Mississippi State Fair: 161 years strong and even COVID can’t stop it – for now…
The Mississippi State Fair will celebrate 161 years when it gets underway on October 7th. Despite the threat of COVID-19, the annual event will continue as planned at the state fairgrounds in the Capital City. The fairgrounds complex covers 105 acres and under the current executive order, maximum capacity now stands at 200-people-per acre. According to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture, all gates will be monitored to ensure maximum capacity is not violated. Photo courtesy of Telesouth Communicatins Inc. Visitors must continue to abide by current social distancing guidelines. Once inside, here is what you can expect: Lines to rides, games, and food vendors will have six-foot markers to help people maintain the proper distance. There will be fewer food vendors. Outdoor music will be properly spaced to achieve social distancing. Indoor events will be limited to 25 percent occupancy. Livestock barns will only be accessible to participants, family, and personnel involved in the livestock shows. Hand sanitation stations will be provided throughout the fairgrounds and high touch areas and surfaces will be routinely sanitized. Do you have to wear a mask? All visitors will be required to wear face coverings upon entry. If you do not have one, a mask will be provided. All staff, midway employees, contractors, and vendors are required to wear masks. What will be different? Sadly, the “Senior American Day” Program which features special entertainment, health screenings, and health resources for older Mississippians will not be held this year. It will however be replaced with the “All American Day” program which will feature a live stream of patriotic and programming for those who cannot attend. School Field Day at the fair has also been canceled. In the past, this event allowed entry to students from across the state at a reduced rate. Image courtesy of the Office of Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson said, “The CDC advises that people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be higher risk for severe illness from Coronavirus. Guests should evaluate their own risk in determining whether to attend. By coming to the Fair, you acknowledge and agree that you assume these inherent risks associated with attendance.” “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and utilize the guidance of the Mississippi State Department of Health and CDC. The Mississippi State Fairgrounds wants to make sure your visit to the State Fair is a memorable and safe experience. I hope to see you there,” said Gipson. The post Mississippi State Fair: 161 years strong and even COVID can’t stop it – for now… appeared first on News Mississippi.
Governor Reeves likely to extend statewide mask mandate
During today’s press briefing, Governor Tate Reeves highlighted the continued downward trend in Mississippi’s new COVID-19 cases and the success of a recently launched workforce training program. For the first time since late June, the state’s 7-day average has fallen below 500. Governor Reeves’ credited the “buy-in” of Mississippians to make that happen when it comes to social distancing and wearing masks in public. With that in mind, he explained that he will likely extend the statewide mask mandate, which is currently set to expire on Monday. “We’ve proven that we can fight this thing without shutting down schools or without closing private businesses. Freedom with targeted intervention works. It is a tremendous ongoing achievement by the people of our great state, but make no mistake, it is still ongoing. We are still in the fight,” he said. The governor did state that they will look toward the possibility of loosening restrictions regarding outdoor social gatherings — currently capped at 20. Explaining the need for continued mask use, Governor Reeves noted that it will aid in keeping Mississippi’s schools open. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs stated that 16 outbreaks last week resulted in 452 positive cases — 124 teachers and 326 students. 458 teachers and 4,057 students were placed on quarantine. “If we can keep students six feet apart throughout the day, wearing a mask, they will never have to quarantine,” Dr. Dobbs said while encouraging schools to take the proper precautions to limit transmission. Governor Reeves, joined by State Workforce Investment Board Chairman Patrick Sullivan, also announced that over 2,000 Mississippians have enrolled in the ReSkill Mississippi initiative which launched back in August. Using CARES Act funding, the program allows Mississippians out-of-work or those working reduced hours to “re-skill” in order to help prepare them for and fill high-demand, higher-paying jobs. “We have long had more skilled jobs available than people trained to fill them, but this program can help thousands of Mississippians retrain for the skills needed for higher-paying jobs,” Sullivan said. “I believe this program will play an important role in sustaining a vibrant and growing Mississippi economy, and it is the type of effort that Mississippi should look to continue long after the CARES Act and the COVID-19 pandemic are gone.” Sullivan also explained that almost 2/3 of the jobs lost due to COVID have returned to Mississippi which is above the national pace. The post Governor Reeves likely to extend statewide mask mandate appeared first on News Mississippi.
Fifth defendant named in alleged MDE bid-rigging scheme
A fifth individual has been indicted in an alleged bid-rigging scheme involving a former prominent figure within the Mississippi Department of Education. Along with Cerissa Neal, the former executive director of the Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Educator Quality (2013-16), and three others, Memphis attorney Errol Harmon faces charges for allegedly perpetuating the scheme that defrauded the state out of over $650,000. According to the indictment, Neal conspired with Harmon, Joseph Kyles, David Hunt and Lambert Martin to defraud the state through bid-rigging, false quotes, and altering purchase orders for personal gain by awarding contracts and purchase orders at inflated prices and directing them to co-conspirators and their businesses. According to U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Harmon’s role in the scheme was to “receive money from Joseph Kyles and convey that money as payments to Neal. In multiple instances, Kyles gave cash or wrote a check to Harmon. On or about the same day, Harmon then wrote a check to Neal for substantially the same sum and caused that check to be delivered to Neal. In this manner.” Harmon is charged with conspiracy, bribery and interstate transport in aid of bribery. Neal is charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and bribery. Following last week’s announcement of the indictment, State Auditor Shad White noted that this case has been under investigation since 2017. State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright explained that it was MDE that alerted the auditor’s office to the alleged illegal activity. “The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is pleased to see legal action being taken against the individuals who are alleged to have defrauded the MDE and the State of Mississippi. We reported this suspected activity in October 2017 to the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) when we discovered evidence that a former employee may have violated state procurement laws. At the time of the discovery, we conducted an immediate, internal audit of all business transactions in which the former employee was involved and provided the audit results and all related records to the OSA. We are eager to continue to assist the investigation through to its conclusion,” she said. A detailed description of the scheme was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office: “The indictment alleges that Neal, using her position within the Mississippi Department of Education, would split contract requests from one contract into multiple, smaller contracts, in order to avoid threshold amounts that would trigger a formal, competitive bidding process. Neal would entertain and advocate for a bid for the contract from one of the three conspirators’ businesses, including The Kyles Company in Memphis, Tennessee (Joseph Kyles), Doc Imaging (also d/b/a as “Hunt Services”) in Jackson, Tennessee (David Hunt), and Educational Awareness in Memphis, Tennessee (Lambert Martin). To meet the Department of Education requirement that such an informal bid have at least two competing vendor quotes for comparison, Neal would obtain false and inflated quotes, by herself and from the other co-conspirators, designed to make the intended co-conspirator’s business the lower bid, and to guarantee the award of the contract. The indictment alleges that conspirators coordinated their submissions to the Department of Education as well as the sharing of the resulting contract payments. After the Department of Education made payment on the rigged contract to the co-conspirator-owned business, the winning bidder shared some of the money with co-conspirators, in return for their assistance in rigging the bid and winning the Department of Education contract. Kyles, Hunt, and Martin, through their respective businesses, garnered over $650,000 from the State of Mississippi, including federal funds granted by the U.S. Department of Education to Mississippi. As alleged in the indictment, Errol Harmon’s role in the scheme was to receive money from Kyles and convey that money as payments to Neal. In multiple instances, Kyles gave cash or wrote a check to Harmon. On or about the same day, Harmon then wrote a check to Neal for substantially the same sum and caused that check to be delivered to Neal. In this manner, Neal received more than $42,000 directly or indirectly from her co-conspirators.” Harmon will appear for arraignment on September 24. Neal, Hunt, Kyles and Martin have each appeared in court for arraignment earlier in August and September, and were all released on conditions of bond pending trial. If convicted, Harmon faces up to 5 years in prison on the conspiracy charge, 10 years for the bribery charge, and 5 years for interstate transport in aid of bribery charge. Each count also can merit a fine of up to $250,000. The post Fifth defendant named in alleged MDE bid-rigging scheme appeared first on News Mississippi.
1,400 food boxes will be distributed Friday at the Mississippi Fairgrounds
The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) will distribute 1,400 food boxes to the public on Friday, September 11th, at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson. The distribution, which begins at 9:00 a.m. is part of the USDA sponsored Farmers to Families Food Box Program. Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson said, “I’m glad the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce can assist with the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. It benefits not only our farmers and distributors but also our citizens who may be struggling as a result of COVID-19’s impact on society.” “Our Department has distributed over 2,800 produce boxes, 3,600 dozen eggs, and 3,600 gallons of milk to the public in the past two months. We are continuing our efforts to assist the public by hosting another food box distribution Friday on the Mississippi Fairgrounds,” said Gipson. Merchants Foodservice of Hattiesburg will provide the 1,400 food boxes, Borden Dairy is donating an additional 2,200 gallons of milk, and Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. of Jackson is donating 16,800 eggs. Those receiving a food box will also receive two gallons of milk and a dozen eggs. The public can begin arriving at 9:00 a.m. and must remain in their vehicles with the windows up. MDAC volunteers will wear masks and gloves at all times and when instructed, the public will be allowed to open their car trunks for placement of their dairy box. The Mississippi State Fairgrounds is located at 1207 Mississippi Street, Jackson, MS 39202. The public must enter through Gate 1 on Jefferson Street and exit through Gate 6 on Greymont Street. Image courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) created the Farmers to Families Food Box Program under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Through this, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service partners with national, regional and local suppliers, whose workforce has been significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses, to purchase up to $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy and meat products. Suppliers then package these products into family-sized boxes and transport them to food banks, community and faith-based organizations and other non-profits serving Americans in need. Click here to learn more about the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. The post 1,400 food boxes will be distributed Friday at the Mississippi Fairgrounds appeared first on News Mississippi.
Possibility of Hyde-Smith/Espy debate in Senate race still up in the air
We’re 53 days away from the November election, which not only features the Presidential election, but also a rematch of the 2018 U.S. Senate race between incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and challenger Mike Espy (D). Prior to the 2018 special election, which Hyde-Smith won by a 54-46% margin, the two candidates met for one debate, but it remains to be seen if they’ll share a stage ahead of this year’s election. Back in August, the former Congressman and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture accepted a debate innovation from WJTV but no date was announced. With Espy’s campaign calling upon the incumbent Senator to accept the proposal, Hyde-Smith’s campaign told News Mississippi that nothing has been decided. “We haven’t made any decisions about debates,” a spokesman for Senator Hyde-Smith’s campaign said. Jimmy Edwards will also appear on the ballot in the race as a Libertarian candidate. The November ballot will also feature several other congressional races, multiple medical marijuana initiatives and the ‘New Magnolia Flag.’ The post Possibility of Hyde-Smith/Espy debate in Senate race still up in the air appeared first on News Mississippi.
MSDH confirms 517 new COVID-19 cases, 33 additional deaths
The Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting 517 new cases of COVID-19. With today’s report, the state’s total number of cases rises to 88,322. With the confirmation of *33 additional deaths, 2,656 Mississippians have passed away from the virus. *MSDH Note: 13 confirmed COVID-19 related deaths between August 7 and September 1, identified from death certificate reports. The latest data from the MSDH shows that overall hospitalizations continue to decline in Mississippi. Cases among Mississippi’s 18-29-year-old population are approaching 20,000. As of Monday, the MSDH is able to estimate that 74,098 Mississippians have recovered from COVID-19. The post MSDH confirms 517 new COVID-19 cases, 33 additional deaths appeared first on News Mississippi.
MSDH offering free COVID-19 testing for child care workers
Free COVID-19 testing is now available for child care facility workers in Mississippi. The Mississippi State Department of Health announced Wednesday that child care workers can now receive the free drive-through COVID-19 testing at select MSDH community testing locations conducted at county health departments and at the West Street Farmers Market in Jackson. This represents an expansion of the program that was launched back in August to allow teachers and school staff members to get tested, regardless of exposure or symptoms. According to MSDH, anyone who wishes to get tested must receive an appointment by completing an online questionnaire – found here. For a list of scheduled testing sites, click here. The post MSDH offering free COVID-19 testing for child care workers appeared first on News Mississippi.
It’s a Monster! Over 12-foot gator harvested near Eagle Lake
Pictured L-R: Kent Wilburn of Cleveland, MS and Brad Baugh of Boyle, MS (Image courtesy of The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks) Mississippi’s alligator hunting season wrapped up on Monday, September 7th, and by the looks of it, the season was a success. A public waters alligator hunter harvested a tagged 12’ 1” alligator on September 3rd in Forest Home Chute off the Mississippi River south of Eagle Lake. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP), the alligator was only 76.375 inches in length when it was originally tagged on the Mississippi River Mainline Levee near Halpino Lake in 2011. L-R: Kent Wilburn of Cleveland, MS and Brad Baugh of Boyle, MS (Image courtesy of The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks) That is 77.625 inches of growth over the last 9 years, which is an average of 8.625 inches each year. MDWFP says the information is enlightening on growth rates of wild alligators of this size. MDWFP alligator program coordinator Ricky Flynt estimates the average annual growth for most tagged alligator returns in Mississippi have been between 5-8 inches with many outliers above and below the average. Nationally, it is rare to document alligators of this size class with annual growth rates of this magnitude but are always associated with habitats with abundant and exceptional prey resources. Interestingly enough, since 2003-2005, MDWFP notes this area of the Mississippi Delta has seen a tremendous increase in the Asian carp population. Wildlife officials say they have documented alligators feeding on the Asian carp on many occasions. Individuals have also observed alligators feeding on carp floating in the waterways following a die-off and feeding on live carp. Alligators in this part of the state (tributaries of the MS River) have significantly more body mass than alligators anywhere else in the state. Image courtesy of The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks In contrast, an alligator that the MDWFP captured and tagged on June 14, 2007, was harvested by a Pearl River/Ross Barnett Zone permit holder on August 29, 2020. The alligator grew only 24.75 inches over 13 years for an average of 1.9 inches per year and was harvested only 0.72 miles from its original capture location. The alligator was 11 feet 1 inch long when harvested by Cory Stewart. At this point, 13 previously tagged alligators are reported to have been harvested by alligator hunters during the 2020 season. Preliminary information shows over 840 alligators harvested during the 2020 Public Waters Alligator Hunting Season. 922 alligators were harvested during the 2019 season. The post It’s a Monster! Over 12-foot gator harvested near Eagle Lake appeared first on News Mississippi.
Two arrested after drone carrying contraband crashes into prison
Corban (Left) & Ross (Right). Photos courtesy of MDOC An unsuccessful attempt to use a drone to sneak contraband into a Mississippi prison has landed two suspects behind bars. After their drone got stuck in the security nets above the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility’s razor-wire fences, 33-year-old John Ross & 18-year-old Joshua Corban have been charged with conspiracy and attempting to smuggle contraband into a prison. Ross & Corban were trying to smuggle two ounces of marijuana, a cellphone, phone chargers, headphones, and several cigarette lighters to their friends in prison. The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office then used its own technology to trace the drone’s flight path and Ross, a parolee, and Corban were eventually identified as suspects. “We’re bringing all of Mississippi Corrections into the world of 21st Century crime-fighting technology, and we’re doing it quickly,” MDOC Commissioner Burl Cain said. “They tried to use the drone to help their friends—now it’s going to help us. We’re reprogramming their drone now to use at Parchman so it’s working for the law instead of against it.” Lead investigator Glenn Dixon explained that MDOC officials were able to download data from the drone and were able to obtain an address in Vicksburg, where the drone had been frequently used, before cross-referencing the address with MDOC files. MDOC’s Corrections Investigation Division coupled that with security video recorded at Mississippi Department of Public Safety Criminal Information Center (CIC) that showed Ross and Corban launching the drone. CIC is a hundred yards down the road from CMCF. Commissioner Cain says the two suspects confessed and are now facing prison stints, if convicted. In Ross’ case, he could be returning to prison. He has been on parole since October 2018 for sale of a controlled substance in Warren County. He and Corban made an initial appearance in Rankin County Court on Tuesday. MDOC Director of Investigations John Hunt says this is the third drone MDOC has intercepted at a Mississippi prison in recent years. You can view the security footage, the seized contraband, and more here. The post Two arrested after drone carrying contraband crashes into prison appeared first on News Mississippi.
Mississippi WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday, awarded Bronze Star
Photo courtesy of Senator Roger Wicker’s Office Earlier this week, Billups H. (Bill) Allen, a Mississippi native and World War II veteran, had a birthday celebration unlike any other. During a surprise ceremony on Monday at The Blake, an assisted living facility in Ridgeland, Allen celebrated his 100th birthday and received the Bronze Star Medal – the service’s fourth-highest award. Lieutenant-Colonel David Martian of the Mississippi Army National Guard presented the Bronze Star to Mr. Allen. Lt. Col. Martian also gave Allen the Army of Occupation medal and a replacement medal for Allen’s Purple Heart award, which was lost in December 1945 when he was evacuated from a hospital in England during the Battle of the Bulge. Allen was an infantry platoon leader (lieutenant) with the 29th Division in Europe. Allen’s family released a statement announcing the award and thanking those who helped make this happen. “The family would like to extend their appreciation to [U.S. Senator Roger] Wicker, the Mississippi Army National Guard, and the staff of The Blake [assisted living facility] for making the celebration and presentation possible.” Senator Wicker assisted the family with the application for the medal, which was awarded to Mr. Allen just days after the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. “Bill Allen is an American hero who distinguished himself in service during World War II. I was happy to help his family get him the recognition he deserves,” Wicker said. Attendance was limited to family members and facility staff because of COVID-19 restrictions. The post Mississippi WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday, awarded Bronze Star appeared first on News Mississippi.