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Cinemark theater in Pearl reopens, showing ‘Comeback Classics’

Cinemark Movie Theater in Pearl reopens, showing ‘Comeback Classics’

By WLBT Digital | August 14, 2020 at 10:56 PM CDT – Updated August 14 at 10:56 PM

Pearl, Miss. (WLBT) – Cinemark movie theater in Pearl is back in business!

The theater began showing movies again Friday afternoon with all movie goers and employees having to wear masks and practice social distancing.

The theater also put other safety measures in place including spaces between seats and adding sanitizing stations.

For now, Cinemark will only be showing what they call ‘Comeback Classic’ films like Jurassic Park, Ghostbusters and Bad Boys.

New releases begin playing later this month.

Brookhaven family seeks answers in unsolved Christmas Eve murder

By Roslyn Anderson | August 14, 2020 at 9:34 PM CDT – Updated August 14 at 9:34 PM

BROOKHAVEN, Miss. (WLBT) – A Brookhaven family continues to search for justice in the unsolved murder of their loved one. The police department is also reaching out to the public for help with finding answers and making arrests in several unsolved cases.

“It’s been a lot of closed doors in our faces and stuff like that,” said Quinn Cooper. His brother, Julian Gayten, was killed Christmas Eve of 2015 in Brookhaven.

He said a woman, who took part in the deadly incident, admitted her role but still walks free.

“It’s been four-and-a-half years with no answers and, you know, as a family, we want those answers for closure and for, like, to help us feel at peace about the situation,” said Cooper. “It’s been still hard knowing that there’s been no justice for what happened to my brother.”

The Brookhaven Police Department posted a plea to the public for information to solve nine murders in the city.

According to Chief Kenneth Collins, during his administration the majority of the killings have led to convictions and only two cases have not been solved. He wants anyone with information to come forward.

Cooper said his older brother was 22 when his life was cut short in his own home.

“We have gone to the police multiple times asking for answers and ballistics reports, and we haven’t had any answers or any feedback on that. My mom has sent multiple emails that have yet to be responded to,” added Cooper.

In 2015, then Police Chief Bobby Bell said 17-year-old Jaquarius Jones was also shot and later died. He said 17-year-old Marionne Keys was charged with robbery and conspiracy after the fact of murder.

Bell said investigators believed she conspired with Jones to rob and kill Gayten. The family is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the shooting death of Julian Gayten.

Golden Moon Casino in Choctaw reopens after a 5 month closure

By Chelsey Sellars | August 14, 2020 at 9:07 PM CDT – Updated August 14 at 9:07 PM

CHOCTAW, Miss. (WLBT) – As you come into Golden Moon Casino in Choctaw, get ready to mask up and get your temperature checked.

Hundreds of high-rollers and risk takers must walk by a massive fever screening system to enter the casino. Dewitt Stevenson, a guest at the casino, was eager to get back to playing after the 5 month closure.

“I’ve been coming here for almost over 20 years and for it to be shut down like that — it’s accustom to me. I got used to coming out here all the time,” said Stevenson.

There is a secondary temperature check and masks provided if necessary. Sanitizing stations are everywhere. Spokesperson Erica Moore said the COVID-19 precautions are important for the guests and workers.

“Today is all about welcoming those guests that enjoy the gaming experience that they have come to know and love. Face masks are required for temporarily a no-smoking facility. There are designated areas outside,” said Moore.

Cleaning staff in yellow shirts clean high traffic areas constantly and on a tight schedule. Every other slot machine is used to encourage social distancing.

“It is very important being in the situation we’re in today, in the pandemic. You gonna keep the mask on. But I think if everybody just participate, do what they supposed to do, keep they social distance together then we’ll be alright,” said Stevenson.

Moore said that other parts of the resort will open later to keep up with the demand.

Boil-Water Alert currently affecting over 14,000 customers in Madison County

By WLBT Digital | August 14, 2020 at 4:54 PM CDT – Updated August 14 at 4:54 PM

MADISON CO., Miss. (WLBT) – A boil-water alert is currently in effect for over 14,000 customers in Madison County.

According to MSDH, this affects approximately 14,243 customers east of I-55 who are served by the Bear Creek Water Association – East.

“Health officials strongly recommend that all water be boiled vigorously for one minute before it is consumed,” says MSDH. “This precaution will last at least two full days and water system officials will be immediately notified when the boil water alert is lifted.”

More questions? Click here for all of the information concerning this alert from the Mississippi Department of Health.

Teen and pregnant woman among those who died of COVID-19 in Miss. this week, says Dobbs

By WLBT Digital | August 14, 2020 at 2:24 PM CDT – Updated August 14 at 4:23 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Gov. Reeves held a press conference Friday afternoon on the state of coronavirus in Mississippi.

In the press conference, he announced an extension to his social distancing order, including a statewide mask mandate, and has issued a crowd-size limitation on K-12 extracurricular activities. This means no more than two spectators per participant.

Each extracurricular event must also have a dedicated Safety Officer to ensure all social distancing measures are followed as well.

The governor has extended these orders for an additional two weeks until Monday, August 31 at 8:00 a.m.

“Sports and these other activities are instrumental in the lives of our young Mississippians. They teach discipline and responsibility in a way that can’t be replicated,” said Gov. Reeves. “That said, we are living through a pandemic.”

“One of my greatest concerns heading into this school season has been sports and those other events which cause the community to come out in crowds,” he continued. “Twenty-two players on a field is not going to overwhelm a local hospital. Two thousand people in a small school’s bleachers might.”

On the topic of deaths in Mississippi due to the virus, Dr. Dobbs said, “We sadly have seen deaths in some younger individuals in Mississippi this week. We’re reporting the death of one teenager with no underlying medical conditions and also a young pregnant woman in her early 20s.”

During Governor Tate Reeves COVID-19 briefing today Dr. Thomas Dobbs says 1 teenager with no underlying health conditions died from the coronavirus and 1 young pregnant woman. #Prayers pic.twitter.com/BJMdmLQHyw

— Maggie Wade (@MaggieWade) August 14, 2020

Dobbs said that although severe illness and death in young people is unlikely, it does occur and for everyone to do their part in protecting themselves from the virus.

He also said that 38 Mississippi counties have schools that are reporting cases of coronavirus. Four-hundred-and-eighty-nine students are under quarantine.

The number of presumed positive coronavirus cases in Mississippi is now at 70,930.

Pearl officer seizes 60 pounds of marijuana during checkpoint stop

By WLBT Digital | August 14, 2020 at 3:11 PM CDT – Updated August 14 at 4:16 PM

PEARL, Miss. (WLBT) – A Pearl officer seized 60 pounds of marijuana during a checkpoint stop on Wednesday morning.

The Pearl Police Department says Officer Marshal Steen found the drugs in a Kia Soul.

The driver Cameron Lee Fox, 29, of Tampa, FL was arrested and charged with trafficking of a controlled substance.

The city of Pearl congratulated the officer on the drug bust.

Coronavirus in Mississippi: 70,930 cases, 2,043 deaths reported by health dept.

By WLBT Digital | March 13, 2020 at 11:42 AM CDT – Updated August 14 at 12:02 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The number of presumed positive coronavirus cases in Mississippi is now at 70,930.

The Mississippi Department of Health confirmed 944 new cases and 32 new deaths Friday.

So far, 2,043 people have died from COVID-19 in Mississippi.

The number of tests done in the state totals 527,203 as of August 12. This includes MSDH Public Health Laboratory tests and other providers.

An estimated 49,836 people have recovered from the virus.

Number of cases by county (through August 13):

Adams – 655; 28 deaths
Alcorn – 447; 5 deaths
Amite – 244; 6 deaths
Attala – 544; 25 deaths
Benton – 159; 1 death
Bolivar – 1,189; 40 deaths
Calhoun – 430; 9 deaths
Carroll – 264; 11 deaths
Chickasaw – 502; 19 deaths
Choctaw – 138; 4 deaths
Claiborne – 411; 14 deaths
Clarke – 359; 28 deaths
Clay – 411; 14 deaths
Coahoma – 810; 13 deaths
Copiah – 980; 29 deaths
Covington – 650; 15 deaths
DeSoto – 3,832; 33 deaths
Forrest – 1,889; 57 deaths
Franklin – 142; 2 deaths
George – 626; 9 deaths
Greene – 267; 13 deaths
Grenada – 863; 26 deaths
Hancock – 419; 15 deaths
Harrison – 2,710; 36 deaths
Hinds – 5,852; 126 deaths
Holmes – 938; 50 deaths
Humphreys – 309; 12 deaths
Issaquena – 27; 2 deaths
Itawamba – 414; 10 deaths
Jackson – 2,430; 47 deaths
Jasper – 416; 10 deaths
Jefferson – 197; 8 deaths
Jefferson Davis – 252; 6 deaths
Jones – 1,945; 62 deaths
Kemper – 246; 14 deaths
Lafayette – 1,043; 21 deaths
Lamar – 1,265; 18 deaths
Lauderdale – 1,481; 96 deaths
Lawrence – 340; 8 deaths
Leake – 811; 27 deaths
Lee – 1,657; 42 deaths
Leflore – 971; 69 deaths
Lincoln – 862; 44 deaths
Lowndes – 1,121; 40 deaths
Madison – 2,521; 72 deaths
Marion – 698; 21 deaths
Marshall – 757; 10 deaths
Monroe – 858; 55 deaths
Montgomery – 355; 8 deaths
Neshoba – 1,320; 95 deaths
Newton – 575; 12 deaths
Noxubee – 472; 12 deaths
Oktibbeha – 1,157; 39 deaths
Panola – 1,108; 18 deaths
Pearl River – 584; 40 deaths
Perry – 251; 8 deaths
Pike – 966; 38 deaths
Pontotoc – 876; 9 deaths
Prentiss – 475; 10 deaths
Quitman – 275; 1 death
Rankin – 2,382; 41 deaths
Scott – 1,025; 21 deaths
Sharkey – 214; 7 deaths
Simpson – 842; 32 deaths
Smith – 419; 13 deaths
Stone – 235; 6 deaths
Sunflower – 1,101; 28 deaths
Tallahatchie – 563; 11 deaths
Tate – 760; 30 deaths
Tippah – 426; 14 deaths
Tishomingo – 463; 9 deaths
Tunica – 370; 8 deaths
Union – 750; 17 deaths
Walthall – 521; 22 deaths
Warren – 1,166; 37 deaths
Washington – 1,771; 46 deaths
Wayne – 790; 21 deaths
Webster – 254; 13 deaths
Wilkinson – 231; 14 deaths
Winston – 644; 17 deaths
Yalobusha – 320; 10 deaths
Yazoo – 882; 14 deaths

Mississippi Department of Health has a hotline open 24 hours, 7 days a week for any coronavirus-related questions: 877-978-6453.

Traffic cleared on I-20 WB after truck fire

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Lanes on 1-20 Westbound near Pelahatchie exit blocked after overnight truck fire

By WLBT Digital | August 14, 2020 at 6:26 AM CDT – Updated August 14 at 8:52 AM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – An 18-wheeler caught on fire on I-20 westbound early Friday morning.

The cab of the truck was completely burned and had to be removed from the trailer.

The incident had shut down both lanes of 1-20 westbound between Pelahatchie and Brandon.

MDOT says traffic is now clear.

First responders help raise money for the family of Lt. Troy Morris

By David Kenney | August 13, 2020 at 11:16 PM CDT – Updated August 13 at 11:41 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Slain state trooper Lieutenant Troy Morris left behind a wife and child when he was gunned down last week. Now first responders are coming together to help his family.

With the approval of his wife, Gale, The Mississippi State Troopers Association is hosting a campaign to raise funds and support for the Morris Family.

A group called Fund The First is assisting.

They are the first verified crowdfunding platform for first responders, created by first responders.

“That’s all part of this crowd funding platform, so you can get the funds the family deserves and, not only that, it’s the love and support they’re now going to receive nationwide,” said Detective Robert Garland of Fund The First.

The goal is to raise $50,000 dollars for the Morris family. Because Trooper Morris was not killed in the line of duty, his family is not eligible to receive the benefits he would have received if killed while working as a trooper – making this fundraiser all the more important.

Retired Captain Johnny Rawls says no one was more respected as a state trooper that Lieutenant Morris.

He says his 17 years as a traffic enforcement officer and 27 years serving as a state trooper overall made him a natural leader.

Captain Rawls said, “He was a great great man and a good leader and he is going to be missed by all of us in the law enforcement community.”

To donate to the Fund The First campaign in honor of LT. Morris, click the link below.

Home appraisers overwhelmed by surplus of business: ‘It’s a great time to purchase a new home’

By Chelsey Sellars | August 13, 2020 at 10:01 PM CDT – Updated August 14 at 9:35 AM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Bill Williams has been appraising properties in the Jackson-metro area for over 40 years, but this year is his busiest one yet.

“We have had an increase in business since the state reopened June the first. Some of that is due to the demand because during the lockdown period people were not able to do transactions. Now, they’re catching up and doing those transactions,” said Williams.

Interest rates are also very low, which is driving the demand. Wanda Cowart with Trustmark Bank said it’s the best time to buy.

“Definitely purchases are up. It’s a great time to purchase a new home. You’re a first-time home buyer or maybe a family that’s wanting to make the change upgrade,” said Cowart.

Appraisers have had to change the way they inspect properties to prevent spreading COVID-19. It can delay the process.

“We’re also doing desktop appraisals where we don’t actually leave our own office. Those are a little different processes because we’re not actually physically seeing the property inside. We’re having to get data sources from other places to supplement the knowledge we need to have to do a confident and credible appraisal,” said Williams.

Cowart says refinancing a mortgage is also an option to keep in mind.

“Now would be a great time for an individual to contact us to see if it’s feasible for them to refinance. They may not think it is, but it may be,” said Cowart.

Williams said it could take as long as a week to receive a home appraisal report due to the increased demand.

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