Local Headlines

Tens of thousands of people still without power

By WLBT Digital | February 22, 2021 at 6:57 AM CST – Updated February 22 at 10:00 AM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Thousands of Mississippians are waking up another day in the dark.

As of Monday morning, more than 18,000 people had no power.

Entergy says the winter storm affected more than 500 transformers and knocked down more than 400 utility poles.

In more remote areas, the company says it could be another 48 hours before power is restored.

Entergy serves nearly 3 million utility customers in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas.

Silver Alert issued for missing Hinds Co. man

By WLBT Digital | February 21, 2021 at 8:49 PM CST – Updated February 21 at 8:49 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has issued a Silver Alert for 69-year-old Earnest King Jr. of Jackson, MS, in Hinds County.

He is described as a black male, five feet and ten inches tall, weighing 205 pounds, with brown eyes and a bald head.

He was last seen Sunday, February 21, 2021, at about 11:30 am in the 100 block of O’Ferrell Avenue in Hinds County.

He was last seen walking in an unknown direction, wearing a white thermal t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black beanie.

Family members say Earnest King Jr. suffers from a medical condition that may impair his judgment. If anyone has information regarding the whereabouts of Earnest King Jr., contact Jackson Police Department at 601-960-1234.

Deion Sanders’ first collegiate win as coach marred by bizarre attempted theft

By WLBT Digital | February 21, 2021 at 8:39 PM CST – Updated February 22 at 7:25 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A bizarre incident following Deion Sanders’ first collegiate coaching victory, Sunday.

During a post-game press conference, Coach Sanders’ revealed that the locker room had been broken into and several items were stolen from his office.

Sanders said someone took his wallet, keys, and cell phone during the game.

When speaking during the interview, the coach was obviously upset saying that the action was “malicious” and “targeted.”

About 30 minutes after the interview however, the items were found.

Some confusion surrounds how those items were returned. At one point a spokesperson from JSU said that the items were simply misplaced and that no police report would be filed.

Sanders double-downed his claims on social media, saying that his assistant caught the would-be thief in the act.

Naw it was stolen but they got it back. It was stolen out my personal bag in my office and My assistant caught the gentleman in the process of stealing it but she was alone. No Miscommunication my man at all https://t.co/foXTKwqsQC

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) February 22, 2021

Ashley Robinson, JSU Vice President and Director of Athletics, issued the following statement:

“Immediately following our win today, several items belonging to Coach Prime were taken from the locker room. Those items were quickly recovered and returned. While we consider this an isolated incident, we are thoroughly reviewing security protocols to ensure this does not happen again. However, we refuse to let this dampen the victory for our JSU Tigers, who have worked hard for this moment. We want them to enjoy this time, as we look forward to more game-winning celebrations in the future.”

Several Hinds Co. Schools remain closed to in-person learning due to ongoing water outage

By WLBT Digital | February 21, 2021 at 5:20 PM CST – Updated February 21 at 5:20 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Several Hinds County Schools remain closed to in-person learning due to an ongoing water outage after the recent winter storm

Due to the outage impacting the City of Jackson water system, Gary Road Elementary, Gary Road Intermediate, and Byram Middle School students will continue to participate in Virtual/Distance Learning on Monday, February 22, 2021.

All other schools and offices (Bolton Edwards, Utica, Raymond Elementary, Raymond High, Carver Middle, Terry High and Central Office) will open at their regular scheduled time on Monday, February 22, 2021.

Air Force identifies one of two pilots killed in jet crash

The military revealed the identity of one of two pilots killed in Friday’s crash of a jet from Columbus Air Force Base.

By WLBT Digital | February 21, 2021 at 2:25 PM CST – Updated February 22 at 6:02 AM

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (WLBT/WTVA) – The military revealed the identity of one of two pilots killed in Friday’s crash of a jet from Columbus Air Force Base.

The Air Force said Scot Ames, Jr., 24, was the instructor pilot in the T-38 trainer that went down near the airport in Montgomery, Alabama.

He was from Pekin, Indiana. He married his wife, Audra, in June of last year.

We still don’t know the name of the Japanese air force student pilot who died in the crash.

According to the U.S. Air Force, that pilot’s name “will be provided according to Japan’s established process.”

COVID-19 in Mississippi: 390 new cases reported Sun.

Protecting Yourself from Coronavirus (May 2020)

By WLBT Digital | March 13, 2020 at 11:42 AM CDT – Updated February 21 at 9:09 AM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 390 new cases and 0 new deaths Saturday.

The number of presumed positive coronavirus cases in Mississippi is now at 290,632 as of February 20.

So far, 6,553 people have died from COVID-19 in Mississippi.

The number of tests administered in the state totals 2,365,065 as of February 14. This includes MSDH Public Health Laboratory tests and other providers.

An estimated 264,456 people have recovered from the virus.

Mississippi Department of Health has a hotline open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for any coronavirus-related questions: 877-978-6453.

Jackson man in critical condition after being shot in his drive-way

News

By WLBT Digital | February 20, 2021 at 9:01 PM CST – Updated February 20 at 9:01 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Jackson Police are investigating a shooting that occurred this evening around 6:00pm in the 100 block of North Alabama St.

Timothy McHuley was walking in his driveway when someone from a white SUV began firing shots at him.

McHuley was hit once and taken to a hospital and is listed in critical condition.

There is no suspect information or motive at this time.

Entergy: Power restored to thousands, 24,700 still without

By WLBT Digital | February 20, 2021 at 7:15 PM CST – Updated February 20 at 7:15 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Warmer temperatures helped Entergy Mississippi’s restoration efforts. As of 5 p.m.,nearly 65,300 customers have had their power restored across the state.

That number is down from a peak of about 90,000. Approximately 24,700 customers remain without power. Crews continue to restore service where it is safe to do so.

Damage assessments are about 80% complete and, so far, Entergy has found 144 broken poles, 1,081 spans of wire down and 45 damaged transformers.

Click here for detailed information on work being done in your area.

City of Jackson gives update on city services impacted by winter weather

By WLBT Digital | February 20, 2021 at 7:01 PM CST – Updated February 20 at 7:03 PM

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The City of Jackson is issuing the following updates for the evening of Saturday, February 20, 2021, related to the impacts of winter weather on the City and efforts being made:

Low and no water pressure is still impacting residents across Jackson but there are signs of progress. There is still no definitive timeline for when it will be restored, but crews are continuing to work to get water pressure increased across the system.
No new water main breaks were reported/confirmed today. There are 13 confirmed water main breaks within the City of Jackson. They are working to assess and coordinate repairs.
If you do have water, please continue to conserve it. Residents closer to the plants will see water pressure restored soonest. It will take longer for those farther away. Conserving water will allow fellow Jacksonians to get back online faster.
The system-wide precautionary boil water notice is still in effect for all surface water and well water connections.

JTRAN will resume regular service on Monday, February 22, 2001

Waste Management anticipates resuming residential garbage collections on Monday, February 22. There will be no make-up days. Collections will go forward as scheduled.
Residents are asked to only place household garbage out for both collection days next week. The loads will be extremely heavy and the focus will need to be household waste removal.
Please hold bulk items and yard debris for the following week. If residents have limbs down from the storm, they can call 601- 960-1193 for assessment and collection.

MEMA: Two deaths linked to Winter Storm

By WLBT Digital | February 20, 2021 at 4:35 PM CST – Updated February 20 at 4:51 PM

PEARL, Miss. (WLBT) – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is reporting two deaths related to the dangerous winter storm.

On February 19, 2021, Neshoba County Emergency Management Agency, reported to MEMA that one fatality occurred due to a car accident.

Another winter weather storm related death was reported to MEMA Saturday. It occurred in Oktibbeha County due to a traffic accident, bringing the total to two storm-related deaths statewide.

The following official damage reports have been submitted to MEMA by the following counties:

Copiah County – 2 businesses affected
Grenada County – 10 homes affected; 1 business affected
Marshall County – 1 home affected; 5 businesses affected
Smith County – 1 business affected
Warren County – 2 homes affected
Washington County – 15,000 homes affected because of water supply issues

*These are preliminary numbers and could change throughout the assessment process

Local Headlines

The military revealed the identity of one of two pilots killed in Friday’s crash of a jet from Columbus Air Force Base.

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