Author: Josh

A brush fire on Saragossa Road A in Natchez became a structure fire Saturday and is under investigation. Meanwhile, state policy moves include Louisiana’s sales‑tax centralization debate, a plan to raise teacher pay, and Mississippi’s new law holding landlords criminally liable for unpaid utilities; the river is 33.71 ft and falling.

MDOT will repair erosion threatening Canal Street near the Natchez Visitor’s Center without closing the road, and a Louisiana hazing bill that could ban fraternities after a death has advanced to the House floor.

Mayor Dan Gibson broke a tie to appoint Lee Best as Natchez police chief, then rejected aldermen’s move to create an assistant-chief post for commander Justin Jones, saying the new position hadn’t been properly discussed. Critics argue Best lacks sufficient department experience.

Natchez names Lee Best its new police chief. In other headlines: diesel tops $5/gal amid rising grocery costs, Gov. Tate Reeves vetoes a local emergency loan program, former Rapides Parish sheriff William Hildon was killed, and the Mississippi River at Natchez‑Vidalia is falling.

Merit Health Natchez needs donations for its Jars of Love peanut butter drive; ICE is assisting TSA at airports, and Entergy Louisiana launches demand‑response programs offering incentives for smart thermostats, solar customers and EV charging.

Ron Eller won the GOP nomination in Mississippi’s 2nd District and will face long-time incumbent Bennie Thompson. Also: Louisiana Central unveiled its Elevate 2030 plan, Mississippi landowners were warned about post–ice-storm bark beetles, and a local-option fluoride bill advanced.

Two 16-year-olds have been arrested in the January Wilkinson County shooting that killed high school student Najee Bates, joining an 18-year-old charged with murder. Meanwhile, Louisiana lawmakers advanced a boost to high‑dosage tutoring funding and grade levels; Mississippi negotiates a teacher pay raise amid budget pressure; and the Louisiana House moved forward with the Ivy…

Adams County grand jury declines to indict in a fatal convenience‑store shooting; Rep. Julia Letlow hasn’t agreed to debate challengers; the Mississippi Senate renewed efforts to reform PERS, including reduced service years and return‑to‑work options.

Adams County supervisors backed Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson’s request to rename the state-owned Sergeant Prentiss Bridge on Liberty Road for the late Mayor Butch Brown and agreed to seek state and federal funds to replace the aging Canal Street Bridge before it risks becoming impassable by 2030.

A Sunday night storm downed trees across Adams County, leaving nearly 1,000 customers without power and blocking several county roads. A truck struck a fallen tree on Steam Plant Road, sending two people to the hospital; a tree also fell on a Mullin Road home with no serious injuries reported.