Local Headlines

St. Jude Dream Home fundraiser helps kids like Jordyn, a gymnast

By WLBT Digital | February 20, 2020 at 3:37 PM CST – Updated February 21 at 5:15 AM

(WLBT) – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital helps children battle terrifying diseases for no cost to their family.

The St. Jude Dream Home is one of the biggest fundraisers for the hospital, and it’s returning soon.

The hospital changes lives for kids like Jordyn, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2014.

About 3,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with ALL each year in the United States, making it the most common childhood cancer.

Jordyn finished treatment in 2017 but still comes back for checkups.

Jordyn is a gymnast who’s back on the mats after her treatment for ALL at St. Jude. Her treatment was a success, and she’s now winning awards for gymnastics.

Jordyn was diagnosed in 2014. (Source: St. Jude)

St. Jude never charges for housing, food, travel, or treatment for patients or their families.

Tickets for this year’s dream home go on sale March 19.

Everyone who reserves a $100 ticket on Thursday, March 19, will also be entered to win a pair of diamond-studded earnings.

The winner of the Dream Home will be drawn on August 20.

Baptist provides grief counselors for staff members after two employees shot and killed

By Summer Tadlock | February 20, 2020 at 10:33 PM CST – Updated February 21 at 6:40 AM

Now, grief counselors are stepping up to show their support.

“We are here for our staff through everything, throughout life,” said Chaplain Heath Ferguson, Director of Pastoral Care and Faith Relations for Baptist.

The tragic shooting claimed the lives of 32-year-old Christina Deloris Davis, a clerk at the hospital, and 64-year-old Brownie Luckett, Jr., a security guard.

“We are paying attention to those who are traumatized by this, anyone who is grieving and the effects this has on them,” said Ferguson.

When the unthinkable happened, many staff members struggled to cope, that’s why the hospital has grief counselors on standby for those who need extra words of encouragement.

“Our chaplains are on the floors, in offices, everywhere checking on all the staff.”

A few efforts have been made, starting with a prayer cross, to honor the victims legacy.

“We brought this special prayer cross that has never been used before in here to honor our coworkers who lost their lives and [to] honor their legacy.”

Baptist built their first prayer cross for patients, families, and staff members four years ago.

“The prayer crosses in total have received a total of a quarter of a million prayers.”

In this same room, hundreds of those grieving embraced for a prayer vigil for the victims.

“We prayed together, love one another, look after one another, and wanted to remind those that we are here for them.”

If you are a member of the Baptist family, Chaplain Ferguson wants you to remember: “Nobody gets ignored. You are not forgotten. You will get the care you need.”

Arrests made after shots fired during shoplifting attempt at Madison Walmart

By China Lee | February 20, 2020 at 10:00 PM CST – Updated February 21 at 2:23 PM

MADISON COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) – Three people are in custody after a shoplifting incident at the Madison Walmart on Grandview Boulevard.

Madison police said that it happened just after 5:30 p.m. on Thursday night.

Loss prevention employees at the store noticed a man shoplifting in the store. When they confronted him, the man left the store produced a handgun and fired several shots into the air.

The man got into a car where another man and woman were waiting. The woman jumped out of the car and tried to run away. Stephanie Collom, 27, was arrested at the Shell Fuel Station near Walmart. She’s facing charges of Accessory to Felony Shoplifting.

The man driving the car was also arrested. He’s been identified at 33 year old Conerly Chapman. He has been charged with Accessory to Felony Shoplifting. Approximately $2,000 worth of Walmart merchandise was recovered from the car he was driving.

The man who shot the gun, got out of a car and tried to run as well. He was eventually arrested near I-55 behind Walmart. He’s been identified as Paul Barnett, 37. He was transported to the University of MS Medical Center after admitting to taking illegal drugs. Barnett has been charged with Felony Shoplifting, Illegal Discharge of a Firearm, and Resisting Arrest.

A .380 semi-automatic pistol, was recovered from this man.

All three individuals involved are at the Madison County Detention Center awaiting their initial court appearance in Madison Municipal Court.

One person killed in crash on Hwy 18 in Hinds Co.

Deadly accident on Highway 18

By China Lee | February 20, 2020 at 7:26 PM CST – Updated February 20 at 10:22 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department responded to a deadly accident in Hinds County Thursday night.

The one vehicle accident happened on Highway 18 near Midway Road.

According to Master Sergeant Eric Henry the driver hit a cow, and then left the roadway and struck a tree.

The driver has been identified as 31 year old Joel Johnson from Raymond, MS.

The driver died on the scene.

The MHP Crash Team is currently investigating.

Godbolt’s brother shares emotional testimony on day 6 of trial

By Roslyn Anderson | February 20, 2020 at 8:51 PM CST – Updated February 20 at 8:51 PM

MAGNOLIA, Miss. (WLBT) – Another emotional day of testimony during the Cory Godbolt trial. Thursday was day six of testimony in Pike County.

It was an excruciating more than half an hour in the courtroom for Cory Godbolt’s older brother.

Chris Godbolt Jr. began to cry as soon as he was seated. Judge David Strong allowed him to be briefly excused. He cried or fought back tears during most of his testimony.

Goldbolt told the court he was finally able to talk to his younger brother after daybreak following several calls trying to speak with him.

Chris wiped his face repeatedly as he said Cory told him he was at Shelia Burrage’s house.

The elder sibling said he asked his brother if Shelia was dead and Cory answered, “Yes”.

Chris said he begged Cory to stop.

Cory told Chris that he had been shot by Ferrell Burrage, Shelia’s husband.

The defense maintains that Godbolt committed the acts because he was trying to keep his family together.

Under cross examination, Chris said Cory said he loved his children and asked his brother to take care of them.

At the start of his brother’s testimony Cory Godbolt also cried and during much of the statements he kept his palms together in front of his face, periodically wiping away tears.

Three people took the stand during Thursday morning.

They included a couple who testified that Godbolt stole their car and a 911 dispatcher.

The fourth witness, Angela Hardy, testified that she was on the phone with her close friend, shooting victim Shelia Burrage, when Godbolt arrived at her home.

Hardy told the jury she heard Shelia ask her husband Ferrell Burrage who was at the door.

She said he did not answer and Hardy added that she heard a boom and gunshots.

The defense team listens to Circuit Judge David Strong Thursday during Day 6 of the capital murder trial of Cory Godbolt at the Pike County Courthouse in Magnolia. Pictured are, from left: Defense attorney Alison Steiner, mitigation specialist Lela Hubbard, Godbolt and defense attorney Katherine Poor. (Source: Photo by Donna Campbell/The Daily Leader)

Then Hardy said she heard Ferrell over the phone saying ‘Oh, oh.’ She then left her job in Brookhaven and she and her husband went to the Burrage home.

There they found out the couple had been killed.

Hardy also said she tried to call Shelia Burrage again and the phone was picked up but she heard something like movement and then nothing.

Money from Siemens settlement will not immediately go towards fixing Jackson

By Chelsey Sellars | February 20, 2020 at 7:18 PM CST – Updated February 20 at 7:56 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – It’s a win, but the battle between the City of Jackson and Siemens corporation isn’t over.

Councilman Aaron Banks said Thursday the $89 million in settlement money isn’t going straight to the city, yet.

“…We have to pay legal fees. So once the legal fees and the agreed terms with the attorneys, we might be left with some 60 million dollars,” said Banks.

Several million will go back to the city’s enterprise fund, used to pave streets and fix sewer lines, along with other accounts and debt.

“We have to all remember that we took out a $90 million dollar bond and over years it draws interest,” said Banks.

Councilman De’Keither Stamps could not talk on camera but points out that the settlement saves the city from a water/sewer rate increase and a raise in property taxes for another 18 months.

However, Banks knows there are still other issues that need relief.

“We have people in Ward 6, that are still feeling the crunch of getting inaccurate water bills. And even though there’s been aggressive steps that have been taken to fix the issue, I’m still concerned about the everyday problems,” said Banks.

Flood damage prevents residents from moving back home

By David Kenney | February 20, 2020 at 5:55 PM CST – Updated February 20 at 5:55 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – With no insurance, Johnny Lewis is trying to figure out how he will get his home repaired.

Lewis is one of many residents who live off North Canton Club Circle, trying to move back home, but unable to because of flood damage.

“Just looking at my house, it’s nothing nice about all of this here,” Lewis said. “I lost everything I had, almost everything…my grandson’s, room my daughter’s room, me and my wife’s room…is just a disaster. Someone needs to do something to help us.”

Every single room took on water; they got out what they could before the flood, but still lost a lot.

“I’m hoping for the Lord right now. I’m happy God sees us through everything,” said Lewis.

On Meadow Oaks Park Drive, Dudley Buford is ripping out all of the carpet of his home of over 20 years.

“I got just a little bit over my slab,” Buford said. “Maybe an inch or less, so all the carpet and all the pad got whipped up into my curtains, and some probably whipped up in my Sheetrock a little bit.”

A pile of soaked debris is now piled up at the curb. There’s weeks more of work to do, before this will be a home again, but Dudley’s keeping a positive attitude.

“The main thing is nobody got hurt that I know of, so this is just all material goods,” Buford said. “Over time we’ll probably try to rebuild and buy more new stuff.”

Curbside pickup offered for families affected by Pearl River flooding

By China Lee | February 20, 2020 at 5:14 PM CST – Updated February 20 at 5:14 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The City of Jackson is offering curbside and dumpster pickup for people affected by recent flooding.

Those living on Deer Trail, River Road, Cypress Trail, River Cove, Foxboro Drive, Sedgewick Drive, Canton Club Circle, and Rolling Woods Subdivision will have curbside pickup available to them.

Curbside pickup will be Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm until further notice.

Citizens must call 601-960-1193. Inspectors will come out to assess the trash and the pickup will be the following day.

Dumpster locations will be at Canton Club Circle and Sedgewick Drive intersection as well as River Road and Deer Trail intersection.

Dumpsters are available Friday, February 21, 2020 and next week only. Dumpster pickup will be 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

If people who do not live in the affected areas listed but have damage from the recent flood, they should call the number that’s listed and inspectors will come out to assess the trash.

Street closures reported in Warren Co. due to flooding

By China Lee | February 20, 2020 at 4:41 PM CST – Updated February 20 at 4:54 PM

WARREN COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) – Several streets are closed and some are back open due to flooding from recent storms in Warren County.

Redwood Rd. between the 1515 and 1950 block
FreetownRd, at 2944 block
Ziegler Rd.
Laney Camp Rd.
Warriors Trail at the BigBlack
Summer Seat Rd.
Chickasaw Rd.
Long Lake Rd.
West Deer Creek
EastDeer Creek
Thompson Lake Rd.
Hwy 80 1600 block
Canal Rd.
Old Twin Lake Rd.
Old Jackson Rd.
Freetown Road in the 2900 block. This was a planned closure prior to flooding for bridge repair
Old Hwy. 27 near Lee Road and Blossom Lane
Boy Scout Road (the north end)

Boy Scout Road Closed in Vicksburg (Source: Vicksburg Daily News)

The Vicksburg Daily News also posted that that a major slide occurred at the northern end of Boy Scout Road isolating one home.

Highway 27 is now open Elfer said.

Thousands without power in Warren Co. after tree falls on power lines

By China Lee | February 20, 2020 at 3:39 PM CST – Updated February 20 at 4:35 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Right now, thousands are without power in Warren County.

Mara Hartmann, Public Information Officer, with Entergy said around 1 p.m. a large tree fell in the 1600 block of Highway 27.

When the tree fell it broke several poles, hit transmission lines, and took out power to the Vicksburg East Substation, Hartmann said.

Over 2,851 customers are served from that substation.

Entergy is in the process of removing the tree and also moving as many customers to another power source while repairs are being made.

Power should be restored to all customers by 5:30 according to their interactive outage map.

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