WCBI New at Six - 07/23/2020

WCBI New at Six - 07/23/2020

Thank you for joining us..

It's a conversation that continues to be a hot topic across the country// race relations between law- enforcement and the community.

One area police department is doing some extra training to get in front of the issue..

Our quentin smith speaks with the police chief and joins us live in the studio with more on what his force hopes to gain from this.

Aundrea, the city of winona is fairly diverse.... and the police chief wants his officers to learn and know how to deal with people of all races and backgrounds in the community... that's why this week.... the entire department is getting training on racial diversity... given everything going on in today's climate, the chief says this is the ideal time to have this conversation.

Chief tommy bibbs has been in law enforcement for nearly three decades, but he's been a resident of winona all his life.... improving the quality of life is essential to him...and so is improving race relations within his department and hometown... "a police officer can't do his job well by having pre- conceived images or thoughts of a certain group of people simply because of what he's heard, seen in the media, or just from dealing with one group of people, everybody is not like that.

That's why you have to understand who you're dealing with."

One way the chief is helping his department with this process is having them go through a program on racial diversification... they're receiving in depth lessons how on to prevent stereotyping they're receiving in depth lessons how on to prevent stereotyping while patrolling the community... not being biased, and how to deal with someone who doesn't look like them..

"just because a person is wearing a turban doesn't make them a terrorist.

Everybody doesn't think the same way, or everybody wasn't brought up the same way, i want them to understand who you're dealing with and have empathy for the person you're dealing with."

" things like this help our officers to be better officers and be better members of the community."

According to the u.s. census... winona is made up of roughly 50 percent african americans, and roughly 43 percent caucasians.... asians..... and two or more races make up a combined 7 percent of the city's demographics mayor jerry flowers is also a long time winona resident.

He says city nor police department have had problems when it comes to race relations... both he and bibbs believe this program will go a long way helping things remain that way.

" it just means a lot to understand the other person, not just look at them and think what you think.

Talk with them, get to know them, and understand where that person is coming from, also that person can understand where i'm coming from."

This is their first time the police department has gone through this training program.... they're discussing whether to make this something they do annually.

The time does not fit the crime.

That is the message today from the families of people who have been behind bars for years.

At a news conference today in west point, the presidents of the naacp for lowndes, oktibbeha, clay and noxubee counties talked about the need for criminal justice reform.

The naacp is speaking on behalf of many families who want judges in the 16th circuit court district to consider parole recommendations.

They say many sentences are excessive for crimes that are non-violent, citing 20 years for writing a bad check or 40 years for a drug conviction.

The sentencing laws in the 90s were so severely harsh and burdensome on people - 60 years for the sale of $20 worth of drugs.

I mean, it's ridiculous.

Now you can't even get that kind of time.

But what has happened is the people who received that time are being left behind.

They're being left behind.

The local chapters say they hope the circuit judges will give parole consideration to people with older sentences.

Sot take continuing coverage stinger the mississippi state department of health has released new covid-19 numbers.// while the new cases are lower than the last few days, the number of people hospitalized with the virus has gone up as the strain on the state's hospital system wears thin// 982 new cases and 13 deaths related to the coronavirus are being reported today// there are 950 mississippians hospitalized with the virus// u-m-m-c even issued a stark warning to the state saying the outlook for hospitals is grim// the vice chancellor of ummc says the hospital is struggling to find beds for patients with the virus and other emergencies// governor tate reeves anticipates a statewide executive order as coronavirus cases continue to surge// i would anticipate that i'll announce tomorrow some additional restrictions on bars throughout mississippi.

It will be statewide."

"at some point we may have to open up a ward style location in a non traditional place like you've seen in other states.

I regret that that's a reality but we're looking at the logistics of doing that."

Data shows that the second fastest growing coronavirus cases are those in the 18 to 29 age group// to vo wipe to vo the states highest court rules that masks must be worn in any court room in mississippi// the order was issued today// it says anyone inside a municipal, justice, county, chancery, circuit, or appellate court, must have a face covering// it must cover your nose and mouth.

While it's important for courts to stay open, making sure everyone says safe and healthy is also a priority during the pandemic// take developing story stinger columbus police need your help finding a man missing for two days.

39-year-old james ryan taylor was last seen tuesday night.

Police say he was driving a silver ford fiesta.

A family member reportedly talked to him around 2am.

Taylor was wearing a white t- shirt and jeans.

He is around 175 pounds and has brown hair and blues eyes.

The car he was driving has the tag number: l-t-e 7723.

If you have any information that can help police find him, call crimestoppers.

First look stinger first look thursday night: chance for a few isolated early evening storms then turning clear to partly cloudy.

Light southeasterly winds and lows in the mid to low 70s.

Friday-sunday: partly cloudy, hot, and humid.

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

Peak heat indices will be over 100 once again.

Expect some spotty storms each day mainly from late morning through the mid evening.

We're going to keep the chance of rain in the 20-30% range for now.

The starkville- oktibbeha school district is mapping out transportation plans for the school year.

If your child normally rides the bus, pick-up will be a little different.

All drivers and students will have their temperatures checked before loading the bus.

Everyone must wear a mask.

Masks will be given for students who don't have one.

Only one child is allowed per seat, however, family members in the same household are able to sit together.

Transportation director kelvin gibson says there are over 20 routes for pickup.

The department is waiting on the final count to determine any changes that will be made.

He says they are working on ways to make sure everyone stays safe.

" we will start loading a children here up against the window then will place another child here up against the window.

And will continue to do it throughout the bus as we load and as they reach the school building will start unloading from the front and what that is going to do that's going to continue that space in a safe environment of social distancing on the school bus.

" gibson is encouraging parents to keep students at home if they are showing virus symptoms. wipe to vo and don't forget your shots!

Schools still require vaccinations from all students.

That's why molina healthcare and access family health services held a vaccine fair today in smithville.

The shots are needed for children to attend school.

Children and their families could sign in here for free immunizations.

We want to make sure all the kids get their vaccinations and are up to date.

I think people actually understand the importance of getting the immunizations and if we don't do that some these diseases are reappearing so it definitely is very important.

The shots were free.

And so were the gifts.

Students received backpacks and $25 gift cards from dollar general.

Families were also provided confirmation of vaccination.

Gfx sot wipe to gfx school supplies are available for starkville students.

Families need to plan to drive through to pick them up.

It's happening saturday in the circle drive at the emerson family school on louisville street.

Victoria king is a family specialist with the starkville oktibbeha county school district.

She says making sure students receive school supplies is just as important this year.

This event annually helps parents and the parents are always excited for this event to come around.

So i think this is something they look forward to year round.

Starkville families can drive through on saturday between 10 am and noon.

Stinger money from the cares act could be on its way soon to non-profits and food pantries in northeast mississippi.

We'll have that story coming relief is in store for area non- profits thanks to the 2 point 2 trillion dollar cares act passed by congress.

Allie martin visits a local food pantry to see how the additional funding will help with some unexpected expenses.

Eight million dollars from the cares act will be available for non- profits and food pantries in mississippi.

The money will be a big boost to ministries and other organizations that are doing their best to help others during the pandemic.

"the covid has caused us to have to change the way we do business, we no longer can allow clients to come into the building."

That is just one of the many changes at faith food pantry in the wake of covid 19.

Every third saturday food is given out at the nettleton location.

Clients now wait in the parking lot, where volunteers take their information and distribute food.

It has meant extra expenses, such as tablets and tents for the volunteers.

Any funds from the cares act would be a big help.

"for one thing, because of all the heat we've had this year, we run three walk in freezers, two walk in coolers and our electric bill went up over a thousand dollars a month, so this will help pay that."

Nats volunteers it will also help with any future expenses, such as adding plexi glass to help protect volunteers and the public when clients are allowed back in the building.

The funds will be distributed in a 21 county area by the create foundation, which expects to get 1 and a half million dollars to split between nonprofits and food pantries.

The maximum grant will be four thousand dollars.

"we will lean pretty heavily on the united ways in this 21 county area, there are six of, and also our affiliates to help identify organizations and get the word out."

More information from create about the application process for cares act funds should be available in mid- august.

In tupelo, allie martin, wcbi news the mississippi development authority will administer the cares act program for the state.

Top take vo off top mississippi highway patrol troopers are helping those who have been impacted by covid 19 related shutdowns.

Members from mhp troop f will help the family resource center each week load boxes of food into cars that show up for the agency's food giveaway // sergeant gary stanton is the public affairs officer for troop f and he says it's another way for troopers to serve the public and make a difference.

"we've served the public on the highways many days working wrecks and so today to be in a situation where everybody comes out on top and is happy when they leave, we don't have to have any tough conversations with families like we do after some hot accidents, so it's good for us to get out here and serve the public in a different way, we want to improve the quality of life for the citizens of mississippi any way we can, more ways than just citations and helping work accidents, anyway we can help, that's what we're here to do."

The food giveaway happens every wednesday from 4 until 6 at the tupelo furniture market.

It will run until december.

Stinger wx open summary: unsettled weather will remain in place through tuesday night with scattered rain and storm chances.

A cold front will sweep out the rain and humidity by mid morning wednesday leaving us with sunny and warm weather for the rest of the week and upcoming weekend.

Monday night: areas of showers will continue but gradually diminish in size and scope.

The threat of an isolated tornado should gradually end during the evening hours but we'll just have to monitor radar trends.

Look for a mild night with lows in the mid 70s.

Breezy se winds between 10 and 25 mph.

Tuesday: mostly cloudy with showers lingering first thing in the day.

A mix of sun and clouds is expected to develop as time goes on but that could lead to a few more showers or storms. highs are going to push 90?

With higher heat indices at times.

Winds ssw 10-20 mph.

Tuesday night: a cold front may spark a line of showers and storms after midnight.

While we can't rule out a few isolated strong storms most spots will not experience anything too rough.

Lows will be in the low to mid 70s.

Wednesday: any rain chance should move east by mid morning allowing sunnier and less humid conditions to build in on the heels of westerly winds.

Highs top out in the mid 80s.

Wednesday night: clear and refreshing.

Lows in the low 60s.

Thursday-monday: mostly sunny to partly cloudy, warm, and dry.

Highs in the upper 80s to around 90 with overnight lows mainly in the low to mid 60s.

Follow @wcbiweather on facebook, twitter, instagram, and the wcbi news app summary: the weather pattern will remain pretty much the same through the weekend so plan on more heat, humidity, and spotty storms. rain chances may gradually tick back up by the middle of next week.

A tropical system now in the gulf of mexico is going to move into texas by the weekend and have no bearing on weather here.

Tropical storm gonzalo out in the atlantic will push into the caribbean by early next week so we'll continue to monitor where it goes.

Thursday night: turning clear to partly cloudy.

Light southeasterly winds and lows in the mid to low 70s.

Friday-sunday: partly cloudy, hot, and humid.

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

Peak heat indices will be over 100 once again.

Expect some spotty storms stinger the high school football tour checks in tonight with the noxubee county tigers // see the preview, next in sports open we continue the high school football tour with a team that's determined to right last season's wrong to end the year, the noxubee county tigers.

The defending 3a north half champs are on a mission to end this season with a win and the gold ball.

Noxubee county is stop number 32 on the tour!

áá3 sec nat popáá in 2019, the tigers were one win away from brining home the program's 6th state championship!

Now, the team enters the season with one thing in mind "all we talk about is finishing.

We got to the big game last year and didn't come out with the outcome we wanted.

This year, it's all about finishing.

Get to the game.

Finish it."

"we got to comeback more hungry.

We weren't that hungry last year.

We got to comeback more motivated and play as a team."

Teddy young enters his second season as head coach of noxubee with a team that has all the motivation they need to win a state title.

That drive is on full display with their approach to practice.

"bringing a group back where we lost last year's championship, they're hungry this year.

They're at practice working hard.

They're ready for the grind."

"we already know the playbook.

The guys that's coming back.

They're young but a couple of them played last year.

They already know.

We just got to regroup on a couple skill guys.

"we got more leaders, and we already know what to do and how to approach practice and try to get the young guys to work."

Because of the program's winning tradition, players and coaches take pride in being a part of this team.

"i went through the program.

I've seen the great athletes come through.

For me to be part of the next group of great athletes is a big thing for me."

"people that came through, they were good and made it a good tradition.

It's the best program to be a part of."

"i grew up in noxubee so i come to work everyday and try to get better!"

The tigers have to fill the void left by quarterback marlon windham as they head into the season.

"it's gonna be a big loss.

He did a lot of things for us offensively and defensively, but i'm excited about the quarterback room that we have.

Also, about the younger guys we have coming on the defensive side, so it'll be a group effort but i think we'll get the job done."

That group effort is going to be necessary since the defending 3a north champs will receive everyone's best shot.

A position players love that they're in.

"we love pressure.

We love adversity.

It brings out the real team that we got.

We love to take on that."

"they want to win just like we want to win, but we have to comeback more hungry than we were last year."

"everybody in 3a gunning for us because they want to win just like we do.

All we have to do is work harder than everybody else."

Noxubee kicks off its title pursuit hosting shannon september 4th.

With the tigers 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 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 last look stinger last look last look stinger last look last look last look last look