WCBI NEWS at 10 - 08/21/2020

WCBI NEWS at 10 - 08/21/2020

College students are away from home---perhaps feeling more freedom.

But governor tate reeves warns they can't let that translate to ignoring coronavirus safety guidelines.

Courtney ann jackson explains what she learned today.

Ignoring the governor's executive orders with large house parties, for example, could mean more than a slap on the wrist for mississippi's college students.

Because in most instances---that is considered a violation of the school's student code of conduct.

The university of southern mississippi vice president of student affairs..

"we're really trying to stress to our students and help them understand that their actions have a big impact on others and it's not just about them."

In a video message to the campus community by noel wilkin, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs also stressing the need for compliance.

"we hope that everyone will embrace their role in keeping our communities safe.

We can be together if you follow the protocols, including when you're not in class."

But what if they ignore those guidelines, including the governor's order regarding the limits on numbers of people at a social gathering---even off campus?

"we have a whole host of options.

We can do a verbal warning, an educational piece, all the way up to suspension of an individual or organization.

Now, that would certainly be something that be very serious if we went all the way to that extreme.

And i'm anticipating we will not have to do that."

Mississippi state sending a "weekend reminders" note to students.

One bullet point specifically warns them not to host a party or gathering...on or off campus---saying students could face sanctions---even suspension or expulsion.

Taking a look at today's covid-19 numbers.... state health officials are reporting 874 new cases and 24 deaths.

One thousand 25 people remain hospitalized with suspected or confirmed covid-19 and 276 patients are in i.c.u.

Both of those numbers are down from yesterday.

18-29-year-olds continue to have the most cases of any age group.

Lee county is reporting the most new cases with 31.

Pontotoc has 28, lowndes has 25, oktibbeha has 19, and monroe is reporting 12 new cases.

First look stinger summary: a few more showers and storms are possible saturday with lower rain chances sunday and early next week.

Two tropical systems are forecast to affect the gulf of mexico early next week with tropical storm laura being our main concern.

It's still possible that we could have some impacts locally by the upper 80s.

Winds variable 2-7 mph.

The college football season is definitely going to be one that's unlike any season we've ever seen// governor tate reeves issued an executive order limiting the number of fans allowed in the stands, and also canceling tailgates.

Wcbi's quentin smith takes a look at the impact this is going to have in area communities// nat tailgating at mississippi state..

Hot food on the grill..

Cowbells ringing... nat and everyone having a good time.... these are the sights and sounds of college football.

But this year... things will be different due to executive order 1519... " this will it hurt because we've been gearing for this time all year really."

Brad vickers is the owner and founder of southern tradition tailgating.

Inside his warehouse are the thousands of tents, tables, and chairs he was ready to provide his customers.

Those now have to remain where they are.

" majority of our customers have already paid for 2020, so we've offer two different options for them, either a full refund or just a transfer of their tailgating package to next year."

Vickers says this decision will cost some employees their jobs this fall.

And that won't be his only loss... the business owner is also expecting to lose out on hundreds of thousands of dollars... " it's basically shutting us down for a full year, that's 12 months without money coming in."

But it isn't just tailgating companies.... nat catering services like brian michael's will be hit hard financially "it's definitely going to have some impact on our sales for sure.

It's a lot of dollars that aren't going to be moving around this year."

David wilkerson is the general manager and says they've been catering tailgates for the past 8 years.

" normally we do full-service tailgates.

We'll have staff out there serving under the tents and keeping everything stocked up, so it's going to look a lot different."

The junction will be empty.

No tents or crowds.

While the two companies won't be able to do their business as usual....that's not stopping them from offering services completely.

" we will offer some single game off campus services.

If somebody wants to tailgate at home, or if a business wants to have a tent and tvs and stuff set up, we do have individual game packages that we will be offering, and hopefully we will be able to employ some of our student workers that way."

" we are fortunate to still have some other stuff going on, but we are going to really try to focus on doing drop off's to peoples houses.

People are still going to have small get together's at home, so it's still going to provide an avenue for us to provide some services."

For more information on the smaller service options both companies will be offering this fall.

Just head on over to our website at wcbi dot com.... top with this new order... towns here in the golden triangle are expecting to lose out on thousands of dollars.... starkville mayor lynn spruill says they're expecting a roughly one point one million dollar shortfall in sales tax revenue..

Much of which comes from money spent on football weekends... the college town depends on the thousands of visitors coming to eat and shop locally.... mississippi state will only have five home games this season, in addition to the limited seating and no tailgating.

Mayor spruill says it'll be a big blow financially.

"if they have five home games where they are just playing football, it's not the same thing as five home games where there are people in the stands, because i'm just playing football, wow that is a great thing for us and i'm delighted that they are doing it, but unless we have people in the city and in the stands and being a part of the community while they are here such as staying in the hotels, eating at the restaurants, and then those games are not going to make any difference.

If they go to 25% capacity and that's all we've got showing up in town, then it's going to still have an impact" mayor lynn spruill says they're considering raising taxes to help cover the shortfall..

A public hearing on the matter is happening september first// stinger 2-shot summary: a few more showers and storms are possible saturday with lower rain chances sunday and early next week.

Two tropical systems are forecast to affect the gulf of mexico early next week with tropical storm laura being our main concern.

It's still possible that we could have some impacts locally by the middle of next week so stay tuned for updates this weekend.

Friday night: variably cloudy with a few lingering showers or storms possible.

Lows in the mid to upper 60s.

Light winds.

Saturday: sun & clouds with a 30- 40% chance of a few pop-up showers or storms. highs top out in the mid to upper 80s.

Winds variable 2-7 mph.

Saturday night: partly cloudy and quiet.

Lows in the upper 60s.

Sunday-tuesday: partly cloudy, warm, and reasonably quiet with just small chance of a shower or storm.

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

Wednesday-friday: forecast confidence is extremely low and all based on where the two tropical systems end up.

We're going to include the chance of rain & storms and slightly cooler temperatures just to hedge on the possibility that some impacts cold be felt here.

If the storms stay away then our region could be drier and hotter.

Summary: a few more showers and storms are possible saturday with lower rain chances sunday and early next week.

Two tropical systems are forecast to affect the gulf of mexico early next week with tropical storm laura being our main concern.

It's still possible that we could have some impacts locally by the middle of next week so stay tuned for updates this weekend.

Friday night: variably cloudy with a few lingering showers or storms possible.

Lows in the mid to upper 60s.

Light winds.

Saturday: sun & clouds with a 30- 40% chance of a few pop-up showers or storms. highs top out in the mid to upper 80s.

Winds variable 2-7 mph.

Saturday night: partly cloudy and quiet.

Lows in the upper 60s.

Sunday-tuesday: partly cloudy, warm, and reasonably quiet with just small chance of a shower or storm.

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

Wednesday-friday: forecast confidence is extremely low and all based on where the two tropical systems end up.

We're going to include the chance of rain & storms and slightly cooler temperatures just to hedge on the possibility that some impacts cold be felt here.

If the storms stay away then our region could be drier and hotter.

Summary: a few more showers and storms are possible saturday with lower rain chances sunday and early next week.

Two tropical systems are forecast to affect the gulf of mexico early next week with tropical storm laura being our main concern.

It's still possible that we could have some impacts locally by the middle of next week so stay tuned for updates this weekend.

Friday night: variably cloudy with a few lingering showers or storms possible.

Lows in the mid to upper 60s.

Light winds.

Saturday: sun & clouds with a 30- 40% chance of a few pop-up video in monitor this weekend, celebrities from across the region put on their dancing shoes for a great cause.

It is time for the annual "dance like the stars", benefitting the boys and girls clubs of north mississippi.

Wcbi's allie martin has mor on this year's virtual event.

Keri mcmillin is no stranger to the stage or spotlight, but like most celebrity dancers, ballroom dancing for her is new.

So when she agreed to take part in "dance like the stars" she set her fundraising and dance routine goals and got to work.

"i jumped on the chance to do it, it was a perfect time."

As a housewife, mother, real estate agent, and advertising salesperson, time is a precious commodity for mcmillin.

But she also knows the impact the boys and girls clubs of north mississippi makes on children across the area and is part of this year's "dance like the stars."

"i knew i wanted to dance something fast."

Nats as a celebrity dancer, mcmillin agrees to take at least 25 one hour lessons, raise money for the clubs and perform her routine at the big show.

This year's event will be different from previous years, because of covid- 19.

The dances will be performed at the bancorpsouth arena, but there won't be an audience.

Instead, people can watch the event live on facebook.

Mcmillin is one of seven dancers for this virtual event, but that hasn't dampened fundraising efforts.

"we have actually, as a group, already hit our goal, which is amazing, i know with everything going on in our world today and community i'm very surprised and so grateful that people are so willing to give, and i think that's the state we live in, we are a giving state and i have met my goal, what i set out to do, and we still have time to raise more."

Nats andrew giving instructions mcmillin's professional dance instructor is andrew davis, of the dance studio of tupelo.

This is his third "dance like the stars" and he began teaching his celebrity dance partner the basics of the latin samba, and then he choreographed the routine.

It is a lot of work for davis, who is also part of two other routines for the show.

But davis knows all the hard work is worth the effort.

"during these times it's going to take a lot more to give the kids a safe environment as well as providing all the things the boys and girls club already does."

Millin says she has enjoyed the entire experience.

"getting out of my comfort zone, learning something that i've never done before, and after this i may keep up with ballroom dance lessons."

Mcmillin and the other celebrity dancers will continue practicing and raising money, right up to the event, saturday evening.

In tupelo, allie martin, wcbi news allie will co host the event.

It starts at 6:30 saturday night and you can wae event on the facebook page of the boys and girls clubs.

Stinger the high school football season returns...highlight s from tonight's games, next in sports spx charlie price >> in fact finding plenty of all let's get into the action about starting off with rivalry at the other house we understand that drive second-quarter middle thinking of the first downpour learning bulldogs healing it seemed drive family connection cribbs takes the caries to the red attack on the extra point burning up or seen nothing positive to back the defender left and right thinking of that huge game 2812 gordo at oakland than we can handle tanner and jt fields for six gordo unable to get the extra point sean douglas runs right through your living room ladies and gentlemen for not going anywhere who tied up is always fun all the way boy football is fun ... can you believe that touchdown gordo goes on he rushes to the right more scores from you in alabama so as these thorns come away with 4112 more football action one no-no said tunica he is calm later in the first get it wiggins runs and gets tackled 14 nothing at this point white doing what he wants you all day long 28 six winona christian setting the tone early in the season getting the win in dominating fashion ... marriage anatomy trainings for exams jackson pratt heritage is unable to rise on the religion unfortunately not able to overcome in jackson pratt come away with the wind 41 of their team 's game went into overtime ladies and humans lamarr lincolnway 3330 the against will academy's swenson academy on the road thinking on lee academy 56 zero leak dominance shut out the takes on folk hill and" the 20 to 30 christian at humphries academy unable to pull it off columbus christian 20 columbus christian 22 g were unable to it is done even christians six horrible arkansas 32 to kowloon academy against lee are consulting 43 to 0 are consulting just wanted to do nothing got back i am so excited like i've had seven steps of coffee can wrap this up and we come back stay i'm courtney rob makes shooting next week we can do this all over again in the week after that printing into the actual in zone stay with us we have an exciting season command we plan to get into this