By Rupert Howell

Panola County Solid Waste trucks will run a day behind during the week of September 3 through 7 with garbage pickup beginning on Tuesday due to the Monday, September 2 Labor Day holiday according to sanitation department director Jimmy Carlini.

County and municipal offices plan to be closed through Monday for the Labor Day weekend with most entities asking that dispatch be called to report problems relating to their particular departments or 911 in case of extreme emergency.

Tam Hawkins with Panola County Emergency Management Agency said Thursday morning that she had yet to receive any weather alerts related to severe weather from tropical storm Isaac  which is slowly making its way north and west reeking havoc  in South Mississippi and Louisiana while heading to Arkansas with a deluge of water and high winds.

Hawkins along with Panola County Sheriff Dennis Darby recommended those needing to report problems with roads or bridges to call Panola County dispatch at 563-6230 or 911 for extreme emergencies.

Likewise, Libba Byrd at Batesville’s City Hall said residents should call 563-5653 to report problems with city related utilities with gas, water, sewer or streets.

She also advised residents to call 911 for extreme emergencies.

The 563-5653 number would connect the caller with BPD dispatch who will contact the city employee on call for that department.

Many banks and some businesses plan to be closed for this weekend’s holiday that traditionally ends the summer and marks the beginning of college football and hunting seasons.