WCBI News at Ten - Friday, April 17th, 2020

WCBI News at Ten - Friday, April 17th, 2020

Thanks for staying up with us tonight..

Governor tate reeves is extending the statewide shelter- in-place order by one week.

But he's also easing up on some of the restrictions.

Courtney ann jackson explains what's changing.

The inevitable economic domino effect of this virus is something governor tate reeves is fully aware of.

"my heart breaks for those 140,000 people who have lost their jobs."

He says he knows he could give data comparisons to other states' numbers.

"but that doesn't mean a damn thing to those 140 thousand people who've lost their jobs."

That's why he wants to move towards the light at the end of the tunnel...but for now, we're still in the eye of the storm.

"we have to do everything we can to get our economy back open as soon as it's safe.

And i can promise you i want to be sitting here this morning saying monday morning we're rocking and rolling again we're just not quite there yet."

Reeves says that while sheltering in place is a temporary tool- it's working.

"it is the reason we are becoming increasingly more confident that we're not going to overstress our healthcare system."

State health officer dr. thomas dobbs- " we're probably on the plateau or on the backside of the photo.

It's hard to say.

We're hopeful that we're on the backside of it.

It's hard to say we have some indicators that that could possibly be the case.

As far as healthcare utilization, we are probably smack dab in the middle unless it gets worse for some reason."

And that's why the timing of this extension is important.

But reeves is finding ways to spread the spending out for businesses.

His new order will allow what's been defined as non- essential businesses to make sales for curbside, drive- thru or delivery- extending a lifeline to those small businesses.

"we can get some of those people out of the walmart.

We can spread out more.

We can actually make more people more safe."

Again, these changes both for non-essential businesses and beaches and lakes do not take effect till monday morning at 8.

Governor reeves' announcement this morning is offering a little hope to some businesses that have been considered ánon- essentialá quentin smith speaks with two local businesses about the impact this order will have on them nat as she cuts, and fixes a nice array of flowers, loretta shelton can't help but feel excited knowing she can now offer more services to her customers... "i've been praying every day, lord please open up psalm, just a little, just something that we can do a little more."

That prayer has been answered.

The governor issued an order allowing non- essential businesses like her floral shop, to now do delivery, drive through, and curbside sales.

" it'll help me pay my bills that's for sure.

Owning a small business is hard, and our community is our only way to make our money."

Shelton admits, her business took a blow after state leaders requested non-essential businesses close last month.

That's why the florist says this decision couldn't have come at a better time.

"this is our time of the year, our busy season.

First sunday in may decorations are coming up and we know we will have a lot of people who want to pick up flowers to go decorate the cemeteries with, so that will make me very happy to know that people can come and get their flowers, so we're ready."

Meanwhile, restaurants like the central grill station in starkville, are expecting to see a steady flow in business with shelter in place order being extended.

"we kind of expect to probably stay the same as far as the next week, lunch sales, a little bit softer, dinner sales will hopefully kind of flow up a little bit" while general manager terry long says he wants to see his business re-open, he also understands the risk that comes with that.

So for now long days they'll continue doing curbside deliveries until the governor says otherwise.

"we are going to wait until the guidelines come out.

But yeah we got a couple different ideas that we are kind of playing with.

We are going to wait and see what the government says.

If they come out and say that it's a limited number, certain businesses, that kind of thing, we're going to follow those guidelines, but we have game plans in place for multiple different things."

The governor is still urging people to practice social distancing and follow cdc guidelines while they're out taking care of any essential needs... if you were out of hand sanitizer in tupelo, then you were able to grab a free bottle today!

Queen's reward meadery was passing out 500 bottles of sanitizer to the public in fairpark this afternoon.

This was made possible after donor john webber bought a thousand bottles to be given to essential workers in the area as well as the public.

Owner jeri carter says it's been amazing to help people in any way during this time.

"it's been i much rather be doing something to help rather than at home worrying.

We been very blessed to be able te able to jump in and do this and help.

Just when others want to jump in and work with us, it's encouraging.

It's fun.

We've appreciated their generosity so much."

Carter says they will be back at fairpark next friday at 3pm.

First look stinger first look friday night: mostly cloudy with areas of showers possible.

Lows in the upper 40s to low 50s.

Winds sw to n 5-15 mph.

Saturday: mostly cloudy early with sunshine developing during the day.

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

Winds n 5-15 mph.

Saturday night & sunday am: areas of rain and thunder.

Lows in the low 50s.

Some isolated stronger cells could produce some hail.

The mississippi department of health is reporting 169 new cases of covid-19 today.

The new positives bring the state's total to over 37- hundred cases.

11 new deaths are also being reported today, bringing the total coronavirus deaths to 140.

In the viewing area, monroe county has the most cases with 58.

Tishomingo county is last with only two cases.

28 percent of positive covid cases were hospitalized, while 71 percent recovered at home.

A drug that has been repeatedly praised by president trump as a treatment for covid-19 is undergoing medical testing to determine if it is effective - or seven safe - for patients.

One of those trials is being carried out nearby in tennessee..

Cbs's chief medical correspondent dr. jon lapook takes a closer look.

This is hydroxychloroqui ne..

It's been championed by president trump for the treatment of covid-19.

" could be a game changer.

Very powerful " áááábut doctors say it's too early to be sure and small studies have had mixed results&.dr. wesley self at vanderbilt university medical center is leading a clinical trial to see if it really works.

Why was hydroxychloroqui ne chosen as a drug in the first place to treat covid-19?

Hydroxychloroqui ne may help prevent the virus from entering cells in the body and therefore prevent it from replicating or growing within the body.

42 year old tisha holt is one of the first to enroll, she's been in the vanderbilt icu for four days.

She spoke with dr. self how do you feel?

Weak&struggling to breathe..///// lot of chest tightness&.

Very sick& i want it to work.

I see that it has promise but i also understand most promising drugs that are at this stage of research do not ultimately work."

This drug may raise the risk of an irregular heartbeat, but it has generally been a safe medication.

Doctors and patients like tisha holt don't know who is receiving the drug and who is getting a placebo & that's the gold standard in research.

"if i can do something to help&..than i want to do it&..

And makes me feel&.better&.

To help&.someone else.

Hoping to save others while battling to save herself.

Dr. jon lapook, cbs news.

Lapook, cbs news.

Stinger later tonight by 52 at 961 by union our licenses the reason for that ... wx open strong/severe storms possible sunday summary: for the 2nd sunday in a row strong to severe storms are possible in the region.

Some hail could fall during the morning but the bigger action is more likely during the afternoon and evening.

The prime zone of severe activity looks to be along and south of i-20 but we'll have to watch locations farther north, perhaps up to us 82.

All modes of severe weather are possible with the afternoon and evening activity.

Anywhere from 1/2 to over 3" of rain may lead to more flooding.

Friday night: mostly cloudy with areas of showers possible.

Lows in the upper 40s to low 50s.

Winds sw to n 5-15 mph.

Saturday: mostly cloudy early with sunshine developing during the day.

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

Winds n 5-15 mph.

Saturday night & sunday am: areas of rain and thunder.

Lows in the low 50s.

Some isolated stronger cells could produce some hail.

Sunday: a nearly 100% 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 just a bit so we'll be watching it closely.

Flooding could also be an issue during the day with 1" to 4" not out of the question again.

Monday & tuesday: mostly sunny to partly cloudy.

Highs in the 70s with lows ranging from the upper 40s to mid 50s.

Wednesday & thursday: another area of disturbed weather is expected to cross the twin states.

More severe weather and heavy rain could occur so stay tune for more details as we get closer.

Follow @wcbiweather on facebook, twitter, instagram, and on the wcbi news app stinger a picture that literally dropped out of the sky a picture that a picture that literally dropped out of the sky prompts mystery and memories..

We take a look when we they say a picture is worth a thousand words// and the mystery surrounding a photo taken in 1956 is adding more words to the phrase// who this picture exactly belongs to remains a mystery// it was found in a creek in pickens county, alabama, eved to have washed up after a storm// no matter the circumstances one thing toby and joann hodges believe is that there's a reason the photo was found// "i'm just awe stricken.

I really don't know what to even think or say.

It made me get out my pictures and make sure i have wedding pictures."

It was december 29th 1956 when this dashing photo of mr. and mrs. hodges was snapped.

"it's hard to believe.

I just don't know where it came from.

It's our wedding reception picture.

It's in good shape, whoever had it.

God protected it in the water i guess so we could have a reunion together with this picture."

This picture was blown in by high winds on a stormy easter sunday.

Jennifer manning's son found the photograph of the hodges in a creek by her home.

"i posted it to facebook hoping to find somebody who knew who the couple was."

After several shares on facebook we tracked down toby and joann hodges.

They're still puzzled by how the picture ended up across the state line.

"i can remember that picture being made.

Some of them i know.

The wedding pictures were made right there."

"i didn't really ask what size it was.

I got to thinking maybe it was a little one, then i thought what if it was an 8x10..i don't know anybody who would have found a a picture in mcshan, alabama."

The photo looks unscathed...as if it was protected.

For joann that means the picture was discovered for a purpose.

"the preservation of the picture just shows me about, a lot more about god.

How he protects us, how he preserves us.

For what reason he wanted me to see his power in bringing this picture here..i got to meet jennifer..and wcbi, scott...it's just unreal."

The hodges were barely in their twenties when they married.

Their love story started as a double date.

This past december they celebrated 63 years of marriage.

This is their thousand words - the beginning of so much love, strength, and hope.

"the special part of the story is that mr. and mrs. hodges has been married for 63 years.

It's rare to find a marriage that has lasted that long.

"it's hard to put into words at how awesome this is.

That this happened for such a time as this.

There was a bad storm.

We're in a bad crisis..i guess i have to say this is a miracle."

The hodges are hoping that they figure out who had the photo of them from their wedding day so they can give it back.

Stinger willie gay junior is ready to take his talents from starkville to sundays more from the former bulldog as he prepares for the nfl draft, next..

"jaycee field here at armstrong middle school in starkville is one of the first places willie gay fell in love with the game of football in one week, the starkville-native could hear his name called in the nfl draft i caught up with the former mississippi state bulldog for more on how dreams that started at fields like this, are becoming a reality.

"i still remember my first practice on this field here in middle school so it's finally here, it's crazy."

Willie gay, junior has almost done it all on a football field.

Top 100 player nationally coming out of starkville high.

Competing at the highest level of college football for his hometown university.

Next stop, playing on sundays.

"they're keeping me busy with phone calls and interviews and things like that, just trying to get to know me more as a person more than a player because we did that at the combine already.

Now it's just feeling me out, seeing where my head is, and how can i fit a scheme or any team, just really going from there."

Gay set the nfl combine on fire, highlighted by running a 4.46 40 yard dash, and impressing in individual workouts..... "man honestly the drills and all the pressure, i'm made for it.

I got there and at first i was nervous, i thought i had to please everybody.

A coach from the bengals actually gave me advice, he said just be yourself.

That was the best advice i got the whole week, even since january when this process started.

I attacked on field drills, attacked the meetings, attacked the interviews with coaches and teams. it was easy though man, it was a lot, but it was easy i was just blessed to be there" post nfl combine, the former mississippi state bulldogs says almost every nfl team has given him a call.

Multiple draft projections have gay as high as a second round pick.

The starkville- native says it doesn't matter where, he just wants to ball.

"second third fourth round, i've been hearing a lot.

Second, third, i just block that out because i don't really care honestly.

Of course we all care, but in a way i'm just ready to play ball again.

I mean i only played five games, so to say i'm going to be drafted is a blessing, so i'm just ready to get on someones team."

The covid-19 pandemic has forced the nfl draft to go virtual in 2020.....while gay won't get the full experience of the stage, he's ready to receive a call.

You know, i really wanted to have that experience.

Sit with my family, have them call my phone you know right before the pick was in, you know, to experience that feeling.

But to even have a zoom call come in, or anything like that from a coach's house.

I don't care, i'm just ready to have my phone ringing, to hear a coach's voice as for draft day plans, willie plans to spend it here in starkville with his closest family and friends.

Reporting here at armstrong middle school, tom eble, wcbi sports."

While we had a little bit of rain and the shark to become a and he already ran out there in oxford moving into an to all the google right now some underlining them down was nothing to be excited about or 70 rainstorms and sunny some of which can be crafty choir monday and tuesday and then some more until the weather scuffed the bill to an eight week