Health officials warn of water contamination amid flooding
Amid flooding concerns in the metro area, the Mississippi State Department of Health has issued a warning. Health officials warn that flooding can contaminate the public water supply, and drinking contaminated water or using it to cook or clean may cause illnesses. On its website, the MSDH lists plenty of tips on how to stay safe during a flood when it comes to water quality. Water for Drinking and Cooking Safe drinking water includes bottled, boiled, or treated water. Your state health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating drinking water in your area. Here are some general rules concerning water for drinking and cooking: Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, or make ice. If you use bottled water, know where it came from. Otherwise, water should be boiled or treated before use. Drink only bottled, boiled, or treated water until your supply is tested and found safe. Boiling water kills harmful bacteria and parasites; bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute will kill most organisms. When boiling is not possible, water may also be treated with chlorine or iodine tablets, or by mixing six drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. If the water is cloudy, use twelve drops (1/4 teaspoon). Mix the solution thoroughly, and let stand for about 30 minutes. These treatments will not kill parasitic organisms, however. Containers for water should be rinsed with a bleach solution before re-using them. Use water storage tanks and other types of containers with caution. For example, fire truck storage tanks, as well as previously used cans or bottles can be contaminated with microbes or chemicals. Do not rely on untested devices for decontaminating water. Food Safety Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with contaminated floodwater. Discard any food not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with contaminated floodwater. Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if you remove the can labels, thoroughly wash the cans, and then disinfect them with a solution consisting of one cup of bleach in five gallons of water. Re-label your cans, including expiration date, with a marker. Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda pop bottles), twist caps, flip tops, snap-open, and home canned foods should be discarded if they have come into contact with flood water because they cannot be disinfected. For infants who are not breastfeeding, use only canned baby formula. Do not use powdered formulas unless they are mixed with boiled and cooled water, or water known to be safe. Sanitation It is critical to practice basic hygiene during the emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected: Before preparing or eating food After toilet use After participating in cleanup activities After handling articles contaminated with floodwater or sewage Floodwater may contain fecal material from overflowing sewage systems and agricultural and industrial waste. Although skin contact with floodwater does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, there is risk of disease from eating or drinking anything contaminated with floodwater. If you have any open cuts or sores that will be exposed to floodwater, keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap and applying an antibiotic ointment to discourage infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention. Do not allow children to play in floodwater areas. Wash children’s hands frequently (always before meals), and do not allow children to play with floodwater-contaminated toys that have not been disinfected. You can disinfect toys using a solution of one cup of bleach in five gallons of water. For much more information, click here. The Pearl River in Jackson is expected the crest at 38 feet on Saturday, causing flooding concerns in the northeast and southwest portions of the capital city. Related: MEMA: Pearl River Flood Emergency Here’s a closer look of the flood map generated with information from the @NWSJacksonMS and Crisis Track pic.twitter.com/BjaatGymqF — MSEMA (@MSEMA) February 13, 2020 Make sure to stay alert for notices issued by state or local officials when it comes to water in your area. The post Health officials warn of water contamination amid flooding appeared first on News Mississippi.
Bill to provide equal benefits to National Guard and Reserve introduced in Congress
Mississippi Congressman Steven Palazzo, California Congressman Mike Levin, and Ohio Congressman Mike Levin have announced the introduction of the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2020. The bipartisan legislation would provide parity in GI Bill benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserves who increasingly conduct similar training and missions as other servicemembers, but do not receive equal benefits. The bill was also introduced by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). Since 9/11, the Reserve Component has become an integral part of U.S. defense plans as an operational reserve, a change from its traditional role as a strategic reserve. Servicemembers from the Active and Reserve Components often train and serve alongside each other, such as deployments to disasters like wildfires, but do not receive equal benefits. The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act would start to address this benefits disparity by expanding eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill to count every day that a servicemember is paid and in uniform toward benefit eligibility. “Our men and women serving in the National Guard and Reserves are trained to be ready to respond at a moment’s notice and are oftentimes performing the same duties as their active-duty counterparts without receiving equal benefits,” said Rep. Palazzo. “I firmly believe that these individuals carrying out equally demanding and risky responsibilities should be appropriately compensated. This is about fairness and ensuring our Guardsmen and Reservists get the benefits they earned.” “If members of the Guard and Reserve do similar jobs and face similar risks as other servicemembers, then they deserve the same benefits,” said Rep. Levin, Chair of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. “This commonsense legislation will finally bring basic fairness for servicemembers who spend months away from family and risk their lives for our country, but have not received the benefits they deserve. I’m proud to introduce this bill with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and look forward to advancing it in the House.” “Our servicemembers prove themselves daily serving our nation, and they should be compensated daily as well. That’s why a day on active duty should count as a day toward their GI benefits,” said Congressman Ryan. “Nothing can truly repay our servicemembers for their sacrifices, but this bill is an important step towards fairly compensating military men and women.” “Members of the National Guard and Reserve deserve GI benefits that reflect their increased services to our nation,” said Senator Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “These folks continue to answer the call of duty, and have been waiting years for the government to do right by them. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill addresses this inequity, and follows through on our commitment to ensure these men and women receive the education benefits they have earned and deserve.” “We could not provide for our national defense if it were not for the service of our guardsmen and women,” said Senator Blackburn. “From protecting our southern border to aiding in the wake of national disasters, our National Guard and Reserve components serve an integral role in our military community, and they ought to be fully compensated for their service each and every day they wear their uniform.” “The men and women of the National Guard work tirelessly alongside their active-duty and reservist counterparts, often accomplishing the exact same mission but receiving very different benefits,” said Daniel Elkins, Legislative Director with EANGUS. “The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2020 will help ensure fair and equal treatment to all servicemembers, regardless of duty status.” Palazzo is Vice-Chair of the House National Guard and Reserve Caucus and a member of the Mississippi National Guard. The post Bill to provide equal benefits to National Guard and Reserve introduced in Congress appeared first on News Mississippi.
A legend is gone!
In a Facebook post, the family of famous rodeo clown, Lecile Harris, has announced his passing. According to the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Harris was born on November 6th, 1936 in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi. He got his start as a bull rider and then a fill-in bullfighter while still in high school and developed into one of the sport’s most respected funnymen over a career that has spanned more than half a century. Called the “Dean of Rodeo Clowns/Bullfighters,” he was PRCA Clown of the Year in 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1996. At his peak, Harris performed at more than 100 rodeos each year, his timing, inventiveness and classic style the envy of his contemporaries. He became well known for his signature end to a performance, as The Original Bulldance, in which he would dance with a bull from the bucking stock. Lecile’s style is influenced by the work of several comedians he grew up admiring, including Emmett Kelly, Red Skelton, W.C. Fields and Laurel and Hardy. The painted face he uses in his act has been part of his persona since 1955 when he was asked to serve as an emergency replacement at Sardis, Miss., and used shoe polish and lipstick from the local drug store to prepare. The multi-talented Harris was a football player at the University of Tennessee-Martin, a session drummer in the Memphis are during the 1950s and early ‘60s and has done some performing on television and in films. He spent five years on the TV series Hee Haw and appeared in the films Walking Tall: The Final Chapter, The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James and W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings. Mississippi’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Andy Gipson, has issued the following statement: On behalf of the State of Mississippi, we express our deepest condolences to and prayers for the Lecile Harris family. It was an honor and privilege to know and work with this gentleman, a true friend and a genuine Mississippi and rodeo legend. The post A legend is gone! appeared first on News Mississippi.
MSDH issuing free radon home test kits
The Mississippi State Department of Health wants to protect you and your home from an odorless, colorless gas that may cause lung cancer. The MSDH’s Radon Program is partnering with the Mississippi Public Library System to offer free radon home test kits to Mississippi residents. Health Officials describe radon as an odorless, colorless gas and say that it is the second leading cause of lung cancer nationwide. More than 20,000 Americans die of radon-related lung cancer each year, and radon causes up to 15 percent of lung cancers worldwide. Radon is a radioactive gas found in nature. Its source is natural uranium in the earth. Being a gas, radon moves upward out of the soil and into the air, where it can enter and accumulate in homes. Uranium is found in most soils and in granite. Test kits are available while supplies last at the following libraries across the state: Northern Mississippi: Lee County Public Library – Tupelo Starkville/Oktibbeha Public Library – Starkville Carrollton/North Carrollton Public Library – North Carrollton Humphreys County Public Library – Belzoni Elizabeth Jones Public Library – Grenada Indianola/Sunflower Public Library – Indianola Greenwood/Leflore Public Library – Greenwood Central Mississippi: B.S. Ricks Public Library – Yazoo City Eudora Welty Public Library – Jackson Dekalb County Public Library – Dekalb Attala County Public Library – Kosciusko Leake County Public Library – Carthage Meridian-Lauderdale Public Library – Meridian Southern Mississippi: Hattiesburg Public Library – Hattiesburg Poplarville Public Library – Poplarville For more information on radon exposure, visit the MSDH website at www.HealthyMS.com/radon. The post MSDH issuing free radon home test kits appeared first on News Mississippi.
Special election set to fill House seat vacated by freshman lawmaker
A special election has been set to fill a suddenly vacant seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives. Governor Tate Reeves has set the special election for House District 88 (Jasper & Jones County) for April 21st, and the qualifying deadline for candidates intending to run is March 2nd. If no candidate receives a majority of votes cast on election day, there will be a runoff election held on May 12. Rep. Ramona Blackledge resigned just a few weeks into her first term as a state legislator due to a current statute that restricts lawmakers from drawing from their PERS retirements funds while serving in the legislature. Speaker of the House Philip Gunn said that the statute exists to prevent legislators from “drawing double pay from the citizens” during their time at the Capitol. Blackledge won her seat in the House by defeating incumbent Rep. Gary Staples in the 2019 Republican primary. She did not face a Democratic opponent in November. The post Special election set to fill House seat vacated by freshman lawmaker appeared first on News Mississippi.
Governor Tate Reeves Announces $727,000 Grant for Long Beach
Governor Tate Reeves announced the award of a $727,092 grant from the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure of the City of Long Beach. The RESTORE Council approved the RESTORE Act project, the goal of which is to improve water quality for the Mississippi Sound and other coastal water resources by reducing the city’s wastewater overflows. “The Mississippi Sound has faced many challenges this past year, and they should not have to face recovery alone. We must roll up our sleeves and work together to ensure we’re protecting this precious natural resource. When we invest in improving the water quality of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it helps promote a healthy ecosystem for our marine life and restores and revitalizes the local economy. I am pleased that the RESTORE Council has approved this project so the Gulf Coast can move forward and thrive,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “The City of Long Beach is ecstatic and appreciative of funding obligated to our city which will allow us to replace a sewer lift station and sewer line that overflows during heavy rainfall. The overflow causes sewer run-off to flood Trautman Bayou and ultimately run into our Gulf of Mexico. The City of Long Beach is committed to keeping our waters and sea life safe for future generations. Our sincere gratitude to Governor Reeves and MDEQ for the funding to correct this situation,” said Mayor George Bass, City of Long Beach. The City of Long Beach – Trautman Drainage Basin Wastewater System Upgrades project is funded by the Spill Impact Component, or Bucket 3, of the RESTORE Act and is administered by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Research has shown that water quality degradation is often caused by urban runoff and wastewater discharge and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). “Overflows from urban wastewater collection systems on the Coast often directly impact coastal marshes and the Mississippi Sound through canals and bayous. Numerous studies and reports have demonstrated that such overflows contribute to decreases in water quality. Our objective, through projects such as this one, is improved water quality and a reduction of beach advisories, shellfish bed closures, and other environmental issues,” said Chris Wells, Interim MDEQ Executive Director. Project components, which will be refined in the engineering and design phase, may include: Replacement and relocation of the pump station at the intersection of Pineville Rd. and Railroad St.; New discharge force main from the new pump station to the regional pump station at Nicholson St. and Railroad St.; Manhole upgrades, as necessary; Force mains and other pump station upgrades as deemed necessary and identified during engineering and design; and/or Potential downstream ditch maintenance to address relic bacteria in surface sediments. The RESTORE Council was created in 2012 by the RESTORE Act. It is comprised of the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas as well as the Secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, the Army, Commerce, Homeland Security, the Interior, and the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Information about Mississippi’s restoration efforts can be found at restore.ms. The post Governor Tate Reeves Announces $727,000 Grant for Long Beach appeared first on News Mississippi.
Open letter from State Insurance Commissioner: Balance billing must be addressed by Legislature
(Written by Mike Chaney, Mississippi’s Commissioner of Insurance) Over the past several years, my office has seen an uptick in balance billing, also called surprise billing. Imagine opening your mail to find a bill for hundreds of dollars for a doctor visit that you believed was covered by insurance. That is what happens to some Mississippians, often seeking emergency medical care, and in many cases it is illegal. A Mississippi law (Section 83‐9‐5) which passed in 2013 prohibits balance bills where the insured assigns his or her benefits to the medical provider. In the simplest terms, balance billing occurs when you are charged the difference between what a provider charges for services and what your insurance actually pays the provider. I have set out an example of balance billing, in detail, near the bottom of my letter. What you should know is that, although the law prohibits it where an assignment of benefits occurs, some providers fail to comply. Rep. Gary Chism (R – District 37) has authored House Bill 95 and I fully support this measure. It amends the 2013 law to give my office the power to adopt regulations and resolve disputes between healthcare providers and consumers. I hope that you will also support HB 95 after you consider the impact of balance billing and the amount of money involved. The Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) began receiving calls about balance billing in 2015. Calls increased significantly in 2018. In 2018, the MID recovered approximately $30,000 for consumers. In 2019, there were 10 complaints with approximately $25,000 recovered for consumers. So far in 2020, the MID has received two balance billing complaints. Additionally, consumers are being balance billed tens of thousands of dollars because air ambulance providers are often not in the insurance carriers provider network. The median cost of an air ambulance bill is $36,000.00. In 2018, the MID received about six air‐ambulance balance billing complaints and recovered more than $50,000 for consumers. In 2019, we received seven air ambulance‐related complaints and recovered approximately $150,000. This is an example of what balance billing looks like: A patient enters a network hospital for a surgical procedure. The anesthesiologist providing services for the procedure is not in the patient’s healthplan network. The patient would not be aware of this fact until such time as the patient receives a bill from the anesthesiologist. Due to the fact that the anesthesiologist is an out of network provider, the insurance carrier will pay the out of network rate. The anesthesiologist’s total charge is $1,500. The patient’s insurance company’s non‐network rate is $600. The patient will receive a bill for $900 (assuming the patient has met their healthplan yearly deductible). House Bill 95 passed in the House of Representatives last week with overwhelming support but has since been recalled for reconsideration. I hope to see HB 95 passed, giving existing state law the teeth it needs to save money for Mississippi insurance consumers. As always, I urge you to call my office if you have questions about insurance or balance billing. Email us at consumer@mid.ms.gov or call 1‐800‐562‐2957. UPDATE: HB95 passed the Mississippi House. Commissioner Chaney hopes to see it pass the Senate as well. The post Open letter from State Insurance Commissioner: Balance billing must be addressed by Legislature appeared first on News Mississippi.
MCPP Special Report: Free speech lawsuit heading back to state court
(Special report provided by Mississippi Center for Public Policy) Chief District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III has sent a free speech lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Justice Institute (MJI) back to state court and ordered the city of Jackson to pay the attorneys’ fees incurred by the plaintiffs while opposing the city’s attempt to move the case to federal court. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of an ordinance recently enacted by the city of Jackson which bans free speech outside of the state’s only abortion clinic. MJI is representing the plaintiffs, who are members of Sidewalk Advocates of Life – Jackson, Mississippi. After MJI filed the lawsuit in Hinds County Circuit Court last fall, the city attempted to remove the lawsuit to federal court, stating in a press release that federal court was “the appropriate venue for this matter,” despite the fact that the plaintiffs had alleged only that the challenged ordinance violated the Mississippi Constitution, and had not made allegations regarding the U.S. Constitution. In an opinion issued Wednesday, Jordan sided with MJI’s motion to remand the case back to state court, stating, “It is up to Mississippi’s courts to interpret the state’s constitution and develop the state’s constitutional law. “The Court is hard-pressed to find a reasonable basis justifying removal in this case. All of Plaintiffs’ claims allege that the ordinance violated their rights under the Mississippi Constitution. As to Plaintiffs’ free-speech claim, the city said that Plaintiffs necessarily raised a federal issue because their claim concerns an abortion-related law, which ‘is at the center of controversial and evolving federal jurisprudence[.]’ That may be true, but the city cites no case law—nor can the Court find any—from which it could reasonably conclude that this could form the basis of federal-question jurisdiction. As explained, the case law, and basic principles of federalism, are to the contrary.” The judge also held that attorneys for the city of Jackson lacked any reasonable basis to believe their removal of the case to federal court was legally proper, and therefore ordered the city to pay the legal fees and court costs incurred by the plaintiffs in opposing the move. The Court instructed counsel for the Sidewalk Advocates to submit a motion with an affidavit supported by billing records documenting the reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs that they have incurred. While the plaintiffs are represented by MJI for free, the law allows public interest law firms such as MJI to recover reasonable costs and fees incurred when a defendant improperly removes a case to federal court. “Quite frankly, we were shocked by the position taken by the city of Jackson in these court filings,” said Aaron Rice, the Director of the Mississippi Justice Institute. “Jackson’s argument completely disregarded the principles of federalism upon which our country was founded, denigrated the competence of state courts to hear state law claims, and was dismissive of the authority of state courts to interpret their own state’s constitution. Fortunately, the federal court understood that, and ensured that state courts will have this important opportunity to interpret the Mississippi Constitution’s free speech protections.” The new ordinance bans individuals who are near health facilities from approaching within eight feet of any person without consent, for the purpose of engaging in various forms of speech such as counseling, education, or distributing leaflets; bans people from congregating or demonstrating within 15 feet of the abortion facility, and bans any amplified sound. Violations of the ordinance could result in fines of up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail. “Women regularly accept our offer to help in the midst of an unexpected pregnancy, said Pam Miller, Co-Leader of Sidewalk Advocates for Life – Jackson, Mississippi. “In fact, in partnership with other peaceful community members, more women than ever have opted to take advantage of the free, alternative resources the Jackson community provides. We are committed to connecting women with the loving, life-affirming assistance they deserve, and we will continue to serve the women of Mississippi in a peaceful and law-abiding way.” “Now that we have resolved this jurisdictional issue, MJI looks forward to vigorously defending our client’s fundamental freedom to have peaceful, compassionate, and respectful conversations in public places about one of the most profound moral and political issues facing our nation,” said Rice. “To deny that right would be to deny the very essence of a free society.” The order granting motion to remand can be found here. The post MCPP Special Report: Free speech lawsuit heading back to state court appeared first on News Mississippi.
Body of former MSU player pulled from Lee County lake
Photo courtesy of MSU Athletics The body of a former Mississippi State football player was pulled from a lake in Lee County on Monday. Lee County Coroner Carolyn Green has now confirmed the identity of the man as 27-year-old Philemon ‘P.J.’ Jones, who was recently reported missing. According to the Tupelo Police Department, Jones’ family had not heard from him since January 20th. Green said that the state crime lab confirmed Jones’ identity through the use of fingerprint analysis. Jones’ body was pulled from a lake in the Indian Hills subdivision on Monday. Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson reportedly stated that foul play is not suspected at this time, but Green says it has not been ruled out. Officials are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine a cause of death. Jones played at Mississippi State from 2011-2014, starting 27 games as a defensive lineman and tallying 81 total tackles throughout his career. The post Body of former MSU player pulled from Lee County lake appeared first on News Mississippi.
Grenada man arrested on human trafficking charges
A Grenada man has been arrested on human trafficking charges. 23-year-old Nicholas Pittman is charged with promoting prostitution and conspiracy to commit robbery after a joint operation led by the Northeast and Northwest Mississippi Human Trafficking Taskforce. Nicholas Pittman. Courtesy of OPD According to the Oxford Police Department, the operation took place on February 8th, and Pittman was booked into the Lafayette County Detention Center with a $25,000 bond. The operation also resulted in several other misdemeanor arrests for procuring prostitution. “The Oxford Police Department is committed to working with our Human Trafficking Taskforces to combat this serious issue,” OPD said in a statement. “We want to especially thank our team of victim support services that provided medical and counseling assistance to our victims” The Oxford Police Department extended a special thank you to the FBI, MBI, MDOT, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department, Lafayette County Metro Narcotics, Southaven Police Department, Hernando Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Forrest County Sheriff’s Department, and The Center for Violence Prevention for assisting in the operation. If you suspect someone is being trafficked, you can call the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. If you are a victim of human trafficking and need assistance contact The Center for Violence Prevention at 1-800-266-4198 for victim’s services. The post Grenada man arrested on human trafficking charges appeared first on News Mississippi.