Contigo Recalls Water Bottle for Choking Hazard
Contigo announced a recall of about 5.7 million of its kid’s water bottles over fears its spout can detach and cause a child to choke. This marks the second time these water bottles were recalled and includes the replacement lids that were provided in the first recall, which was issued in August 2019. The water bottle company received 427 reports of the spout detaching off the bottle and 27 of those spouts were found in children’s mouths. Costco, Walmart, Target and other various online stores sold these items from April 2018 through February 7, 2020, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a news release yesterday. ‘Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled water bottles and the replacement lids provided in the previous recall,’ the release said. ‘Take them away from children.’ Only bottles with a black colored spout base and spout cover models were recalled. The water bottles came in three sizes (13 ounces, 14 ounces and 20 ounces) and four colors (solid color, graphics, stainless steel, and stainless steel solid colors), the release said. These bottles were imported to Chicago, Illinois, and have the recall number 20-074. You can find the code printed on the rim and along the bottom of the bottle. If you have these popular water bottles, you can return it and get a free replacement. Consumers can call Contigo at 888-262-0622 or go online at www.gocontigo.com/recall for more information. The post Contigo Recalls Water Bottle for Choking Hazard appeared first on News Mississippi.
Entergy volunteers provide free tax preparation for qualifying customers
Qualified Entergy Mississippi customers can receive free tax preparation beginning this weekend. Entergy’s Super Tax Day events will be held Saturday, February 22nd and Saturday, March 7th at the Jackson Convention Center from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Super Tax Day is Entergy Mississippi’s kickoff event to the tax preparation season. Customers who agree to save part of their total refund at the Super Tax Day event will have an opportunity to win up to $50 in cash through a scratch-off card promotion and will be entered in other drawings including a $10,000 grand prize from the national Save Your Refund program. Image courtesy of Entergy Customers unable to attend a Super Tax Day event can still receive free tax preparation services at one of many Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in Mississippi through April 15. At the VITA sites, IRS-certified volunteers from Entergy Mississippi and their partners will also help determine if the taxpayers are eligible to claim federal Earned Income Tax Credits. EITC is one of the nation’s most effective means of lifting Americans out of poverty. Since 2009, Entergy’s Super Tax Day program has helped return $258 million to 150,000 residents throughout the company’s utility service area in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In Mississippi, more than 29,000 residents have received nearly $65 million. “Services provided through Super Tax Day and the VITA program help power lives for our customers, who can gain long-term benefits by claiming EITC,” said Amy Davidson, Entergy Mississippi senior customer service specialist. “By putting our customers’ hard-earned money back in their pockets, we are helping improve customers’ lives and investing in a brighter future for our communities.” Free tax preparation services are provided at VITA sites throughout the 2020 tax season. In some VITA locations, local community partners are offering appointments for tax preparation services, drop-off tax prep services, financial coaching, budget workshops, free legal services and more. For more information on Entergy’s Super Tax Day and VITA, visit entergy.com/freetaxhelp. The post Entergy volunteers provide free tax preparation for qualifying customers appeared first on News Mississippi.
Replicas of Columbus’ Nina and Pinta Will Be Docked on the Coast this Weekend
Photo Courtesy of http://www.thenina.com/index.html The hand-made ships will be docked at Schooner Pier until early in the morning on March 2nd. The two ships are replicas of Christopher Columbus ships the Niña and the Pinta from 1492. There was a third ship in Columbus’ voyage, the Santa Maria, but she has not been built yet as a museum. According to the website, she was a “Nao” and larger than the other two ships and also Columbus’ least favorite. The Niña is an exact replica of the one from Columbus and has the reputation of being the most accurate reproduction ever constructed. The Pinta was built 15 feet longer and 8 feet wider than the original so she can hold more people and be used for dockside events. The ship’s website describes the vessells as “floating museums” and they visit ports all over the Western Hemisphere traveling 10 months out of the year to 30 or 40 different locations. The floating museums are open from 9 AM – 5 PM and tickets can be purchased at the ports. Tickets for adults are $8.50, $7.50 for seniors(60+) and $6.50 for children ages 5-16 (not in a school group. The post Replicas of Columbus’ Nina and Pinta Will Be Docked on the Coast this Weekend appeared first on News Mississippi.
12 Mississippi airports to benefit from federal grant funding
A dozen airports across the state are set to benefit from a new round of grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The 12 Mississippi airports will share nearly $7.6 million for projects aimed at improving the infrastructure and safety at each facility. Overall, the department will award $520.5 million in airport infrastructure grants to 287 airports in 41 states. “This $520.5 million in federal support to airports across the country will help to keep our nation’s airports in good shape and make air travel a better experience for passengers,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao. The breakdown of grants awarded to Mississippi airports can be found below. Aberdeen – $629,452 – Construct Apron, Expand Apron, Rehabilitate Taxiway Panola County – $316,755 – Reconstruct Airport Beacon, Reconstruct or Replace Airport Lighting Vault Stennis International – $150,000 – Update Airport Master Plan or Study [Multi-Year Funding] Brookhaven-Lincoln County – $118,188 – Rehabilitate Runway – 04/22, Rehabilitate Runway Lighting Columbus-Lowndes County – $347,405 – Rehabilitate Apron, Rehabilitate Apron Golden Triangle Regional – $1,000,000 – Install Apron Edge Lights and/or Flood Lighting, Reconstruct Runway Lighting – 18/36, Rehabilitate Apron Gulfport-Biloxi International – $2,453,000 – Acquire Equipment, Improve Airport Drainage, Improve/Modify/Rehabilitate Terminal Building, Rehabilitate Taxiway [Taxiway B], Rehabilitate Taxiway [Taxiway C], Rehabilitate Taxiway [Taxiway E] Holly Springs-Marshall County – $384,128 – Improve Airport Drainage/Erosion Control Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional – $660,029 – Improve/Modify/Rehabilitate Terminal Building, Install Runway Vertical/Visual Guidance System New Albany-Union County – $213,543 – Improve/Modify Access Road University-Oxford – $238,500 – Rehabilitate Runway Tupelo Regional (x2) – $1,069,700 – Reconstruct Airfield Guidance Signs, Rehabilitate Taxiway, Seal Taxiway Pavement Surface/Pavement Joints, Seal Taxiway Pavement Surface/Pavement Joints & Update Airport Master Plan or Study The post 12 Mississippi airports to benefit from federal grant funding appeared first on News Mississippi.
Cops in Shops: 21 citations issued in Oxford
Earlier this month, agents with the Mississippi Alcoholic Beverages Control (ABC) Bureau of Enforcement worked a “Cops In Shops” detail in cooperation with the Lyric in Oxford. During the operation, twenty-one citations were issued. Eight citations were issued for possession of fake drivers licenses, seven were issued for a minor in possession of beer, two citations were issued for a minor in possession of alcoholic beverages, two citations were issued for furnishing a beer to a minor, one public intoxication citation was issued, and one citation was issued for disorderly conduct. Officials say one person was jailed as a result of the operation. According to the ABC, the “Cops in Shops” program occurs when an ABC permitted business requests agents to assist with curtailing the use of fake ID’s and underage drinking at the permitted location. Agents working in a plainclothes capacity act as employees of the business to check ID’s and observe other violations by patrons. If you own an ABC permitted business, and would like to participate in a” Cops in Shops” detail, please contact ABC Enforcement at 601-923-7630. The post Cops in Shops: 21 citations issued in Oxford appeared first on News Mississippi.
Multiple resources available for flood victims
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency continues to conduct damage assessments and is moving into recovery mode to help those impacted by the Pearl River Flood Event and severe weather. On Friday, February 21, 2020 at 11:00 AM, Lowe’s will distribute cleaning kits at three of its locations in the Jackson Metro Area. Flood victims can visit one of these Lowe’s locations to receive a cleaning kit: 120 Ridge Way, Flowood, MS 39232 2250 Greenway Dr, Jackson, MS 39204 910 E County Line Rd, Ridgeland, MS 39157 The kits include a five-gallon bucket with bottled water and essential cleaning supplies, such as soap, sponges, gloves, a mask, and trash bags. An additional shelter is also open and operational in Holmes County at Good Samaritan Ecumenical Church, 715 Main Street Tchula, MS 39169. Residents in Hinds, Rankin, Madison and Copiah County can still self-report damage to county emergency management agencies through MEMA’s self-reporting tool. Those links for each county can be found on our website https://www.msema.org/ MEMA has also set up a Disaster Survivor Assistance helpline 1-800-434-4243 for the flood survivors seeking assistance. This helpline will be active Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The Resource Center will open Friday, February 21, 2020 at Christ United Methodist Church, 6000 Old Canton Road, Jackson, Miss. Operating hours for the Resource Center are: Friday, February 21, 2020 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday, February 22, 2020 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday, February 23, 2020 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM The post Multiple resources available for flood victims appeared first on News Mississippi.
Mississippi State Grinds Out a 79-76 Win Over South Carolina
Photo courtesy of Mississippi State athletics Story by SportsTalk Mississippi MSU Beat Reporter Brian Hadad Playing a Frank Martin coached team is like getting a root canal, so said Ben Howland following his Mississippi State team’s 79-76 win over South Carolina. The Bulldogs cooled off the Gamecocks, who came into [Wednesday’s] game as the hottest team in the SEC, and kept their own tournament hopes very much alive. On a night where Reggie Perry struggled against the physical Gamecock front line, it was Abdul Ado who put the team on his shoulders in the first half. Ado finished the night with 14 points and 7 rebounds, and State’s backcourt thrived, with Nick Weatherspoon and DJ Stewart combining for 34 points. Even with his troubles, Perry registered his 14th double-double of the season, getting 10 and 10 in the contest. ADO CAN DO performance from the big man tonight! #HailState x @AbdulhakimAdo pic.twitter.com/2lEenmF4De — Mississippi State MBK (@HailStateMBK) February 20, 2020 Coming off the game-winning play last Saturday against Arkansas, Abdul Ado put together perhaps his best game as a Bulldog. When South Carolina’s defense frustrated Reggie Perry, it was Ado who picked the team up, scoring 10 points and grabbing three offensive rebounds to help MSU keep a lead throughout the first 20 minutes. Ado has been a nice role player for the Bulldogs this season, but he showed tonight he can evolve his game if needed. DJ PLAYS THE HITS D.J. STEWART FLYING IN pic.twitter.com/5zl9Xm3OpV — SEC Network (@SECNetwork) February 20, 2020 DJ Stewart continues to show he is one of the top clutch shooters in the league, hitting 5-7 from the field tonight, including a huge three-pointer in transition after South Carolina had cut the MSU lead to 4. Stewart’s emergence has been important as Tyson Carter has continued to be inconsistent throughout conference play. WHAT’S NEXT? #GigEm pic.twitter.com/HUmWzYsphv — Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) February 20, 2020 Mississippi State will travel to what will be another must-win game, this time taking on a Texas A&M team that has overachieved all season. Tipoff is set for Saturday at 2:30 in College Station, A&M is currently ranked 134 in the NET, so a loss would be devastating for State’s tournament hopes. The post Mississippi State Grinds Out a 79-76 Win Over South Carolina appeared first on News Mississippi.
Servideo’s blast saves Rebels in 9-8 win over Alcorn State
Photo credit: Petre Thomas — Ole Miss Athletics Story by SportsTalk Mississippi Ole Miss Beat Reporter Brian Scott Rippee OXFORD — Anthony Servideo’s first career walk-off home run saved Ole Miss from an RPI scare in a 9-8 victory over Alcorn State in 10 innings on Tuesday. Did Servideo head to the plate in the tenth with intentions of ending it? “Yeah, I did, to be honest,” Servideo said. “We were hanging around too long. It shouldn’t have gone 10 innings but I am proud of the way the team fought, and we came back to get a win.” Alcorn State left-hander and Friday night starter Jose Fernandez offered a 1-1 fastball over the middle of the plate and Servideo deposited well over the right-field fence. It was his second home run through four games. Servideo had four home runs combined in the previous two seasons and is now 8-15 to begin his junior campaign. “We are always on him about gaining weight,” head coach Mike Bianco said. “But I will tell you what he is, he is a tremendous baseball player with good bat speed. He is not a big guy, but he has a quick bat and he is swinging with more freedom. I feel like that is the biggest thing.” The Braves out hit Ole Miss 14-8, but also committed four errors and walked nine men as the Rebels slogged through their first midweek bout of the 2020 season. Alcorn State was spotted an early 4-0 cushion due to the struggles of starter Greer Holston, who allowed four earned runs on three hits and did not record an out. The first five hitters reached base on a walk, three consecutive base hits and another walk. “Just tough,” Bianco said. “Not his night. He has pitched so well in the fall and in the preseason. Sometimes it happens. You get off to a bad start and it is not your night.” Holston was relieved by Taylor Broadway, who struck out three of the four hitters he faced in the frame, but gave up another base hit that plated the final run Holston was on the hook for. Broadway tossed three scoreless innings and scattered three hits. Ole Miss tied it with a pair of runs in the second and third innings. Knox Loposer homered in the second and Tyler Keenan followed suit in the third. The Rebels took at 6-4 lead in the sixth, but Alcorn State hit back-to-back long balls off Logan Savell and Austin Miller in the seventh to tie the game. Ole Miss had a shot to end the game in the ninth, but the Braves plated a run on a walk and an infield single down the first baseline. Braden Forsyth allowed the run in the ninth but tossed a scoreless 10th inning that set the stage for Servideo’s blast. “I liked the way Braden hung in there,” Bianco said. “Obviously not a great night for him to give up the lead in the ninth, but hung in there and gave us a chance to win the game.” This wasn’t the sharpest performance by any stretch. The Rebels left 10 men on base and surrendered 14 hits. But Ole Miss survived for a win, one that likely won’t be remembered for how it happened in June. A loss would’ve been a different story, as well as an RPI hit. The Rebels host Xavier in a three-game series beginning on Friday evening. First pitch is slated for 4 P.M. The post Servideo’s blast saves Rebels in 9-8 win over Alcorn State appeared first on News Mississippi.
Beware of scammers in wake of flooding
Attorney General Lynn Fitch is urging those affected by the flooding of the Pearl River to be mindful of those who might try to take advantage of consumers who were hard hit by this natural emergency. She shares these tips: Home Repair Tips: Here are some tips to protect yourself and loved ones from fraudulent contractors and others: Verify that the company you are considering is insured. Ask for a copy of the certificate of insurance. Do your research. Contact our Consumer Protection Division, the MS State Board of Contractors, or the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi to see if they have complaints against the company. Ask for several local references and make to check them. Look online for reviews of their work. Take time to shop around, and be suspicious of any price that seems unusually high or low. Get written estimates from more than one company, and check with friends or family who have had work done recently to see what they paid and who they recommend. Ask how the job will be carried out and if they will perform the work according to industry standards. For tree removal services, pay attention to the “lingo” such as “topping a tree,” “lion’ s-tailing” or “using climbing spikes to prune a tree.” Sometimes these techniques will be presented as a way to save money by removing more of the tree at one time; however, these practices can injure or kill trees, and trees pruned by one of these methods usually requires more expensive restoration work in the future to save it. Ask for details on post-job cleanup and debris removal. Before the job is started, ask if the company will remove the tree, damaged roof, or other items from your property as well. If you do not, it could lead to you having to also pay for debris removal. Flooding/Car Purchases Car buyers should be cautious when shopping at used car markets, particularly after a flood event. Extra inspection should be given to these cars to be sure the vehicle you are buying was not damaged in a storm. The Attorney General’s Office offers these tips when car shopping after a flood: Inspect vehicles carefully, paying attention to hidden areas that could collect mud or silt. Look for water stains, mildew, or sand under the carpet and floor mats and in the console and wheel well, where the spare tire is stored. Also, look for fogging or moisture in the interior lights, exterior lights, and dashboard. Smell the interior of the car. A heavy aroma of cleaners and disinfectants could be a sign that someone’s trying to mask a mold or odor problem. Feel and listen for problems. Have your mechanic inspect the car’s mechanical and electrical components and systems that contain fluids for water contamination. Notice if anything feels or sounds unusual. Understand the difference between “salvage branded title” and “flood branded title.” A salvage branded title means the car was declared a total loss by an insurance company because of a serious accident or some other problems. A flood branded title means the car has damage from sitting in water deep enough to fill the engine compartment. The brand is a permanent record that prints on the title. Therefore, when you are buying a vehicle, be sure to check the front of the title for any brands that provide important information about the condition of the vehicle. Examples of these brands include the following: salvage, rebuilt, flood-damaged, and hail-damaged. The title status is part of a vehicle history report. Know that some vehicles cannot be titled or tagged. Some states issue Certificates of Destruction on the vehicles that have flooded in their state. If a vehicle has a Certificate of Destruction and/or a brand of “Junk,” “Parts Only” or “Non-Repairable” issued by ANY state, these vehicles cannot be titled or tagged in the State of Mississippi. Obtain a vehicle history report. The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s free database includes flood damage and other information. Also read through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System reports, which protect buyers from concealed vehicle histories as the only public system that requires insurance carriers, auto recyclers, junk and salvage yards, and states to report vehicle history information. Do your research. Contact our Consumer Protection Division or the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi to see if they have complaints against the company. Take time to shop around, and be suspicious of any price that seems unusually high or low. Price Gouging Emergencies bring out the best in some people, and we all love seeing neighbors rescuing neighbors on the evening news. But sometimes emergencies bring out the worst, too. If you suspect that someone is unfairly raising their prices to take advantage of the current floods, you may be able to do something about it. Remember: Not every instance of raised prices is price gouging, and the Governor has not activated the price gouging statute in his declaration. Take a photo, including a time and date stamp, of the price signs while at the business. It may be useful in any investigation. If you suspect home or vehicle fraud or think you may be the victim of a scam, please contact the Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division at (601) 359-4230 or (800) 281-4418 The post Beware of scammers in wake of flooding appeared first on News Mississippi.
Governor Reeves provides update on closure of Parchman’s Unit 29
Photo courtesy of MDOC Governor Tate Reeves has made an announcement regarding the ongoing closure of Parchman’s most notorious unit. As the process of closing Unit 29 at Parchman continues, Governor Tate Reeves announced that an agreement has been reached that will allow the inmates remaining in the unit to be transferred to the nearby Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility. The intent to close Unit 29 was originally announced during Governor Reeves’ State of the State Address in January, and since then, certain inmates have already been transferred from the unit through reclassification and exchanges for lower-security inmates. According to the Governor, 375 inmates were transferred to Tallahatchie during the initial surge of violence, and the remaining prisoners will be transported in small groups in the coming weeks. The first group of inmates was transferred this morning. During the transfer, law enforcement seized 7 shanks, 10 cellphones and a bag of marijuana. As inmates are transferred out of the unit, which was at the center of questions regarding living conditions in Mississippi prisons, officials are still working toward a long-term solution to house the state’s most dangerous inmates. Governor Reeves said that they are taking a “close look” at Walnut Grove, a facility that closed in 2016, as they determine how to move forward. “We need a Department of Corrections that corrects criminal behavior. We need a department that prevents future violence or crimes. We don’t want anyone who leaves this system to return. We want them to go on to lead lives of purpose, meaning, and dignity,” said Governor Reeves, “Justice must be our focus—for all Mississippians. We have never forgotten that during our work to restore order, and it will be an ongoing effort throughout our time in office.” In a news release, the Governor’s office provided a breakdown of the agreement. “The Reeves administration renegotiated the price for housing, achieving a nearly 5% reduction in the cost per prisoner. The inmates will now be housed at a rate of $62.50/day compared to the previous $65/day rate. Only death row—which is required by law to remain on the premises—and a support services building which helps maintain the rest of the prison will remain in operation.” The search for a permanent commissioner for the Department Corrections continues while Tommy Taylor serves as the interim Commissioner. The post Governor Reeves provides update on closure of Parchman’s Unit 29 appeared first on News Mississippi.