Mississippi
Officials: Operation Safe Neighborhoods going successfully – Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper
Officials: Operation Safe Neighborhoods going successfully
Published 3:32 pm Tuesday, December 17, 2024
- Over 20 individuals arrested over the last two weeks as part of Operation Safe Neighborhoods.
NATCHEZ — In recent weeks, Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the Natchez Police Department have been saturating arrest logs with at least 22 new arrests and counting as part of Operation Safe Neighborhoods, a joint collaboration of the police and sheriff’s office to get wanted individuals off of the streets.
Over the last two weeks, they have arrested 13 people with outstanding warrants including one person for attempted murder, one person for shooting into a dwelling, and one on Adams County’s “Most Wanted” list.
They have encountered an additional eight people carrying weapons, one of which was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm. There have been six drug arrests and three other people arrested for other charges.
“Most of the arrests have been people with warrants or indictments,” said Natchez Police Chief Cal Green, adding without knowing the suspects’ locations, having additional manpower patrolling the streets has helped serve the warrants. “Once officers were in the area and saw them, they were able to make arrests. I believe it’s been going well. People who we have seen in the neighborhoods have for the most part been happy to see us out there.”
Sheriff Travis Patten said he is very proud of the cooperation and communication between the two agencies. As the holidays approach, Adams County citizens can expect more operations to help ensure the safety of families and citizens in the public areas attending the many upcoming events, he added.
Since the launch of Operation Safe Neighborhoods, authorities have made the following arrests:
Barney Hawkins: Possession of a controlled substance
Samitilius Mason: Indictment for accessory to drive-by shooting
Brandon Colenberg: NPD warrant for failure to appear
Terrance Thomas: Disorderly conduct
Nikki Jackson: Justice Court bench warrant
Derrick Coleman: Possession of a controlled substance
Tina McDonald: Possession of a controlled substance
Trevionta Carter: Possession of a controlled substance
Tyrell White: NPD warrant for attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Shonkeith Calvin: Indictment for fleeing law enforcement and possession of a controlled substance
Adrian Brown: Two Justice Court bench warrants
Bennie Jones Williams: NPD warrants for felony possession of Marijuana, fleeing or eluding law enforcement and possession of a controlled substance
Micheal Johnson: Felon in possession of a firearm
Johnnie Lynn Anders: Possession of schedule II methamphetamine with intent to distribute
Savannah Hammers: Two bench warrants and grand larceny
Alexander Johnson: Indictment for armed robbery
Jdarrius Holt: Indictment for rape
Michelle Williams: NPD warrant for simple assault
Zachariah Combs: Resisting arrest
Sam Mason: Burglary warrant
Kim Watkins: NPD warrant for two counts of felony shoplifting and trespassing
Carell Jones: Contempt of Court
Mississippi
14-year-old girl arrested for shooting 8-year-old in Mississippi
WARREN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Deputies in Warren County, Mississippi, arrested a 14-year-old girl for allegedly shooting an 8-year-old.
Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said the shooting happened on Abraham Drive just before 4:00 p.m. on April 13, 2026.
According to the sheriff, the female victim was transported to a Jackson hospital for treatment. He said deputies recovered a handgun at the scene.
There’s no motive for the shooting, and the investigation is ongoing.
Mississippi
A potential opportunity to lower car tag costs across Mississippi
A follow-up on high car tag costs in Mississippi shows major differences in what drivers pay depending on where they live, even across the street, according to new data from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office.The data highlights large price gaps across the metro area, with some residents paying hundreds of dollars more based solely on location and county lines.The State Auditor’s Office data shows that at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, a car tag costs $571.64. At Trails at Northpointe Apartments directly across the street, the same tag rises to $1,490.48.The highest cost in the region is $1,676.30 at Yazoo Estates, while the lowest is $343.30 in the Oakfield neighborhood.Resident Keith Bush said he has experienced the difference firsthand.“When I lived in Hinds County, my car tag started at $1,500,” Bush said. Now living at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, Bush said his cost is significantly lower.Bush said, “I don’t want to tell you the exact price, but it is under $200.”State Rep. Ronnie Crudup Jr. of District 71 says the high costs in Hinds County are an ongoing issue tied to local financial obligations, including school infrastructure.Crudup said, “We all know that we got the highest tags. I think even in Hans County, and uh, you know, a lot of that is due to, I guess, our, our, our population in, in our school building.”He added that part of the cost comes from maintaining unused school buildings in the Jackson Public Schools system.Crudup said, “You know, some of the schools are closed. The schools are still on their books right now, because they’re still responsible for the buildings and the maintenance and all that type of thing. I think as they come off their books. I think there’s a chance then that we’ll be able to reduce the price of the car tags.”Bush said, “That would be great. I think a lot of people will have some ideas of where they want to move.”Lawmakers are considering House Bill 1395, which has already passed both chambers. The bill would speed up the sale of unused school buildings, which supporters say could reduce costs, limit delays, and open the door for redevelopment.In a statement, Jackson Public Schools said, “Jackson Public Schools is committed to the strategic repurposing of surplus properties to strengthen communities and improve the district’s financial position, guided by thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on long-term impact for our scholars and families.We are also grateful to the Mississippi Legislature, and especially the Hinds County Delegation, for their advocacy and support of this legislative change, which provides school districts with greater flexibility to better serve our scholars and community.”Officials said if the bill is signed into law, it could help reduce long-term costs. For now, the data shows that where you live still plays a major role in how much you pay for a car tag.
A follow-up on high car tag costs in Mississippi shows major differences in what drivers pay depending on where they live, even across the street, according to new data from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office.
The data highlights large price gaps across the metro area, with some residents paying hundreds of dollars more based solely on location and county lines.
The State Auditor’s Office data shows that at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, a car tag costs $571.64. At Trails at Northpointe Apartments directly across the street, the same tag rises to $1,490.48.
The highest cost in the region is $1,676.30 at Yazoo Estates, while the lowest is $343.30 in the Oakfield neighborhood.
Resident Keith Bush said he has experienced the difference firsthand.
“When I lived in Hinds County, my car tag started at $1,500,” Bush said.
Now living at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, Bush said his cost is significantly lower.
Bush said, “I don’t want to tell you the exact price, but it is under $200.”
State Rep. Ronnie Crudup Jr. of District 71 says the high costs in Hinds County are an ongoing issue tied to local financial obligations, including school infrastructure.
Crudup said, “We all know that we got the highest tags. I think even in Hans County, and uh, you know, a lot of that is due to, I guess, our, our, our population in, in our school building.”
He added that part of the cost comes from maintaining unused school buildings in the Jackson Public Schools system.
Crudup said, “You know, some of the schools are closed. The schools are still on their books right now, because they’re still responsible for the buildings and the maintenance and all that type of thing. I think as they come off their books. I think there’s a chance then that we’ll be able to reduce the price of the car tags.”
Bush said, “That would be great. I think a lot of people will have some ideas of where they want to move.”
Lawmakers are considering House Bill 1395, which has already passed both chambers. The bill would speed up the sale of unused school buildings, which supporters say could reduce costs, limit delays, and open the door for redevelopment.
In a statement, Jackson Public Schools said, “Jackson Public Schools is committed to the strategic repurposing of surplus properties to strengthen communities and improve the district’s financial position, guided by thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on long-term impact for our scholars and families.
We are also grateful to the Mississippi Legislature, and especially the Hinds County Delegation, for their advocacy and support of this legislative change, which provides school districts with greater flexibility to better serve our scholars and community.”
Officials said if the bill is signed into law, it could help reduce long-term costs. For now, the data shows that where you live still plays a major role in how much you pay for a car tag.
Mississippi
IRS owes Mississippi residents $9.9 million. Are you missing free money?
2026 tax filing dates, forms to use and more tips this tax season
A comprehensive guide to the 2026 tax season, featuring filing deadlines, tax document checklists, and new deduction rules.
Are you missing out on free money? The IRS estimates that 1.3 million Americans are missing out on their 2022 income tax refunds because they haven’t filed their taxes. That totals about $1.2 billion in unclaimed money.
Many taxpayers are missing out on income tax returns because they haven’t filed. Some are years late.
The final deadline to be eligible is April 15. If people miss it, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.
How many people in Mississippi could get a check?
According to the IRS, Mississippi taxpayers are owed about $9.9 million.
Approximately 11,800 people who haven’t filed their 2022 taxes could get a refund. The median amount is $635, so half of refunds could be more than that.
What if I didn’t file my 2022 taxes? When is the deadline?
You have until April 15, 2026, to file back-year returns.
The IRS said you might still be eligible for the check, but only people who have filed their taxes will get one.
If you owe money or haven’t filed for 2023 or 2024 tax years, your check could be held. The money could also be garnished for unpaid child support or federal student loans.
People also have to file their 2025 taxes to get any refunds that might be owed.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY NETWORK. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
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