WCBI News at Six - Wednesday, August 5th, 2020

WCBI News at Six - Wednesday, August 5th, 2020

Schools in north mississippi are reporting positive for covid-19 cases.

Thank you for joining us at six.

The corinth school district sent a letter to parents after a middle schooler test positive and an elementary teacher// webster county also is reporting a covid-19 case with in the district// classes are starting in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic and it's weighing on the minds of many parents and school leaders// the columbus municipal school district starts tomorrow// our savannah gaido is joins live from franklin academy and shares how they're preparing for the first bell.

Covid concerns and school is a concern statewide// administrators with the columbus municipal school district tell me they're taking every precaution ahead of the back to school rush// pkg desks have been distanced, tables have been removed, all to make sure students have enough space to feel safe.

This year, it wont' be students moving from class to class -- teachers will be moving.

"to minimize the exposure or cross contamination.

So we are asking our teachers to come into each classroom.

We have purchased them carts and hand sanitizers and gloves so the teachers will travel and not the students."

Each morning, the schools will require temperature checks for both the students and faculty "so once the students go through a temperature check and if that students temperature is elevated to over 100, we have safe spots known as our falcon cave."

These spaces are used to isolate any potential students that are sick and to keep contact to a minimal.

The district is also providing teachers with face shields, masks and gloves.

"in the event we do have a positive case, the gloves and the mask will definitely protect the teacher if we have to transport a student to the nurses office."

"we are doing everything in our power to keep ourselves and their children safe.

We are treating their children as if they are our own, and so we are doing everything in our power and cmsd and franklin academy to make sure that your child comes home safe."

Tag both franklin academy and columbus middle school are required by the district to make every student and faculty member to wear a mask reporting live in columbus, savannah gaido wcbi news state health state health leaders continue to see stress on hospitals in mississippi.

One thousand 245 new covid-19 cases are being reported today, along with 51 deaths.

The mississippi state department of health says there are 329 people in icu's across the state.

192 patients are on a ventilator.

Locally, pontotoc county saw the highest number of new cases with 28.

Lowndes has 24, lee has 23, and lafayette has 22.

Alabama's health experts say they are cautiously optimistic that alabama is seeing a decline in covid-19 cases// but they do have some concerns as students go back to school this month// they're worried that cases will start to climb again once students in k-12 and universities start the fall semester// the number of covid19 cases this week fell under one thousand// alabama was reporting as many as two thousand cases per day in late july// intro there is still so much unknown about the corornavirus.

Daily guidelines from governor tate reeves change and are updated.

Some of those guidelines have been challenging for funeral homes in the state.

Wcbi's bobby martinez stopped by two funeral homes in columbus.

The owners they're trying to keep up with all the changes// that is right aundrea... adjusting to change... that has been the new motto for funeral homes in mississippi.

With the primary focus of ensuring safety for each family they serve... staying on top of their game... "it's hard, but we have to do our best to stay on top of it."

In a time where.... "the changes come pretty rapidly..."

Bennie hairston, vice president of century hairston funeral homes says it seems as if there has been a never-ending cycle of changes since the pandemic started.

"it's kind of hard because, you know, because we get used to one set.

Just like going back to 10..

And next thing you know, it opens up.

Then we're back to 10.

So it's hard but we have to do our best to stay on top of it."

Hairston says families are changing the way they honor their loved ones.

He says cremations are becoming more common...but graveside services have been the primary choice for families... sot - bennie hairston - vp century hairston funeral homes "some services we will have music, some services we've had choir singing but i make sure everybody is spread out.

It's just like a full- blown service just like they would have it in a church."

Caleb pounders, president and funeral director of lowndes funeral home and crematory..

Says informing families of covid guidelines is the most challenging part.

Sot - caleb pounders - president, funeral director - lowndes funeral home and crematory..

"as time has gone on, now we are about five months into it, people are understanding.

It's not necessarily that they like it.

But they understand that it is out of our control.

It is something bigger than just us and our city and our state, it's you know, worldwide."

Pounders says graveside services have also been a popular option for this business.

For one reason, covid19 guidelines allow for more people to be outdoors in a space than indoors.

"a lot of the families just immediate family group is more than the restriction that we have.

So right now we're under 10 people indoors 20 people outdoors.

And a lot of the mediate family is more than just 10 people."

Both hairston and both hairston and pounders say they are doing all they can to best accommodate each family during a difficult time... centered for many local artists, the summer months offer a second stream of income.

Whether it's festivals, fairs, or summer concerts, there's always a way to make some extra cash.

But covid-19 has put a stop to all that.

With no festivals and no weekend pop-up shops, it's safe to say local artists are struggling.

Many of them are reaching out to local art councils and committees for help.

"without festivals, you have no way to share your art with the public, and right now those things aren't happening, so there is no doubt a lot of artist that have been struggling."

"when you hear the term "starving artist," it makes us all cringe at the arts council because we don't want our artist to starve.

They are so good at what they do."

Members of the arts council say operating a facility of that magnitude takes money.

For more information on store hours or how to donate, visit our website, wcbi dot com.

Wcbi developing story governor tate reeves is on the defense today after reports that lawmakers could sue him.

Multiple media reports say some lawmakers plan to sue the governor because he used a line item veto on a number of bills.

On twitter, reeves says he used his veto pen to quote "prevent earmarks from going to special favored projects," end quote.

Specifically, he pointed to a two million dollar deal involving a hospital that has been closed.

He also pointed out issues in the education budget.

Reeves wants the legislature to reinstate a teacher pay raise.

The lawsuit had not been filed as of the governor's afternoon press conference.

First look stinger first look wednesday night: clear, quiet, and comfy.

Lows in the mid 60s.

Light northerly winds.

Thursday & friday: mostly sunny, warm, and dry.

Highs in the lower to middle 90s with northerly breezes stirring up the air just a bit.

Lows in the 60s.

Centered a teenager is dead after an accident involving a 4- wheeler in choctaw county.

Wheeler in choctaw county.

Sheriff brandon busby says the collision happened on reed road about 3 pm on monday.

Deputies are still investigating the crash, but did say the vehicle and atv hit in the roadway.

Busby did not release the name of the teen or the driver of the car.

An oktibbeha county woman is out on bond after allegedly trying to hit someone with a car.

Right now, 23-year- old carnesha parks is charged with malicious mischief and aggravated assault.

Investigators say the victim told deputies that parks tried to hit her with another person's vehicle.

Deputies tell wcbi that parks missed the victim and ended up crashing the car that did not belong to her.

More charges are expected.

Investigators are not releasing what led up to the incident.

Bond for parks was set at 10 thousand dollars.

Stinger a tupelo teen shows his strength - both on the outside and the inside.

His story is next on wcbi news at 6.

Roll a northeast mississippi teenager is working hard to earn top rankings in the world of crossfit competitions.

Wcbi's allie martin has more on 'team jack' jack hofmister is 17 years old, a few years ago got serious about physical fitness, came to this west tupelo gym and after lots of hard work he is one of the fittest teens in the country and he is getting ready for a major crossfit competition.

Nats for jack hofmister , his full time job, nats is working out.

"it's about six to seven hours a day , i break that up into two or three sessions a day."

The 17 year old started in crossfit competitions in 2018, and won first place at the beach brawl in pensacola that same year he has qualified for the pit fitness elite teen throwdown the first week in september in three rivers michigan.

His homeschool schedule allows him to spend the time required follow a strict training and nutrition plan.

Nats krissy beasley is co owner of crossfit r2f and jack's coach.

She says his hard work, dedication and determination have never wavered.

"as soon as he walked through those double doors, and hit the floor we just could initially see some potential in him and see this was where he needed to be for sure."

Jack is raising money for his michigan trip by selling "team jack" shirts.

The shirts have a bible verse that jack says is his true source of strength.

"my favorite verse, second corinthians 12 10 on it, true strength comes from god, i couldn't do any of this without him , the ability he has given me and all the opportunities he's given me as well, to be able to train throughout the day, not to have to worry about certain things."

Jack will continue his hard work right up to the competition in michigan, then a few weeks later he is looking to get his third consecutive first place win at the pensacola beach brawl.

In tupelo, allie martin, wcbi news centered jack plans to attend college, join the rotc program, and the national guard.

He also plans to continue competing in crossfit events.

This morning tomorrow girl you will be a day to enjoy the sun free parking without your entre tomorrow operate easily body summary: quiet weather will hold for the rest of the work week.

Humidity builds back in starting this weekend so get ready to sweat!

Spotty to scattered storms will be likely late in the weekend and all of next week.

Wednesday night: clear, quiet, and comfy.

Lows in the mid 60s.

Light northerly winds.

Thursday & friday: mostly sunny, warm, and dry.

Highs in the lower to middle 90s with northerly breezes stirring up the air just a bit.

Lows in the 60s.

Saturday & sunday: partly cloudy, warm, and humid.

Highs in the mid 90s with lows in the 70s.

Heat indices will be over 100.

A few spotty storms are possible by sunday afternoon.

Next week: typical summer weather returns.

Expect pop-up storms each day along with highs in the summary: quiet weather will hold for the rest of the work week.

Humidity builds back in starting this weekend so get ready to sweat!

Spotty to scattered storms will be likely late in the weekend and all of next week.

Wednesday night: clear, quiet, and comfy.

Lows in the mid 60s.

Light northerly winds.

Thursday & friday: mostly sunny, warm, and dry.

Highs in the lower to middle 90s with northerly breezes stirring up the air just a bit.

Lows in the 60s.

Saturday & sunday: partly cloudy, warm, and humid.

Highs in the mid 90s with lows in the 70s.

Heat indices will be over 100.

A few spotty storms are possible by sunday afternoon.

Next week: typical summer weather returns.

Expect pop-up storms each day along stinger the high school football tour continues it's stops in 4-a with the pontotoc warriors...see the preview, next in sports spx open the high school football tour continues as we stay in pontotoc county with a look the pontotoc warriors.

This seasons pontotoc squad features several fresh faces lookingto continue to be a force in 4a.

The warriors are stop number 45 on the high school football tour!

Many teams enter the season hoping to make the playoffs, but that's the norm for the pontotoc warriors as those expectations haven't changed.

After a slow start to last season, the warriors finished by winning 6 of their last 8 games including a postseason victory.

They hope to carry that momentum into september.

"i feel really good coming into the year.

I think we'll find our identity a little bit quicker.

We got some guys with experience on offense back.

I think we have seven guys who started at some point last year on offense and around four or five on defense."

"we're trying to get the momentum early and finish out throughout the season and hopefully make a successful playoff run."

"i feel like when we go back to the season that we'll start off pretty strong because everyone is going to be more comfortable, and new people are coming in getting a lot of reps."

The ones leading the charge to helping bring the young guys along isn't the coaching staff but instead, the seniors.

"we have one of the most competitive senior groups.

When we compete, we push each other.

We try to help the younger guys come along as fast as they can have depth on the roster.

We're a young team, but we have a lot of seniors coming back that have experience and played a lot the past few years.

If the seniors get right, i'm sure everyone else will fall behind and get to where we need to be to win."

"coach morton, a legend here, has always said that the starting jersey is always a lot heavier.

It makes a lot of sense, but these guys ought to be able to handle it this year."

With the program's history of competition, the players take great pride in putting on the black and gold.

"we have a creed that we go by.

The end of it says 'i am a pontotoc warrior.'

It's like we survive off that creed.

When we come to play, we know it's time to get down to business.

If we're not getting down to business, we got to get right somehow."

"this is my home so every time i come out here i be ready to play.

Don't matter who it's against, home or away, i'm always ready to compete."

That mindset is going to be tested as the warriors will be competing against the likes of itawamba, shannon and others for the division crown.

"you just can't take a week off.

All the teams are well coached.

The kids play hard.

You can't go in half cocked.

You got to be ready to compete."

To start the season, pontotoc hosts new albany at home in the hollow september 4th.

With the warriors on the high school football tour, chris bolton wcbi sports.

Here's a look at the upcoming stops for any stops that you may have missed along the way you can always check out our website, wcbi.com back in and will continue on and four 845 and the more guilt trip for me and shannon ran raters for the club weekend with on a any interest before you will continue on friday from there and pray in ... i here's a look at what's coming up tonight at nine and 10 the wcb on his martin search efforts are ongoing and lebanese capital beirut after 10 terrifying explosion will have the latest on search and rescue there and another look at how schools are gearing up for the first it was in the middle of a pandemic be sure to tune in tonight right here on the cdi at your work we need to dress for the weather to live course and it's going to be hot so you know what the you don't wear shorts t-shirt what have you sunscreen had low 90s operated tomorrow mid 90s for the weekend under a more moody, writing is not human drink the water course