WCBI New at Six - 08/18/2020

WCBI New at Six - 08/18/2020

Show open monitor intro roll vo in monitor good evening everyone... one of the álargestá embezzlement cases in the state of mississippi is happening right here in the friendly city.

Former chief financial officer, milton rawle jr. is accused of swindling 290- thousand dollars in a scheme that reportedly went on for two years.

Our stephanie poole has the details and joins us live in the studio.

Joey, city leaders had long suspected something was wrong with how the city's finances were being handled and that's why they hired a cpa.

éé and then the state auditor got involved and now rawle is sitting in jail.éé "mr. rawle had a great deal of control and he was able to leverage that control to steal a good bit of money."

Disbelief...that's how mississippi state auditor shad white describes his office's case against milton rawle jr. white says information from columbus cpa wanda holly helped them identify some of the accounting issues.

" we took that information and what she brought to us.

We built out an investigation we did interviews.

We were ultimately able to build all the documents that we needed and all statements to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this public embezzlement happened."

Between december of 2016 and december 2018, rawle allegedly stole the money by electronically transferring funds to his personal bank account, using labels like "payroll" and "reimbursement" to cover his tracks.

Columbus mayor robert smith released a video statement shortly following rawle's arrest.

" chief operating officer dave armstrong and i asked the state of mississippi auditors office and the lowndes county district attorney to conduct an investigation following the resignation of former chief financial officer milton rawle jr..the columbus city council fully supports his investigation.

This is an ongoing criminal case so no further information will be released at this time by the city of columbus."

White says rawle has 30 days to pay back $354,896.27.

"we're hopeful that the bond will be able to pay out on mr.rawle but the city at least in part will be able full for some of the money that mr.rawle stole.

Ideally he'll be prosecuted by the city and state are able to go back in and get the full amount of money that mr.rawle is responsible for."

If convicted, rawle faces up to 20 years in prison and 25 thousand dollars in fines.

25 thousand dollars in fines.

Faces up to 20 years in prison and 25 thousand dollars in fines.

Roll vo in monitor rawle's bond is set today at 65- thousand dollars.éé one teen is arrested and another still on the run after a shooting outside the wingate hotel// 19-year-old donqarous stewart is charged with aggravated assault// the shooting happened back on july 15th// this is video from the night of the shooting// columbus police chief fred shelton says someone had rented a room at the wingate hotel// an argument that started inside moved outside when gunfire rang out// two people were injured in the shooting// columbus police say they're still searching for 17- year-old jeremiah ratcliff// ratcliff does have a warrant out for his arrest on an aggravated assault charge// anyone with information is asked to call golden triangle crime stoppers// off top a former starkville police officer will spend seven years in prison for sending inappropriate photographs and videos to a juvenile.

Charles jordan was sentenced this morning.

Last month, a jury found him guilty of 5 felony counts of exploiting a child.

The judge sentenced him to 12 years with 5 suspended.

In addition to presenting evidence during the trial, prosecutors also used testimony from the victim in the case.

Sot we did have to bring the victim in to testify.

It's always hard when the crime was committed the victim was under the age of 18.

But it's always difficult for any victim to testify at trials.

She did testify at trial.

There were twelve jurors who heard the testimony and all the evidence that was presented.

And based on that, they found him guilty.

Jordan will be on probation for five years after he is released and will have to register as a sex offender.

Off top tupelo police are looking for a man accused of an afternoon robbery// officers went to littles jewelry after getting a call that a man allegedly pulled a clerk across the counter and pulled a watch from the clerks hand then ran off// the clerk wasn't hurt// police are looking for this man wearing a red hat and red shorts// if you have any information your asked to call tupelo police or crime stoppers at 1-800-773-tips// first look stinger first look summary: a few spotty showers or storms are once again possible on wednesday.

The highest odds and coverage of rain/storm should come thursday & friday as an upper level disturbance moves through the region.

We continue to monitor 2 tropical entities and they could have some impact on the southeast in the next week or so.

Tuesday night: mostly clear to partly cloudy.

Lows in the mid to upper 60s.

Winds nw 2-5 mph.

Wednesday: partly cloudy with a 20- 30% chance of a shower or storm.

Highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s.

Winds n 4-8 mph.

Raising taxes.

Two words no one wants to hear, but it could soon be a reality for starkville residents.

Happening now.... city leaders are holding a public hearing to discuss potentially increasing taxes by two mills.

Our quentin smith speaks with city leaders about this decision.... he joins us live from starkville to explain the reason for the tax increase... joey... this is a key item of discussion inside today's board of aldermen meeting.

Starkville is projecting a roughly one million dollar shortfall in sales tax revenue this year due to the pandemic.

Though city leaders don't want to raise anyone's taxes... they say this is the only way to help the town stay afloat... when it comes to the economic picture in starkville.... mayor lynn spruill says it isn't a pretty one.

That's why she and the board of alderman are considering a two millage tax increase.

The first mil is for a grant to help spruce up highway 182.... "one mil is to support the build grant which we received last year, and we knew at the time we agreed to except the build grant, that we would need a mil in order to support our portion of that particular expenditure."

The second mil is to help the city recover from low sales tax numbers because of the coronavirus crisis.

" we are anticipating about a 12.5%, 13% drop and that translates to anywhere between $880,000 or so dollars, to $1.1 million depending on how good or bad it gets."

Millage is a tax rate used to calculate tax property.

"one mil in a layman person's terms translates into about $260,000."

That boils down to about a 20 dollar a year increase, on average, for a starkville homeowner.

That according to mayor spruill.

Vice mayor roy a.

Perkins says he typically against voting for a tax increase... however, given what the city is faced with...he says he has no other choice.

"we need a $3 million match on this federal grant for improving the 182, and the pandemic has caused us to lose at least $200,000 in sales tax revenue for the first six months of the year, given all of that information, the two mill tax increase his warranted."

The two mill tax increase his warranted."

Tonight is just the first of two public hearings.

There will be another one during the next meeting on september first.

After hearing from the public during that meeting.... the board will then vote on the meeting.... the board will then vote on the proposed tax increase.

Reporting live in starkville.

Quentin smith.

Wcbi news.

The number of covid-19 patients in icu is decreasing in mississippi.

The mississippi state department of health reports 795 new cases, along with 34 deaths.

Four of those fatalities were in lowndes county.

There are 284 people in i.c.u., which is down significantly from last week.

Lee county has the most new cases today with 43.

Oktibbeha has 22.

Lowndes and itawamba have 13 new cases.

Monitor intro with flu season rapidly approaching - and covid-19 still a big concern, we'll now face to serious, potentially deadly illnesses.

Wcbi's bobby martinez talks with a doctor about ways to keep you health... and joins us live in the studio.

Bobby... joey, the corona virus has posed several challenges for health officials in recent months.

And with the flu season just around the corner.

Getting a flu shot this year is highly recommended... a twindemic... "you don't want to have the flu and you certainly don't want to have the flu and covid- 19 simultaneously."

Can become a reality within the coming months..

Dr. james woodard of allegro family clinic says people need to keep doing what health experts have been preaching since the coronavirus pandemic began.

"i think the main thing is to continue what we've been doing as far as wearing masks the social distancing and the hand washing i think those are pretty uniform for both illnesses."

Dr.woodard is also suggesting flu shots because as we know each year, we have a different flu strain.

Sot - dr. james woodard - allegro family clinic - columbus "you have to remember that the influenza virus which is the one that causes flu mutates or changes very rapidly and that's why we have a different shot every year.

So it is very important, i think to get a flu shot each year."

But with covid19 in full bloom... will there be a change on how you get a flu shot?

"the flu shot availability is probably going to be the same as it has been.

You know a lot of pharmacies drug stores, certainly offices hospitals.

The hospital has a big saturday usually in october when they administer a lot of flu vaccines.

So i think that should be the same."

If you would like to learn more about the flu..

I'll have that information for you on our website at wcbi dot com stinger volunteer firefighters in a monroe county community will soon have a new place to park fire engines and call their department home.

We have the story coming up after the break.

You're watching wcbi news.

Centered an enhanced federal unemployment benefit will be one of the first items on the agenda when democrats and republicans return to washington dc in september.

Extending the enhanced federal unemployment benefits was one of several sticking points as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were debating a second stimulus package.

Republicans have offered 400 dollars per week in benefits, while democrats called for six hundred dollars per week.

Both sides said compromise is possible, in return for aid to the postal service.

Still, mississippi congressman trent kelly says there are still many things that need to be worked out.

"i think it's real telling when the speaker of the house goes, 'we won't even talk if they don't go to two trillion.

That means you're not worried about anything underneath?

Senator mcconnell wants to do a skinny package, i'm fine with that , but i would say, do the tings we can agree on to help the american people.

There have been reports the house could return during the week of august 24th to hold hearings about financial issues plaguing the u s postal service.

Construction begins on a new hamilton volunteer fire department building.

The original facility was destroyed in last year's tornado that devastated the entire community.

Crew members tell wcbi they were out before sunrise this morning pouring the concrete that will soon be the foundation for a new vfd headquarters.

Fire chief raymond oliver says the entire re-building process has been bittersweet.

"that building was built by a lot of guys here in the community, and most of them have done passed and gone on, but there's still one or two still around that helped with the building."

"i'm hoping by 30 days from now that i've got a red and white building standing up."

Over half of the funding for the new structure came from fema, with insurance and donations from the community making up the rest.

Stinger 2-shot summary: a few spotty showers or storms are once again possible on wednesday.

The highest odds and coverage of rain/storm should come thursday & friday as an upper level disturbance moves through the region.

We continue to monitor 2 tropical entities and they could have some impact on the southeast in the next week or so.

Tuesday night: mostly clear to partly cloudy.

Lows in the mid to upper 60s.

Winds nw 2-5 mph.

Wednesday: partly cloudy with a 20- 30% chance of a shower or storm.

Highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s.

Winds n 4-8 mph.

Thursday-friday: variably cloudy, warm, and humid.

Highs in the upper 80s.

Scattered showers and storms are possible each day with the chance of rain about 50%.

Lows in the upper 60s.

Saturday: partly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers and storms. highs around 90.

Sunday-monday: sun & clouds.

A few isolated showers or t-showers can't be totally ruled out but rain chances are 20% or less.

Highs climb back into the low summary: a few spotty showers or storms are once again possible on wednesday.

The highest odds and coverage of rain/storm should come thursday & friday as an upper level disturbance moves through the region.

We continue to monitor 2 tropical entities and they could have some impact on the southeast in the next week or so.

Tuesday night: mostly clear to partly cloudy.

Lows in the mid to upper 60s.

Winds nw 2-5 mph.

Wednesday: partly cloudy with a 20- 30% chance of a shower or storm.

Highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s.

Winds n 4-8 mph.

Thursday-friday: variably cloudy, warm, and humid.

Highs in the upper 80s.

Scattered showers and storms are possible each day with the chance of rain about 50%.

Lows in the upper 60s.

Saturday: partly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers and storms. highs around 90.

Sunday-monday: sun & clouds.

A few isolated showers or t-showers can't be totally ruled out but rain chances are 20% or less.

Highs climb back into the low to mid 90s with overnight lows in the low 70s.

Tropics: there are two items of interest that need to be watched closely.

One is moving through the eastern caribbean sea and another one is out in the open atlantic.

Both stinger only a few stops remain on the high school football tour...catch the preview with tupelo, next in sports open there's a new golden wave era on the horizon first year tupelo coach ty hardin has brought a new culture with him from houston tupelo is stop number 58 on the high school football tour áááintro bbááá a new era is underway in tupelo.

Former houston head coach ty hardin takes over as the new man in charge of the golden wave.

While the offseason has been more challenging than usual, that hasn't stopped hardin from getting his new players up to speed.

"it's been smoother than i thought," hardin said.

"i sat back at the beginning of it, like, man, there's a lot to do.

I mean, but the kids, their approach to everything has made everything a lot easier and i'm just blessed to be where i am today."

"he's a family man, " senior mlb justin wilson said.

"he treats me like a dad.

He loves everybody.

He treats all of us like his kids."

"he's definitely brought the energy for sure," senior quarterback jake weir said.

"i think he's definitely brough a new culture to our program.

I think it's definitely going to help us out going forward."

However, going from houston to taking over the tupelo program has challenges, such as making the division switch from 3a to 6a ball.

A whole new set of opponents are on the horizon, but hardin says he knows the direction to take the golden wave in.

"the tables laid.

The path, the foundation's been laid from coach hammond and the previous staff.

The coaching staff that i have, i've got nine guys that are basically head coaches on this team.

They take care of a lot of different things and they're special.

They've made this transition great," hardin said.

Tupelo enters the 2020 season in a good position.

The golden wave return starting quarterback jake weir for another season.

In 2019, weir threw for over 2,200 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Combine that with a strong defensive line and the tupelo has the makings of its 10th consecutive playoff appearance.

"where are strengths are, are allover.

I feel good about our depth.

I feel good about every skill position, i feel really good about our quarterback and him being a leader.

I think he's the best quarterback in the state.

I feel good about our d-line.

I think it's one of the best d-lines in the state.

When you have two groups like that you have a chance to win a lot of football games."

"definitely been trying to improve on leadership because you can never do to much on that.

I think that's definitely an important aspect when playing quarterback.

You just have to rally the troops together and lead," weir said.

"it's a different feeling.

The past couple of years we ain't really been clicking.

We ain't really been buddy buddy.

This year we're all focused on one goal," wilson said.

A tough road lies ahead for the golden wave with even tougher competition, such as defending 6a champs oxford.

For tupelo, preparedness is crucial week after week.

""i'm stepping into a division where you have coaching staffs that are some of the highest iq coaching staffs in the state.

They're great.

Their kids play hard.

Their kids are ready every friday night.

Anybody can beat anybody on friday night.

We have to come prepared every week.

Our kids have to work their tails off every week and our coaching staff has to be prepared every week or we won't last long in this division," hardin said.

"we're going all the way, no doubt.

It's a family effort.

We're all pushing for one goal," wilson said.

"definitely want to set a big time tone.

We want to blow them out.

Throw fifty points on the board.

We're going to make a statement," weir said.

Tupelo starts the season on the road at neshoba central on september 4th.

Reporting in tupelo on the high school football tour, courtney robb wcbi sports.

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