WCBI News at Ten - 04/16/2020

WCBI News at Ten - 04/16/2020

Thank you for staying up with us tonight..

Mississippi's shelter-in-place order will expire monday.

But governor tate reeves plans to make an announcement about the next steps tomorrow morning// meanwhile--- questions remain about when the state should re- open for business// courtney ann jackson explains// the question of when to re-open for business is one facing every governor across the country.

"we're having conversations every single day and two and three times many days about how quickly we can get our economy back open."

But just a day before when asked about benchmarks on re- opening---governo r reeves referenced the sharp rise in unemployment.

"i believe that number is going to keep going up unless we can re- open our economy."

Sanderson farms' ceo joe sanderson agrees.

"he has to do that carefully or you're going to have a spike in illnesses."

As we await when and what that may look like---we know that a group of private sector business leaders will be helping make recommendations to the governor.

That commission will be led by sanderson.

"it reminds me a little bit of 2008 when the economy was really bad and people lost their jobs.

This is a little worse because people are getting sick and they're losing their jobs.

So, it's a little different."

Restauranteur robert st.

John is also a member of the commission for economic recovery.

Among the ideas he's hoping will come out of it... "certainly financial solutions for businesses that are currently hurting."

But both he and sanderson admit...there's no playbook on this.

St.

John was part of the recovery commission post- katrina and says they at least knew the extent of the damage once the storm ended.

He's says this is different.

"we're in uncharted waters.

No one knows...i've been in business 32 years and i've never seen anything even remotely close to what we're dealing with now.

We're going to have to do a lot of problem solving to get back to hopefully where we were."

Courtney ann jackson, wcbi news we're told that commission on economic recovery will start its discussions tomorrow// governor reeves announcement regarding the shelter-in-place order will be at 9 in the morning// while political and business leaders are discussing the best routes to reopen the nation's economy, millions of americans are looking for ways to stay afloat until that can happen// stimulus checks began hitting bank accounts this week, ábutá many of the people who need the money may not get it// those who have certain debts in collection, including credit card, medical, and áprivateá student loans could find their checks taken by the collection agencies// some state officials are trying to get that loophole closed// "twenty six attorney generals from across the country have petitioned to have that exemption added.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have stepped forward and asked that that provision be added.

It's hard to tell if that will happen.

The whole act was passed in a socially distant world.

Most things get done in washington with a handshake and face to face contact.

This act was passed in an unheard of manner.

In a world where we are socially distancing.

Hopefully they will resolve this but we can't count on that."

Some consumer groups say the best thing to do is monitor your account regularly, and withdraw the money before the debt collectors can access it// coroner greg merchant confirms lowndes county's first covid-19 death// the man died this morning at baptist golden triangle, in columbus// wcbi is told that the patient lived at the arrington assisted living community and was just diagnosed last week// earlier this week, the retirement community administration told wcbi no one else in the living center is showing any symptoms// they also told us where the person lived has been zoned off and those living in that part of the building are being quarantined// lowndes county has 30 confirmed covid-19 cases// clay county also has its first covid- 19 death// clay county coroner, alvin carter, junior confirms that a 62 year old man with underlying health issues died of the virus at och regional medical center// that news and the 21 other confirmed cases of coronavirus in the county prompted ema director, torrey williams, to hold a briefing urging residents to take the disease more seriously// williams says people don't seem phased by the epidemic// in fact, a group of people were recently playing basketball at a local park, leading city leaders to remove the hoops from the goals// williams says one local death is too many// "people need to be aware of the things that are going on.

You may not think that it can happen to you, but this debt is in our community.

It's easily spread, and although you think you may be ok and your immune system may be ok, but the next person may not be."

The victim's name has not been released at this time.

Intro the coronavirus pandemic has shuttered churches as governors and mayors have discouraged gatherings of more than ten people// but there are some pastors who are still preaching to members inside the church buildings every week// allie martin has more.

Pkg shelter in place orders and cdc guidelines and recommendations on social distancing have had no impact on the congregation at new bethel missionary baptist church.

Pastor jack shelton says it's not about defying government authorities, instead, he says it's about faith and the freedoms guaranteed in the first amendment.

Nats preaching from wed night pastor jack shelton was holding wednesday night services from new bethel missionary baptist church on facebook live, and he was also preaching to members sitting in the church pews.

"i don't know exactly how many were here, but i do know it was more than ten."

Shelton has been pastor of the plantersville based church for fourteen years.

When the coronavirus began to reach the united states and government leaders started restricting public meetings and events, pastor shelton decided not to close the church's doors.

"the first amendment states what our rights are as religious organizations, and then look at the governor's oath and what he is obligated to as relates to the first amendment.

When we look at those things we can ask the question, who's abiding by law.

Bishop clarence parks, pastor of temple of compassion and deliverance decided to forgo in person services several weeks ago, opting for online broadcasts, and drive in services.

Bishop parks believes it is wise to heed the warnings and recommendations about the coronavirus.

"i tell the people, when we talk about shadrach, meshach and abednego, they didn't jump into the fire, they were thrown in, and because they were thrown in, god took care of them.

We were thrown into this fire, i believe, like they said, god is able to take care of us."

Pastor shelton says true faith should erase fears.

"why are we afraid if we have god's power."

Pastor shelton has been in contact with ministers in other states who have been cited for having in person church services.

He believes there will be a lot of legal challenges over executive orders that have impacted church services and attendance.

In lee county, allie martin, wcbi news tag pastor shelton says no one in his congregation has contracted the coronavirus.

First look stinger summary: mainly clear and cool conditions will continue tonight but there won't be a frost or freeze threat.

Some showers are possible late friday evening into saturday morning.

Another round of rain and storms is on tap for sunday.

Some look to be strong/severe but it's still uncertain how far north the prime zone of activity can get.

Stay tuned& thursday night: mainly clear.

Lows in the mid 40s.

Light se winds.

Friday: sun & clouds.

Warmer.

Highs in the mid 70s.

Winds ssw 10-20 mph.

Friday night: mostly cloudy with areas of showers possible.

Lows in the low 50s.

The death toll from an easter sunday tornado outbreak continues to climb.

Two more people have died as a result of the twisters.

The mississippi emergency management agency now puts the death toll at 14.

Mema officials say the latest fatalities were from walthall and jones counties.

Statewide, more than 12 hundred buildings were damaged.

33 counties have reported damage to mema.

These are initial reports and the numbers are expected to increase.

Noxubee county is one of those areas cleaning up after the tornadoes..

Our stephanie poole has been following their recovery process ..

Donut- sunday's twister left families devastated and many people without work.

Noxubee county ema director corey brown says those damage assessments are still ongoing.

" we get additional reports from the initial findings that we had on the first day.

So now, it's up to 8 or 9 homes either affected or have minor or major damage."

Brown says disaster recovery groups and the red cross has stepped in to help.

" they're assisting homeowners who lost everything and some who suffered pretty substantial damage to their home or are displaced at the moment.

They've been helping us get the debris and trash up within a couple of days and they've been awesome."

Brown the recovery effort is going well for residents.

However, two businesses took a big hit and left dozens of people without a job.

"they came up with very creative and safe ways to mitigate against the covid-19 to keep those employees operational, the business operational to keep those people employed.

Looks like they were going to dodge that bullet but sunday's storm comes through puts about 90 people out of work."

Donut close- if you have any damage or assistance please contact noxubee county's ema director.

Reporting in noxubee county, stephanie poole, wcbi news.

County leaders are still making assessments for the damage report.

Stinger wx open summary: mainly clear and cool conditions will continue tonight but there won't be a frost or freeze threat.

Some showers are possible late friday evening into saturday morning.

Another round of rain and storms is on tap for sunday.

Some look to be strong/severe but it's still uncertain how far north the prime zone of activity can get.

Stay tuned& thursday night: mainly clear.

Lows in the mid 40s.

Light se winds.

Friday: sun & clouds.

Warmer.

Highs in the mid 70s.

Winds ssw 10-20 mph.

Friday night: mostly cloudy with areas of showers possible.

Lows in the low 50s.

Saturday: mostly cloudy with some showers in the morning.

Sunshine develops during the day.

Highs should top out in the upper 60s to around 70.

Saturday night: areas of rain and thunder.

Lows in the low 50s.

Sunday: a 90% chance of rain and storms. highs in the low 70s.

Severe weather is possible in the region, especially along and south of the i-20 corridor.

Locations as far north as us 82 may be affected if the system trends northward so be sure to stay tuned for additional updates over the next 2 days.

Early next week: mostly sunny to partly cloudy weather builds back in for monday and tuesday.

Additional storms are may return by wednesday or thursday.

Follow @wcbiweather on facebook, twitter, instagram, and on summary: mainly clear and cool conditions will continue tonight but there won't be a frost or freeze threat.

Some showers are possible late friday evening into saturday morning.

Another round of rain and storms is on tap for sunday.

Some look to be strong/severe but it's still uncertain how far north the prime zone of activity can get.

Stay tuned& thursday night: mainly clear.

Lows in the mid 40s.

Light se winds.

Friday: sun & clouds.

Warmer.

Highs in the mid 70s.

Winds ssw 10-20 mph.

Friday night: mostly cloudy with areas of showers possible.

Lows in the low 50s.

Saturday: mostly cloudy with some showers in the morning.

Sunshine develops during the day.

Highs should top out in the upper 60s to around 70.

Saturday night: areas of rain and thunder.

Lows in stinger when we come back, we learn more about some of your most important medical decisions..

Welcome back// we've been learning about the importance of a having a living will.

Here's more in our health talk with baptist// hi.

I?m chaplain steve brown with the pastoral care team at baptist memorial hospital ?

Golden triangle.

This week we have been discussing the importance of naming a surrogate decision maker and completing our living will.

Thomas jefferson said, ?don?t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.?

If he were alive today, he would be the first to suggest that all of us think carefully and plan wisely.

Scripture reminds us that there has been appointed a time to be born and a time to die.

The time may come when we will be seriously ill and near the end of our lives and cannot communicate our wishes to family and loved ones.

The federal patient self- determination act requires that all medicare- participating healthcare facilities inquire about and provide information to patients on advance directives.

It also requires these facilities to provide community education on advance directives.

All healthcare facilities are required to: provide information about health care decision-making rights ask all patients if they have an advance directive educate their staff and community about advance directives not discriminate against patients based on advance directive status don?t be another unfortunate statistic.

Don?t leave your family confused and more emotionally distraught than they already will be.

Help your family and help your doctors help you.

Start the advance care planning process today and fill out a living will and durable power of attorney for health care.

Join us next time for health talk with baptist.

Stinger to return or not to return....one coach shares his thoughts on what we can expect for college football in the fall, next in sports spx open take spx full college football is at the forefront of all speculation pertaining to when sports will start up again and there's a lot of difference in opinion on what we might expect for the 2020 season some say no fans in attendance, some say maybe teams will play in the spring ole miss head coach kermit davis says not only are we unsure what's going to happen with football, but any sporting event "i can't see them bringing college football and college basketball back unless the whole campus comes back because we are student-athletes.

That may be something they do, that's just my opinion.

We're all hoping for the fall.

I can tell you this, talking to the people i've talked to--they're going to play college football.

I really believe that.

When it starts i don't know and how that affects basketball that hasn't come up yet.

I know one thing, if that happened college basketball could definitely exist when college football does because it does for about a month anyway now.

If that had to happen i'm sure everyone could figure out scheduling aspects for college basketball and could play right with college football."

Starting monday april 20th division i programs will be able to have a little bit more normalcy the ncaa announced that all dvision i coaches will be allowed to hold team meetings for up to eight hours per week these meetings will be virtual, and can include nonphysical countable activities such as film review and chalk talks the southeastern conference implemented virtual coaching on march 30th originally for only up to two hours for ole miss men's basketball head coach kermit davis, no travel, no problem davis has stayed hot on the virtual recruiting trail for the spring signing period // picking up some of the nation's hottest talent the rebels welcomed top-five grad transfer dimencio vaughn and 6-8 forward robert allen this week davis says he's been looking for the right players to better round out his current squad..and both vaughn and allen fit that mold "we needed toughness.

We needed rim protection.

We needed another really really good shooter.

Breein tyree was such a good talent but did we rely too much on breein?

We sure did.

Our team needs to get more balanced.

Those are the things we looked for.

We really thought we got toughness and rim protection around the goal with robert.

Dimencio is a guy who can play multiple positions but he almost shot 40 percent from three.

To add a shooter like that was good value to us."

Ole miss women's basketball also adding an official transfer former maryland forward shakira austin joins coach yolett mcphee- mccuins squad austin competed on two big ten championship teams and leaves the terps averaging 10 pts, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game the 6-5 forward is the second addition ole miss adds during the spring signing period the rebels added juco shooting guard tiya douglas last look stinger last look last look last look last look stinger last look last look last look last look last look last look last