LUY-Development

Author: Imported Author 1890002

  • Natchez board adopts new “Safer at Home/Back to Business” order to curb virus spread

    Natchez board adopts new “Safer at Home/Back to Business” order to curb virus spread

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Board of Aldermen Thursday extended Natchez’ restrictions on public gatherings through May but to allow some nonessential businesses to reopen as the global coronavirus continues to sicken more people and cripple the economy.

    The city order – which includes a requirement for people in stores to wear facial coverings — is similar to Mississippi’s “Safer-at-Home” directive enacted statewide Monday. It continues measures implemented in March encouraging the isolation of people to curb the spread of the virus while also letting certain businesses now open their doors for customers. However, there are constraints.

    Among those mandates: Businesses must require employees and customers to wear masks covering their mouth and nose; limit the number of store patrons to half of their building’s capacity; ensure they’re at least six feet apart; require employees to frequently sanitize hands and surfaces and offer hand sanitizers to customers.

    “Our retailers need to open and get back into business … but in as safe a manner as possible,” said William Thames, a member of the task force advising Mayor Darryl Grennell and the six aldermen on how to combat COVID-19.

    Natchez-Adams County has had at least eight people die from the coronavirus and 133 confirmed to have been sickened by it since March 11, according to the state Department of Health’s most recent count. Compare this to nearby counties with total populations close to Adams County’s 30,700: Lincoln County has had at least 141 coronavirus cases and 10 coronavirus deaths. Pike County has had 148 cases and seven deaths. The coronavirus statistics are updated daily by the Department of Health and can be read on its website.

    Thames, a retired pharmacist, said he doesn’t foresee a “downward slide” of cases  in Adams County soon. A report he presented to the mayor and aldermen Thursday notes that the coronavirus will continue to flare at least through May. Natchez is “not in a safety zone even as we allow the cautious and measured reopening of some local businesses,” states the report.

    Flagrant or widespread violations of the requirement to wear facial coverings could result in nonessential businesses being ordered to close, said city attorney Bob Latham.

    Grennell said Natchez-Adams County officials should try to obtain a large supply of masks to hand out to the general public like what’s been done in neighboring Vidalia and Concordia Parish, La.

    Natchez’ “Safer at Home/Back to Business” directive adopted Thursday is an extension and revision of the city order the Board of Aldermen put in place March 24.

    Natchez restaurants and bars must continue to close their doors to the public but be allowed to serve drive-through and delivery customers. Hair salons must remain closed. Churches and funerals should also not have more than 10 people gathered at one time.

    The Board of Aldermen also took steps today to prepare for the decline in city tax collections and its potential impact on municipal services as the economy spirals downward because of the pandemic.

    “We need to get in there to make sure the city is not broke,” the mayor said. “The city could be in a financial hole right now and you don’t even know it.”

    Grennell pointed to how the pandemic has shuttered Natchez’ tourism sector and Magnolia Bluffs Casino – two essential sources of city revenues. He and aldermen will examine the flow of revenues and ways to cut the city budget in the coming weeks.

    A new administration will take office in late July after the upcoming municipal elections, but Grennell said he and aldermen must know more before then the extent of the revenue shortfall and what spending cuts are needed promptly. They are pinning hopes the U.S. Congress will provide money to help cities suffering economic distress because of the coronavirus.

    Natchez board meetings in the past month have been teleconferences conducted via GoToMeeting.com to avoid face-to-face contact.

  • Viking Cruise Brings first U.S vessel — Viking Mississippi– to Natchez in 2022

    Viking Cruise Brings first U.S vessel — Viking Mississippi– to Natchez in 2022

    NATCHEZ, Miss. — The Board of Aldermen continues to close the public out of its discussions about docking Viking cruises in Natchez at city-owned land on the Mississippi River.

     

    After holding another closed-door meeting for this last Thursday, the six aldermen publicly voted with little discussion to allow Viking to lease city riverside property at the end of Silver Street once known as “Little Mexico.” However, details of the cruise line’s proposals for the Natchez Under-the-Hill docking facility must be ironed out in a lease to be negotiated later, said city attorney Bob Latham.

     

    Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell, aldermen and Latham have been regularly meeting behind closed doors for the past year to discuss this. State law does allow government boards to discuss property deals out of the public eye. The city officials emerged from Thursday’s private board meeting — conducted as a teleconference during the coronavirus quarantine — to declare the Under-the-Hill land surplus property that can be leased to Viking for a docking facility.

     

    While a formal lease of the city-owned tract is to be finalized in more details later this year, Latham said, Viking would not intrude on the existing Silver Street boat ramp where the Isle of Capri casino boat was docked before leaving in 2015.

     

    Viking would be joining others — such as the American Queen Steamboat Co. and American Cruise Lines — to bring thousands of tourists to Natchez.

     

    While Mississippi River cruise lines have suspended their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, Viking last week did announce it still plans to begin riverboat runs in two years. The global cruise line on Thursday opened reservations to the public for its new Mississippi River cruises, which will launch in 2022. The company’s first U.S vessel — Viking Mississippi — will sail voyages between New Orleans and St. Paul, Minn.

     

    One of its planned voyages, according to Viking, is a 15-day cruise that includes a stop to “enjoy Southern charm and beautifully preserved homes in Natchez.” Some of its planned Mississippi River cruises are already nearly or completely sold out, according to Viking.

     

     

  • Natchez board delays city elections to June and July

    Natchez board delays city elections to June and July

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Board of Aldermen have again postponed Natchez’ municipal elections until June and July with hopes the coronovirus pandemic will have subsided so voters can gather at the polls without fear of getting sick.

    “I pray the heat of the summer will actually help suppress the coronavirus,” Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said Thursday as the board was discussing the election delay.

    Nearly two months after the original April 7 election day, the primary is now set for June 2. Any runoffs will be June 23 and the general election July 14. The new board-adopted schedule will have the new mayor and aldermen sworn in July 24 — three weeks after they’re supposed to be in office.

    This is the second time the Board of Aldermen has delayed the election. The revised date set by the board in March was for the primary to be May 12, with the general election June 26.

    Urging the board to move the May primary election to June, election commissioner Larry Gardner expressed concerns that the health of voters, candidates and pollworkers would be imperiled if person-to-person campaigning and polling took place in the next few weeks.

    The state attorney general’s office says Natchez can legally postpone the election until after the new term begins July 1, according to city attorney Bob Latham.

    Grennell is not running for re-election. Three candidates are vying to replace the one-term mayor. Three incumbent Natchez aldermen are being challenged while three others have no opponents. Latham said the current city officeholders can continue governing the city beyond their terms until the new ones are sworn in after the election results are certified by July 24.

    However, he acknowledged the legality of delaying Natchez’ elections poses obvious questions that could wind up in court for judges to answer. “We’re in uncharted waters. It’s never been done before,” Latham told the board and mayor.

    During a teleconference meeting Thursday, Grennell and the aldermen heard Natchez physician Blane Mire say more people here in Natchez-Adams County are vulnerable and will be sickened by the respiratory disease that’s overwhelmed the world. As of Thursday, four people from Adams County have died from the coronavirus and 70 here are confirmed to have been sickened by it, according to the state Department of Health.

    “We are developing cases as fast or faster than other areas of Mississippi,” said Mire, an internal-medicine doctor who’s been advising Grennell and the aldermen during the COVID-19 crisis.

    Mire said people should adhere to the state and local stay-at-home orders and follow the national social-distancing guidelines through May.

    “If we lessen up and start doing things more normal in the coming month, we are going to have problems,” he said.

    He noted virus outbreaks in Natchez nursing homes and grocery stores can be especially worrisome as the cases of people afflicted rise in the coming weeks. Mire expressed hopes the number of COVID-19 sufferers will “flatten out more toward the end of May” and that the heat of the coming months will “slow down” the virus and make it “dormant if not completely die off” this summer.

    More information about Natchez elections, such as how to obtain absentee ballot applications, can be obtained by going to city’s website — natchez.ms.us — and telephoning or emailing the city clerk’s office: 601 445-7507 or sfortenberry@natchez.ms.us

  • Natchez Mayor and Board of Alderman extend stay-at-home order until April 30

    Natchez Mayor and Board of Alderman extend stay-at-home order until April 30

    NATCHEZ, Miss. — The Board of Aldermen today voted to extend Natchez’ stay-at-home order after hearing a local physician say the coronavirus will get worse in Natchez-Adams County.

     

    “We’re dealing with a lot in Natchez. We have not reached a plateau yet. The plateau is going to last into May,” said internal medicine doctor Blane Mire “We’re still in the middle of this. … The storm is not over.”

     

    Mire said his Natchez clinic has tested more than 23 people with the coronavirus. He said three people from Natchez-Adams County have died from the respiratory illness, including one reported Monday and one today. There were five or six coronavirus patients on hospital ventilators at Merit Health Natchez, Mire said.

     

    He did say the hospital is adequately equipped for treating coronavirus sufferers. “We may be overprepared — and that’s OK,” Mire told the city board and mayor.

     

    The Board of Aldermen today extended the city’s stay-at-home order until April 30 with the option to go beyond that if deemed appropriate.

     

    The directive is much like what the board imposed in March. An additional ban enacted today is on Natchez funerals being held with more than 10 people together. Mississippi currently has a shelter-in-place order until at least next Monday, as ordered by Gov. Tate Reeves. The governor did decide today to close Mississippi schools for the rest of the semester as long-distance learning via the Internet now becomes the norm for classes.

     

    The Board of Aldermen today postponed a decision on whether to further delay the city elections until June and July. Aldermen will seek state attorneys’ opinions on the legalities of finishing the election process after the current term of office ends June 30.

     

    City attorney Bob Latham said delaying the elections until June and July could prompt litigation and force a judge to rule if this is legal. The board decided to seek legal guidance from the state attorney general and secretary of state on whether to again delay the elections. They were to begin April 7 with primaries, but the board in March reset the elections to May and June.

     

    Urging the board to move the May 12 primary election to June, election commissioner Larry Gardner expressed concerns that the health of voters, candidates and pollworkers will be imperiled if person-to-person campaigning and polling takes place in the next few weeks. As proposed by Gardner, primary runoffs would be June 23 and the general election July 14. That would have the new mayor and Board of Aldermen not taking office until after the current term of office ends June 30.

     

    Mayor Darryl Grennell is not running for re-election. Three candidates are vying to replace him. Three incumbent aldermen are being challenged while three others have no opponents.

     

    City officials did encourage Natchez voters to vote absentee if possible prior to the municipal election if the stay-at-home order remains during the pandemic. Current state law does allow voters to submit absentee ballots if they’re temporarily “physically disabled.” Gardner said this should apply to people directed by government leaders to stay home and not gather in crowds. Absentee ballots applications can be obtained by phoning or emailing the city clerk’s office: 601 445-7507 or sfortenberry@natchez.ms.us

     

    Among other issues, the board discussed the expected loss of tax revenues for running the city as the COVID-19 pandemic cripples the Natchez economy for the duration. Spending cuts in city services could be necessary. “There are going to be some hard decisions. The shadows of this pandemic is going to have adverse effects on our revenues,” said Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard.

     

    The board and mayor conducted their meeting via teleconference to avoid being together in one room. After the three-hour open session, they held a two-hour teleconference closed to the public to discuss personnel issues and the potential lease of city-owned property in the Natchez Under-The-Hill section by the Mississippi River.

     

     

  • Adams County with state declared a coronavirus disaster by Trump

    Adams County with state declared a coronavirus disaster by Trump

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Adams County Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of $1,600 worth of hand sanitizer totaling 20 gallons Monday. It will be used to refill dispensers for county employees on the job at county facilities.

     

    County Administrator Joe Murray noted county government has had to make such emergency purchases – including for new laptops – in response to the coronavirus crisis, which is a catastrophe the county could be reimbursed for by the federal government. President Trump has declared it a disaster in Mississippi.

     

    “Our continued partnership and collaboration with the Trump Administration will be critical as we deploy every resource available to protect the health and well-being of all Mississippians,” Governor Tate Reeves said Monday in announcing the president’s disaster declaration.

     

    The pandemic is forcing more expenditures of public funds while also crippling the economy. This will prove to be a financial burden on Adams County as expenses rise and tax revenues decline. “Our money situation is not getting any better everyday,” said Murray, who pointed to the need to be more cost-efficient in county operations and to carefully watch spending.

     

    He bemoaned the county having to spend $46,000 for preliminary designs and plans for erosion-control projects that would up not getting done because they proved to be too expensive. He said “that’s a lot of money to throw out the door when we need it the most.”

     

    For a separate project, a divided Board of Supervisors did vote Monday to pay $45,000 for engineering designs prepared for the river levee the county is building at the former Belwood golf course by the Mississippi River. The board voted 3-2 to pay Natchez engineering firm JKS (Jordan, Kaiser and Sessions) for its work. The state has provided $1 million for the phase-three construction of the levee, which is being built to block floodwaters from prospective industries that could locate on the county-owned land.

     

    —

     

    In other action, the Board of Supervisors expressed support for Natchez’ plans for a riverboat docking facility. The city is seeking federal funds to help build the wharfage on the Mississippi River.

     

    After trying without success for several years to get state and federal funds, the Natchez Board of Aldermen and mayor are making another bid for the money.

     

    The dock would accommodate passenger riverboats operated by The American Queen Steamboat Co. and American Cruise Lines that stop in Natchez with tourists. However, they’ve halted cruises during the coronavirus crisis for the uncertain future. Viking Cruises is also planning in 2022 to begin operations on the Mississippi River.

     

    The Natchez Board of Aldermen last month did agree to initiate negotiations with Viking and American Queen officials about leasing city-owned property beyond the end of Silver Street on the river. A previous proposal had the docking facility down Roth Hill Road on the river near Magnolia Bluffs Casino.

  • Adams County officials continue efforts to combat coronavirus

    Adams County officials continue efforts to combat coronavirus

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – Adams County officials are drawing up plans to discourage the general public from entering the Adams County Courthouse if they can do county business other ways during the coronavirus crisis.

     

    At a meeting Monday of the Adams County Board of Supervisors, Chancery Clerk Brandi Lewis pointed to the need “to decrease our exposure to any potential COVET-19.”

     

    She and County Administrator Joe Murray suggested placing dropboxes outside the courthouse for filing court documents and also posting by building entrances useful information about alternative ways to pay taxes or perform other tasks routinely done inside the center of county government. In addition to courtrooms, it houses the offices of the Adams County chancery clerk, circuit clerk, election commissioners, tax collector and tax assessor.

     

    Adams County on Monday had 19 patients confirmed to have the coronavirus while one long-term care facility here has an “outbreak” of the respiratory disease, according to statistics compiled by the Mississippi Department of Health.

     

    “It’s a scary time for everybody,” said Adams county Supervisor Warren Gaines.

     

    The five-member Board of Supervisors conducted its Monday meeting via a telephone conference call that had participants and listeners separated and remotely interacting by voice.

     

    During the meeting, Natchez-Adams County’s chief industrial developer said local industries appear to be running at full steam despite the coronavirus stay-home shutdown that’s curtailed many business activities. “Our manufacturing base is holding up fairly well. Most are in full production and operations,” said Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ.

     

    Most manufacturers have been declared essential and are exempt from the stay-at-home orders imposed by local and state governments if they follow federal guidelines to curb the coronavirus spread.

     

    Russ mentioned such Adams County industries as von Drehle, which makes toilet paper, Great River Industries, which produces steel tanks and pipes, and CoreCivic, which imprisons immigrants detained by the federal government as they seek asylum in the United States.

     

    Russ noted CoreCivic’s 2,230-bed prison outside Natchez is Adams County’s largest private employer with about 430 workers. “They are jobs that we need now and on the other side of this (COVET-19) pandemic,” Russ said.

     

    Concerns have been raised that the Adams County prison’s detainees could spread the virus among themselves and to the local community. Russ expressed confidence CoreCivic is adhering to federal guidelines to ensure that does not happen as it continues holding immigrants.

  • Natchez coronavirus spread to worsen

    Natchez coronavirus spread to worsen

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – Natchez physician Blane Mire told city officials today that Natchez-Adams County has more than the three people officially reported to be sick with the coronavirus. He expressed fears there will be “a huge upsurge” in the coming weeks.

    “We have not even approached the peak in Natchez,” Mire said in meeting with Mayor Darryl Grennell and city aldermen

    The Board of Aldermen on Tuesday enacted a “stay-at-home” directive initiated by the mayor urging Natchez residents to restrain their outside activities and being around other people. Certain businesses deemed nonessential were told to close their doors to the public while others were directed to limit to 10 the number of customers they let inside their businesses..

    “We’re trying to prevent a spike (of COVID-19) from occurring in our little community,” said Grennell, after urging aldermen today not to water down the stay-at-home measure.

    While Mire acknowledged “people are panicking and are scared” already, he described Natchez’ situation today in unnerving details:

    The three Natchez-Adams County coronavirus patients listed by the Mississippi Department of Health is an inaccurate number. There are many more. Mire said he alone has two coronavirus patients and is awaiting test results on 40 more. There are three coronavirus patients on hospital ventilators at Merit Health Natchez, which only has a limited number of the breathing machines. All the hospital’s beds reserved for such cases are full with coronavirus patients or those suspected of having it. There are scores of people in Natchez with COVID-19 but displaying no symptoms, which can be very mild and also similar to hayfever in this allergy season.

    Mire urged people to practice the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines and adhere to the city’s stay-at-home directive to curb the highly infectious disease that has overtaken the world.

    “The only way to confine and slow the spread of this is to have local constraints on contact,” Mire told the Natchez mayor and board in a teleconference meeting that had the city officials interacting remotely by telephones and computers to avoid being together in close quarters.

    The emergency measure adopted by the six city aldermen Tuesday has city officials “recommending” Natchez residents stay at home except to shop for groceries, visit their health-care providers and tend to other vital needs. The stay-at-home declaration does have provisions for defined essential businesses and services – such as grocery stores and plumbers – to remain operating if they adhere to the limitations on person-to-person contact and crowds as recommended by the federal CDC. Essentials do include restaurants that offer take-out food only.

    Certain Natchez businesses deemed nonessential must close their doors to customers. Natchez police may warn businesses in violation of the directive and charge repeat offenders with a misdemeanor punishable by a fine. However, business violators classified as nonessential can obtain a waiver from the Natchez Police Department to continue operating if they adhere to the CDC guidelines.

     

    The four-page stay-at-home declaration can be read on the city of Natchez’ website:

     

    http://natchez.ms.us/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Stay-at-Home-Resolution-32420-26&fbclid=IwAR3IRm7JS5YlE7CWWy6f-qtV2sR7cVBHB1NN8OYd-8k9iyrS3B0cI6BpUKQ

     

  • Natchez Board of Aldermen approved an emergency measure Tuesday for COVID-19

    Natchez Board of Aldermen approved an emergency measure Tuesday for COVID-19

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Board of Aldermen approved an emergency measure Tuesday urging Natchez residents to stay at home except to shop for groceries, visit their health-care providers and tend to other vital needs while businesses deemed nonessential must close their doors as the coronavirus pandemic worsens.

    Natchez police officers are being empowered to warn nonessential businesses to close and may arrest business operators who insist on continuing to stay open in violation of the order.

    In responding to the global crisis, the board also voted to postpone next month’s municipal election to May.

    While Natchez-Adams County has only two people confirmed to have COVID-19, strong steps are needed to ensure more don’t get the highly contagious disease, said Mayor Darryl Grennell.

    Natchez “cannot wait on data to come in (showing more people are infected). We have to be proactive with this disease and the spread,” Grennell said in urging the six aldermen to approve the stay-at-home order he presented.

    While the Board of Aldermen unanimously approved Grennell’s proposition with some revisions, they expressed qualms about it.

    “I think we’re going too far,” said Alderman Billie Joe Frazier. “We don’t want to be a police state.”

    Natchez’s stay-at-home resolution — similar to what communities are enacting throughout the country — takes effect 5 p.m. today.

    The city board’s action Tuesday follows a curfew adopted by Adams County officials effective today for Natchez and the county to keep people inside daily from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. indefinitely. It does not apply to essential workers, such as health-care providers, grocery employees and critical manufacturing employees.

    The city’s shelter-in-place declaration was discussed in sketchy details by Natchez aldermen during a teleconference meeting that had the mayor, board and city staffers remotely interacting while public listeners were also on the line. While a copy of the resolution was viewable online for the public, time was limited to study details of the four-page document.

    In defining essential businesses, the board deemed them to include grocery stores, gas stations, doctors’ offices, hardware stores, plumbing/electrical companies, banks and others. However, they must adhere to federal coronavirus-prevention guidelines, such as sanitizing, social distancing and not having more than 10 people grouped together.

    Nonessentials as defined by city officials include hair salons, bars and retail stores (unless they provide curbside service). Natchez churches and private clubs are to limit their gatherings to 10 or fewer people.

    Parks are closed except walking trails. Outdoor exercising is encouraged but in groups of 10 or fewer.

    In voting to delay Natchez’s elections that were approaching in two weeks April 7, the board agreed to move them to May 12 for the Democratic primary, June 2 for any runoffs and June 16 for the general election. The new mayor and Board of Aldermen are to take office July 1.

    Grennell has been ill this past week and tested to determine whether he has the coronavirus, but no mention was made of that publicly during Tuesday’s meeting of the mayor and board.

    According to the Adams County emergency management office, the county’s night-time curfew does not include essential workers, such as:

    • Healthcare workers and caregivers
    • Mental Health and Social Service workers
    • Pharmacy employees
    • Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retail sales of food and beverage products
    • Restaurant carryout and quick-serve food operations and food delivery employees
    • Farm workers
    • Electricity and Utility Industry Employees
    • Critical Manufacturing Employees (medical supply chains, energy, transportation, food, chemical)
    • Petroleum, Natural and Propane Gas Workers
    • Transportation and Logistic Workers
    • Communications and Information Technology Employees
    • Financial Services and Banking Industry
  • Mayor requests Natchez Pilgrimage, restaurants and stores close or limit number of patrons

    Mayor requests Natchez Pilgrimage, restaurants and stores close or limit number of patrons

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Spring Pilgrimage of Natchez’ antebellum homes has been called off as the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt life throughout the world.

    Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell had requested Monday that the 22 Spring Pilgrimage houses close their doors to tourists and that restaurants and stores shutter or limit their number of patrons.

    “I am extremely distressed knowing that this will cause economic hardship for us all, but it is important that we follow the lead of the national and worldwide experts,” Grennell said in a statement issued Monday evening.

    The U.S. Centers of Disease Control has recommended gatherings of people be limited to10 or less. The CDC guideline was 50 people earlier, but revised to 10 on Monday.

    Natchez Pilgrimage Tours — in its Facebook post — said the annual event will be rescheduled:

    “In light of the rising COVID-19 concerns, we have made the tough decision to postpone Natchez Spring Pilgrimage 2020. We are saddened to have to postpone, but we know it is in the best interest of everyone’s health and safety. We look forward to hosting all of our lovely visitors later in the spring. Dates will be announced soon.”

    The Spring Pilgrimage tours and events began last Saturday to continue through April 14.

    In his statement issued Monday, Grennell asked Natchez restaurants, bars and retail shops to voluntarily close or strictly limit their in-house patrons to 10 or fewer at a time and to encourage take-outs or deliveries.

    Adams County supervisors on Monday banned gatherings of people in county-owned buildings to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

    Adams County government, as of Monday, was to continue operating with offices open, but some employees should work at home or elsewhere if possible, said Adams County Emergency Management Director Brad Bradford.

    The county board on Monday declared a state of emergency to follow the actions of the leaders of Natchez, the state and the nation in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that’s sickened more than 180,000 people throughout the world.

    Mayor Grennell issued a state of emergency declaration for the city on Sunday. “I strongly urge everyone — individuals, schools, churches, civic and social organizations, businesses and others — to forego group activities,” the mayor said.

    It has been reported Grennell is being tested for the coronavirus as he suffers the flu.

    Natchez City Hall, as of Monday, was to remain open with reduced staffing and employees working remotely. City staff meetings are being held via teleconference.

    Several city buildings are closed, including the Natchez Convention Center and Natchez Visitors Reception Center — the tourism hub of the city.

    Three meetings at the convention center have been called off for March, said Walter Tipton, who manages the facility. The canceled conventions are tied to schools closed due to the pandemic, he said.

    “All of these are significant groups, and the economic loss to our community will be felt,” Tipton said.

    He expects the groups to reschedule their conventions in Natchez but not sure when as the convention center is closed to large public gatherings for the time being.

    The American Queen Steamboat Co. and American Cruise Lines – which dock in Natchez to bring tourists here – have halted cruises until next month.

    Mississippi’s 26 state-regulated casinos — including Magnolia Bluffs in Natchez — were ordered closed Monday night by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Magnolia Bluffs employs about 215 people, according to commission statistics.

    Most national parks are open, as of Monday, according to the National Park Service, which operates the Natchez National Historical Park.

    Bradford, the county emergency management director, said limiting the number in crowds in one place should remain in effect for up to eight weeks.

    Among the county buildings with restrictions for large assemblies is the Adams County Courthouse. Mississippi Chief Justice Michael Randolph prohibited all state courts from having over 50 people together. In his order issued Sunday before the CDC’s 10-person limit was recommended, Mississippi’s chief court officer said circuit and chancery judges are authorized to postpone trials through May 15. Adams County residents summoned to serve as Circuit Court jurors were told not to report in today.

    Another county building is the Louis Gunning Community Saferoom – a fortress-like storm shelter. Various events are held there but will be canceled for now.

    On Saturday, Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency for Mississippi because of the coronavirus and asked that school districts extend their spring break through Friday. State law gives the Mississippi Board of Education the flexibility to waive the requirement that schools operate for 180 days.

    Bradford acknowledged the widespread disruption the pandemic is having on everyday life: “People say it’s going to be rough.” However, he pointed to the importance of the public getting accurate information to help quell “panic and fear.”

    Adams County Supervisor Kevin Wilson expressed concerns about overreacting to the coronavirus and people going “stir crazy.”

  • Judge proposes Adams County create office of attorneys to represent indigent defendants

    Judge proposes Adams County create office of attorneys to represent indigent defendants

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – Adams County supervisors Thursday reviewed Circuit Judge Lillie Blackmon Sanders’ proposal to create an county public defenders office and hire five lawyers to represent criminal defendants who can’t afford their own attorneys.

    This would replace the current system of retaining nine private attorneys the court calls on to be defense counsels paid by the county.

    Sanders recommended about $300,000 be annually appropriated by supervisors to pay the five public defenders, provide fringe benefits and to have offices. No decision was made by the Board of Supervisors on creating the legal defense agency.

    As proposed, Sanders would appoint a chief public defender, who would hire four other attorneys to represent defendants accused of crimes in Adams County Circuit Court. Sanders is the court’s senior judge. Debra Blackwell is the other judge.

    The private attorneys now retained as public defenders are paid $2,800 a month by the county.

    The proposal to create the public defenders office comes after a controversy arose last month when Sanders approved $800-a-month pay raises for the attorneys. However, two of the attorneys are related to Sanders and could not be given the raise unless approved by Blackwell. She declined to do so.

    Mississippi is the only state in the country that leaves judges to select, supervise and set the budgets for indigent defense lawyers, according to a 2018 report submitted to the Mississippi Legislature.

    The report, done by a special task force created by the Legislature, cited a recent study of public defenders in Adams and nine other Mississippi counties.

    A key funding of that study was that Mississippi had “no method to ensure that its local governments are fulfilling the state’s constitutional obligation to provide effective assistance of counsel to the indigent accused in felony cases in its trial courts.”

    The report can be read by going to: www.ospd.ms.gov/Mississippi%20Public%20Defender%20Task%20Force%20Final%20Report.pdf