Area farmers are seeing the benefits of an unseasonably warm and dry spring, but a rainfall deficit could spell problems over time as crops begin to mature into the critical growth stages, according to a local agricultural official.
“This is probably one of the earliest plantings on record because of the unseasonably warm temperatures we saw in March,” said Anthony Bland, county agent with the Mississippi State Agricultural Extension Office.  “Right now, I’d say we’re about 2-3 weeks early on our plantings, if you take an average of all our farmers. But, some are as much as four weeks ahead of schedule.”
Bland said temperatures during March, which reached as high as the mid-80s, were the primary factor for the early plantings. However, he noted that low rainfall has made it easier for growers to get equipment in the fields to plant.

Read more

Read more

The six member commission which oversees tourism in Tunica County will be gaining  a new appointee.
The Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Fred Steele to the Tourism Commission and reappointed DeLois Hardiman. They join the Town of Tunica’s appointee Tutt Sullivan and casino representatives Scott Barber, Anthony Carlucci and Niklas Rytterstrom.
The Tourism Commission oversees operations of the Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Following that item, the board received a recommendation for ambulance service and a report by officials with Region I Mental Health Services.

Read more

Former Sheriff Jerry Ellington will now be working on the roads he spent four years driving in a patrol car, following a decision by the Board of Supervisors on Monday, April 30.
With a 3 to 1 vote, supervisors approved the hiring of Ellington as a road laborer. Ellington was among three recommended by Road Manager Joe Eddie Hawkins.
County administrator Clifton Johnson said Ellington’s post and the other two positions were new, and the road department now has a staff of 21 individuals.

Read more