional job market; the 4.6% figure is for Hardeman County.
Shopping guide: rural driveway alarms
A new Tippah County driveway-alarm shopping guide compares five wireless systems, discussing sensor power, range and options for monitoring multiple areas. The source contains Amazon affiliate links and discloses that the publisher earns from qualifying purchases.
This roundup covers qualifying Tippah News articles originally published from 4:30 p.m. Oct. 27 through 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28, 2026, Central time.
