Former Ridgeland Police Chief Jimmy Houston dies at 74
Former Ridgeland Police Chief Jimmy Houston died Wednesday afternoon, Ridgeland Police Department confirmed. Houston was chief at Ridgeland PD for 12 years after more than two decades at Jackson Police Department. He was an FBI National Academy graduate who began his law enforcement career in 1973, became Flowood Police Chief in 1997 and served with […]
DeSoto County man sentenced to 40 years after multi-state pursuit that left one dead
District Attorney Matthew Barton announced Wednesday that Matthew Nemacheck has been sentenced to a total of 40 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with 25 years to serve, following his conviction for Felony Fleeing Resulting in Death as a violent offender. Prosecutors said Nemacheck led officers on a violent, multi-state pursuit […]
One arrested, one injured after shooting at Tupelo Creek Trailer Park
Tupelo police are investigating a Tuesday evening shooting at Tupelo Creek Trailer Park on Shelton Drive that left one man wounded and another in custody. Officers responded around 5:50 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2025, to reports of shots fired and found an adult male with a gunshot wound to the arm. Officers provided first aid […]
Adams County Sheriff’s Office adds three drones to expand public safety operations
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has added three aircraft to its Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program, a move officials say will improve emergency response, search-and-rescue capabilities, and scene documentation across the county. The new fleet includes: DJI Mavic 3 Thermal (M3T): thermal imaging and optical zoom for missing-person searches and night operations. Autel Alpha: enterprise […]
Institute for Marine Mammal Studies invites public to help name baby sharks
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies is asking the community to help name its newest residents—white-spotted bamboo shark pups. Aquarists say they can tell the sharks apart by the unique spots and freckles on their heads and backs, but the youngsters still need names. The public can vote for their favorites through an online poll. […]
Building evacuated after suspicious envelope found at Spanish Village in Tupelo
Tupelo Police Department is on scene at Spanish Village after a suspicious envelope was reported on Wednesday. The Tupelo Bomb Squad is actively investigating, and the Tupelo Fire Department is assisting, officials said. Out of an abundance of caution, the north Spanish Village building is being evacuated. Authorities are asking the public to avoid the […]
Former Clinton Coach Sentenced to 30 Years for Sexual Battery, Exploitation of Minor
CLINTON — Former Clinton Christian Academy assistant basketball coach Willie Alexander was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in prison for sexually abusing a 14-year-old player. Alexander, 50, previously pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery and two counts of exploitation of a minor, according to the Clinton Police Department and court records. He was […]
State inmate found unresponsive at Lafayette County jail
A state inmate housed at the Lafayette County Detention Center was pronounced dead early Wednesday after being found unresponsive in his cell, officials said. According to a news release, deputies conducting routine checks discovered John Leath Halley Jr. unresponsive around 1:52 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2025. Deputies began life-saving measures and notified Lafayette County 911 […]
Two arrested, charged with exploitation of a vulnerable adult in Starkville
Two people were arrested Tuesday following a Starkville Police Department investigation into the exploitation of a vulnerable adult who is related to both suspects. Detectives said the exploitation occurred during August and September 2025. 46-year-old Thomas Watts, of Starkville, was arrested and charged with two counts of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult (felony) and Possession […]
Man in Pontotoc County arrested on felony child abuse charge involving 7-year-old girl
The Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has arrested 24-year-old Jamie Reniery Sauceda Velasquez, on a charge of felony child abuse involving a 7-year-old girl, authorities said. Deputies said the incident occurred in the Katelyn Path area of Pontotoc County. The investigation began after the child’s mother took her to North Mississippi Medical Center–Pontotoc, […]