LEAKESVILLE, Miss. (WLOX) – The Mississippi Department of Corrections, with the help of other authorities, is searching for an inmate who escaped the South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville Tuesday afternoon.

According to an alert sent out by the Greene County Emergency Management office, 33-year-old Drew Johnson escaped from the facility around 3:30 p.m. He’s currently serving a life sentence for murder.

He was sentenced on February 14, 2022.

Johnson is described as a 6′0″ male with blue eyes, blond hair, and 200 pounds. He was last seen near Old Highway 24 in Leakesville.

Crews are still out searching for him as of 8:03 p.m. If you have any details regarding the incident or see Johnson, officials say to call 911.

We will update this story as new details become available.

See a spelling or grammar error in this story? Report it to our team HERE.

Copyright 2024 WLOX. All rights reserved.

Christmas on the Coast is a tradition for many families throughout the Southeast. Mississippi Coast casinos are ready to welcome them with open arms and open restaurants.

Below are the casinos open for dining on Christmas Day, some with limited holiday fare. Reservations may be required for some restaurants.

875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-386-7111.

BR Prime

Reservations required.

• Holiday Bouillabaisse, Icy Blue Mussels, Little Neck Clams, Gulf Shrimp, Seabass $15
• Prime Rib with Demi Glace, Thyme Horseradish Cream, Hasselback Potatoes, Heirloom Carrots, Roasted Brussels Sprouts $72
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cheesecake $15

Salt and Ivy

Reservations encouraged.

• Christmas Feature $38: Crab, Shrimp and Spinach-stuffed Flounder with Dill Bearnaise, Wild Mushroom Farro and White Wine-Garlic Broccolini

The Buffet

Holiday Brunch: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Adults, $32.99; Children, $19.99; Under 4, free.

Holiday Lunch/Dinner: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Adults, $49.99; Children $25.99; Under 4, free.Free Under 4

• Features include herb-crusted prime rib, spicy shrimp boil, NOLA BBQ shrimp and grilled sirloin

151 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-435-5400.

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Reservations recommended. Restaurant hours: noon to 9 p.m.

• The Chateaubriand three-course menu for two includes Chateaubriand with Roasted Shallots, Red Wine Demi Reduction, Sauce Bearnaise and Au Jus; Winter Salad to share; choice of two sides; and choice of desserts for $179. Lobster tails or mini crab cakes are available at an extra cost.

Lillie’s Asian Cuisine

Restaurant hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saltgrass Steak House

Restaurant hours: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Restaurant hours: noon to 8 p.m.

Michael Patrick’s

Restaurant hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-374-7625.

Christmas Day Buffet, $39.99 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Menu includes starters, a carving station, Satisfaction favorites such as Southern Fried Chicken and Stuffed Crabs, Asian Cuisine, sides and desserts.

711 Hollywood Blvd., Bay St. Louis, 228-469-2100.

Epic Buffet

Restaurant hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• The Epic Buffet features more than 80 dishes including Crab Legs, Peel and Eat Shrimp, Southern barbecue, Asian cuisine, Creole, Italian and fresh seafood.

3300 West Beach Blvd., Gulfport, 228-314-2100.

The Buffet

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Low Country Crawfish Bisque; Creole Seafood Gumbo; Carrot Soufflé Casserole; Praline-Crusted Sweet Potatoes; Orange Chicken with Vegetables; Crispy Fried Shrimp; Carved Roast Turkey; Carved Strip Loin of Beef; Cornbread Dressing; Sliced Roast Turkey in Giblet Gravy; Carved Round of Beef, Smoked Ham and Cajun Fried Turkey; Cranberry Compote; Roasted Salmon Loin; Boiled Gulf Shrimp with Remoulade Sauce; Happy Family Shrimp and Vegetables; Smoked Pork with all the Trimmings; and more, $29.99.

C and G Grille

Christmas Day hours: 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., $26.

• Choice of Starter: Seafood Gumbo or House Salad
• Choice of Entrée: Roast Turkey and Dressing or Glazed Bone-In Ham Steak. Each served with Green Bean Casserole, Candied Sweet Potatoes and Cranberry Compote
• Dessert: Cookie Butter Banana Pie

The Diner

Christmas Day hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., $20.

• Choice of Starter: House Salad or Seafood Gumbo
• Entrée: Roast Turkey with Dressing, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce and Green Beans
• Dessert: Sweet Potato Pie with Whipped Cream 

Dockside Deli

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., $21.

• Starter: Crab and Corn Bisque or Seafood Gumbo
• Choice of Entrée: Debris-Style Turkey Dressing, Green Beans, Cranberry Compote and Carrot Soufflé Casserole or Sausage Sampler with pineapple jalapeno, knockwurst and green onion sausages. Served with red kraut and warm potato salad.
• Dessert: Spiced Applesauce Cake

Prime Cut Restaurant

Christmas Day hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., $45.

• Starter: Crab and Artichoke-Stuffed Mushrooms Drizzled with Hollandaise
• Choice of Entrée: Beef Tenderloin au Poivre or Pan-Seared Sea Bass with lemon beurre blanc. Each served with a side of choice
• Dessert: Pumpkin Swiss Cake Roll

158 Howard Ave., Biloxi, 228-432-8888

Restaurant hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., $40.

• Traditional Christmas menu plus Prime Rib, Smoked Baked Ham, Sliced Turkey Breast, Boiled Shrimp and dishes from the Grill, Comfort, Wok and Coastal stations.

9380 Central Ave., D’Iberville, 888-752-9772.

Under the Oak Cafe

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Herb Dijon Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes Puree, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cranberries and an Herb Dijon Reduction, $25.
• Creamy Eggnog Bread Pudding, $14.

Scarlet’s Steaks and Seafood

Reservations recommended. Christmas Day hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Lobster Thermidor, Broiled Coldwater Stuffed Lobster topped with Mushroom Cognac Cream Sauce, Parmigiana Reggiano, Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs and Wilted Arugula Salad, $80.
• Beef Wellington, 8-ounce filet mignon, with Mushroom Duxelles, Prosciutto and baked in Puff Pastry, served with Bordelaise Sauce, $78.
• Creme de Mint Cheesecake, $13

5000 South Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis, 228-469-2777.

Jubilee Buffet

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Traditional holiday menu plus, all-you-can-eat Dungeness Crab and Jumbo Shrimp, $49.95.

Blue Bayou Bar and Grill

$58 per person.

• Salad: Baby Spinach with Candied Pecans, Dried Cranberries, Mandarin Orange, Goat Cheese, Roasted Cacao Nibs and a Citrus Vinaigrette.
• Entrée: Choice of Crispy Roasted Half Duck, Braised Red Cabbage, Port Wine Demi Glaze and Whipped Roasted Garlic Mash or Blackened Pork Loin, Pomegranate Glaze, Bacon Braised Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potato Gratin

1980 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-385-6000.

Infinity Buffet

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Carved ham, roasted turkey, roast brisket and more, $47.99 with crab, $25.49 without crab.

The Den

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to midnight.

• Bacon-wrapped stuffed pork loin, $38; or prime rib, $45.

The following casinos will be open Christmas Day but restaurant options were not available:

280 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-436-2946.

850 Bayview Ave, Biloxi, 228-436-3000.

Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact her at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X  @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

State travel agency officials are expecting the holiday travel season to be particularly hectic this year, and one of the world’s busiest travelers has now gotten the green light from the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). 

At Santa Claus’ request, MDOT staff thoroughly inspected his extra wide sleigh load, ensuring it met all safety requirements. Permits were also issued for the abnormally large sack of toys, which surpassed posted weight limits, and Rudolph’s bright red nose apparently met, but did not exceed, the illumination threshold.  

All takeoffs and landings to and from the homes of good Mississippi children have been approved, and exceptions were also granted for any last minute “Nice List” additions, according to the agency. On the heels of the festive certification, MDOT leaders reminded those around the state to follow Saint Nick’s example. 

“Santa knows the importance of being prepared no matter how you choose to travel, and he’s a staunch, yet jolly, safety advocate to boot,” MDOT Executive Director Brad White said. “Before Santa Claus comes to your town, make sure your elf-size family members always travel in car seats, wear your seatbelt and check it twice, and remember, he sees you when you’re speeding, and he knows when you’ve been texting. 

“Take it from Kris Kringle: Put safety first so everyone can have a Merry Christmas.” 

Santa also received driver conduct reports from MDOT elves Darryl and Cheryl, suggesting that some of the state’s motorists could very well get a lump of coal this year. But Santa insisted that a few behavioral adjustments and a dash of Christmas spirit can change the fate of even the most egregious drivers.  

Current forecasts suggest favorable conditions for sleigh flights on Christmas Eve. Magnolia State motorists are advised to drive slowly and be alert for sleighs, reindeer, and their white-tailed cousins after dark. “Blitzened driving is strictly prohibited,” concluded agency officials in a press release.