Saturday briefing: siren test, toy show, and new safety programs

Jackson wakes up today with a mix of safety updates and community fun on the calendar, from countywide siren testing to a packed schedule at the fairgrounds.

Noon siren test across Jackson County

County emergency managers plan to sound outdoor warning sirens across Jackson County at 12:00 p.m. today as part of a routine test held on the first Saturday in February. The test will run a little longer than usual, with both the primary and backup systems activated for about four minutes to confirm that equipment is ready ahead of spring storm season.

Officials stress that today’s activation is only a test and that no action is needed from residents. In a real emergency, the sirens are meant to alert people who are outdoors so they can quickly seek more information and move to shelter if needed.

Jackson Toy Show fills the American 1 Event Center

For families looking for something lighter, the Jackson Toy Show is set to fill the American 1 Event Center at Keeley Park from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. today. Hundreds of vendor tables are expected, featuring everything from farm toys and die-cast cars to comics, dolls, action figures, and vintage collectibles.

The Toy Show is one of the first large events of the year at the fairgrounds, giving residents a chance to get out of the house in the middle of winter, browse hard-to-find items, and support regional hobby dealers. County event planners are also using the same venue later this month for a daddy–daughter dance, a Motown-themed concert, and the annual home and garden show.

SAFE program and easier access to county meetings

County leaders are also highlighting a new SAFE program launched in partnership between the sheriff’s office and the local community mental health authority. The initiative is designed to improve emergency response for residents with special needs by giving first responders better information when they are called to a home or neighborhood.

At the same time, the county has rolled out an updated online hub for meeting agendas and minutes, making it easier to track Board of Commissioners and committee business. The new interface lets users search by date, keyword, or meeting type and offers a calendar-style view of upcoming sessions.

Looking ahead, city and county boards return to the table next week, with a regular Jackson City Council meeting set for Tuesday evening and additional administrative hearings and committee sessions following midweek.

Sources

• https://mijackson.org/
• https://mijackson.org/Calendar.aspx
• https://mijackson.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=507
• https://mijackson.org/CivicAlerts.asp?CID=74
• https://jtv.tv/events-of-february-6-7-and-8-2026/
• https://www.wilx.com/2026/02/06/jackson-county-test-emergency-sirens-saturday/
• https://www.cityofjackson.org/Calendar.aspx