WCBI NEWS AT TEN - 12/23/20

WCBI NEWS AT TEN - 12/23/20

Monroe county deputies seize more than two pounds of crystal methamphetamine.

34-year-old antonio wright is charged with aggravated trafficking.

Sheriff kevin crook says deputies, along with the north mississippi narcotics agents, confiscated two point two pounds of the crystal meth on tuesday morning.

Agents found the alleged drugs at a home on athens- hatley road.

Wright is on probation out of lee county for kidnapping and robbery.

Meanwhile, deputies continue to look for his brother... michael wright.

The 37-year-old is wanted for aggravated trafficking.

He is also currently on probation.

Crook says this wright brother lives outside of monroe county but did not provide a specific location.

Top more than a thousand dollars in a lowndes county fraud cases has been recovered.

Deidra norris was convicted of stealing and activating snap ebt cards from people who were in a drug rehab facility.

She also confessed to buying and selling other ebt cards.

Now, the mississippi department of human services says it has received one thousand one 42 dollars in full restitution from the case.

Norris pled guilty to four counts of food stamp fraud and was given probation.

Top pickens county deputies track down an accused burglar.

Now, 44-year-old ricky spruill of ethelsville is charged with burglary, theft of property, criminal mischief and attempting to elude.

When spruill was arrested, 46-year- old kevin vail was also taken into custody.

Vail is charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

Pickens county sheriff todd hall says some residents noticed someone taking their neighbor's property on monday and called deputies.

Spruill was arrested yesterday after a foot chase.

Vail was allegedly armed when he was arrested.

Both men remain in jail.

A log truck driver escapes serious injury after overturning on highway 17.

The crash happened about 1 o'clock this afternoon.

Vernon police shutdown the highway for about an hour and a half while crews worked to clear the scene.

The accident remains under investigation.

The starkville fire department has two new trucks to help firefighters in emergencies.

The starkville fire department has two new trucks to help firefighters in emergencies.

The department held an "engine housing" ceremony this morning to officially add the new trucks to the fleet.

The mayor, members of board of aldermen, and msu president dr. mark keenum all spoke during the ceremony.

Each truck are named in memory of children of two starkville aldermen.

Somebody asked me the other day about my favorite things on the trucks.

My favorite thing on the trucks are the names on the trucks.

To honor those who have gone on before us.

To have two aldermen to both have kids to die while they were in office, i thought it was just a touching, fitting thing to give back to them by honoring them by having their names on these trucks.

So, it's just a good day for us.

One truck is named in honor of surhaver fair, the son of alderman henry vaughn.

The other is in honor of lake little, the daughter of alderman david little.

The state department of health is reporting two thousand 634 new covid-19 cases today and 43 deaths, 4 of those deaths are in lowndes county.

Now, the long awaited vaccine has finally reached a local hospital.

Today..

High risk doctors and physicians were able to get the vaccination at baptist golden triangle.

The first m.d.

Was honored to take the first of many shots that were administered and explains his feeling to receiving it.

"it's my pleasure to take this shot because i think it's the right thing for me to do and i think it's the right thing for our country to have this because without a vaccination we're in big trouble to try and win this battle..

Like any other shot i've ever had nothing to do it.

I just felt a needle go in come out and not a big deal."

After their first shots doctors waited 15 minutes for any side effects and scheduled for their second shots that must me given 28 days after today.

First look stinger first look wednesday night: rain and thunder.

Total rainfall between 1/2" and 2".

Southerly winds becoming northwesterly between 10-25 mph with higher gusts.

Evening temperatures in the upper 50s with colder 30s by sunrise.

Thursday: variably cloudy, blustery, and cold.

A few isolated flurries can't totally be ruled out.

Highs in the upper 30s with wind chills in the low 30s and 20s all day long.

Nw winds 10-25 mph with higher gusts.

First look wednesday night: rain and thunder.

Total rainfall between 1/2" and 2".

Southerly winds becoming northwesterly between 10-25 mph with higher gusts.

Evening temperatures in the upper 50s with colder 30s by sunrise.

Thursday: variably cloudy, blustery, and cold.

A few isolated flurries can't totally be ruled out.

Highs in the upper 30s with wind chills in the low 30s and 20s all day long.

Nw winds 10-25 mph with community members continue to spread the holiday spirit to folks in need.

Due to covid-19, some families are concerned where their next meal will come from.

Our stephanie poole speaks with one local woman who has fed dozens, making sure a hot meal is on their table.

Take a look.

Every morning, saperior patton rolls out bed with one mission on her mind, giving back to her community.

" we got a call on a tuesday, well a text message on a tuesday saying that we wouldn't be back to work because of the pandemic.

I work with kids with emotional and behavioral problems. there's a lot of foster kids in foster care and i just thought about them.

We were at the table and i said 'i think i want to feed people.

She said you do?and i said yeah i think god put it on my heart.

She said let's do it!

" patton opened her wallet, using the last of what she had.

"i had 50 dollars in my pocket.

I took that 50 dollars and i went to the grocery store plus i had some things at home.

I combined those and i did 25 plates the first time."

That's when patton realized more families may need assistance.

She started to post meals on her facebook page...now, a few weeks later, dozens visit the page starkville strong.

" i posted on that page just to get exposure to anybody who needed a meal and it blew up from there.

There were people that i just know that needed the meal.

Some people, that's the only home-cooked meal they get."

She's delivered over 2-thousand meals since march...recipes ranging from spaghetti to steak.

But it wouldn't have been done without a few helping hands... " the first restaurant that reached out to me to help was 1883 smokehouse.

From then, umi's, the rosie baby, where's the food, and other organizations have helped me."

On christmas day, nearly 150 families will receive a meal.

"i had different people to help to make treats, to cook the meals, different people to give gas money, and to give me money for food,and i had people to donate food."

Patton hopes those in her community will continue to pay it forward.

" it doesn't have to be something so big because this started out so small, i just kept on going.

Everybody has a part to play.

Just be kind."

Reporting in oktibbeha county, stephanie poole, wcbi news.

Patton is starting a foundation named ' safe place foundation incorporated for at-risk youth and community members.

You can also apply for meal assistance on her facebook page or on starkville strong.

Those are listed on our website, wcbi-dot com.

Deputies and staff members at the clay county sheriff's department are making sure a local family has a merry christmas.

The department adopted a mother and her four children who have become like family to them.

In october, lt.

Cassandra smith saved a little boy who was choking on food.

Since then, she has remained close with the child's family and talked to her sheriff about adopting the family for christmas.

They got busy buying toys and other items for them.

We just pitched in and bought everything they wanted on their wish list.

Everybody is just a family now.

And during this time everybody needs to love each other, try to pull together; whatever you got, share it with the next person.

I'm so blessed and i'm so thankful for her for getting all this stuff for us.

It's a blessing.

The west point police department also donated gifts and other items to the family.

Top with just two days go before christmas, shoppers are filling stores to find the perfect last-minute gift.

According to a report from the national retail federation, consumers plan to spend 650-dollars on gifts for family, friends, and co- workers this year.

We talked to some folks at a columbus shopping center who were hoping to finish off their lists in one trip.

Did some shopping ahead of time.

Found out a couple of things wouldn't be here on time, so i did some last- minute shopping just to go grab a few things, so they can open up a few extra gifts.

I'm just trying to get some last minute stuff for my husband and he's been through some things this year and covid.

So, i'm just trying to make sure he smiles on christmas.

I'm just always a procrastinator when it comes to christmas shopping, so i always wait til the last minute.

But i had to get out this morning because had to get out this morning because my time is running out me.

Most holiday shoppers surveyed by retail federation said they typically shop early to avoid crowds and the stress of last- minute shopping.

Stinger with online meetings become more and more popular, virtual etiquette is more important than ever... more on this story, after the break.

Stay with us.

Over the past year, video conference calls have given us a way to get together while staying apart.

But effectively communicating during virtual meetings can be a challenge.

That's why toastmasters has shifted its focus from simply training members in the areas of public speaking and leadership to giving a polished presentation in virtual environments.

"it helps me present myself in a better way to the public and to speak more intelligently."

Columbus police chief fred shelton is a proud member of his local toastmasters chapter.

He says, even before the pandemic, the organization was staring to take things virtual.

"now we're more virtual.

We're still having to conduct our meetings, but we're doing them on zoom.

Again, it's a learning experience.

We're learning how to communicate in a different venue."

Toastmasters international president richard peck says conducting yourself professionally online is just as important as conducting yourself professionally in- person.

"so, we always say, you only get one chance to make a first impression.

Well, if it's the first time i'm seeing you online, what i see is going to be the impression i get."

He says anytime you're taking part in an online- meeting, you should try and limit anything that could distract your audience.

"i tend to encourage clubs to say, how would you conduct yourself if you were together in the same room?

Would you be on the phone instead of listening to the person at the front of the room?

Would you be talking to your neighbor?

How would you conduct yourself?"

"we're learning that there's now zoom etiquette, how you present your self, what you do... so, toastmasters was more verbal, now when we're communicating, we're using verbal gestures, we're using pitch and vocal variety when we're talking, so now you're being more entertaining, you can become more animated because you do have an audience out there who's looking at you, so, like now for example, i'm using my hands, and i'm trying to draw my audience into me, so now, without being there, you have to learn how to use more vocal variety, more hand gestures to draw people in, so again, i don't have that physical presence there."

Peck says anyone interested in bettering themselves professionally, should consider paying close attention to their online etiquette.

"there are individuals who have a hard time in this one-on-one conversation, and being in a small environment, being in the safety of your own home, if you will, there's some opportunity there to try things and do things that you normally wouldn't."

For more information on toastmasters, visit our website, wcbi- dot-com.

Stinger weather open summary: a strong cold front will give us rain and thunder tonight followed by blustery, cold, & dry weather for christmas eve and christmas day.

Summary: a strong cold front will give us rain and thunder tonight followed by blustery, cold, & dry weather for christmas eve and christmas day.

Be sure to have plenty of winter clothes and a warm spot to stay over the next 2 days.

Temperatures will moderate during the weekend.

Wednesday night: rain and thunder.

Total rainfall between 1/2" and 2".

Southerly winds becoming northwesterly between 10-25 mph with higher gusts.

Evening temperatures in the upper 50s with colder 30s by sunrise.

Thursday: variably cloudy, blustery, and cold.

A few isolated flurries can't totally be ruled out.

Highs in the upper 30s with wind chills in the low 30s and 20s all day long.

Nw winds 10-25 mph with higher gusts.

Thursday night: partly cloudy and brisk.

Lows in the low 20s with wind chill values in the 10s and 0s.

Santa will have smooth sailing in our neck of the woods this year as he flies through.

Christmas day: sunny and cold.

Highs in the upper 30s to around 40.

Brisk wnw winds 10- 20 mph.

Wind chills in the 30s & 20s.

Friday night: clear and cold.

Lows around 20.

Weekend: mostly sunny to partly cloudy.

Highs moderating back into the 50s.

Follow @wcbiweather on facebook, twitter, instagram, and the wcbi news app stinger iverson molinar's leap this season is no coincidence..

Next in sports a look at his past and how it helped him get to this point for state..

Spx open summary: a strong cold front will give us rain and thunder tonight followed by blustery, cold, & dry weather for christmas eve and christmas day.

Be sure to have plenty of winter clothes and a warm spot to stay over the next 2 days.

Temperatures will moderate during the weekend.

Stinger iverson molinar's leap this season is no coincidence..

Next in sports a look at his past and how it helped him get to this point for state..

Spx open ???take mon gfx???

???take mon gfx???

It's hard to argue against iverson molinar as the most improved bulldog this season... through five games this year he's putting up just under 18 points per game... and it's been a long journey for the mississippi state sophomore guard... it's a hoops career that started in panama... that's where he is from..

He moved to the u-s at 14 for basketball reasons... his parents pictured right here still live in panama... when he first got to the states it was a tough adjustment..

He didn't speak much english and lived with a host family at the start in california... after he adjusted the basketball gamble payed off for him and he committed to ben howland and mississippi state... molinar says he's just getting started... and the improvements he made this offseason aren't just one big coincidence..

00-05 :24-:29 molinar says: i was training three times a day and i actually went back to san diego to work out with my uncle and he played professionally overseas and he knew what i had to do to become one of the best sec players and i am still working on that.

Howland says: his overall understanding of the game yhas imroved in every aspect.

A better defender both on an off the ball and a better decision maker in terms of his passing.

That uncle he his passing.

That uncle he mentioned that helped him train..... pictured right here... is jo-el jones camacho... along with his lengthy overseas career he averaged 12 points per game for sacramento state in college... how many times have we seen this at the collegiate level?

Former mississippi state forward reggie perry showing off what he's got on the nba hardwood for the brooklyn nets... it didn't take him long to score his first points in the pros... he did it opening night in brooklyn's blowout victory over the golden state warriors... nice offenseive rebound and putback for ben howland's former player... im sure he's smiling watching that... the nets traded for perry after the clippers selected him with the 58th pick in the 2020 nba draft last month... he's on a two way contract with the team meaning he'll split the time with them and the long island nets this season... big things to come for reggie..

Ole miss men's basketball has wrapped up it's non-conference slate... the rebels doing so in style taking down tennessee-martin 90-43... a game head coach kermit davis said was necessary to get the taste of the dayton loss out of his team's mouth... kj buffen and oxford native jarkel joiner led the way for the rebels each with 16 points in the contest... ole miss is now 6-1 on the year... pretty impressive after being the last power five team to tip off..

They played 6 games in 12 days... davis is proud of his guys' effort and response... 00-05 davis says: would we like to be 6-0 and disappointed with dayton you bet.

Up 9 in the second half.

To have the time off that we did and play that number of games with no practice, i'm proud of our team.

We've been a great practice team.

Not perfect but always coming to play and i am really proud of them.

It's a really fun team to watch and we will keep improving offensively when we return...chief open summary: a strong cold front will give us rain and thunder tonight followed by blustery, cold, & dry weather for christmas eve and christmas day.

Be sure to have plenty of winter clothes and a warm spot to stay over the next 2 days.

Temperatures will moderate during the weekend.

Wednesday night: rain and thunder.

Total rainfall between 1/2" and 2".

Southerly winds becoming northwesterly