Storms and more storms

The March winds roared in last week. Wednesday evening, thunderstorms, a tornado watch, and some warnings affected some areas. The following day we had a flood warning, and then Friday, we had unusually high winds that knocked out power throughout the county.

Unusual weather has kicked off in 2023 for sure. We all talk about the weather, but it is becoming a daily headline and is not just happening in our area. It appears to be happening all over the country.

There were tornadoes scattered from the Ohio Valley to the south Friday. Southern California has received record snow, and there was hail that caused a cause a fog cloud in Texas.

Because of the high winds Friday, many businesses and homes were without power. The office lost power around 10:30 a.m. And didn't come back on until 2:30 p.m. Bonnie Gurley, an employee at the newspaper, lost power Friday, too. Her power was not restored until Monday afternoon.

I began working at The South Reporter last April and the week before I started there had been a horrible storm that had knocked out power for many people. This has been reoccurring since I have moved here. I'm thankful for all the linemen and all who help get the utilities back on but I also hope that the problem, whatever it may be, will be resolved soon. Many of the residents in Holly Springs and Marshall and Benton counties are frustrated with the power outages and are looking for answers.

A special meeting will be held at the City of Holly Springs tonight, Thursday, March 9. Mayor Sharon Gipson and the Holly Springs Board of Aldermen will discuss the management and operations of the Holly Springs Utility Department, HSUD.

Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather requested a special session to discuss audits taking place in the city and at the utility department. She asked for it to be held to learn more about how HSUD operates.

This will be a public meeting and anyone can attend. Contact your alderman and let them know your concerns and frustrations.

Everyone has a story and we have selected a few in this year's ‘Profile Edition.’ The people chosen this year are: Christy Owens, Sarah Fay Sawyer, Faye Woods, Tracy Reynolds, Dr. James Mock, Makayla Ables, Jimmy Young and Holly Springs Eyecare. Enjoy the stories behind there wonderful people in our county.

I want to thank all the businesses that supported the Profile Edition. The `Profile Edition' has been published for the past thirty plus years and I hope the editions is bigger and better next year.

I want to end my column with a poem from one of our readers, Dorothy Dorris, from Red Banks. She said she always wanted to have one of her poems published and I think this is the perfect time to make that happen.

She wrote many poems over the years but because of unforeseen circumstances this is the only one she can find. Dorothy said, “It truly says what Mississippi is all about.”