County News

At eight on a Tuesday morning, a group of high school students are preparing to rappel down a structure. As the first few rappellers step into their harnesses, Assistant Chief of Training Jamie Phillips explains the harnesses’ safety features and how to smoothly rappel down the wall. These high school students are a part of…

The Lafayette County Solid Waste department is on a mission to bring smiles to the county’s youngest residents by engaging them in a fun way: through the friendly county garbage truck! For the past year, garbage truck crews have been handing out special goodie bags to children who greet them during their routes. “I’ve got…

When the County Court was created in 2023, it was a sign of the community’s growth—and an answer to challenges presented by it. So far, the County Court’s first judge and her team have taken that charge and made it a reality. Under Mississippi law, counties are eligible for a County Court if their population…

Thanks to the power of persistent community advocacy and collaborative governance, a much-needed and overdue highway project in Lafayette County is on the road again—with $175 million in funding. After years of delays and community anticipation, the widening of Highway 7 in Lafayette County is finally set to commence—and projected to be complete in roughly…

For Lafayette County residents, obtaining a passport doesn’t require braving long lines or complicated paperwork. Instead, a trip to the Chancery Clerk office can offer a streamlined and personalized experience, more convenient than other options. “If you have everything in order, the process goes very quickly,” says Deputy Chancery Clerk Annie Baker. “It usually doesn’t…

The Lafayette County community is mourning the loss of Sherry Wall, our beloved former chancery clerk who passed away on February 6th. Wall, known for her compassion, resolve and dedication to the community, served the chancery court for almost 20 years before retiring in December 2023. “She was the ultimate public servant,” said Circuit Clerk…

Lafayette County is thrilled to welcome Kate Victor as its new County Administrator. Victor brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the position and is poised to follow in the shoes of Lisa Carwyle upon her well-deserved retirement, effective in March. For the past seven years, Victor has served as the County Administrator of…

“My mom was Circuit Clerk here for 25 years, and always in the back of my mind, I knew this was where I wanted to be,” says Lafayette County Circuit Clerk Jeff Busby.  “I loved coming up here when she was in office. I’d listen to trials, see how she worked with the people, and…

Lafayette County welcomes a new face to a crucial role: Glenn Coleman, soon to be sworn in as the county’s coroner. Stepping into the shoes of Rocky Kennedy, Coleman brings a wealth of experience to this critical position. Coleman has served the county as the deputy coroner for years, both through Kennedy and a former…