The top MS stories from this Jan. 3:
Police are asking for help as they search for a 16 year old from Greene County that was last seen with her 20 year old boyfriend the day after Christmas. Veronica Platts parents aren’t sure if the 2 ran away, or if she was taken from her home by force. She’s believed to be with Tyler Wood of Hattiesburg, a former Forrest County Election Commissioner that had lied about his age.
A couple of locals won big on Wheel of Fortune over the New Year Holiday. Mark Kirsch of Long Beach won close to $38-thousand in cash and prizes, including a trip to Aruba. He’s retired from the Coast Guard. Anquanette Sterling is a Navy Instructor assigned to Keesler AFB. She won close to $17-thousand.
MEMA is still assessing the damage from recent flooding, and more heavy rain is on the way. The damage has surpassed the $5-million mark, and is expected to rise. Several hundred homes were damaged in southern areas of our state, and almost 200 bridges and roads were damaged or destroyed.
Governor Phil Bryant says the state will be receiving federal grant dollars totaling almost eleven-million-dollars to help fund preschool programs in Mississippi. He made the announcement via Twitter yesterday, noting the funds will benefit the birth to five-years-old age group. Bryant says it will help expand a system already in place that's focus is on maintaining high quality childcare services and maximizing parental choice and engagement.
The family dog is getting the blame for a fire that caused major damage early Wednesday to a home near the town of Edwards, MS. Firefighters were told the family had been using a barbecue grill in the garage of the Middle Road residence. It was about 3 a.m. when the dog is said to have knocked the grill over, starting the fire that took more than an hour to get under control. No injuries were reported.