Desoto County News

The City of Olive Branch said the police department will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of America’s 250th. Emergency services will continue and residents should call (662) 895-4111 for nonemergencies or 911 for emergencies.

Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams and the Olive Branch Police Department say five winning entries from a Star-Spangled Sign Contest will appear on state highways this holiday weekend, and they urged drivers to use turn signals year-round.

The City of Olive Branch said it will host Wreaths Across America each December at Historic Blocker Cemetery and is asking residents to sponsor wreaths for veterans.

Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams posted a social media notice urging attendees to review “know before you go” information for the Light the Way Freedom Fest on Friday. The post was unavailable on Facebook, which said it may have been shared with a limited audience or deleted.

Starting July 1, Mississippi’s new law permits certain juvenile firearm offenses to be prosecuted in adult court, aiming to improve public safety.

The chamber received five-star accreditation after passing 16 review categories, its president and CEO said, and leaders urged the public to attend a July 8 B2B AM event to see the chamber’s work.

The Southaven Parks and Recreation Department said July is National Parks and Recreation Month and noted its staff maintain the city’s parks and run sports programs.

Olive Branch police and the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office said the westbound lanes of Highway 78 at Interstate 269 are closed due to a vehicle fire and motorists should use alternate routes.

Mayor Ken Adams and the Olive Branch Police and Fire departments said the extreme heat watch has been replaced by an areawide heat advisory through 8 p.m. Friday. Officials said uncertainty about possible storms later in the week makes it unlikely heat indices will reach 110 degrees or higher.

The city of Olive Branch says construction is underway on a new walking trail and scenic bridge over Lick Creek at the George M. Harrison Soccer Complex. Fisher Arnold provided photos of the installation.