Local Headlines

FedEx hiring delivery drivers through Jobs for Jacksonians

By China Lee | October 26, 2020 at 3:14 PM CDT – Updated October 26 at 3:14 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Job-seekers in the Jackson area have a new opportunity available.

FedEx is hiring through Jobs for Jacksonians.

They are looking for full-time temporary to permanent delivery drivers. Applicants must have a driver’s license. Those with Class A, Class B, and Class D licenses are encouraged to apply.

No prior experience is necessary for this position.

You must be able to pass a background check, drug screen and DOT physical exam.

Those interested can apply at the Champion Gymnasium on Hattiesburg Street in Jackson between a.m. and 2p.m.

You must wear a face mask to enter.

Gov. Reeves adds 7 counties to local mask mandates

By Jacob Gallant | October 26, 2020 at 2:27 PM CDT – Updated October 26 at 4:04 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves added more counties to his localized COVID-19 restrictions.

This week, Reeves added seven more counties to the mandate. These counties are Harrison, Madison, Marshall, Jones, Carroll, Leake and Benton. The mask restrictions for these new counties will go into effect Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 8 a.m.

The full list of counties includes:

Benton
Carroll
Chickasaw
Claiborne
DeSoto
Forrest
Harrison
Itawamba
Jackson
Jones
Lamar
Leake
Lee
Madison
Marshall
Neshoba

They fit under the governor’s criteria for additional measures, which includes more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents over two weeks or more than 200 total cases over two weeks. The date they use is from October 5-18.

The mandate means face masks are required while indoors and interacting with the public without social distancing. Indoor social gatherings should be limited to groups of 10, and outdoor gatherings to groups of 50.

Hospitals in the restricted counties will also need to reserve 10% of their capacity for COVID-19 patients. If they cannot do that, the hospitals must delay elective procedures.

Reeves said he will not force people to wear a mask when voting in-person next week, but said the “vast majority” of people will be safe and wear masks.

‘Long time coming:’ Mayor Lumumba praises return of Southwest to Jackson airport

By Jacob Gallant | October 26, 2020 at 12:56 PM CDT – Updated October 26 at 1:38 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba praised the return of Southwest Airlines to Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport at his weekly press briefing Monday.

Lumumba says he remembers his father going to Texas to talk with Southwest officials and praised the airport’s CEO Paul Brown for the effort in getting the airline back.

“This has been a long time coming,” he said, praising everyone who worked to bring Southwest back to Jackson.

Brown says Southwest left because the volume of traffic was not enough for them to justify keeping the business.

Both Brown and Lumumba are hopeful that things are different this time around and that Southwest will be around for the long haul.

Body found inside burning mobile home

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Body found inside burning mobile home

By Jacob Gallant | October 26, 2020 at 10:18 AM CDT – Updated October 26 at 1:13 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A man was found dead inside a burned mobile home, Jackson Fire Department says.

The fire happened Monday morning on Nichols Boulevard.

When firefighters arrived, they found the home on fire and discovered the body inside.

The cause of death is undetermined at this time.

The person’s identity has not yet been revealed.

Jackson man in critical condition after argument over auto repairs, police say

Crime

JPD investigating Meadowlane Dr shooting

By WLBT Digital | October 26, 2020 at 7:32 AM CDT – Updated October 26 at 10:53 AM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The Jackson Police Department is investigating a shooting that happened Monday morning.

Police were called to the scene on Meadowlane Drive around 7 a.m.

JPD is on the scene investigating a shooting. pic.twitter.com/WtBKksvdm1

— Tracey James (@TjamesTracey) October 26, 2020

According to Sam Brown, two men were involved in an argument over auto repairs when one person shot the other.

The victim in now in critical condition and the suspect has been charged with aggravated assault.

Former NBA star Monta Ellis donates $60K to JSU band

By Jacob Gallant | October 26, 2020 at 8:29 AM CDT – Updated October 26 at 8:29 AM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Former NBA star and Jackson native Monta Ellis gave a healthy donation to the Sonic Boom of the South.

The school announced Ellis donated $60,000 to the Jackson State marching band.

“I am always overjoyed and humbled when anyone donates to our students and program. This particular donation is unique because Monta Ellis and I grew up together in the same neighborhood,” said Dr. Roderick Little, director of bands.

Ellis was a McDonald’s All-American at Lanier High School in Jackson before being drafted to the NBA in 2005. Little attended Lanier with Ellis and went on to become one of the youngest band directors in JSU history.

“Anybody from Jackson can tell you what the Sonic Boom means to our city. Growing up, kids either want to be a J-5 drum major or J-Sette. I believe in what Dr. Little is doing with the Boom, and I want to do whatever I can to keep making it stronger and give more students a chance to be part of that legacy and earn an education,” said Ellis, according to Sonic Boom media.

Traffic alert: 18-wheeler leaks diesel along Lakeland Dr.

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Traffic alert: 18-wheeler leaking diesel

By WLBT Digital | October 26, 2020 at 6:35 AM CDT – Updated October 26 at 6:35 AM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – An 18-wheeler created a mess Monday morning.

The incident happened on Lakeland Drive near the Agriculture Museum. The truck spilled diesel fuel along the roadway.

Police say the driver may not have known the truck was spilling fuel for some time as he continued to drive.

A lane of traffic is blocked while officials work to clean the mess.

Gun sales rising with first-timers during coronavirus pandemic

By Reggi Marion | October 25, 2020 at 9:48 PM CDT – Updated October 25 at 9:48 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Gun sales have increased during the coronavirus outbreak.

Local retailers say they have not seen anything like it before and they believe certain factors are causing the spike.

It’s been an unprecedented year for the firearms industry.

Gun sellers have seen a surge in sales since the COVID-19 lockdown began in March.

“People started panic buying toilet paper, guns, ammo all the stuff that could be essential in a time of crisis. Also with the election coming up, nobody really knows how things are gonna turn out you know. New gun laws could change the age limit on guns.”

Cameron Smyly is with Downrange Guns and Tactical is set up at the original Jackson gun show.

He says this year’s spike is different because it’s being driven by a rise in first time buyers, especially among African-Americans and women.

“The way that the division has been coming up here lately.”

This is the first gun show for Jimmesha Myles.

She already owns a gun but looking to upgrade.

She believes more women are packing because of the increase in crime.

“You have a lot of gun violence among young people and you have a lot of break-ins. With those two colliding with each other, a lot of women are trying to protect their property and yet alone themselves. A lot of women are single out here. They don’t have a man to protect them so that weapon is going to be that.”

A report by the National Shooting Sports foundation says about 40 percent of gun sales in the first four months of the year were made by first-time buyers.

Much higher than the average of 24 percent over the past two decades.

Ammunition is also in short supply.

“Like big re-loaders, they’ve been having trouble getting casings, primers, bullets, powder.”

Industry experts warn a rise in gun sales could lead to violence as the pandemic may impact the mental health of communities.

One critical after shooting, suspect arrested

News

By WLBT Digital | October 24, 2020 at 9:19 PM CDT – Updated October 24 at 9:19 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Jackson police are investigating a shooting that happened just before 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

A person was shot multiple times at 3800 Bailey Avenue. They were taken to the hospital and are in critical condition.

A suspect has been taken into custody and an assault rifle was recovered from the suspect.

Breast cancer survivors go ‘Cruisin’ for a Cure’ in Jackson

By Reggi Marion | October 24, 2020 at 7:41 PM CDT – Updated October 24 at 7:41 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Breast cancer survivors and their families lining up to share an important message.

“Get that first mammogram. Without it my experience would have been totally different. If I had put this off six months, a year, I may not be here today,” said Christy Hasson.

“My breast cancer was detected through a mammogram. I never felt a lump. So, it’s very important that we go in each year for our mammograms,” said Katrina Myricks.

58 year old Pamela Allen says she never had a mammogram. Three years ago, she found out not only does she have breast cancer but bone cancer as well.

“One morning I was going to work. I took a shower and I felt a lump in my breast, and I made a doctor’s appointment. By the time, I made that appointment, my cancer had progressed and it had spread to my bones,” said Allen.

Not getting a mammogram is a decision Allen says she regrets.

“I regret it to this day. They would have caught it early in the early stages, and I wouldn’t be at stage four already,” said Allen.

Since being diagnosed, Allen supports the American Cancer Society’s making strides event every year. She has her car decked out with banners, balloons and stickers to go cruising for a cure with many other women and men. They are riding around the Jackson-metro to raise awareness about breast cancer. Allen now shares the same message that mammograms could save your life.

“I will never go into remission because of my bone cancer because they can’t get it out your bones. I will tell women please have a mammogram,” said Allen.

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