Schools, government offices close due to weather

The Meridian Star, Miss.
Updated ·4 min read

Jan. 16—UPDATED: This story has been updated with information about Wednesday closures.

Meridian and Lauderdale County residents woke up to below zero wind chills and a thin layer of ice blanketing much of the region as a winter storm moved through the region Monday night.

State emergency officials urged residents to avoid traveling if at all possible, while schools and government offices announced closures and modified hours.

City of Meridian

City of Meridian offices are closed and garbage pickup has been suspended for Tuesday. The second regular monthly meeting of the Meridian City Council, which was scheduled for 5 p.m., has been rescheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18.

City Communications Director Ida Brown said Public Works crews are out applying salt to bridges and overpasses to reduce the ice buildup. Residents should still use caution, she said, as ice remains in some areas.

City offices are set to open at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and resume normal operations.

Town of Marion

Marion Town Hall is closed Tuesday with the second regular monthly meeting of the Board of Aldermen, which was set for 8 a.m., rescheduled for a time yet to be determined.

Town employees will report to work at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Lauderdale County

UPDATE: Lauderdale County offices will be closed Wednesday due to road conditions and weather.

Lauderdale County government offices are closed Tuesday. The second regular monthly meeting of the Board of Supervisors, however, will be held at 9 a.m. as scheduled.

Meridian Public School District

Meridian Public School District schools and offices were closed Tuesday and will continue to be closed on Wednesday due to unsafe travel conditions caused by severe winter weather, according to an announcement released by the district. Meridian city schools are expected to resume normal schedules and activities on Thursday.

All MPSD extracurricular activities scheduled for Wednesday also are canceled. The district will continue to update students and parents on the district website and social media platforms as they are available.

Early Tuesday morning, the MPSD Board of Trustees voted during a special called meeting that took place via Zoom to reschedule the school board's regular monthly meeting that was planned for late Tuesday afternoon to Thursday at noon via Zoom.

Lauderdale County School District

Schools and offices across Lauderdale County School District's four campuses were closed Tuesday and will remain closed on Wednesday due to unsafe road conditions on several rural roads and bridges, according to a late afternoon statement from LCSD Superintendent Dr. John-Mark Cain.

All LCSD after-school activities for Wednesday also have been canceled. The current plan is to resume operations on a normal schedule on Thursday, Cain said. The district will continue to monitor weather conditions, and updates will be shared with parents and students as needed, he said.

Lamar School

Lamar School is closed Tuesday and Wednesday due to weather.

Russell Christian Academy

Russell Christian Academy, RCA Preschool and Potter's Wheel were closed Tuesday and will continue to be closed on Wednesday due to unsafe road conditions. The current plan is to return to a normal operating schedule on Thursday.

St. Patrick Catholic School

St. Patrick Catholic School is closed Tuesday

Meridian Community College

All in-person classes are canceled and offices are closed at Meridian Community College on Tuesday. Students are advised to check Canvas for information about their courses.

Due to an abundance of caution caused by severe winter weather, all events and activities, including face-to-face classes, are also canceled for Wednesday. MCC's campus offices will be closed, too. Students are encouraged to check Canvas to learn about course expectations.

MCC plans to resume normal campus schedules and activities on Thursday, Jan. 18, including its annual commemorative ceremony honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which is planned for 1 p.m. in the college's McCain Theater in Ivy-Scaggs Hall. The ceremony is open to the public.

MCC also plans to continue to hold its GDE/HSE graduation ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday in the Delaney Room on campus.

Mississippi State University — Meridian Campus

Mississippi State University — Meridian Campus will continue to operate through remote operations on Wednesday as hazardous conditions are expected to persist throughout the area, according to a news release from the university. Students should continue to login to Canvas for course information from instructors.

Employees who can work remotely are encouraged to do so, according to the release.

Students and employees are urged to monitor MSU's website and social media for updates and the class status for Thursday.