TUPELO – Voters who live in the Lee County school district will be asked to decide in July whether to allow the district to borrow money to fund various campus renovations. The district’s school board voted 5-0 at its regular meeting on Tuesday to put its bond request before voters on July 30th. It will be the only issue on the ballot that day. This would replace debt from a 1999 bond issue that comes off the district’s books in August. That means if voters approve the new bond issue, their taxes will not increase. If they decline it, their taxes will decrease. The exact amount of money the district will borrow would be determined by the interest rate at the time, said Superintendent Jimmy Weeks, but it would likely be about $13 million. It also has not developed plans for how the money would be spent, other than to say it would allow classroom additions on some campuses and renovations on others. Read more in Wednesday's NEMS Daily Journal newspaper.

A tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m. for the following locations: ALCORN ATTALA BENTON BOLIVAR CALHOUN CARROLL CHICKASAW CHOCTAW COAHOMA DESOTO GRENADA HOLMES HUMPHREYS ITAWAMBA LAFAYETTE LEE LEFLORE MARSHALL MONROE MONTGOMERY PANOLA PONTOTOC PRENTISS QUITMAN SUNFLOWER TALLAHATCHIE TATE TIPPAH TISHOMINGO TUNICA UNION WASHINGTON WEBSTER Severe weather expected this evening into tomorrow PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is asking residents to prepare for severe weather forecast to move through the state late Tuesday into Wednesday. The National Weather Service says that some areas of Mississippi could see severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail and the possibility of tornadoes to develop as a cold front moves across the state. According to the NWS, the greatest threat for severe storms and tornadoes is the northwestern part of the state. However, a tornado cannot be ruled out in other areas of the state. “The devastating storms and tornadoes in Oklahoma this week remind us that severe weather can change our lives in an instant,” said MEMA Director Robert Latham. “What saves lives is preparing before severe weather conditions develop. Have a way to receive weather warnings, especially at night, and know what to do when those warnings are issued.” Many weather related deaths and injuries occur after people have gone to bed. The best way to receive severe weather notifications is with a NOAA weather radio with a battery backup. The weather radio sounds an audible alert when a warning is issued for an area, and may be purchased at many local retailers for about $30. In addition to a NOAA weather radio, residents should monitor their local media for any forecast updates. MEMA and the NWS recommend you take the following steps: Have a family emergency plan. Residents in mobile homes or manufactured housing should have a safe place to wait out the severe weather. When riding in a vehicle never attempt to outrun a tornado. You should abandon the vehicle and get into a nearby ditch or sturdy structure. Check and restock your emergency supply kit in case you are without electricity for an extended period of time. Click here for local weather conditions at the DJournal.com weather page.