WCBI NEWS AT TEN - MAY 22, 2020

WCBI NEWS AT TEN - MAY 22, 2020

Thanks for staying up with us tonight..

Mississippi isn't getting the signal to fully reopen... the current safer at home order expires monday... but today..

Governor tate reeves announced it's being extended..

Courtney ann jackson was at today's briefing and has the details... "there are very very few business is still closed.

Honestly it's mainly just places of entertainment."

Governor tate reeves is setting out guidelines for the outdoor amusement and entertainment venues to open.

The order specifies it includes places like go-carts, min- golf and water parks.

"do we need race tracks and water parks for most people to survive and live quality lives within our state?& no.

Of course not.

But does that small business owner and their employees need them open to survive& absolutely yes they do."

But as reeves mentioned...there are indoor venues like movie theaters and bowling alleys that haven't been given the green light.

"it's not easy to develop guidelines.

We are working with the department of health and others to develop guidelines and ways in which they can reopen.

And we're hopeful that we can get those re-opened by june 1.

That is our intent but again every single day brings new data and new opportunities for us to make better more informed decisions."

Another specific group gets the go- ahead in the amended order---school sports teams will get to re-open gyms and weight rooms, as long as they follow those similar guidelines to what private gyms have.

Those in high risk populations are still asked to shelter in place through this extended safer at home order.

Many churches are preparing for a return to in person services this sunday.... but one tupelo pastor has been holding services in his church for nearly a month.

Pastor kevin armstrong leads "the king's dome worship center."

Like many churches.... he switched from the sanctuary to social media back in march..

But shortly after easter... armstrong re- opened the church's doors... while still practicing social distancing..

And cleaning and sanitizing the building frequently.

The pastor said he's glad many churches are getting back to in person services... however..

He admits... he has concerns over state and national lockdowns that shuttered churches.

"lowe's never closed, home depot never closed, wal mart never closed, but the church closed, planned parenthood never closed, but the church did and people say, you are supposed to follow the laws of the land, there are no laws of the land that forbid the church from coming together and assembling, the constitution forbids it."

Pastor armstrong is also encouraging his congregation to lead active and healthy lifestyles, and use vitamins and supplements to boost their immune systems. today president trump demanded that governors re-open churches... synagogues and mosques.... sand he threatened to override those who don't..

Even though it's not clear that he has that power.

There is also a new study indicating that covid patients taking the drug the president has been using... have a higher death risk..

Weijia jiang has the latest from washington..

Declararing that houses of worship are essential, the president said churches should open right now.

"some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential, but have left out churches and other houses of worship.

It's not right.

So i'm correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship, essential."

The president warned he would step in if states don't comply... "if they don't do it, i will override the governors."

Illinois governor j-b pritzker--a democrat--quickly pushed back.

"we don't want parishioners to get ill because their faith leaders want them to come together."

Mister trump said his hydroxychloroqui ne treatment would likely end today...the same day a leading medical journal warned the drug is linked to an increased risk of death.

Researchers estimate the death rate for covid19 patients using hydroxychloroqui ne or chloroquine is about 13- percent, compared to 9% for those who are not.

And the medicine increases the risk of developing a serious heart rhythm problem by 5 times.

This morning, senator chuck schumer demanded answers after learning the department of veterans affairs is treating 1300 veterans with hydroxychloroqui ne, out of 10- thousand who tested postive for the virus.

The v-a is planning to conduct a clinical trial in california.

"to use our veterans as guinea pigs in a experiment that they may well not have been given even permission to be used for.

It is nothing short of outrageous".

Tag: tonight the department of veterans affairs is firing back, telling cbs news the notion that va providers would make treatment decisions based on anything other than the best medical interests of patients is "baseless and preposterous..."

And that patients are made aware of the potential risks.

Wj cbs news washington senator roger wicker says he can't support the latest stimulus plan passed by the house of representatives the coronavirus relief bill would provide payments to individuals... hazard pay for essential workers.... and money for coronavirus testing and treatment.

It also has a 3 trillion dollar price tag.

The senator says he's concerned about some of the measures in the bill..

"the term cannabis was used 68 times in this bill and jobs only 57 times, so it was a bit backwards, there was a lot of relief in the house passed bill for illegal immigrants, no deportations continuing unemployment benefits until january of next year, the real secret to me is to get america back to work."

Wicker was a yes vote on the first relief measure - the 2 point 2 trillion dollar cares act..

Lowndes and lee county law enforcement are set to receive grant money from the federal cares act.

U.s. senator cindy hyde-smith says the sheriff's departments in both counties will receive a little more than 58 thousand dollars.

At least nine law enforcement agencies across the state have received some grant money...which totals more than six million dollars.

Lowndes county sheriff eddie hawkins says his department will use the money to equip each patrol vehicle with a computer, keeping deputies on the road.

Lee county sheriff jim johnson says his agency will use the money to purchase cdc recommended supplies for first responders, such as gloves, masks and sanitizer.

Wipe to gfx drive-through covid-19 testing is coming to oktibbeha county.

Testing will be thursday may 28th at the oktibbeha county safe room on lynn lane.

You must have an appointment to get tested.

In order to set up an appointment.... you have to be screened using the c-spire health app or calling 662-497- 7200.

You will not have to leave your car during the test.

U-m-m-c will contact anyone tested with their results.

First look stinger summary: standard summer weather has returned to the southeast and it will be going nowhere anytime soon.

Get used to warm & humid days, mild nights, and daily storm chances.

Some spots may get some good downpours each day while other spots miss out.

No widespread severe weather is expected over the coming days but some locally strong storms with lightning, gusty breezes, small hail, and heavy rain can't be ruled out.

Friday night: variably cloudy, mild, and muggy.

Honoring america's heroes is going to look a lot different this memorial day..

Most large ceremonies have been cancelled... but many are still planning to remember the fallen.... just in smaller settings..

Our stephanie poole has more..

" even though we don't have the services, trust me, all the family members and the friends that lost people in combat, they remember."

Tony ballard is a retired master sergeant.

He's a two-time war vet, serving more than 21 years in the army national guard and marines.

He says although events are no longer scheduled for memorial day this year, he's asking families to still pay their respects.

" if they can make it to the cemetery, and they don't even have to put anything down, walk up there and reflect of the sacrifice that person made dying in combat for this country."

Paul bell is the current commander of veteran of foreign wars at post 5569 in ackerman.

He believes it's all about unity.

"military, police, fire, ems...all those guys.

You do it for the comradery and the team.

Even though they may not be having events around, everyone that's been there done that, families are still going to remember and it's a daily thing their going to remember every single day."

Two events at state cemeteries in newton and kilmichael will also be cancelled.

Executive director of mississippi veterans affairs, stacy pickering along with other state leaders are observing with a virtual memorial day commemoration.

"this memorial day is a day set aside to reflect on more than one million americans and 4,500 mississippians that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom.

In response to the covid-19 pandemic we've asked out state leaders to participate a virtual memorial day remembrance as they lay a wreath in honor of those mississippians who have paid the ultimate price.this wreath symbolizes a way of saying "thank you."

Several cemeteries around the state will be open on monday for visitation.

Stinger wx open summary: standard summer weather has returned to the southeast and it will be going nowhere anytime soon.

Get used to warm & humid days, mild nights, and daily storm chances.

Some spots may get some good downpours each day while other spots miss out.

No widespread severe weather is expected over the coming days but some locally strong storms with lightning, gusty breezes, small hail, and heavy rain can't be ruled out.

Friday night: variably cloudy, mild, and muggy.

Lows in the upper 60s.

While a few showers and storms are possible most spots will remain dry.

Saturday: partly cloudy, warm, and humid.

Highs around 90 with heat indices likely in the low 90s at times.

Scattered rain and storms are possible with the chance between 30-40%.

Winds ssw 5-15 mph.

Saturday night: partly cloudy and mild.

Lows in the mid to upper 60s.

Sunday: staying warm and humid with a 30% chance of showers and storms. highs around 90.

Have a backup plan in case a storm finds your location during the day.

Sunday night: partly cloudy and muggy.

Lows in the mid to upper 60s.

Memorial day: highs in the upper 80s with scattered showers and storms likely.

The chance of rain is around 40%.

Tuesday-thursday: rain and storm chances continue in the 40-50% range each day.

Slightly cooler highs in the mid 80s are more likely with the higher chance of rain opportunities.

Follow @wcbiweather on facebook, twitter, instagram, and on the wcbi news app intro take vo in monitor warmer weather has arrived and area farmers markets are ready for business.

And even though covid-19 has brought on added precautions... our savannah gaido finds that interest in fresh fruits and vegetables is ágrowingá "well i think people are really ready to get out because everyone has been in the house for so long and were really excited to provide a safe way to get healthy things that people need."

And part of keeping customers safe at the hitching lot farmer's market is only allowing 10 vendors.

This will help adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Katherine ?

Has been booking vendors for the market.

She says they will add on when more produce is available "i don't know if anybody is really timid i think the only ones that haven't come yet are the ones that are the ones that just don't have enough stuff to sell yet."

That's the case for melvin ellis -- the owner of mayfew tomato farm "i am going to participate in the columbus farmers market, but it's going to be a little more limited then it has been in the past."

"were a little behind on tomatoes and up until the past couple of days we've had an abnormally cool spring."

Ellis is a yearly vendor -- but he prefers to sell at the farm "and i don't want to put down the farmers market at all i think its a wonderful thing, just this situation has made it where we have to be a little more cognitive and there are some things you have to do and some changes you have to make in your business practices as a result."

??

Hopes says they're making sure to follow all guidelines recommended by state health officials to ensure safe shopping for vendors and customers.

"i would tell them to come on out you know its an open air market, its outside, everybody there is wearing masks and gloves.

Nobody is touching the produce and we don't have extra pets and kids and stuff coming around right now, so its really about the safest place you can go and we are making sure that people are staying 6 feet apart and vendors are facing the parking lot."

Monitor tag take vo in monitor ellis said that he will be at the market on saturdays.

When more restrictions are lifted, he will start set up on mondays and thursdays as well.

Stinger the community in oxford turns out to honor a deputy u.s. marshal after he's released from the hospital, just one week after he was shot by a fugitive.

We'll have that story coming up on wcbi news take vo in monitor a deputy u-s marshal is released from the hospital... exactly one week after he was shot during a gun battle with a murder suspect .

As our allie martin reports... the wounded law officer was given a hero's sendoff from the hospital.

One week ago today, u s deputy marshal bob dickerson was shot during a gunfight with a fugitive.

Today, family, friends and strangers turned out for a parade, to honor the hero as he was released from the hospital.

"it's incredible, we're just so thankful he's doing well and able to go home and to his babies."

Jane steelman joined thousands of people showing their appreciation for deputy marshal bob dickerson.

Steelman is dickerson's cousin and was amazed at the turnout for the hero's parade.

Nats parade "this is a celebration, what better time , than memorial day weekend, to be honoring one of our wounded warriors."

Senator roger wicker was joined by u s marshal daniel mckittrick, who thanked everyone who played a role in the events of last friday.

"we're honoring our deputy marshal, bob dickerson who was wounded last week in the line of duty , we thank god for sparing his life.

We are also taking time to pause and thank god today for people he used to save bob's life,."

Nats cheering members of the tri delta sorority at ole miss were showing their appreciation for the deputy marshal and all first responders.

"they were out there protecting us and we have no idea danger was really happening, there was so many of them there, we wanted to honor him and everyone else who was there that day, we're so happy he's happy, and safe and good and we couldn't be happier, we've been praying for him for a week now."

Several people in the crowd said the parade shows the tight knit brotherhood of law enforcement and also the support from the community for those behind the badge.

In oxford, allie martin, wcbi news take vo in monitor dickerson is the son of marshall county sheriff kenny dickerson.

The fugitive in last week's shootout, hunter carlstrom, was killed in the gun battle.

He was wanted for murder in arkansas.

Stinger the sec clears the way to have athletes return to campus in june the latest on decisions from the conference and n- c-a-a...next in sports... spx open take another big step towards sports starting on time in the fall the sec gives the go ahead for football and basketball athletes to return to campus june 8th for voluntary activity teams will be able to open up in accordance to university and state and local health guidelines the decision comes two days after the ncaa cleared the way for athletes to return to campus the ncaa also releasing a statement that all athletes will be able to return to campus june 1st for more on the decision, as well as responses from john cohen, keith carter, and greg byrne, go to our website, wcbi dot com the mississippi high school football coaching carosel continues... one monroe county head coach is stepping down, and joining a staff 15 minutes up 25- north smithville head football coach michael campbell has stepped down from his position, and will join itawamba ahs' staff as offensive coordinator campbell spent the past three years as the head coach of the seminoles, posting a record of 28-11, and leading smithville to the 1a north half final in 2018 former itawamba ahs offensive coordinator baylor dampeer recently took the head coaching position at houston high school