County News

School’s out, and it’s the perfect time to go boating at one of Lafayette County’s lakes.  An important step to having an enjoyable boating experience is prioritizing safety. In 2020 alone, the American Boating Association counted 5,265 accidents and 3,191 injuries related to boats. Thanks to Lafayette County Sheriff’s Major Alan Wilburn, we compiled a…

Long-time Oxford businessman and former Mississippi State Senator Johnny Morgan passed away this past Wednesday, May 17. Morgan, who was born in Lafayette County, will be remembered for his lifelong support of his county and its residents. Morgan was a true public servant. In addition to serving in the Mississippi State Senate for nearly a…

On Saturday, May 13th, Three Rivers Solid Waste Management Authority will host their free annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, where residents can drop off household waste items not safe for everyday garbage collection. For over 25 years, Three Rivers has organized these events to prevent hazardous waste from filling everyday landfills while also encouraging…

At around 11:00 p.m. on Friday, March 24th, Mississippi Task Force 1—a specialized team of firefighters, first responders and emergency management workers—was activated to assist with recovery after the tornado devastation in Amory and Rolling Fork, Miss. Members with Lafayette County Emergency Management, Lafayette County Fire Department and Oxford Fire Department are assigned to this…

A new deputy has joined the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department: a German shorthaired pointer named Rip. After extensive training at a school in Alabama with his handler Deputy John Dutton, the two-year-old dog can now track and detect narcotics—a valuable tool for law enforcement.  The Lafayette County K9 unit is less than a year old…

Paul Lytle fell into working at the 911 Dispatch Center back in 2012. His sister, who worked with the Oxford Police Department, had convinced him that he’d love it. “It’s the nerve center of the county,” she said. He hadn’t understood what she meant at the time, but now, there’s no doubt about it. The…

County tests the health of historic trees   In December, an urban forestry consulting firm analyzed the trees around the Lafayette County Courthouse, looking for indications of vitality, disease or damage. Fulgham’s Inc., led by President David Fulgham, spent a day scanning the seven old trees that have provided shade around the historic courthouse for…

Casey Henderson started carrying his fire radio at 16. Shortly after his first fire call—which he responded to along with his dad and uncle, both volunteers on the force in Grenada, Miss.—he realized firefighting would be his life’s work. In those early days, Henderson admits, the radio was an excuse to occasionally rush out of…

Today, mental health continues to gain more awareness and understanding. But Americans in some of the most high-stress lines of work may be the among the last to seek help. In particular, law enforcement professionals are exposed to many causes physical, psychosocial and anticipatory stress. Police officers often witness gruesome events, or their aftermath. The…

Two Lafayette County departments that serve the community all year still find time to give back even more during the holidays. The Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department each rally to help those in need. No-Shave November The Sheriff’s Department is participating in “No-Shave November” to raise money for Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi, an…