Mississippi

Mississippi legislator files bills to address Holly Springs utility issues

Published

3 weeks ago

January 18, 2026

Mississippi legislator files bills to address Holly Springs utility issues

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. (WMC) – A Mississippi state legislator has filed two bills aimed at resolving ongoing issues with the Holly Springs Utility Department, which has faced years of customer complaints, lawsuits and a state investigation.

State Representative and Hollow Springs native John Faulkner filed both House bills Tuesday. One would appropriate funds for infrastructure improvements, while the other would establish a board of directors to give residents more oversight of the utility department.

The Holly Springs Utility Department serves 12,000 people. Last year, the Mississippi Public Service Commission said the relatively small customer base made up 80 percent of TVA’s complaints.

Customers say they experience frequent power outages but pay high power bills.

“We’re hoping to get some kind of relief to come in to help those people with the high bills. It’s just so expensive,” said Yolanda Reese, a Holly Springs Utility Department customer.

“I’m tired of the lights going off, never knowing when they going back on. Because me myself, I’m on a CPAP, and I want the light to stay on,” said Mary Raimey, another customer who recently moved to Holly Springs.

Faulkner said this legislative session is the time for state lawmakers to act on behalf of customers.

“It’s been well-documented across the state of the problems we have here at the Holly Springs Utility Department, so I’m hoping and believing that this session, they will get behind this bill so we can get across the goal line,” Faulkner said.

House Bill 588 would appropriate funds from Fiscal Year 2027 for repairs, improvements and upgrades to the utility’s infrastructure.

House Bill 599 would establish a board of directors for the Holly Springs Utility Department.

“So now the customers will be able to have someone that will be accountable to them. To take the burden off the good mayor and the board of aldermen would be the customers what they need to lower the rates with a more dependable board in place,” Faulkner said.

Both bills were filed Tuesday and are waiting to be discussed in committee.

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Mississippi

PCS wins second title? Our 2026 Mississippi high school baseball predictions, top players

Published

5 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Press Room

PCS wins second title? Our 2026 Mississippi high school baseball predictions, top players

The 2026 Mississippi high school baseball season has arrived.

As MHSAA and MAIS hits the ground running for their first week of games, the Clarion Ledger has made three predictions and has looked at some top players around the state heading into the year.

Here are the Clarion Ledger’s predictions and top players to watch for the upcoming 2026 season.

Three predictions for MHSAA, MAIS baseball season

Presbyterian Christian wins MHSAA 3A title after move from MAIS

Presbyterian Christian won the MAIS 6A title last season against Hartfield Academy for the program’s first championship. The Bobcats have a chance at repeating, but in a whole new association, as they have moved to MHSAA 3A. Behind stars Bankston Walters, Jet Henderson and Tyner Flynt, PCS is one of the top teams in 3A.

Magnolia Heights starts … finishes 2026 season No. 1

It seems the dynasty isn’t stopping soon. After Magnolia Heights’ MAIS 5A title in 2025 and seven consecutive titles, the talent hasn’t slowed. The Chiefs have returners Cole Prosek, Christian Doty, Cayden Prestage and Devin Miller, all Division I commits. The clear preseason No. 1 team has the chance to remain in that top spot throughout the season and hunt for an eighth straight title.

Petal wins first title since 2011 in MHSAA 7A

The Panthers won consecutive MHSAA 6A titles in 2010-11, but have not reached a championship game since. Heading into the 2026 season, Petal could snap that streak. With returners Easton Gigr, Fisher Howell and transfer Tray Barnes will line up for the Panthers in the tough 7A class with Brandon, Lewsiburg, and Clinton.

30 top players to watch entering 2026 MHSAA, MAIS baseball season

Henry Abt, Hartfield Academy, Sr.: Abt, the Southern Miss signee, had a team-high .400 batting average with 44 hits and 14 stolen bases last season.

Trey Adcox, Brandon, Jr.: The New Orleans commit hit for .365 with 29 RBIs and 35 hits.

Crews Albritton, Tri-County Academy: Albritton hit for .367 with 33 hits, 32 RBIs and six home runs, helping Tri-County Academy to a MAIS 4A title.

Hayden Amis, Newton County, Sr.: The Pearl River College commit had a .422 batting average with 38 hits, 36 RBIs and four home runs.

Trey Barnes, Petal, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee transferred from Taylorsville and had a .421 batting average with 40 hits, 17 stolen bases and 29 RBIs.

Eric Booth Jr., Oak Grove, Sr.: The Vanderbilt signee hit for .467 with 53 runs, 42 hits, 25 RBIs, six home runs and 27 stolen bases.

Trent Buckley, Columbia Academy, Jr.: The Ole Miss commit had a .477 batting average with 51 RBIs and 15 home runs.

Logan Buckley, Columbia Academy, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee recorded a 1.34 ERA with an 8-3 record and 119 strikeouts.

Jax Coker, Tupelo Christian Prep, Sr.: Coker hit for .449 with four home runs, 27 RBIs and scored 34 runs. While on the mound had a 1.67 ERA.

Drew Davis, Sumrall, Jr.: The Alabama commit had a .410 batting average with 30 RBIs and 15 extra-base hits.

Ethan Dodson, Clinton, Sr.: The Memphis signee led Clinton with a .520 batting average, 51 hits and 42 RBIs.

Christian Doty, Magnolia Heights, Sr.: The Ole Miss signee helped Magnolia Heights to a 39-5 record and an MAIS 5A title.

Reed Duncan, Columbia Academy, Sr.: The Louisiana Tech signee had 15 RBIs with a 3.32 ERA.

Brayden Edmiston, New Hope, Sr.: The Northeast College signee was a preseason MaxPreps all-state team.

Tyner Flynt, Presbyterian Christian, Sr.: The Troy signee produced a 2.08 ERA with 93 strikeouts.

Reid Garrett, Caledonia, Sr.: The Liberty signee posted a 0.91 ERA with 102 strikeouts.

Deuce Jenkins, Jackson Academy, Jr.: The Mississippi State commit had 31 hits with 26 RBIs and five home runs.

Tanner Harris, Lafayette, Sr.: The East Central College signee had a .291 batting average with an .885 OPS, 30 hits and 29 RBIs, helping Lafayette win the MHSAA 5A state title.

Fischer Howell, Petal, Jr.: The Mississippi State commit had a .427 batting average with 31 hits and 16 extra-base hits.

Alex Lambert, Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Sr.: The Jones College signee had a .343 batting average with 18 RBIs and 37 hits.

Taylor Latham, Hartfield Academy, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee had a 2.32 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 21 RBIs.

John Lindsey III, Petal, Sr.: The UAB signee hit for .368 with 17 RBIs.

Jackson Meeham, Northwst Rankin, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee recorded 66 strikeouts with a 3.04 ERA.

Jon Grey Morrisson, West Union, Sr.: The MHSAA 1A Mr. Baseball winner and Itawamba College signee, had a 1.95 ERA and 30 RBIs to lead West Union to a MHSAA 1A title.

Caden Nelson, Lewisburg, Sr.: Nelson, the Jones College signee, had a .479 batting average with 22 RBIs and 35 hits.

Cole Prosek, Magnolia Heights, Sr.: The Ole Miss signee had a .462 batting average with 54 hits, 16 home runs and 37 RBIs, helping Magnolia Heights win the MAIS 5A title.

Sullivan Reed, Lamar School, Jr.: The Mississippi State commit had a .616 batting average with 61 hits, 54 RBIs and nine home runs, and a 5-2 record on the mound.

Kevin Roberts Jr., Jackson Prep, Sr.: The Florida signee hit for .406 with a 1.066 OPS and 39 hits, 30 runs, 17 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and three home runs.

Justin San Miguel, Ocean Springs, Sr.: The Troy signee recorded 27 RBIs and a .304 batting average.

Hayden Wilson, Madison Central, Sr.: The Hinds College signee helped Madison Central to an MHSAA 7A title.

Bankston Walters, Presbyterian Christian, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee produced an 11-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and hit for .351 with 38 RBIs, while helping PCS win the MAIS 6A title.

Justin Word, Jackson Academy, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee hit for .349 with 25 RBIs and 31 stolen bases.

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

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Mississippi

Mississippi man charged with kidnapping, sex assault on Hawaii island | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Published

17 hours ago

February 8, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi man charged with kidnapping, sex assault on Hawaii island | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Jaiden Becerra.

A 25-year-old Biloxi, Miss., man was indicted Wednesday by a Hilo grand jury for a series of domestic incidents that allegedly occurred between Jan. 22 and 29 at a Mountain View residence.

The 12-count indictment charges Jaiden Becerra with kidnapping, three counts of second-degree sex assault, six counts of felony domestic abuse, plus single counts of misdemeanor abuse of a minor and petty misdemeanor abuse.

Becerra pleaded not guilty Friday in Hilo Circuit Court.

Judge Peter Kubota scheduled trial for June 22 and ordered Becerra held without bail.

The most serious offense, kidnapping, is a Class A felony offense punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, upon conviction. The second-degree sex assault charges are Class B felonies punishable by up to 10 years behind bars. Becerra is in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

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Mississippi

Thousands urged to stay inside in Mississippi, California

Published

1 day ago

February 8, 2026

Press Room

Thousands urged to stay inside in Mississippi, California

Thousands of residents in communities across parts of Mississippi and California have been advised to stay indoors as much as possible because levels of fine particle pollution (PM2.5) have reached an “unhealthy” level, as of Sunday, February 8, at 4.30 a.m., according to the AirNow Map, produced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Areas Affected by ‘Unhealthy’ Air

The AirNow map shows an affected area in California that includes a large section of the Plumas National Forest, parts of Highway 395 near the Herlong junction, and several towns along Highway 70, including Portola, Mable, and Beckwourth.

In Mississippi, a pocket of PM2.5 is lingering over coastal areas—including Long Beach, Gulfport, and Biloxi—and extending inland to affect Highway 67, Wortham, Saucier, and Orange Grove.

What Is PM2.5?

The EPA classifies PM2.5 as tiny particles of pollution, 2.5 micrometers or less in size, which is smaller than a strand of hair. It warns that PM2.5 can be one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution because the particles are so small they can be inhaled, unknowingly, penetrating deep into the lungs and bloodstream, exacerbating existing health conditions or triggering symptoms ranging from coughing and eye, throat, and nose irritation to chest tightness and shortness of breath.

What Should Residents Do When PM2.5 Is Elevated?

When AirNow records “unhealthy” levels of PM2.5 in the atmosphere, the EPA advises everyone to take steps to reduce their exposure.

This includes reducing the length and intensity of outdoor activities—such as choosing to walk rather than run.

Those in sensitive groups, including older adults, children, and people with pre‑existing heart or lung conditions, should avoid exposure as much as possible and limit outdoor activities, postponing them until air quality improves.

PM2.5 can also affect indoor air quality. So the EPA advises people in affected areas to avoid burning candles, woodburners, and indoor fires, and to consider using an air filter or purifier to keep the air clear.

Where Does PM2.5 Come From?

PM2.5 can come from a variety of sources, including smoke from wildfires and smokestacks, emissions from power or industrial plants and vehicles, or dust from construction sites and unpaved roads.

How Does The EPA Measure And Communicate Air Quality?

Alongside the AirNow Map, which highlights areas with elevated levels of air pollution across America, the EPA also uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) to measure and communicate air quality.

The AQI is a standardized system with a scale from 0 to 500 that color‑categorizes air quality from Good to Hazardous:

0-50: Good. The air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no risk.
51-100: Moderate. The air quality is acceptable; however, a small number of unusually sensitive individuals may be affected.

101-150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Members of sensitive groups (children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease) may experience health effects, but the general public is less likely to be affected.

151-200: Unhealthy. Everyone may begin to experience health effects, but sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.

201-300: Very Unhealthy. When air pollution reaches this level, the risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
301-500: Hazardous. Health warnings of emergency conditions are issued by the EPA as the entire population is more likely to be affected.

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