Mississippi

‘It’s pretty crazy.’ Checks from MS church destroyed by tornado found 80 miles away

Published

1 year ago

January 3, 2025

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‘It’s pretty crazy.’ Checks from MS church destroyed by tornado found 80 miles away

‘It’s just a reminder of how powerful these storms are and how far they can carry things and drop them off. It gives a whole new meaning to Air Mail, doesn’t it?’

A Mississippi church was flattened on Dec. 28 as an outbreak of tornadoes passed through parts of the state and some of the contents of the church were found scattered in Rankin County up to about 80 miles away.

“There was a confirmed EF1 (tornado) that touched down within a mile of me,” said Ricky Flynt of Brandon. “We had some pretty intense winds for a minute or two.

“It didn’t get to us until about 10 minutes after seven o’clock. I think it came through Meadville about five.”

Flynt had been monitoring the weather as the deadly storms passed through Mississippi killing two people and injuring another 10. However, he didn’t know there was a connection between the weather that struck his area and the storm that struck the Meadville area and flattened a church until the next morning.

Tornado drops check from 1984 in Brandon, MS resident’s driveway

“I came out the next morning after it was light just to confirm any damage and to look around,” Flynt said. “Right there in my driveway was this folded-up, cancelled check.”

The check was from the now-flattened O’Zion Baptist Church located near Meadville and was written to the Franklin County Baptist Association in 1984. It had travelled just over 80 miles and wasn’t the only cancelled check found in the area.

“Since, I’ve heard about five or six checks landing in the Brandon area,” Flynt said. “It’s pretty crazy. Whatever was in that church got up into the atmosphere and was deposited in the Brandon area.”

MS man finds tornado-blown check while scouting for deer

John Beggerly of Florence found another check on Wednesday just east of Byram while scouting for a place to hunt on his family farm. It was written in 1982.

“That was one of the craziest experiences I’ve ever experienced,” Beggerly said. “I was on the edge of the woods in a pasture on our farm. I saw a piece of paper and it was sticking up.”

He said he picked it up and realized what it was because he’d seen a social media post about the check Flynt had found.

“It’s amazing how far stuff can travel,” Beggarly said. “I think it was 60 1/2 miles from the church to where I found it — pretty wild.”

Tornadoes can carry objects hundreds of miles

Pretty wild it is. According to Latrice Maxie, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson, debris can go remain aloft high in the sky for very long distances.

“They’re probably getting pulled up hundreds of feet, for sure,” Maxie said. “The circulations are much higher, but the tornadoes themselves can loft debris a couple of hundred feet in the air.”

In long-track tornadoes, Maxie said she’s heard of letters being found hundreds of miles from where they originated.

“It’s not uncommon for (tornadoes) that stay on the ground for a while,” Maxie said.

That was the case in spring of 2023 when a tornado struck the home of Susan Perry in Rolling Fork and scattered photos and other items of hers over a 200-mile track.

“It’s unbelievable that people are finding this,” Perry told The Clarion Ledger at the time. “It just amazes me that these things can travel so far.”

Pastor of MS church destroyed by tornado wants to use checks to tell story of event

Lance Moak is the pastor of O’Zion Baptist Church and said the checks were stored in the church on shelf above filing cabinets. He said everything on the shelf is gone, but checks keep showing up.

“I had one gentleman call me from Florence at 10:50 on Monday night,” Moak said. “He’d found a check from 1990 made out to one of our former pastors.

“It’s just a reminder of how powerful these storms are and how far they can carry things and drop them off. It gives a whole new meaning to Air Mail, doesn’t it? “

Like Flynt and Beggerly, the caller said he’d return the check. Those checks and others will serve as somewhat of a memorial.

“He’s actually going to mail that check back so we can put it up in the new church to tell about the history of this happening,” Moak said.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for those wishing to provide financial aid to rebuild O’Zion Baptist Church.

Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

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How to watch Oklahoma Sooners: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Dec. 29

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

How to watch Oklahoma Sooners: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Dec. 29

The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (1-12) head into a road matchup with Tae Davis and the Oklahoma Sooners (9-3) at Lloyd Noble Center on Monday, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

We provide more details below, and that includes how to watch this game on SEC Network+.

Here is everything you need to prepare for Monday’s college hoops game.

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State: How to watch on TV or live stream

Game day: Monday, December 29, 2025
Game time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Arena: Lloyd Noble Center
TV Channel: SEC Network+
Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State stats and trends

With 86.9 points per game on offense, Oklahoma is 46th in the nation. At the other end, it gives up 72.7 points per contest, which ranks 174th in college basketball.
The Sooners are grabbing 34.8 boards per game (111th-ranked in college basketball) this season, while allowing 30.5 rebounds per contest (156th-ranked).
Oklahoma is averaging 16.7 dimes per game, which ranks them 76th in college basketball in 2025-26.
The Sooners are forcing 11.6 turnovers per game this season (214th-ranked in college basketball), but they’ve averaged just 9.3 turnovers per contest (20th-best).
This season, Oklahoma is making 10.2 three-pointers per game (45th-ranked in college basketball) and is shooting 34.6% (143rd-ranked) from three-point land.
The Sooners are giving up 8.6 treys per game (281st-ranked in college basketball) this season, while allowing a 35.2% three-point percentage (285th-ranked).
Of the shots attempted by Oklahoma in 2025-26, 53.7% of them have been two-pointers (66.6% of the team’s made baskets) and 46.3% have been threes (33.4%).

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State Odds and Spread

Spread Favorite: Sooners (-44.5)
Total: 152.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 2:47 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.

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Why Luke Kromenhoek’s availability solves bowl game concern for Mississippi State

Published

6 days ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

Why Luke Kromenhoek’s availability solves bowl game concern for Mississippi State

The powers-that-be have put college football coaches and players in very awkward spots with the transfer portal.

For roughly 68-70 FBS teams, there’s a stretch of time between its regular season finale and bowl game where important decisions have to be made.

Coaches have to be fired and hired. Coaching staffs have to be adjusted or changed entirely. Players have to make decisions about staying or going, whether via the portal or NFL Draft.

It leads to awkward moments with players announcing plans to enter the transfer portal and opting out of their team’s bowl game. There are good arguments to be made for all sides, too.

For example, fans may hate it, but if a player knows they’re entering the transfer portal then it’s a smart business decision to not play in a bowl game. (Playoff games are different.)

But not all players planning to enter the transfer portal are opting out of their team’s bowl game. Just like not all coaches are keeping transferring players at home for bowl games.

In those instances, it’s a good display of coaches and players having good relationships.

That brings us to today’s news that Mississippi State quarterback Luke Kromenhoek is going to be with the Bulldogs for their Duke’s Mayo Bowl game against Wake Forest on Friday.

“He is with us and will be available,” Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby announced Sunday morning. “So, appreciative of him staying with us, going through this, being a great teammate, and excited for what he’s going to be able to go do next.”

Kromenhoek has already announced his intention to enter the transfer portal after one season in Starkville. He played in two games (earning a redshirt) and threw only four passes, but his availability is important.

Blake Shapen started 11 of 12 games for Mississippi State this season before true freshman Kamario Taylor was handed the starting job in the Egg Bowl. Shapen is no longer with the team, as Lebby confirmed earlier this month.

That left some question as to who the No. 2 quarterback in the bowl game would be. With Kromenhoek planning to enter the transfer portal, the only other quarterbacks were Taylor and fellow true freshman Parker Puckett.

Taking just Taylor and Puckett to Charlotte would be a big gamble that Taylor doesn’t miss any plays. But Kromenhoek will be available, easing those concerns.

More than 20 Mississippi State players have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal when it opens January 2. But Kromenhoek is the only one that’ll be available for the bowl game.

“The situation is exactly what it is, and I totally understand where (Kromenhoek’s) coming from, and that’s college football these days,” Lebby said. “Luke’s got a chance to be a great player, really talented and really intelligent.

“I think for us, that’s really the only one that has said he’s going to go in that is going to be with us.”

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Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 27, 2025

Published

7 days ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 27, 2025

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 27, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

03-04-10-14-16

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

Midday: 5-6-7, FB: 0

Evening: 3-9-7, FB: 8

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

Midday: 4-0-6-9, FB: 0

Evening: 8-0-6-3, FB: 8

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 27 drawing

Midday: 12

Evening: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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