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Crews Scramble Through Ice To Restore Mississippi Winter Storm Power

Crews battle ice and downed lines in Oxford and North Mississippi as thousands remain in the dark, working as safely as conditions allow.

Published

8 months ago

on

Magnolia Utility Services one of companies working to get power restored in Oxford and across North Mississippi

Let’s get this straight: North Mississippi and Oxford aren’t used to this kind of winter weather.

We’re more comfortable talking football weather delays than ice storms that flat-out knock power lines to the ground and make you question whether your grandma’s old porch light can survive frostbite.

But that’s exactly what hit last weekend.

A storm swept through Mississippi, coating roads and tree limbs with freezing rain and sleet.

That pretty layer of white you hoped would make everything look like a holiday card instead pulled down power lines, snapped limbs and kept thousands of folks in the dark — literally.

Countless homes across Lafayette County, where Oxford sits, were without electricity at mid-day Sunday, about three-quarters of the customers there, according to outage trackers.

Roads Like Rink Sprints Create Travel, Safety Challenges

If you’re picturing a couple of folks trudging down the road with flashlights, you’re underestimating the situation — and overestimating how gentle ice can be.

Roadways across the region were slick enough to make even seasoned motorists tread carefully.

Crews out working have to balance the urgent need to get electricity back on with the very real danger of slipping wires, fallen limbs and traffic that might as well be skating on a pond in February.

Local officials have been reminding residents again and again to stay off the roads if you can.

That’s not just a suggestion — with fallen power lines still lying across thoroughfares, it’s near-term survival advice.

A Look Like a Tornado Hit

Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill put it plainly when she described what crews were up against.

“It literally looks like a tornado has gone down every street in our community,” she said when surveying the ice’s toll on trees, houses and lines.

That’s not dramatic storytelling — that’s someone who has walked every street and seen enough ice-heavy oak trees fall to make your jaw drop.

For crews, that means navigating around downed limbs and snapped utility lines just to get to the next pole.

Utility Workers Doing Best They Can

City and utility crews aren’t quitting. In fact, they’re out there in some of the slipperiest conditions you’ve ever driven through, trying to restore power safely for folks who’ve already been waiting way too long in the cold.

That’s not a throwaway line — that’s what officials are insisting with every update.

The emphasis on safety isn’t just bureaucratic talk. With ice still clinging to power lines and tree limbs, one wrong move can injure a lineman and take even more help out of circulation.

Sitting tight and moving carefully may slow the fix, but it keeps more trained workers on the job.

Wind Not Helping as Line Crews Plow Forward

Line crews have a tough road for a simple reason — ice is heavy. Even half an inch can weigh down lines enough to pull them down.

What we saw was more. With limbs snapping off like bad plays in the backfield and creating hazards everywhere, workers have to approach every section of line like it’s a bad snap on third down — with focused attention and cautious steps.

That’s why restoration times are not being measured in hours, but days.

With many thousands still without power across Oxford and the north part of the state, officials have said the outages could persist as crews methodically pick their way through the damage.

Jordan Mitchell, an employee of Magnolia Utility Services, looking over situation at a power substation in North Mississippi at ice on everything, including transmission power lines.

Jordan Mitchell, an employee of Magnolia Utility Services, looking over situation at a power substation in North Mississippi at ice on everything, including transmission power lines. | HottyToddy.com Images

Community Waiting, Watching

In the meantime, residents are still in the deep freeze. Officials have been urging folks to stay indoors and keep freezers shut so food stays cold.

That’s not glamorous advice, but it’s practical.

Ice has made everything more dangerous — from getting stuck on the road to accidentally touching a live line that’s dropped in a yard somewhere.

All this would make even the best-prepared athlete uncomfortable.

Like any coach who tells his team to block and tackle, these crews are focused on fundamentals: safety first, then power restored.

It’s not quick, but is it necessary? Absolutely.

What Comes Next? Slow but Steady Progress

The storm may have passed, but the kind of damage it dealt doesn’t disappear with a couple of warm days. That’s on line crews and city workers — traversing icy roads, clearing limbs and working step-by-step until your lights flicker back on.

And when they do, it’ll be more than an electric current coming back to life.

It’ll be the result of hard, careful work — not unlike a team grinding out yards on a cold January night.

That’s Mississippi winter weather for you. You don’t just get through it, you work through it.

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Ole Miss / LOU

Board of Aldermen Meeting Agenda – April 21, 2026

Oxford aldermen meet Tuesday to address FEMA storm recovery, a city annex renovation bid, zoning updates, and spring event permits.

Published

5 months ago

on

April 18, 2026

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Financial / Consent Items
The board will consider routine approvals including department accounts payable, minutes from the April 7 meeting, and emergency purchases tied to Winter Storm Fern (January 23-26). Surplus equipment items include two OFD fitness machines, multiple pieces of mTrade Park equipment (edger, tiller, ice machine, copier, sprayers, weedeaters), and two Oxford Utilities trucks. A Ford F-150 transfers from Buildings and Grounds to the Park Commission, and a GMC truck moves from Engineering to the City Shop.

Proclamation
The board will recognize Annie Lee Driver Williams on her 100th birthday. Williams is a lifelong Oxford resident who worked for the family of Coach John Vaught at Ole Miss and is now the oldest living member of her community. Her birthday falls on the date of the meeting itself, April 21, 2026.

Winter Storm Fern Recovery
Two FEMA-related items are on the agenda: extending the Local State of Emergency and authorizing Mayor Robyn Tannehill to sign the MEMA Public Assistance Agreement (FEMA-4899) so Oxford Electric can seek federal reimbursement for storm-related expenses. The standard cost split is 75% federal, with the remaining 25% divided between state and local government.

Development Services Annex Bids
Eight bids came in for finish upgrades at 715 Molly Barr Road. The low base bid was J.P. Corp General Contractors at $203,000 ($271,000 with all alternates). RKA Construction was second at $221,119 ($296,801 with alternates). The high bid was Craddock Construction at $312,145 ($405,245 with alternates).

Planning
Case #3341, a first reading only requiring no vote yet, would update The Lamar TND regulating plan on Main Street to reflect the completed Molly Barr/Chickasaw roundabout and add civic/green space. The Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0 on April 13. Two plat amendments are also on the agenda: one at 130 Slack Road (Charter Hospitality/Chan Patel) and a final amendment for The Oaks at Oxford Commons Phases 19 & 27 on Woodbine Drive, where staff recommends denial due to concerns about a proposed lot vacation for future road connectivity.

Engineering
The board will consider accepting the completed Molly Barr/Chickasaw roundabout and advertising for reverse auction bids on a new dump truck with snowplow attachment.

Events / Permits
Parade and assembly permits are up for the Country Club of Oxford fireworks (July 3, rain dates July 2 or 5), the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council Kids’ 4th of July Parade (July 4, 9-10 a.m.), an End of All Music in the Park event (May 3, 5-7 p.m.), and the Destination Oxford Car Show (May 16, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.). Also on the list is a Second Line Parade honoring Ron Shapiro on August 27.

Other
The board will consider the 2026-2027 Rural Transit 5311 Grant and a BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) federal grant application. An executive session may follow adjournment.


AGENDA
Regular Meeting
April 21, 2026
5:00 p.m.
City Hall Courtroom
 

Notice that certain commission members will be included in the meeting via teleconference, subject to City of Oxford Code of Ordinances Section 2-82.
 
 
  1. Opening the Meeting
    1. Call to Order.
    2. Adopt the agenda for the meeting.
    3. Mayor’s Report
  2. Regular Agenda: Financial Administration Office
    1. Request permission to approve the minutes of the Regular Board of Aldermen meeting on April 7, 2026. (Leslie McCormick)
    2. Request approval of the accounts for all city departments. (Leslie McCormick)
    3. Request approval of Emergency Purchases made as a result of Winter Storm Fern, which occurred January 23-26, 2026. (Rhonda Burchett)
  3. Consider the consent agenda
    1. Fixed Assets Management
      1. Request permission to declare equipment from the Oxford Fire Department as surplus and authorize its disposal. (Joey Gardner)
      2. Request permission to declare equipment from mTrade Park as surplus and authorize its disposal. (Brad Freeman)
      3. Request permission to transfer equipment from the Building and Grounds Department to the Park Commission. (Mike Grant)
      4. Request permission to transfer equipment from the Development Services – Engineering Department to the City Shop. (John Crawley)
      5. Request permission to declare equipment from Oxford Utilities as surplus and authorize its disposal. (Rob Neely)
    2. Miscellaneous:
      1. Request approval to refund an adoption fee for the Oxford Animal Resource Center. (Kelli Briscoe)
      2. Request permission to approve donations on behalf of the Oxford Animal Resource Center. (Kelli Briscoe)
      3. Request permission to approve the water and sewer adjustments in accordance the Oxford Utilities Adjustment Policy. (Rob Neely)
      4. Request permission to approve Charles Hassler as a driver for Local Bike Taxi, LLC. (Jeff McCutchen)
      5. Request permission to accept a donation of $1,200.00 for trees for the Environmental Services Department from the Keep America Beautiful’s Greenest Greens project. (Amberlyn Liles)
      6. Request approval of a proclamation celebrating the 100th Birthday of Annie Lee Driver Williams.
    3. Travel Requests:
      1. Request permission for one employee from the Oxford Conference Center to attend the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College to be held May 31, 2026, to June 5, 2026, in Macon, Georgia, at an estimated cost of $1,873.58. (Micah Quinn)
      2. Request permission for one employee from the Oxford Conference Center to attend and sponsor the Council of Association Executives Lunch and Learn on May 13, 2026, in Montgomery, Alabama, at an estimated cost of $424.13. (Micah Quinn)
      3. Request permission for two employees from the Oxford Police Department to attend the Trey Howze Speaking Event on May 19, 2026, in Flowood, Mississippi, at no cost to the city. (Jeff McCutchen)
      4. Request permission for one employee from the Oxford Police Department to attend the Advanced Roadside Impairment Expert Training to be held May 19–20, 2026, in Columbus, Mississippi, at no cost to the city. (Jeff McCutchen)
      5. Request permission for three employees from the Oxford Police Department to attend the FAA 107 Drone Test Preparation Course to be held May 5– 7, 2026, in Desoto County, Mississippi, at no cost to the city. (Jeff McCutchen)
      6. Request permission for one employee from Oxford Utilities to attend training in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 23, 2026, at no cost to the city. (Rob Neely)
      7. Request permission for seven employees from the Environmental Services Department to attend the MS SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America) Spring Conference to be held May 18–21, 2026, in Biloxi, Mississippi, at an estimated cost of $1,904.00. (Amberlyn Liles)
    4. Human Resources:
      1. Request permission to amend a previously approved personnel action for the Environmental Services Department from the April 7, 2026, Board of Aldermen Regular meeting. (Braxton Tullos)
      2. Request permission to hire nine concessionaires and to promote one concessionaire to grill cook for mTrade Park. (Braxton Tullos)
      3. Request permission to hire four seasonal landscapers for the Buildings and Grounds — Landscape Services Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      4. Request permission to approve the resignation of one employee from the Development Services Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      5. Request permission to approve the resignation of two employees from Oxford Utilities. (Braxton Tullos)
      6. Request permission to hire one employee for Oxford Utilities. (Braxton Tullos)
      7. Request permission to approve the lateral transfer of one employee from the Oxford Fire Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      8. Request permission to approve the promotion of two employees from the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
      9. Request permission to approve the change of one employee from full- time to part- time status in the Oxford Police Department. (Braxton Tullos)
  4. Regular Agenda: Other Departments
    1. Consider extending the Local State of Emergency. (Shane Fortner)
    2. Request permission for the Mayor to sign the Certifications and Assurances for the 2026-2027 Rural Transit 5311 Grant. (Donna Zampella)
    3. Request permission to authorize the Mayor to sign MEMA Public Assistance State and Local Disaster Assistance Agreement (FEMA-4899) for Oxford Utilities to receive FEMA/MEMA reimbursement for expenses associated with Winter Storm Fern. (Rob Neely)
  5. Regular Agenda: Police Department
    1. Request permission to approve a parade/assembly permit for the Country Club of Oxford to host a fireworks event on July 3, 2026 (with alternate weather days July 2 or July 5, 2026) from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Jeff McCutchen)
    2. Request permission to approve a parade/assembly permit for the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council to host a Kids’ 4th of July Parade on July 4, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Jeff McCutchen)
    3. Request permission to approve a parade/assembly permit for the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council to host an Annual Second Line Parade and Celebration for Ron Shapiro on August 27, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Jeff McCutchen)
    4. Request permission to approve a parade/assembly permit for the End of All Music to host the Music in the Park Event on May 3, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Jeff McCutchen)
    5. Request permission to approve a parade/assembly permit for the Destination Oxford Car Show to host a car show on May 16, 2026 from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Jeff McCutchen)
  6. Regular Agenda: Development Services-Planning Department
    1. Request approval for Case #3240, Plat Amendment for ‘Lots G, H, I, J, K & L Tallahatchie Oxford Baptist Assoc., First Amendment’ requested by Charter Hospitality, LLC (Chan Patel) for property located at 130 Slack Road (PPIN #9203). (Kate Kenwright)
    2. Request Final Plat Amendment for Case #3329, Plat Amendment for ‘The Oaks at Oxford Commons, Phases 19 & 27’ requested by Oxford Commons Lots IV, LLC (David Blackburn) for property located at 2118 Woodbine Drive (PPIN #43036). (Ben Requet)
    3. First Reading of a Zoning Map Amendment request (Case #3341) by Capstone Development (Mac Monteith), to amend the Lamar TND regulating plan for property located on Main Street (PPIN #41103). (Robert Baxter)
  7. Regular Agenda: Special Projects
    1. Consider bids for the Development Services Annex Project. (Mark Levy)
    2. Consider Change Order with ER Assist for Disaster Grant Services. (Mark Levy)
    3. Request permission to apply for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant and authorization of professional services contract for grant writing and administration. (Mark Levy)
  8. Regular Agenda: Development Services-Engineering Department
    1. Request permission to advertise for reverse auction bids for a new dump truck with a snowplow attachment. (John Crawley)
    2. Request permission to accept all construction and infrastructure associated with the new roundabout at Molly Barr Road and Chickasaw Road. (John Crawley)
  9. Regular Agenda: Closing the Meeting
    1. Consider an executive session.
    2. Adjourn.
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Ole Miss / LOU

Meek Enterprise Grant Now Available for Oxford Area Graduates

The Meek Enterprise Grant helps Oxford area seniors fund college or career training in Mississippi, with applications due June 1.

Published

6 months ago

on

March 24, 2026

By

Graduating seniors in Oxford and Lafayette County have a new opportunity to pursue higher education or workforce training through the Ed & Becky Meek Enterprise Grant, with a deadline set for June 1, 2026.

The program is designed to help students who may not qualify for federal aid or other scholarships by bridging the financial gap to post-secondary education. Whether planning to attend a university, community college, or a vocational program such as welding, HVAC, or diesel mechanics, eligible students can receive support to continue their education within Mississippi.

Applicants must be graduating seniors from Lafayette High School, Oxford High School, or Regents School of Oxford with at least a 2.0 GPA. Preference will be given to first-generation college students, reinforcing the program’s focus on expanding access and opportunity.

Beyond financial assistance, recipients will also gain exposure to Mississippi’s business and industry landscape, helping them connect education with future career pathways.

Students will be evaluated based on academic persistence, community awareness, and a demonstrated commitment to improving Lafayette County. As part of the application, students must submit a résumé, transcript, financial documentation, and a short essay addressing local growth challenges and their impact on the community.

Applications must be submitted through high school guidance counselors by the June 1 deadline.

For students looking to take the next step in their education without the burden of traditional financial aid barriers, the Meek Enterprise Grant offers a meaningful path forward.

The application is available here: Ed & Becky Meek Enterprise Grant Application.

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Ole Miss / LOU

Merit Badge College Draws Record Crowd of Scouts to Ole Miss

Scouts from five states gathered at Ole Miss for the annual Merit Badge College, learning from experts across campus.

Published

6 months ago

on

March 9, 2026

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Scouts are ready to take to the skies for the Aviation merit badge at the University-Oxford Airport.

On February 21, Scouts from five states convened on the Ole Miss campus for a one-day Merit Badge College. The event, in its fifth year, drew a record attendance of 244 registered Scouts and Scout Leaders. 

Bruce Pike, an undergraduate majoring in Exercise Science, leads the Personal Fitness merit badge in the Indoor Practice Field at the Manning Center.

Bruce Pike, an undergraduate majoring in Exercise Science, leads the Personal Fitness merit badge in the Indoor Practice Field at the Manning Center.

“It is amazing how fast the Merit Badge College has grown. In the five years since we started, it has grown by 208%. We had 65 Scouts registered for our first Merit Badge College in 2022. And all of those Scouts came from within our own Scouting Council which represents Northeast Mississippi. This year Scouts came from five states and eight Councils,” said Ben Pharr, director of the University’s Mississippi Center for Supercomputing Research and one of the event organizers.  

 The Merit Badge College represents the successful coming-together of the Scouting and University communities for a fun day of learning and new experiences. “It just makes sense to use the resources Ole Miss and Oxford have to offer these youth,” added Pharr.

The Scouts signed up for morning and afternoon merit badge classes. 19 different merit badges classes included: AI and Cybersecurity, Climbing, Aviation, Weather, Photography, Chess, Personal Fitness, Chemistry, Emergency Preparedness, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, and Environmental Science.

Fin Cole gets harnessed up for the Climbing merit badge at the South Campus Rec Center.

Fin Cole gets harnessed up for the Climbing merit badge at the South Campus Rec Center.

Instructors for the Merit Badge College were drawn from a wealth of talent and expertise found within the Oxford area and the University. Instructors included undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff members. Dr. Jason Ritchie, a recipient of the Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award, taught the Chemistry merit badge. Emmy-Winning Meteorologist and Tupelo area celebrity, Matt Laubhan, taught the Weather merit badge. Other instructors who gave of their time included local vets, a physician, pilots, an attorney, UM alumni, and area professionals.

An opening ceremony began the day for the Scouts. Cadets from the University’s Army ROTC presented the nation’s colors. Provost Noel Wilkin, the University’s Chief Academic Officer, welcomed the Scouts to the Ole Miss campus. In his remarks Wilkin, an Eagle Scout himself, urged the Scouts to live up to the scouting motto: “Be prepared.”

Local pilot Dr. Will Dabbs is ready to take Scouts Andrew Colby and Dylan Carlisle for an areal view of Oxford for the Aviation merit badge.

Local pilot Dr. Will Dabbs is ready to take Scouts Andrew Colby and Dylan Carlisle for an areal view of Oxford for the Aviation merit badge.

Gary Wilson, chair of the event, thanked the instructors for giving of their time. He noted that many of the instructors were still dealing with damage from Winter Storm Fern, but found the time to teach.  

“For so many of these Scouts it may be the first opportunity that they have had to visit a college campus. It is a chance for the Scouts to get a feel for what it may be like to attend college…and Ole Miss is making a great first impression,” Wilson said.

Indeed, Scouts could be found going to classes in multiple University buildings across campus. The Scouts ate lunch at Rebel Market and attended classes in the Indoor Practice Facility at the Manning Center, the Duff Center STEM facility, the South Campus Rec Center, Bishop Hall, Coulter Hall, and the University/Oxford Airport.  

Scouts ate on campus at Rebel Market. Here Penny and her local Emmy award winning weatherman father, Matt Laubhan, share some father/daughter time. Matt taught the Weather merit badge for the one-day Merit Badge College.

Scouts ate on campus at Rebel Market. Here Penny and her local Emmy award winning weatherman father, Matt Laubhan, share some father/daughter time. Matt taught the Weather merit badge for the one-day Merit Badge College.

Scouting America, formally Boy Scouts of America, is a premier youth leadership organization for girls and boys ages 11 to 18. The merit badge program is a core Scouting experience. Earning merit badges helps a Scout advance in rank and experience.

Merit badges introduce Scouts to a wide range of knowledge and skills including sports, crafts, and hobbies; outdoor skills; trades and future careers; citizenship; and STEM fields. More than 135 merit badges are available.

Scouts up their game in the Chess merit badge.

Scouts up their game in the Chess merit badge.

It was a successful day for the Scouts who attended the Merit Badge College and it was another successful day in the life of the University of Mississippi fulfilling its mission to foster learning.

Authored by Jason Bouldin, a local artist and scout leader.

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