WCBI NEWS AT SIX - JULY 3, 2020

WCBI NEWS AT SIX - JULY 3, 2020

Thank you for joining us..

A woman is shot and killed this morning in baldwyn.

Tonight, police are searching for the accused gunman.

50-year-old garry scott mcdonald is wanted in connection with the shooting.

Investigators tell wcbi the shooting appears to be centered around a domestic situation with a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship.

This is a picture of him from facebook and confirmed by police that it is mcdonald.

He could be driving a gold chevy cavalier with an itawamba county tag... i-t-b 6316.

If you know where mcdonald is tonight call 9-1-1.

The shooting happened about 7:45 on south 4th street at adams auto sales, where mcdonald had been working.

Baldwyn police say mcdonald and 26 year old coner noel kyle were living at the location.

Other people there saw the shooting.

Lee county coroner carolyn green says the victim died from a gunshot wound.

An autopsy will be performed.

Kyle's body has been sent to the state crime lab for an autopsy.utopsy.

Wipe to vo lowndes county detectives are still working to find out what led to the death of a columbus man.

Deputies were called burns road on thursday morning after a driver found the body of 28-year- old lorenzo halthon jr. investigators are trying to determine why or how he got to that area, just off nashville ferry road.

While on scene, deputies placed markers on the ground that usually indicates where shell casings or other pieces of evidence might be located.

Halthon's death is being treated as a homicide.

No arrest has been made.

If you have any information call golden triangle crime stoppers.

Wipe to vo a harsher law to punish animal abusers is on the way to the governor's desk.

Senate bill 2658 would make it a felony for someone convicted of aggravated cruelty to a domesticated cat or dog.

This means they could be fined up to five thousand dollars and sentenced to three years in prison.

A second offense, within five years, could result in a ten thousand dollar fine and up to ten years in prison.

Another change would allow law enforcement to charge a person for each dog or cat harmed in an incident.

In defense of animals, which is based in north mississippi, has pushed for the legislation for years and is pleased with the passage.

The bill is awaiting governor tate reeves's signature.

Sot take continuing coverage stinger the state of alabama sees its highest single day increase in covid-19 cases// more than 17- hundred cases were reported today// doctors and health experts in the state expressing concerns over the holiday weekend// 843 people are hospitalized with the virus in alabama// the state health department lists lamar and pickens counties in its high risk category.// the debate over wearing a mask in public is hotter than july in the south... bobby martinez joins us live in studio with what some folks in columbus had to say about the issue.

Joey..whether you're on the fence of wearing a face mask in public or not..doctors are urging us all to do our part and wear them in public..

"it helps saves lives."

"i think it's necessary if we are going to stop the spread of the virus."

Cases of covid 19 have increased in recent weeks according to mississippi department of health..

And during these spikes..state health officer dr. thomas dobbs has taken to social media to voice his concerns on this pandamic... twitter posts will pop up here he also wants people to wear a mask in public... something tupelo mayor jason shelton made mandatory this week.

"here in tupelo we did the executive order to mandate wearing face coverings face mask cloth over your face in public and indoor places in the city of tupelo.

And that's again at the request of the north mississippi medical center and the tupelo economic recovery task force."

Shelton hopes governor tate reeves will soon make masks mandatory for the entire state..

"you know i hope the governor will take this serious and be proactive.

I know he doesn't like to do that but it is necessary we got a listen to our healthcare professionals we got to listen to our scientists we got to do what our healthcare professionals tell us to prevent us from getting sick."

In columbus... wearing a face mask in public is not mandatory... but mayor robert smith is encouraging people to wear them anytime they are out... something some of the folks we talked to are on board with... "please if you're not wearing a mask start wearing one.

They are uncomfortable but, they help save lives.

I feel like face masks are important.

I actually have a face mask i just don't have to wear it when i'm by myself.

But when i'm around other people i feel like it is very important to wear a face mask."

James harris..

Admits masks and mississippi humidity don't mix.

"i mean it helps out with keeping the germs of the coronavirus down and all but in this heat like it is right here it makes it hard to breathe."

Columbus and starkville leaders will address mask ordinances at their meetings on tuesday.

Columbus and starkville leaders will address mask ordinances at their meetings on tuesday.

Vo off top mississippi casinos are placing their bets on safety.

The mississippi gaming commission has ordered everyone inside a casino property to wear a mask that covers the face and nose.

In a press release, the commission says the decision was based on guidance from the state health officer and to help reduce the spread of covid-19.

Gamblers will be able to remove masks temporarily while eating or drinking or when asked by casino staff for identification.

Guests will be warned but could be kicked out if they continue to not wear a mask.

The new rules begin tonight.

Wipe to gfx just days after the legislature goes home, the first lawmaker tests positive for covid-19.

Wjtv reports district 70 representative bo brown confirmed the diagnosis.

The democrat represents portions of hinds county, in the jackson area.

Brown is unsure how he contracted the virus.

When he began to feel weak, he went to the doctor and got tested.

Now, he's following doctors orders while recovering.

Two staffers in the state capitol also tested positive for covid- 19, just before lawmakers returned for the most recent session.

Take new at 6 stinger former mississippi university for women president jim borsig appears to have landed a new role.

Pending final approvals, borsig will be named interim chancellor of henderson state university.

The deal calls for borsig to sign a one-year deal, which could be extended to two years, at the arkadelphia, arkansas school.

Borsig was president at muw from 2012 to 2018.

Prior to that he served in various leadership roles with the institutions of higher learning.

Borsig will start at henderson later this month.

First look stinger happy 4th of july weekend!

We're looking at a fairly regular summertime forecast with warm temperatures and chances for pop- up showers and storms. it won't be a total washout, but storms will be possible.

Rain and storm chances increase by next week.

Friday night: aside from a shower or storm early, most of the overnight hours will be dry with a few passing clouds.

We'll stay mild and muggy with lows in the low 70s and a light northeasterly wind.

Saturday: we'll start off independence day with a few clouds and temperatures a lot of people love to shoot fireworks to celebrate our independence but ... they can be dangerous.

Firefighters recommend people 18 years and older handle fireworks.

Children should always be supervised.

Have a garden hose or a bucket of water near by for any fires.

Never aim firecrackers at anyone or use homemade fireworks.

" the rule of thumb normally from any structure is about 30 ft or over hang.

You want to stay away from that because something can go wrong and you have an exposure there that can ignite, even though it has been raining quite a bit here lately but there's still other things that can ignite in that general area."

It is illegal to shoot fireworks inside the city limits of most every area town.

Stinger while some cities may be going forth with fireworks displays this year... be prepared for some different seating arrangements..

We take a look when folks are loading up with cars, food, and fireworks for the fourth of july.

Our stephanie poole visits a few stores on the holiday foot traffic.

She joins us in the studio with more on how people are celebrating// joey, dozens of people are out getting ready to celebrate the 4th but this year due to covid19, people will celebrate a little differenly// and the top priority on everyone's list seems to be fireworks and safety.

As colors light up the sky on the 4th of july, you may be watching it from your car this year.

At least, that's the plan the starkville city council has made for citizens.

" due to covid, we're not going to have vendors, we're not going to have jumpers and full events but we are going to have the fireworks."

Mayor lynn spruill says for safety concerns, they're using an alternative way families can still celebrate the holiday...with a drive-up light show.

" people can park and sit in the bed of the truck or listen to it, we're going to have music that goes with it and be synced with it.

It's just a real quick enjoyment of fireworks.

Sort of traditional but not our normal."

For families planning to use fireworks in their backyards, visiting orbit fireworks is a must.

Employee candi nabors says the foot traffic has been non-stop since monday.

" the sales have been good, everybody is coming out.

Of course we've all been quarantined in, so everybody is ready to get out and pop some firecrackers and enjoy the nice day we've been having."

And a large crowd means mandatory prep.

" we've been getting the register set-up for the customers, getting all the stuff out so everybody can come in and do what they need to do and have a good time.

" butt sots "we've had a pretty good crowd everyday so that's great for our business.

I'm hoping it'll stay that way."

The fireworks show begins at 9pm at the starkville sportsplex.

Take vo off top 4th of july weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for grocery stores... as barbecues, travel and family time are on the menu for the holiday.

A wallet hub dot com study shows americans will spend about six point eight billion dollars on food this july fourth holiday weekend.

Kendrix morris, store manager at sunflower grocery store in columbus... says his grocery store has been busy since opening up this morning... and he expects that will continue throughout the weekend.

"well this is one of the busiest holiday of the summer because it's kind of marked the last hot holiday of the summer.

So everybody's fired up the grill and getting ready to have the family over and just have a great time."

Wallet hub also reports 804 million dollars will be spent of beef this weekend.

And in case you're wondering... 150 million hotdogs will be eaten.

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 stinger these panthers have pride // the high school football tour checks-in with amory see the preview, when we come back the high school football tour takes a slight detour into 3a ball next stop on the tour checks in with the amory panthers nearly, all of coach allen glenn's team returns for another season the panthers are stop number twelve on the high school football tour áááintro bbááá the amory panthers are ready to get after it.

Head coach allen glenn returns nearly his entire team from the 2019 season packed with plenty of friday night experience.

"we have a lot of our skill guys back," glenn said.

"we have to replace a few lineman but we have a lot of guys who've played a lot of friday night football.

That's good.

We're excited about that."

Glenn remains impressed with the upcoming senior class specifically.

Over the last few season, amory knew its class of 2021 has the opportunity to be the 3a team to beat.

"we knew when they were eighth graders they had the chance to be pretty good.

Now it's their senior year.

We're excited to see them and see what happens," glenn said.

A lot of pressure goes to the panthers senior quarterback, hunter jones.

Jones has had time to learn how to handle the pressure entering his fourth season at starting q-b.

"hunter's been really good for us.

He's been a 2,000 yard passer and a 300 yard rusher every year at least for the last three years.

So a lot of expectations there for him," glenn said.

The excitement doesn't stop there.

With a majority of the team coming back, amory doesn't have to worry about learning anything new.

The focus now is all about competing at the highest level.

"as far as the scheme, we're not changing.

We're going to do what we do.

As a coach, i wouldn't say easy is the word to use but it makes you feel better knowing that those guys have done it for so long.

We do have to replace five offensive lineman and in my opinion that's where games are won on both sides of the ball," glenn said.

However, the panthers do have a new addition to the team.

Defensive coordinator chris shoup joins amory after serving as the d-bs coach under trent hammond in tupelo.

"really excited about coach shoup.

We've got eight to nine starters back on defense.

We've got a good core group coming back on defense," glenn said.

Amory returns to action against itawamba ahs on august 21st.

"we love football here in amory.

Our town loves it, the tradition's rich, so we're just ready to get rolling," glenn said.

With the panthers on the high school football tour, courtney robb wcbi sports.

áááclosing bbááá antachie tomorrow sunday is bruce calhoun city is monday winona is on tuesdayfor any stot you may have missed along the way you can always check out our website, wcbi.com