Road closures announced ahead of upcoming concerts

In preparation for the Congress of Country Music concerts at the Ellis Theater this weekend, aldermen have approved a series of street closures to ensure public safety and maintain a smooth traffic flow.

The following streets will be closed from Thursday, April 10, through Saturday, April 12:

• Starting Thursday at 6 p.m., Byrd Avenue will be closed from Main Street to Range Avenue. Walnut Street will also be closed from Range Avenue to Byrd Avenue, as well as Beech Street from Range Avenue to Byrd Avenue.

• On Friday at 6 p.m., Range Avenue will be closed from Main Street to Bay Street.

• Then on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m., Range Avenue will be closed from Beacon Street to Main Street. Additional closures will include Byrd Avenue from Beech Street to Main Street, and Main Street from Peachtree Avenue to Center Avenue.

According to Police Chief Eric Lyons, Main Street is expected to reopen by 12 a.m. on Sunday.

“I would like to welcome all to Philadelphia, MS and those attending Chris Stapleton events—we are thrilled to have thousands of visitors to our city for an exciting event of music and entertainment,” Lyons said. “We encourage visitors to take some time to explore our unique city and have a memorable and enjoyable experience, and as always, drive safe and drink responsibly.”

In other business, aldermen voted to:

• Approve a motion to hire Willie Rush with the Street Department at $10 per hour pending a drug screen. The motion was unanimously approved;

• A hearing to rezone 1013 Golf Course Road was opened. There was no one in attendance to speak on the matter. A motion was then approved to rezone 1013 Golf Course Road from R-1 to C-3. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Approve a motion to transfer Kevin Wilson from the Street Department to the Landfill at the same rate of pay. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Approve a motion to pay the District Attorney’s Office $2,105 in drug seizure money. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Approve a motion to allow the Police Department to accept and obtain an abandoned title to a drug seizure vehicle. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Approve a motion to move Ty Hardin to part-time with the Police Department effective March 31. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Approve a motion to allow firefighters Tyler Spears and Parker McWhirter to travel to Fayetteville, West Va., to attend the Swiftwater Technician training from April 22-26, and to pay $1,085 each with a $90 hotel cost per night. The motion was unanimously approved.