Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What we know so far about charges against a former Meridian teacher
Spotted on the Meridian calendar: ABC Come Play with Me
Good day Meridian! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What we know so far about charges against a former Meridian teacher
- What did Meridian's council just fund for police, downtown, and Key Field?
- Why a single hotel sign matters so much to downtown Meridian history.
Also on today's calendar: THIRD THURSDAYS – Meridian Council For The Arts and 1 more event.
Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Meridian Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Meridian Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Meridian. 
- Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 99 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 98, low: 72.
- Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 86 and low of 71 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Former Meridian High Teacher Scott Farmer Arrested in Mississippi on Sexual Battery and Child Exploitation Charges After School District Report Prompted Police Investigation (centralrecorder.com) — Meridian police say former Meridian High School teacher Scott Farmer is jailed in Lauderdale County on sexual battery and child exploitation charges after a 2025 report from the Meridian Public School District. The case is headed to a grand jury, and both police and Mayor Percy Bland are urging anyone with information to contact investigators as they continue reviewing evidence. 
2. Meridian City Council approves budget amendment for police vehicles (meridianstar.com) — Meridian's City Council has shifted nearly $298,000 so police can buy and equip five new Dodge Durango patrol vehicles, expanding the fleet for a growing force. Councilmembers also approved free leased space for K9 and code enforcement units, facade grants for the Meridian Rails Historical Society and the Holbrook Building, and accepted a federal grant to improve Key Field's water and sewer planning.
3. Hotel E.F. Young sign gets new home (meridianstar.com) — Downtown Meridian's historic Black Business District just gained a powerful new landmark with the restored Hotel E.F. Young Jr. sign now mounted on the Holbrook Building at Fifth Street and 25th Avenue. The Holbrook, one of the district's last remaining structures, is being renovated into a museum and special-events venue to honor and share the area's rich Black business history.
4. Not as humid this weekend as dew points fall into the 60s (wtok.com) — If you're in Meridian this weekend, expect blazing upper‑90s heat but slightly less oppressive humidity as dew points dip into the 60s and heat index values hover near, but mostly under, 105. Rain chances stay low aside from a possible Saturday evening storm complex, with more typical humidity and scattered showers returning next week to help ease the area's abnormally dry conditions.
5. Meridian Blues: History Made in Year One (wtok.com) — Meridian baseball fans just watched the first-year Meridian Blues storm to a Mid-American League championship, turning Skaggs Field into a summer-long celebration. Led by league MVP LeDarious Clark and a tight-knit front office, the team credits strong community support for its rapid success and is already promising an even bigger encore in Year Two.
📸 Around Meridian
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Meridian
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- ABC Come Play with Me →
Mississippi Children's Museum - Meridian, 403 22nd Ave, Meridian
10:00 am
Tuesday August 25
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Football vs. Resurrection @ Home
Clarkdale High School Meridian, MS 39301
7:00 pm - THIRD THURSDAYS – Meridian Council For The Arts →
Dumont Plaza, 400 22nd Ave, Meridian
5:30 pm - Mississippi Science Festival is Back! →
Mississippi Children's Museum - Meridian, 403 22nd Ave, Meridian
10:00 am
Friday August 28
Thursday September 17
Saturday September 19
📣 Meridian Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Cross Country - Northeast Lauderdale Invitational
West Lauderdale High School Q.V. Sykes Park
8:00 am - Wolfe Studio 80th Anniversary Celebration at The MAX →
Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX), 2155 Front St, Meridian
9:00 am - Volleyball vs. Union
West Lauderdale High School Collinsville, MS 39325
4:30 pm - Cross Country - East Mississippi Classic
West Lauderdale High School Collinsville, MS 39325
5:00 pm - Volleyball @ Choctaw Central
West Lauderdale High School Collinsville, MS 39325
5:00 pm - Football @ Seminary (away)
West Lauderdale High School Collinsville, MS 39325
7:00 pm - Volleyball vs. Newton County
West Lauderdale High School Collinsville, MS 39325
5:00 pm - Volleyball vs. Northeast
West Lauderdale High School Collinsville, MS 39325
4:30 pm
Saturday August 22
Tuesday August 25
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Lowe's Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Merchandising Part Time Days in Meridian. Apply here.
- Belk, Inc. posted a job opening for Asset Protection Lead - Full Time in Meridian. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Meridian here.
Ok Meridian! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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