Category: News

NATCHEZ — Thanks to the good work of Wilkinson County Sheriff Reginald Jackson’s Office, one of Adams County Sheriff’s Office’s most wanted suspects is behind bars.

Roger Dale Nettles, 43, was taken into custody without incident in Wilkinson County Friday morning. He has been returned to Natchez and booked into the Adams County Jail.

Nettles was wanted for failure to appear in court.

The Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Deputy O.J. Packnett, who captured Nettles, said he was in the area looking for another individual when he spotted Nettles. Nettles attempted to escape the deputy by running into the front door of a trailer, but the deputy met him as he was coming out of the back of the trailer and took him into custody.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten thanked Deputy Packnett and all of the Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office for their sharp eyes and cooperation in capturing Nettles.

The post Another from ACSO Most Wanted List captured by Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office appeared first on Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper.

This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

 Mississippi Antique Showcase, a signature event of Mississippi Public Broadcasting and MPB Foundation, will be held May 3-4, at the Natchez Convention Center.

This is an opportunity for people to visit the picturesque, historic river city and bring their family heirlooms, furniture and antiques to professional appraisers to learn whether they own hidden treasures.

The event will be filmed for the MPB Original “Mississippi Antique Showcase” TV program.

On Friday, May 3, appraisers will review items from 1 to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The appraisers will include Dwight Stevens of Stevens Auction Company in Aberdeen; Mark Kennedy of Kennedy’s Auction Service, LLC in Selmer, Tenn.; Luke Edward and Ron Locke of Edward-Locke Estate Sales in Daphne, Ala.; Adam Lambert of Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans; and Cory Ferraez of Ferraez & Associates in Hattiesburg.

Additional appraisers will also attend.

Residents can bring items for appraisal that include furniture, artwork, glass, porcelain, textiles, metals, memorabilia and printed materials.

Each $100 ticket includes entry for filming, refreshments, a yearlong MPB membership, and a one-item appraisal.

For those who want to make the experience a getaway, a $399 purchase covers two tickets to the event, two MPB memberships, plus a one-night stay in a local bed and breakfast or a casino hotel.

This will be the fourth Mississippi Antique Showcase.

Highlights from previous events included an original painting by superstar Tina Turner, a Henry Moore painting that was appraised for up to $20,000 and a signed photograph by Gordon Parks that also appraised for $20,000.

For more information about the event, call 1-844-874-6874 or visit here.

For more information on MPB, visit www.mpbonline.org. Find all MPB press releases here.

The post Mississippi Antiques Showcase bringing hunt for treasure to Natchez appeared first on Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper.

This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

NATCHEZ — Members of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group have captured a man wanted in Copiah County for alleged kidnapping, murder, and burning the body.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said at approximately 5 p.m. his office was contacted by Copiah County Sheriff Byron Swilley about suspect Tyrell Bridges.

“Sheriff Swilley asked for our assistance in trying to locate the suspect. Sheriff Swilley sent over the arrest warrants for Bridges and that’s when we activated the Adams County Special Operations Group,” Patten said.

“Within an hour of receiving the arrest warrants, the Special Operations Group was able to locate Bridges on Windy Hill Road in Natchez and take him into custody without incident,” Patten said. Patten joined the Special Operations Group in capturing Bridges.

Bridges was transported to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office where he was booked in as a fugitive from justice and will be turned over to the Copiah County Sheriff’s Office, Patten said.

The burned body of a missing man was found on the side of a Copiah County highway Monday. Swilley told the Brookhaven Daily Leader that a man came into his office Monday to report he had not seen his son since Saturday, and wanted to file a missing persons report. A few hours later, a Mississippi Department of Transportation crew discovered the burned body on Hwy. 472 near Rockport Road — northeast of Wesson and south of Georgetown. The body was identified as 54-year-old Billy Ray Jones Jr.

Matthew Nelson, 50, was arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder. Swilley told the Daily Leader Bridges was wanted on the same charges.

Bridges received early release from the Mississippi Department of Corrections in August 2023. In February of this year, he allegedly assaulted two victims, nearly beating one to death. Bridges has been on the run since that time.

“This is a very dangerous individual we took off the streets tonight,” Patten said. “This is another incident where the suspect chose the wrong county to hide in. I could not be more proud of the work that the men and women of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office do each and every day. The individual has stated in the past that he would not return to jail, yet the members of the Special Operations Group were able to capture Bridges without harm being done to him or themselves.

“I am simply proud to have them serve beside me in this community,” Patten said.

 

 

 

The post ACSO captures man wanted for kidnapping, murder in Copiah County appeared first on Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper.

This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

NATCHEZ — Natchez’s Main Street organization is looking at ways to capitalize on 2 million-plus annual visitors to the downtown Natchez area who spend roughly $1.1 billion each year by developing businesses that fit market needs.

According to a consultant, the types of businesses that could successfully reach downtown visitors and residents are grocery stores, men’s and family clothing stores, home furnishing and décor, liquor stores, food and non-alcoholic beverage bars, and full-scale restaurants. These were listed as business possibilities using data involving the downtown Natchez Main Street district.

The non-profit Downtown Natchez Alliance has sought out Joe Borgstrom of Place + Main Advisors, LLC, a nationally recognized downtown real estate and economic development firm, to help develop a game plan for the development of real estate in downtown Natchez.

After a walking visioning tour where 50 plus interested partners in the general public offered ideas of what they would like to see in vacant buildings and parcels, Borgstrom gave a possibilities presentation on Wednesday morning at the Natchez Grand Hotel using a data-driven approach.

The presentation included current and projected market data that includes demographic trends and retail leakage — the difference between supply and demand in the market — and identified potential business opportunities for downtown.

The provided data included some surprising trends for those attending.

Using geofencing — a virtual parameter — market data is obtained by tracing the number of people using a mobile phone within an area, tracing what time they are visiting and where they are coming from.

“Over the last year, you guys have had over 2 million visits into downtown,” Borgstrom said.  “That’s not just tourism. That’s residents (too). That’s everybody coming and going within the downtown area.”

Those 2 million people spent upward of $1.1 billion in the greater Natchez area, including online sales, groceries, and retail, the data shows. Looking forward five years, Borgstrom said that is estimated to grow to $1.21 billion in sales with a supply difference of around $50 million.

Natchez visitors have a wide age distribution, but the largest visitor demographic for downtown Natchez is 18 to 29 years old followed by 60 to 69 years old. The largest and most notable spike in visitors last year happened in mid-October during the Natchez Balloon Festival.

Consistent with the age demographic, the visitors’ incomes primarily fall in the median of $30,000 to $55,000.

“Downtown Natchez presents itself as a very high-end downtown … but I want to share this today with a little bit of caution because even though everyone’s very proud of a high-end downtown we have a tendency then to kind of skew towards tourism,” Borgstrom said. “I worry about that because even though I think tourism is very important I always tell folks that if you create a community that is great for your residents, tourists will find it. If you create a downtown for tourists, your residents will hate it. So, it’s really about creating a balanced downtown, keeping in mind the kind of the community you’re serving and not just the potential customers.”

Another demographic Borgstrom shared, “67% of visitors are white and 30% are Black. Your demographics are just the opposite. So, we’re not having as many Black visitors to downtown as we are white. That’s a red flag to me. That tells me that we’re not serving the community downtown much as we can and should be.”

The development possibilities Borgstrom listed keep both tourists and residents in mind so that the businesses are sustainable “not just during tourist seasons but year-round,” he said.

Next in the process, DNA states that chosen properties will receive an on-site visit from the consultant who will evaluate the property for the potential fits and uses, including potential business types that would meet market needs in the community.

These property owners will be provided with a spreadsheet and costs for redevelopment of their properties, all at no cost to them.

The project has been fully funded via the Mississippi Main Street Association, a federal USDA grant, and the DNA Main Street organization.

Borgstrom said Natchez downtown’s top needs are additional housing and development incentives. Borgstrom said there is also a lot of opportunity for development grants on historic properties.

“We believe this is as close to as accurate (data) as we can get. But at the end of the day, if somebody has an idea for a business that wasn’t on this list I’m not going to tell you that it’s not going to be successful,” he said.

To view the full downtown retail market analysis, visit natchezdna.org.

The post DOWNTOWN POSSIBILITIES: Data guides discussion on business development appeared first on Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper.

This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

NATCHEZ — A former Adams County Sheriff’s deputy, who served under former sheriffs the late Tommy Ferrell and the late Ronny Brown, has been arrested and charged with touching a child for lustful purposes.

Carl Champlin, 70, was arrested April 12. His arrest stemmed from an investigation made by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division. He was booked into the Adams County Jail. He was given a $75,000 bond.

“The investigation is ongoing and more charges may come at a later date,” said Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten. “I do not want to say more or discuss details about the case due to the sensitive nature of the crime.”

 

The post Former sheriff’s deputy arrested, charged with lustful touching of child appeared first on Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper.

This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

NATCHEZ — A truck that was stolen from an Adams County property over the weekend has been recovered by Dallas, Texas, police, authorities said.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten confirmed on Tuesday evening that Dallas police identified the truck during a traffic stop. The driver fled officers on foot, Patten said.

It was stolen from the owner George Patton’s property on MLK Jr. Road near Foster Mound and Airport Road in Adams County either late Saturday or early Sunday with a utility trailer with a zero-turn Husqvarna MZT-52 mower on it attached.

The trailer and mower were not attached when Dallas police found the vehicle, Patten said.

If you see this trailer and mower, contact law enforcement. (Submitted)

Patton, the owner said whoever took the vehicle did so without the key.

Several people were sharing posts Patton made about the stolen items on social media and neighborhood apps to help find them.

This story will be updated when more information is available.

The post UPDATE: Truck stolen from Adams County identified at traffic stop appeared first on Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper.

This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

VIDALIA, La. — Concordia Parish School Board may soon have a new home for central office workers — for the next six months at least — at the former Southern Designs building.

The school board approved leasing the building for six months at $3,600 per month, which is subject to its owner agreeing to changes the school board wants to make to the lease agreement.

The requested change comes after board member Derrick Carson had reservations about a clause in the lease about purchasing the building and language that says if the school board fails to submit “written termination” of the lease after six months, then they would be tied to the lease for another 36 months.

“I just don’t want us to get locked into obligating ourselves for another three years after that first six months,” he said. “If we could do some sort of extension for six months or a year, I’m totally fine with it. But I’m not interested in obligating ourselves to purchase something that we wouldn’t if we don’t know that we’re going to be able to fund that.”

Board members also wanted it specified that the lease would commence after they are able to secure fiber internet service in the building so that workers can immediately start their duties.

Board member Matt Taunton made the motion to enter the six-month lease with these changes and the motion was seconded by Wayne Wilson before it passed unanimously.

While not committed to buying the building for a new central office, Board President Lisette Foreman said the lease “will give our superintendent and her staff a place to call home for six months, which I think all of us are in agreement that it’s past due.”

District Superintendent Toyua Bachus said, “I will take six months over working in my car.”

The central office workers have been staggered at other school buildings in the district since closing the existing central office because of a mold issue in September 2022.

The former Southern Designs building at 4894 U.S. 84 in Vidalia has nine office spaces that would be move-in ready as soon as an agreement is reached and internet and phone lines are wired.

Southern Designs CEO Tance Hughes announced his company was going out of business in 2023 after a 15-year run. The building is for sale at a $1.8 million purchase price.

The post School board approves lease of Southern Designs building for new central office appeared first on Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper.

This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

NATCHEZ — Adams County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Ruston Cavin and Sheriff Travis Patten ask the community to be “on alert” for any suspicious digging activity that could be people stealing copper wire from telephone and internet lines.

Cavin said that several feet of AT&T internet and telephone wire had recently been dug up and cut on U.S. 61 North, interrupting service to numerous residences.

The incident remains under investigation.

Anyone who sees any suspicious digging should call 911, he said.

The post ACSO Investigator: Be ‘on alert’ for copper thieves cutting internet, phone wires appeared first on Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper.

This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

NATCHEZ — Adams County Sheriff’s Office has had a few similar-type phone and internet scams reported in the past week, where an alleged Microsoft spokesman says via phone call or email that child pornography has been detected from their IP address in an attempt to get the user to call a number to report a potential hacker or identity theft.

“We have had two or three of these reported in the last four days,” said Investigator Ruston Cavin of Adams County Sheriff’s Office. “Fortunately, those who have received these have had family members stop them from calling the number and say it’s suspicious.”

Additionally, Cavin said there has been an uptick in checks stolen out of the mail in the area, “six or seven over the last six weeks.”

To protect themselves, Cavin advised residents to not send checks in the mail and instead use other payment methods such as money orders.

Those who receive phone calls or emails out of the blue should never give out personal information. Honest organizations won’t call, email or text to ask for information such as a Social Security number, bank account or credit card number.

Never click on links in an email, even if it’s from a known company, but instead contact them directly using a website or phone number that you know is real.

The post SCAM ALERT: Email and phone scams target unsuspecting victims appeared first on Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper.

This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

NATCHEZ — Gregory Cotter, MD, radiation oncologist at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Natchez, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO), the nation’s premier professional society for radiation oncologists.

Dr. Cotter was presented the organization’s most prestigious award on March 15 at The Radiation Oncology Summit: ACRO 2024, the College’s annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Dr. Cotter is well-known across the Natchez community and the surrounding region. He has decades of experience and has served patients in several communities across the Gulf South.

He is Board Certified in radiation oncology and is very involved in several professional organizations, including ACRO.

In 2019, Dr. Cotter led the clinical team at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Natchez. After a short leave, Dr. Cotter returned to the Cancer Center earlier this year and is continuing to see new patients.

With his depth of experience and expertise and through the dedication and compassion he demonstrates when working with patients, Dr. Cotter has developed a very strong bond with the
Natchez community and has made an impression on his colleagues across the country.

“Dr. Gregory Cotter has left an indelible mark on the American College of Radiation Oncology. He chaired the ACRO Accreditation Program for many years, spearheaded the inaugural accreditation standards and zealously advocated for the field of Radiation Oncology as one of ACRO’s delegates to the American Medical Association. For his years of service, professionalism and passion, we are proud to honor Dr. Cotter with ACRO’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said ACRO President Dwight E. Heron, MD, MBA, FACRO, FACR.

Dr. Cotter is grateful for this recognition, but for him, this award serves as a testament to the work that has been accomplished through collaboration with his colleagues throughout his career.

“I am truly humbled to receive this recognition,” said Dr. Cotter. “But as anyone who serves the needs of cancer patients can tell you, the only way to truly make a meaningful difference is by working together as a team. Over the course of my career, I have been blessed to work with phenomenal colleagues, literally some of the most experienced and knowledgeable radiation oncologists from across this country.”

“I am proud to call Natchez home and I am excited about the work we’ve accomplished at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Together, we will further our mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer in this community.”

Located at 133 Jefferson Davis Blvd., Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Natchez offers residents access to leading-edge radiation therapy and support services.

To reach the Cancer Center or to make an appointment, please call (601) 442-1285. For more information on Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, visit marybird.org.

The post Natchez cancer center doctor receives Lifetime Achievement Award appeared first on Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper.

This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here