Entergy hosts a town hall on the Ridgeland power plant (Photo from Entergy) A Madison County city is one step closer to having a natural gas power plant built in its community but the proposed facility is not without its detractors the Ridgeland Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a conditional use permit for Entergy to build the power plant The vote overrode the city’s zoning board decision to reject the $1 billion project in mid-April The conditional use permit allows the utility to determine if land along West County Line Road is suitable for the proposed plant “We’re excited about it because it’s a very energy efficient power plant and it’ll bring a lot of business to Ridgeland and Madison County,” said Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee noting that the plant could bring millions of dollars to the city’s school system Residents along the road do not all see the benefits of having a 760-megawatt natural gas-fired combined-cycle combustion turbine power plant and a substation capable of transmitting power near their homes Even as Entergy says the advanced technology used to operate the plant is safe resident Barbara Johnson is opposed to the plant why do they do that?” Johnson said after the meeting said the company understands that residents have concerns “and the safety of our communities and employees has always been our leading value.” “It’s why our local power generation fleet meets or exceeds the EPA and MDEQ health requirements and abide by noise ordinances This new site will be no different,” said Vanderloo An environmental impact assessment and other studies necessary to meet state and federal guidelines before start of construction will now get underway the facility will sit on approximately 75 acres of the 585-acre property providing room for ample setback and buffer space from the road and houses The construction alone is a more than $1 billion investment that will occur over about four years Site work will begin mid- to late summer 2025 with construction starting in 2026 and an expected in-service date in 2029 The company believes the site along West County Line Road is ideal for the proposed plant It already has the existing high-voltage transmission corridor in the area Additional lines were built in the mid-1980s and early 1990s as the metro Jackson area and power needs grew This corridor provides an ideal interconnection point for a power plant “Adding a plant to our fleet is necessary to serve our customers and ensure long-term reliability of the power grid The Ridgeland site fulfills all the requirements to drive operational efficiencies while maintaining the lowest possible costs for our customers,” Entergy said “If the plant were built in another location it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars more to build the infrastructure needed to connect it to a similar high-voltage transmission corridor Since that infrastructure already exists at this Ridgeland site locating the plant here saves all our customers money.” the company broke ground on a similar plant in Greenville to the one proposed in Ridgeland Entergy said the Delta Blues Advanced Power Station will be a 754-megawatt facility representing a $1.2 billion investment and employing about 21 full-time personnel once it comes online By joining our newsletter, you are confirming that you agree with the Privacy Policy The Clarion Ledger obtained body camera footage showing the tense encounter between two Ridgeland Police Department officers and a man during a traffic stop which sparked recent criticism on social media The police department provided the Clarion Ledger with two 30-minute body camera videos recorded by both officers who were present at the scene Fredrick Gaddis was pulled over by a Ridgeland police officer on South Pear Orchard Road in Ridgeland for driving with an expired license plate The first officer on the scene approached Gaddis' vehicle and repeatedly asked him to roll down the back window due to its tint The officer then instructed Gaddis to step out of the vehicle Upon being informed of the reason for the stop Gaddis presented officers with his valid license plate which he had inside his car Officers then requested Gaddis' license and proof of insurance While he provided his license through his cell phone Gaddis did not show his insurance documentation at the time Gaddis voluntarily surrendered his firearms Nearly 30 gangs exist in Jackson: How do young people get caught in cycle of violence, crime? How are police handling the gang issue? The interaction began to escalate as a second officer arrived at the scene The two officers at times could be heard calling Gaddis "verbally aggressive" and telling him to "shut your (expletive) mouth." "Stop cursing at me and de-escalate," Gaddis said after being told to shut up integrity and pride,'" Gaddis says while pointing at the second officer's badge Congratulations," the second officer states "I'm talking to you like a man," Gaddis said You won't shut your mouth long enough to talk with anybody," the second officer said adding that Gaddis keeps interrupting the officers The second officer's frustration seemed to build during the interaction before he instructed the first responding officer to arrest Gaddis lock his (expletive) up," the second officer said it remains unclear whether any charges were filed against Gaddis MS interim sheriff sentenced in bribery: Former interim Hinds County Sheriff Marshand Crisler reports to federal prison for bribery Ridgeland Police Chief Myers was not available for comment when the Clarion Ledger reached out Wednesday stating that he was headed to a conference on the coast The Clarion Ledger asked Myers if he could provide a brief statement via email about the incident but did not hear back before publication Myers informed media outlets that an internal investigation has been initiated regarding the matter The employment status of the officers involved is unknown at this time The Clarion Ledger is working to reach out to Gaddis for his account of the incident rewritten or redistributed without permission https://www.northsidesun.com/honor-roll-madison-ridgeland-academy-11 Click here for additional copyright information about this article Local news coverage is critical for a strong and vibrant community local publications are dying because of monopolistic Big Tech Over 30% of all newspapers are expected to close within the next three years Help support local news by making a donation today You would be supporting a local institution founded upon principles of integrity and strong editorial standards and have roots embedded in our local community Realtime Radar New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible Hourly Forecast 7-Day Forecast Based on data from National Weather Service and OpenWeather If you are an existing Print subscriber click HERE for your login info you can also easily register or login with an existing Google you can also easily use an existing Google User Help/Support Page Copyright Email: admin@northsidesun.com © Copyright 2025 The Northside Sun, 246 Briarwood Dr.- Jackson, MS 39206  | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy 2025) – A 61-year-old Georgia man who wore a wig while robbing a Ridgeland grocery store has been sent back to prison pleaded guilty Wednesday to armed robbery for the April 28 robbery at the B&T Food Fresh Market on Main Street Barnard had previously been convicted and served prison sentences for armed robbery “This defendant has a long criminal history and was in the midst of a crime spree when he was apprehended in Ridgeland,” said James Sharpe of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office “Barnard is a menace and is now where he belongs.” A man wearing a gray wig grabbed a jug of water and then grabbed a handful of cash out of the cash register A produce section worker and another customer chased the man into the parking lot They held him there until law enforcement officers arrived Barnard was still holding money in his hand Law enforcement also discovered a stolen cash register from a Georgia gas station in his vehicle Bernard’s criminal history dates to 1984 and includes convictions for burglary (1984); obstruction of justice (1986); first-degree forgery (1986); first-degree arson (1988); burglary (1994); armed robbery (1994); armed robbery and burglary (2010) Sharpe is an assistant solicitor and primarily prosecutes cases in Jasper County He has been with the Solicitor’s Office since 2023 We will not spam you or share your information with others The Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office is the chief prosecuting agency for Allendale Covering 3,200 square-miles of South Carolina’s renowned Lowcountry we are the only five-county circuit in the state Copyright © 2024 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office One month after a dead body was found in Ridgeland at the Little Dixie Landfill in late March Madison County Coroner’s Office officials say 54-year-old Howard Earl Banks was the body discovered at the landfill on March 24 An employee discovered Banks’ body and immediately contacted the Ridgeland Police Department along with analysis by the State Medical Examiner’s Office led authorities to believe that Banks died of complications of a medical condition Copyright 2025 SuperTalk Mississippi Media Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly SuperTalk Mississippi Media is Mississippi’s leader in news SuperTalk Mississippi Media covers every inch of the state Voters in Ridgeland will be asked to approve or reject a temporary tax increase in the city that would be used to fund an expansion of Freedom Ridge Park The referendum proposes a 2% tax increase on hotels and a 1% increase on restaurants within city limits in order to fund a large-scale expansion of the local park Residents voted in favor of the proposal 5,234 to 4,095 in the November 2024 general election but it did not reach the required 60% mark A measure raised in the Mississippi legislature breezed through both chambers in the regular 2025 session and was signed by Gov which puts the referendum back on the ballot for Ridgeland voters for the June 3 general election Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee told the Northside Sun that he believes the referendum being on the same ballot as federal and statewide elections caused voters to be less likely to vote yes which would phase out after the expansion project is fully funded would enlarge the Freedom Ridge Park facility along with adding a slew of new amenities to enable the park to host premier sports tournaments and events City officials believe it would open a major revenue valve for Ridgeland “Our city has long been a leader in outdoor recreation and quality of life for our residents The proposed enhancements to Freedom Ridge Park will provide much-needed improvements to our recreation facilities allowing us to host larger tournaments and events,” McGee said ahead of the 2024 vote “This is a great opportunity for Ridgeland to build on its legacy as a thriving The hope for proponents of the measure is that expansion and renovation of the park would attract large-scale regional and national baseball Expansion designs would enable Freedom Ridge to host as many as 100 teams at one time bringing in upwards of $700,000 in revenue per tournament Should the proposal pass with 60% approval on June 3 Local business leaders have also publicly given the temporary tax increases a thumbs up noting that the park hosting large events would have a trickle-down effect for the surrounding economy “The expansion will not only provide our residents with top-notch recreational facilities but it will also position Ridgeland as a premier destination for larger and more prestigious tournaments,” Chris Chapman of Explore Ridgeland said “This will generate substantial economic benefits for our local businesses and further elevate Ridgeland’s reputation as a vibrant The city of Ridgeland currently holds one of the lowest tourist taxes in the state The man who brought Topgolf to Ridgeland has pulled off another development coup Developer Gabriel Prado has bought the Drury Inn on County Line Road in Ridgeland and has renamed it Prado Hotel with plans of a major facelift for the property Prado has entered into an agreement with local hotel developer Chico Patel of Wealth Hospitality as well as hotel chain Choice Hotels International for the 175-room property at an undisclosed price Prado said that to build the same property from scratch today would cost in the neighborhood of $30 million "This partnership with Choice is the launch of the Prado Hotel brand," Prado told the Clarion Ledger "This be will part of their boutique brand which is the highest end brand for Choice Hotels." It was just last month that Prado watched as the $26.2 million that he lured to Mississippi opened after about three years of work Topgolf is the drawing card for the development off Interstate 55 in Ridgeland, northeast of the Renaissance at Colony Park, the project has grown to include a national grocery store chain, an entertainment venue, shopping and upscale living accommodations will be a 77-acre mixed-use development that will also include two high-end hotels the developer and CEO and president of PraCon Global Investment Group also has plans for the old McRae’s building on Meadowbrook Drive in Jackson he intends to pour $60 million into the neighborhood where he first lived and build 215 high-end lofts called Prado Lofts at Meadowview He said an update will be coming soon on that project "This really complements all of the other things that we are doing in the area," Prado said Time to eat: New restaurants approved to open in Jackson-area. See the list Boom town: You won't 'recognize the place in 10 years': The massive growth of Gluckstadt “We are grateful with the City of Ridgeland and all of our team members that made this possible," Prado said "Acquiring this property and launching the brand of Prado Hotel in a partnership with Choice Hotels International marks a significant step in our growth investment strategy in our Hospitality Vertical allowing us to expand our footprint in a dynamic market This acquisition reinforces our commitment to Ridgeland and Mississippi while enhancing our portfolio with properties that align with our vision for sustainable and we are thrilled to be ambassadors of the greatest state in the U.S.” He said the launch of the Prado Hotel brand is just the first announcement for 2025 with a goal of as many as 15 more through the rest of the year but I like to set high goals for myself," Prado said "I think this first property at Hotel Prado really speaks to our commitment to the Jackson metro area." Prado also said they will be taking over the property in front of the Prado Hotel that formerly housed Logan's Roadhouse He said that he is not at liberty to make an announcement about that property but that there will be one in the coming months "We will be keeping some of the amenities that Drury once offered including a happy hour at the bar and hot breakfast in the morning," Prado said There will also be an on-site restaurant and a roof-top bar that will serve only guests of the hotel a pickleball court and other improvements will take approximately 18 months Prado said the hotel will remain open and work will not keep the hotel from offering a majority of amenities Patel said the revamped property gives the Jackson area another great opportunity for visitors "Wealth Hospitality guiding PraCon Global Investment Group through their acquisition and launch of the Prado Hotel by Choice Hotels international reinforces our commitment to our strategic partnerships in developments in Ridgeland and other prime locations in the near future," Patel said Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee said the development will strength the city's position as a go-to place for visitors in the area "Ridgeland continues to be a destination for business and hospitality and we are excited to welcome Choice Hotels International's transformation of the former Drury Inn into the Prado Hotel," McGee said "PraCon Global investment Group's investment reflects the strength of our local economy and confidence our city's future." Ross Reily is a writer for the Clarion Ledger He can be reached at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952 One of central Mississippi’s favorite outdoor concerts is just around the corner Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s Pepsi Pops will celebrate its 44th year at Old Trace Park at the Ross Barnett Reservoir while also delighting in food and beverages from local vendors A ceremonial fireworks show will conclude the event “Pepsi Pops is more than just a concert,” Mississippi Symphony Orchestra President and Executive Director Janet Reihle said It brings back the joy of longer summer evenings spent with families and friends enjoying great music under the stars We are proud that this tradition has been a part of Mississippi’s cultural fabric for over 44 years.” The Jackson Symphony League hosted the first outdoor pops concert in 1969 and Brown Bottling Group has continued the popular community staple since 1981 This year’s program includes highlights from “Wicked,” a tribute to the music of Mississippi legend Elvis Presley “Wind Beneath My Wings,” “Spinning Wheel,” “Unchained Melody,” selections from “Grease” and “Twilight,” along with some of John Williams’ finest hits as the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra entertains early arrivers with performances by aspiring young musicians ranging in age from 5 to 18 Pre-concert entertainment continues with the gypsy jazz of David Keary & Friends at 6:30 p.m The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra will take the stage at 7:30 p.m with WLBT’s Maggie Wade and restaurateur Jeff Good as the evening’s emcees Pizza by Poppy Pies and barbecue by Pig & Pint plus Mo’ Betta Dessert Bar will be there with banana pudding and ice cream sundaes with your choice of toppings Tickets are $15 each for adults in advance and $20 each at the gate with a valid student ID required for entry including access to the lot closest to the concert’s green space with entry through the Post Road gate Entergy Mississippi is going to the community and is listening to concerns about a new planned power plant that will be built along the border between Madison and Hinds counties Entergy leaders most recently listened to concerns at a City of Ridgeland Board of Aldermen meeting last week The Ridgeland power plant project in Madison County includes a 760-megawatt natural gas-fired combined-cycle combustion turbine power plant and a substation capable of transmitting power from the plant to the electric grid “Planned power generation retirements and growth across our service area is driving us to think ahead efficient and affordable power to our customers," said Robbie Kemp vice president of customer service in an email to the Clarion Ledger Our goal is to ensure the project considers their needs including integrating the facility into the surrounding area with the goal of minimizing visual impact." The planned location is on the border of Hinds and Madison counties north of West County Line Road in Ridgeland between Livingston Road and the Natchez Trace Parkway adjacent to an existing high-voltage transmission corridor In an interview Monday on the Women for Progress Radio Network Democratic nominee for Mayor of Jackson John Horn said He linked Entergy building the power plant to the need for energy for the development of data centers in Mississippi "We've got to figure out how we are going to power these data centers," Horhn said in the interview "Entergy is almost tapped out in their ability to generate power There is a natural gas power plant being considered The citizens (near there) are saying they don't want it It is creating a problem with the project being able to move forward I don't favor it being there right now myself I have got to get more information before I get comfortable with that." Entergy officials continue to maintain the plant and will meet or exceed all safety standards “We understand that residents have concerns and the safety of our communities and employees has always been our leading value It’s why our local power generation fleet meets or exceeds the EPA and MDEQ health requirements and abide by noise ordinances," said Jeremy Vanderloo vice president of business operations in a statement with room to provide a buffer from the road and residential areas The footprint of the plant and substation combined is about one-third of the total property The cost of the project will be more than $1 billion and will take about four years Site work is expected to begin in the next few months with construction starting in 2026 and an expected in-service date in 2029 According to other reports from the Board of Aldermen meeting local citizens are concerned with potential health hazards as well as impacts on property values Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee told the crowd he has been assured there will be no negative health issues and the economic impact will be positive to the Ridgeland and Madison County area The board approved the construction of the plant at the meeting Entergy says the existing high-voltage transmission corridor in this area was first built in 1946 Additional lines were built in the mid-80s and early 90s as the metro Jackson area This corridor along West County Line Road provides an interconnection point for a power plant Ross Reily is a writer for the Clarion Ledger Spring has finally arrived, and we’re here for it — especially the pretty drives leading to easy weekend getaways. Put Ridgeland, Mississippi at the top of that list and thank us when you return this small city is known for its biking trails A few minutes north of the state capital of Jackson Ridgeland is a good blend of nature and arts experiences to recharge your mind plus a lot of fun “stuff” you might want to bring back home Read on to map out your Ridgeland spring escape While nature gives us artful inspiration all year spring takes top honors with its vivid hues and the creative energy of things growing and blooming all around Here are two incredible places in Ridgeland where you can plug right into that vibe bright colors of the Ridgeland Wildflower Field and Art Park with a whimsy-filled walk among its interactive installations but do not forget to keep your camera handy for this one including newly installed butterfly wing art Situated amid the lush greenery of the Natchez Trace Parkway and home to The Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi the center displays works by its 400+ members who handcraft works ranging from intricate needlework and quilts to blown glass and jewelry to ceramics and woodworking Spring means it’s time to get outside and socialize and Ridgeland really rolls out the red carpet for special events Here are a few big ones coming up in early May: 🎻 Pepsi Pops featuring Mississippi Symphony Orchestra While you can browse Ridgeland’s many restaurants we found a few that fit perfectly for this time of year: ☕️ CW Organics Apothicaire & Tea Room for a sweet Southern tea room experience + fresh herbal blends 👩‍🌾 Freshway Produce farmers market for local 🪷 The Lily Pad Café for lunches of sandwiches subs + sweets while sustaining jobs for people with disabilities 🍓 Whirl Natural Smoothie Bar for refreshingly fruity smoothies bowls + pops before a sunny stroll around the Railroad District 🍽 Local 463 Urban Kitchen for upscale dining and a menu showcasing seasonal ingredients What’s a road trip without some shopping It would be wrong not to treat yourself in Ridgeland It even has a Retail Trail guiding you through its six distinct shopping districts with retailers ranging from boutiques and antiques to renowned 🚗 Ready to gas up the car and go? Visit Explore Ridgeland to choose where to stay + reserve your accommodations. All content on this site is Copyright ©  Rushing Waters Media LLC/Bham Now 2016-2025 Renaissance at Colony Park in Ridgeland and NexTech are partnering to give residents a chance to recycle their electronics aims to avoid improper disposal of unwanted electronic devices or “e-waste.” More than 6.9 million tons of e-waste is generated in the U.S with less than 20 percent being formally recycled “Most people don’t realize how much tech they’ve accumulated until it piles up,” said Beth Zito Director of Business Development at NexTech “We want to make it easy to let go of old tech devices and do something good for our planet.” NexTech’s team will be onsite to unload and manage all devices quickly and securely All you have to do is drive up and drop off Northpark’s “Shop Local Spotlight” initiative has been named a finalist for the prestigious ICSC Maxi Awards the campaign features monthly blog posts celebrating the stories of local small businesses in the Ridgeland shopping mall The initiative is recognized for its creativity and strong support for local entrepreneurs “Northpark is grateful to our incredible tenants and team who have made our ‘Shop Local Spotlight’ initiative possible,” said Laura Antoon marketing and business development director at Northpark “The passion and dedication exhibited by our small businesses are what make Northpark beloved by our community We are proud to be recognized on a national stage for celebrating what makes Northpark uniquely local.” which honor innovation in the retail real estate industry With municipal primary elections set for April 1, several cities in Madison County have contested races for Aldermen Incumbent Mayor Walter C. Morrison IV first appointed by petitioning group Citizens for Gluckstadt has served as Gluckstadt's mayor since the city incorporated in Madison County in June 2021 The city has been on an economic development roll since then its zoning board and board of aldermen have stringent guidelines for business growth it almost seems like Gluckstadt is the wild west of Mississippi "I can't tell you how many ribbon cuttings I have been to," Morrison previously told the Clarion Ledger We have more and more economic development projects coming It is a very exciting time for the City of Gluckstadt." All Gluckstadt aldermen are elected at large and below are the qualifying candidates running who are running at large: Banking and finance: $3.2 billion Mississippi bank merger is approved for completion. Get the details Exclusive: Gov. Tate Reeves says Mississippi must be better than other states in economic development RidgelandIncumbent Mayor Gene F. McGee McGee has served as Ridgeland Mayor since 1989 McGee has served as President of the Mississippi Municipal League and chaired several committees Incumbent Flora Mayor Les Childress is running unopposed Childress has served as Flora Mayor since 2009 Flora did not include the political parties for each candidate Canton did not supply party affiliations for aldermen candidates Ward 1:Rodriquez Brown (Incumbent)Antonio BrooksAlderman Ward 2:Incumbent Fred EscoShannon WhiteheadAlderman Ward 4:Cynthia AllenTykensian "Ty" BarnesVictor HughesCrystal LuckettMarkee Blount (Incumbent)Alderman Ward 5:Barbara BrownJanice DiamondFredrick MayfieldLaura Elaine BlairChrishanda JacksonTimothy Taylor (Incumbent)Alderman Ward 6:Monica Gilkey (Incumbent)Dexter BrimAlderman Wales (Incumbent)Ronald CarterClarion Ledger writer Mary Boyt contributed to this story Phil Nelson was almost out of words to describe his emotions Ridgeland boys basketball had just claimed the MHSAA Class 6A state championship 79-53 over Olive Branch at Mississippi Coliseum The Titans (30-4) won their first boys title in program history and did it with a convincing victory against defending champion Olive Branch (24-6) who they lost to last season in the Class 6A final "It's been a long season," said Nelson, the MHSAA Mr. 6A Basketball winner Nelson helped carry the Titans with 26 points and eight rebounds He recalled the pain of being so close and losing in last season's final Ridgeland coach Terron McIntyre shared that same notion as Nelson The whole season was dedicated to getting back to the Coliseum and finally finishing the job "I know last year the taste of being there was bittersweet because I know we had a chance to get back This year we played the way we played last year "The group last year started and got us there One of McIntyre's main goals was to help Ridgeland finish strong in games The Titans led at halftime in last season's final but struggled in the second half Ridgeland was up 30-24 at halftime and outscored Olive Branch 49-29 in the second half "We learned we got to finish," the six-year coach said MORE RIDGELAND: How heartbreak has fueled Phil Nelson, Ridgeland basketball on a quest to return to the 6A title Ridgeland's Ashton Manuel was second in scoring with 20 points and Khameron Snow and Marquise Williams both had 10 Tommy Callicut led the Conquistadors with 14 points and King George and Xavier Poplar added 11 apiece Michael Chavez covers high school sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez (This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.)  A Ridgeland man died following a shooting at a convenience store Thursday night and another Ridgeland man was later taken into custody for the murder The Ridgeland Police Department said in a news release the shooting happened Nov when the department's officers responded to a shooting call at Enmark Convenience Store turned himself in to authorities about an hour after the fatal shooting Chaney's past criminal history included an unlawful carrying of a firearm charge and possession of marijuana Chaney was transported to the Jasper County Detention Center and was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime Litchfield said due to the charge of murder Chaney would be scheduled to appear for a bond hearing before a circuit court judge on his charges they found one victim who had been shot three times died on scene due to suffering multiple gunshot wounds Jasper County Coroner Willie Aiken said Nov "This shooting was a part of a long-running incident between the two men for about the past two years," Litchfield said "There were over 20 rounds fired between the two men with 9 m.m pistols."Lloyd's criminal history included various felonies Litchfield said there had been no other injuries reported due to the shooting although other people had been in the area of the store at the time of the shooting He said once the store clerk heard the shots "The incident began inside of the store and carried on outside of the store in the parking lot," Litchfield said "No cars in the parking lot sustained any damage but bullets did strike the front door glass causing damage There were a couple of drink coolers damaged as well as the wiring of the register was damaged during the shooting." was closed for about four to five hours as officers investigated the incident and the incident remains under investigation," Litchfield said The Ridgeland Police Department was assisted by several agencies on the call including the Jasper County Sheriff's Office Ridgeland Fire Department and Jasper County EMS A Ridgeland man died in a one-vehicle accident March 25 near Ridgeland according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol died at the scene due to injuries sustained in the accident Jasper County Coroner Jeremiah Vaigneur said March 27 approximately 3.8 miles north of Ridgeland White had been traveling north in a 2010 Dodge Challenger on Bees Creek Road when the vehicle veered off of the left side of the roadway The accident remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol Sales tax numbers across Madison County cities are generally good but one community has been left scratching its head Ridgeland's sales tax diversions are in the tank Between October of 2024 and February of 2025 Ridgeland sales taxes are down more than 16% with no real explanation as to why including an increase of 2.35% for neighboring Madison and a decrease of 2.9% in nearby Gluckstadt The Ridgeland numbers fly in the face of all of the economic development that is going on in the town of around 24,000 between Madison and Jackson along Interstate 55 Ridgeland is generally held up as one of the economic development models of Mississippi with a progressive-thinking administration that stays ahead of trends "The revenue the City of Ridgeland receives from sales tax diversion is down 16% to date $1.4M less than received last year from October to February the amount received for February 2025 was only $50K less than what was received for February 2024," said Paula Tierce director of finance and city clerk for the City of Ridgeland "There is nothing that we can pinpoint to contribute to the decline in sales tax revenue She said the speculation is that the decline is due to inflation and people not spending as freely as they did in 2024 and ALDI is expected to open in July; both of these operations will enhance the stability of the sales tax revenue for the City of Ridgeland," Peirce said "Sales tax is just only one source of revenue for the City of Ridgeland The City of Ridgeland is seeing growth in its ad valorem revenue and anticipates much more growth in the near future with the AWS project We have a significant fund balance to help stabilize our finances through the typical ups and downs of sales tax collections month to month and year to year." Occupancy rates at the Renaissance at Colony Park, despite one of the larger restaurants having closed in September of 2024 occupancy has increased in the last 18 months Ridgeland officials said they are not worried at the moment but are keeping their eyes open as time moves forward 2024) – A Beaufort man standing trial for the rape of an acquaintance’s girlfriend in her Paris Island Gateway home relented shortly after the victim testified Tuesday not only pleaded to the 2022 sexual assault and three other related offenses in Beaufort County but also to a 2016 homicide in Jasper County Darien entered an “Alford plea,” in which a defendant maintains his innocence but admits that the prosecution’s evidence would likely result in a guilty verdict if brought to trial “The victim in this sexual assault case endured hours of physical and psychological agony,” said Trasi Campbell of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and her actions were pivotal to Eric Darien’s arrest and conviction it also brought closure for another victim but I hope these pleas bring comfort and healing to all of the defendant’s victims.” Darien pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime and possession of a machine gun in connection to the sexual assault in June 2022 He also pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the 2016 shooting death of Davonte Freeman in downtown Ridgeland He received 20 years each for the sexual assault kidnapping and voluntary manslaughter charges He received 10 years for possession of a machine gun and five for possession during a violent crime The sentences are to be served concurrently Darien traveled with the victim and her boyfriend to Jacksonville and the victim’s boyfriend ordered her to drive Darien back to the Beaufort area in her car made numerous lewd and threatening statements to the woman He told her he had already killed someone and would kill her fearing Darien planned to take her to an unfamiliar place and harm her She agreed instead to let him wait at her home while he called a friend for a ride She went to the bathroom but only pretended to wash herself the woman considered running away but was fearful she would awaken her captor and that he would kill her she retrieved her phone from Darien’s pants and texted her mother landlord and boyfriend to tell them she had been raped and needed help The woman’s mother alerted authorities and at her daughter’s urging The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office arrived to find Darien still asleep which was modified so that it would fire automatically “This survivor is remarkable,” said 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone “She not only prevented the escalation of violence she took steps to preserve evidence that led to her attacker’s conviction.” Darien denied having intercourse with the woman but changed his story after a forensic nurse examiner at the Medical University of South Carolina recovered his semen from the woman’s body and the Beaufort County Sheriff’ Office forensics lab confirmed that it matched Darien’s DNA Darien then admitted to investigators he had sex with her but said it was consensual a claim undermined by the victim’s text messages Data extracted from the woman’s phone also corroborated details she provided to investigators regarding her whereabouts in the hours preceding the attack Campbell called nine witnesses during two days of testimony at the Beaufort County Courthouse Darien decided to change his plea after the victim left the stand and just before the lead investigator on the case was to testify He also decided to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Freeman’s 2016 death Darien and co-defendant Aneisha Young ambushed Freeman and a companion on Adams Street in Ridgeland Freeman was shot in the back of the head with a .22-caliber pistol a Jasper County jury found Young guilty of murder attempted murder and possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime Gibbons handed down Tuesday’s sentences against Darien Darien’s criminal history includes convictions for forgery and public disorderly conduct Campbell is a member of the Solicitor’s Office Career Criminal Unit which prosecutes the circuit’s most violent and habitual offenders That team has secured convictions against 499 of the 546 defendants it has prosecuted since its inception in 2009 The Solicitor’s Office also supports the 14th Circuit Victims Services Center where community partners provide critical services for victims of domestic violence child abuse and other crimes against vulnerable people even if they are not participating in the investigation or prosecution of a crime For assistance, call 843-790-6220 or email [email protected] 2 after a shooting at a local bar and grill in Ridgeland and the incident remained under investigation Feb Jasper County Coroner Jeremiah Vaigneur said Feb The shooting is under investigation by the Jasper County Sheriff's Office "The Jasper County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting that occurred at Tailgators in Ridgeland resulting in the death of one male victim," Jasper County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Christian Felt said Felt said the investigation is ongoing and there were no further details being released Thursday afternoon; however the sheriff's office would provide updates as more information becomes available The sheriff's office is asking that anyone with information about the incident contact Jasper County Dispatch at (843)726-7519 in Ridgeland and has been in operation for over ten years "We are heartbroken by the tragic incident that occurred in our parking lot last night resulting in the loss of a life," a Tailgators Bar and Grille online statement said their loved ones and all those affected by this tragedy We are working closely with the Jasper County Sheriff's Department as they conduct their investigation and remain committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement The safety and well-being of our patrons and community are our highest priority." The new City of Gluckstadt completed its first election Tuesday He is running unopposed but lauded public officials for the way they handled the city's first election "I want to commend our city hall staff and the Madison County Republican executive committee for running an excellent primary election," Morrison told the Clarion Ledger our community is much better when everyone is involved In all 268 votes or 12% of eligible voters turned out to elect the city's aldermen at large The following are the top vote getters with the top five being elected incumbent Chuck Gautier won the race for Ward 2 alderman The veteran alderman picked up 390 votes to just 117 for the challenger Pat Truesdale Voting at Ward 2 at the Old Town Wesley Church on Jackson Street was slow but steady all day Ward 2 was the only ward that had two individuals running for the Republican ticket for the June general election Gautier will now face off with Walter Young Jr. Incumbent Mayor Gene F. McGee despite the mayor and all of the board of alderman being up for re-election is running unopposed for what will be her 12th consecutive term the entirety of the Board of Aldermen is running unopposed Hawkins Butler is the second longest-serving female mayor in the nation and began her first term as Madison Mayor in 1981 Basketball Phil Nelson and a defense that forced 34 turnover the Titans got past Olive Branch 79-53 to claim the MHSAA Boys Class 6A State Championship on Saturday night at the Mississippi Coliseum It’s Ridgeland’s (30-4) first state title in school history I told the guys we had to play with energy and our style of basketball and we did that,” said Ridgeland coach Terron McIntyre “Last year the taste of being here was bittersweet because I knew we had a chance of getting back this year the way we played last year The group last year started it by getting us here and this group got better and the culture started and now we can keep this thing going It’s bittersweet to beat the team that beat us last year The Titans held a 15-10 lead at the end of the first quarter The second quarter was back-and-forth that saw Ridgeland hold a 30-24 halftime lead In the third quarter Olive Branch began the quarter on a 13-7 run to tie the game up at 37-37 but Ridgeland answered with Nelson hitting a pair of free throws and a Josiah Davidson lay-up gave the Titans a 41-37 lead Ridgeland had 47-41 heading into the fourth quarter Midway through the fourth quarter Xavier Poplar for Olive Branch to cut the Ridgeland lead down to 53-49 but Ridgeland answered with a 20-2 run to take a 73-51 lead and seal the win “We can score the ball at any point and time I just wanted us to get stops on defense we can score enough points,” McIntyre said He’s the 6A player of the year and everybody else stepped up and make shots This team grew up and had a wheel to win.” Nelson finished with a game-high 26 points to lead Ridgeland and was named the game’s most valuable player while both Marquise Williams and Khameron Snow each chipped in 10 points for the Titans but it’s an amazing feeling to finally win Ridgeland’s first gold ball and I’m just excited to be a part of it,” Nelson said “After last season we said it was a revenge tour Just great group of guys on this team and we didn’t let the moment get too big Tommy Callicut had 14 points to lead Olive Branch while Poplar and King George each added 11 points for the Conquistadors (25-8) “Turnovers and missed opportunities were the key for us You’re not going to beat anybody with turning the ball over as many times as we did,” said Olive Branch coach Eric Rombaugh Hats off to Ridgeland they had a great game plan We were right there at the end but foul trouble got us and the wheels fell off.” Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription There a couple of things you need to know if you are planning to hit Topgolf after it opens on Dec Director of operations Jason Sartain gave the Clarion Ledger a quick tour and pointed some of the prime points of interest for the $26.2 million 12-acre facility that has been about three years in the making While Topgolf is the drawing card for the development off Interstate 55 in Ridgeland, northeast of the Renaissance at Colony Park, the project has grown to include a national grocery store chain, an entertainment venue, shopping and upscale living accommodations who is moving back to the area from Texas to run the Magnolia state's only Topgolf says he expects the first five or six weeks to be absolutely slammed packed if you want to set up a time to play between now and the end of January download the Topgolf app and go from there "There are two things I will suggest to folks," he said If you think you are going to be even a little late you need to give us a call and let us know New location: This iconic barbecue restaurant is opening second location in the Jackson area. See where Unlike others: New coffee shop promises to be unlike any other in Madison, part of larger development While the vast majority of people will be using one of the bays for their golf enjoyment there is also a $300,000 putt-putt course adjacent to the outdoor bar area it has "sand trap" areas of turf that are much deeper than the regular areas that make the course a little more difficult to play Sartain said that all 62 bays will be great to play from at Topgolf most believe have suggested they like playing off the second deck just because of the view that is involved bays 218 and 219 have gotten the most attention when folks have done a walk through but I think every bay is a good bay," Sartain said One reason is that the private rooms for parties and get togethers is one the first floor at either end of the facility "These are great places to enjoy Topgolf," he said "Great views with lots of entertainment options no matter where you are." Events are already scheduledBig events are scheduled and are coming in fast and furious "We already have events scheduled as far out as May and June," Sartain said One Jackson area high school has already scheduled an event that will happen after regular operating hours in late May at a cost of around $20,000 "We will have our regular hours of operation and then host that high school event after hours into the middle of the night." Topgolf will be open seven days a week in Ridgeland Scheduling can be done online or on the app about three weeks out at this time Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInHARDEEVILLE (WTOC) - In September of 2024 the Hardeeville Police Department said they responded to an armed robbery report in the area of Hummingbird Lane in Hardeeville police say they recovered video and forensic evidence Forensic evidence led to the identification of 18-year-old Javon Arkeem Mitchell of Ridgeland Police obtained arrest warrants this month related to this incident 15th Mitchell was arrested in Beaufort County and extradited to Jasper County Mitchell was charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime Ridgeland is headed back to the 6A state title game Behind a balanced offensive attack the Titans were able to outlast Pascagoula 70-60 in overtime in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Boys Class 6A basketball playoffs at Mississippi Coliseum on Thursday afternoon Ridgeland (29-4) will face Olive Branch for the Class 6A State Championship on Saturday night at 8 p.m It will be a rematch of last year’s 6A state title game that saw the Conquistadors beating the Titans 59-56 “That’s a tough team over there and we had to grind it out It was just back and forth and both from both teams but I knew we put in the work to be in this moment and we came out on top,” said Ridgeland coach Terron McIntyre “We played them earlier in the year and they got us We’ve been so close and to get here two years in a row is hard so to grind it out and get back to this point and playing the same team again I will take that.” Kelan Rich hit a lay-up with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter to tie the game 58-58 In overtime Ridgeland was able to outscore the Panthers 12-2 to seal the win all I said we need one score and one defensive stop and we would have a chance,” McIntyre said “At the end we got enough stops and made free throws down the stretch Olive Branch is the next opponent and they’re tough This is what the tournament is about the four best teams in 6A played today and us and Olive Branch are the last two standing.” Ashton Manuel had a game-high 21 points to lead Ridgeland Marquise Williams chipped in 15 points and Josiah Davidson had 13 points for the Titans “It was going to be tough game and we had to get every loose ball and rebound that we could get and we came out with a lot of energy and was able to close it out,” Nelson said “We got five guys that can score and we were able to find mismatches to score the ball It means a lot to get back to state championship game we fell short last season and glad to be back here.” Quey’sean Taylor had 20 points to lead Pascagoula while Blake Nettles added 19 points and Kelan Rich chipped in 13 points for the Panthers (26-4) “We did a great job guarding in the second half but Phil got going and we started keying on him and their other guys made shots,” said Pascagoula coach Lorenzo Wright “Free throws were the difference in the game because we didn’t do a good job of getting to the line enough.” Reece Garrison scored 15 points to lead the Conquistadors over the Tigers in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Class 6A playoffs while Tommy Callicut chipped in 10 points for Olive Branch (25-7) the defending MHSAA Class 6A state champions Ethan Long had a game-high 19 points to lead Hattiesburg and Tristen Keys chipped in 13 points for Tigers (23-9) For the second time in three years the Lady Mustangs are back in the 6A state title game as Jakera Ducksworth scored 19 points as they held on to beat the Lady Conquistadors in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Class 6A playoffs West Jones (27-4) will face Callaway for the Class 6A State Championship on Saturday at 6 p.m Lamirekal Russell added 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Lady Mustangs Vadaija Pimpton had 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Olive Branch while Caleigh Nix added 17 points for the Lady Quistors (23-9) Jahanna Wilson scored a game-high 20 points as the Lady Chargers held to beat the Lady Bulldogs in the Semifinal Round of the MHSAA Class 6A playoffs Jernae Ringgold added 12 points for Callaway (29-3) Madison Jones and Zion Nelson each had 13 points to lead Terry (20-8) Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription 2 fatal shooting at Tailgator's Bar and Grille in Ridgeland was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime was charged with accessory after the fact to a felony or murder "Deputies responded to the scene and discovered a male victim deceased upon arrival," Jasper County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Christian Felt said Jasper County Coroner Jeremiah Vaigneur recently said James Reynolds was identified as the person who died on the scene from gunshot wounds Felt said investigators were aided in the investigation by video footage from the location which played a crucial role in identifying those involved in the incident law enforcement arrested Curtis D'Rod Green in Beaufort," Felt said further evidence led to the arrest of Marquis Lenard Green The Jasper County Sheriff's Office wished to thank all of the agencies who assisted them in their investigations including the Hardeeville Police Department the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Fugitive Task Force Team The University of Mississippi Medical Center has officially expanded its operations with a new footprint in Madison County Officials with the state’s largest hospital system announced on Monday that the new Colony Park South location in Ridgeland has begun welcoming patients a total of 20 specialty clinics will be opening within the facility over the course of the next month and Rehabilitative Services will begin clinic appointments at the Ridgeland center this week with other specialties to follow in the coming weeks UMMC is looking to expand its patient care and academic programs “This expansion of our services will benefit all patients associate vice chancellor for health affairs We look forward to the opportunities this facility will bring to the communities we serve.” Pickup and drop-off on the Jackson campus will be located near the main hospital entrance at stop No 13 within close walking distance to the JTRAN bus stop Colony Park South hosts medical laboratory services and advanced imaging options Many of the clinics are relocating from the Pavilion at UMMC’s main campus in Jackson allowing for future renovations to enhance adult cancer care facilities “The occupational and physical therapy team from the Pavilion is excited about our move to a new expanded home at Colony Park South,” Sacha Macgown interim director of Rehabilitation Services “This new chapter allows us to deepen our commitment to our community offering even more comprehensive care and support on each patient’s journey to recovery Our new space offers state-of-the-art care in a beautiful setting.” Colony Park South will house several UMMC ambulatory clinics another phase of UMMC’s Madison County expansion JACKSON, Miss. — Entergy Mississippi is laying the groundwork for future power needs with early plans to build a new natural gas-fired power plant in Ridgeland — and the utility wants the community’s input company leaders introduced the proposed site on West County Line Road and discussed the potential benefits of the project local job creation and enhanced grid reliability The location is close to existing transmission infrastructure which officials say would reduce overall costs and improve efficiency The proposed facility would use advanced combined-cycle combustion turbine technology capable of generating more electricity from the same amount of natural gas Entergy leaders said this would lower long-term costs for customers while supporting increasing demand and planned generation retirements combined with upcoming power generation retirements is driving us to think ahead,” said Robbie Kemp we’re connecting with the community to ensure the project reflects their needs — including how the facility integrates into the surrounding area and minimizing visual impact.” The power plant is expected to bring in temporary construction jobs as well as permanent positions once operational emphasized the company’s commitment to safety and regulatory compliance “We understand that residents have concerns,” Vanderloo said “Our power generation fleet meets or exceeds EPA and MDEQ health standards and complies with noise ordinances In October, Entergy broke ground on a similar 754-megawatt facility in Greenville. The Delta Blues Advanced Power Station represents a $1.2 billion investment and will employ 21 full-time workers once operational Company officials said feedback from Friday’s meeting will help guide development of the Ridgeland plant Run4Jesus 5K to be held on Old MS River Bridge This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers said the department is working to identify a body discovered Monday at a local landfill Monday to the Little Dixie Landfill on North County Line Road in reference to a deceased individual found in the landfill by an employee of the business "Ridgeland PD detectives responded and processed the scene as thoroughly as possible," Myers said in a Tuesday press release Myers said the deceased "is described as a black male wearing a dark colored t-shirt bearing 'United States Postal Service' with logo in yellow on the front of the shirt." MS is a 'national failure' with guns: See why this report labeled Mississippi a 'national failure' among 50 states Anyone with information regarding the possible identity of this person can contact Ridgeland Police Department "No further information will be released until the individual is positively identified and next of kin is notified," Myers said You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience Warren Central tightened up just in time to knock the Titans down Hayes Loper hit a bases-clearing double to highlight a five-run rally in the sixth inning that gave Warren Central’s baseball team an 8-3 victory over the Ridgeland Titans on Tuesday Ridgeland tied the game 3-3 on Xavier Flagg’s RBI single in the top of the sixth Warren Central loaded the bases with no outs and scored the go-ahead run when Caden Cole was hit by a pitch Loper doubled to left field to clear the bases and put the Vikings ahead 7-3 Loper scored an insurance run on a sacrifice fly by Maddox Lynch and he finished the game 2-for-4 with three RBIs and Jacob Kealhofer was 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored Nathaniel Moore pitched five innings of relief to get the win The win put the Vikings in sole possession of first place in MHSAA Region 2-6A and gave them a clear path to their second straight region championship Ridgeland would need to beat Warren Central (12-9 5-0) by at least six runs to win a head-to-head tiebreaker WC would also need to lose one of its two games against Vicksburg next week to open the door for Ridgeland to win the title outright Neshoba Central scored multiple runs in every inning and finished it in four via the mercy rule Mickell Jones singled with two outs in the fourth inning for Vicksburg’s only hit run-rule shortened perfect game for Prairie View PCA and Prairie View will play again Thursday at 6 p.m Tallulah Academy and WCCA will play a doubleheader Friday at 4 p.m Brody Benton also had three RBIs for Briarfield and Trey Neathery was 1-for-1 with two RBIs and two runs scored Thornton and Davis Holt combined on a three-inning Holt had six strikeouts in two innings and Thornton pitched one scoreless inning Evans and Akeem Wells also had two RBIs each at the plate but generated plenty of offense with 10 walks and three hit batters Terrance Evans walked twice and scored three runs Two games on the Monday college basketball schedule feature a ranked team including the matchup between the Wake… The Tampa Bay Lightning versus the Florida Panthers is one of many solid options on today’s NHL slate.… The Southern Jaguars versus the Florida A&M Rattlers is one of many compelling options on Monday in SWAC… Ranked squads will be on Monday’s college basketball schedule in two games including the Kansas Jayhawks taking on… Austin Lumberjacks square off in one of many compelling matchups on the… Are you concerned about the Mississippi River exceeding flood stage View Results RIDGELAND — Phil Nelson wasn't hesitant to admit the pain following the 2023-24 season after Ridgeland basketball's 59-56 loss to Olive Branch in the MHSAA Class 6A championship game knowing he had one more season in a Titan uniform and his team could reach a state final — even if no one outside the locker room had faith "It was tough, real tough," the 6-foot-1 senior guard said we just wanted to do the same things plus doing extra and more because we fell short." with Ridgeland boys basketball coach Terron McIntyre the sentiment that last season's heartbreak could be the fuel that to gets them over the hump this season we were so close to being a state champion," McIntyre said which would have claimed Ridgeland's first title in program history McIntyre knew a target was on their backs as one of the top teams in Class 6A "He's the toughness that we have and everybody falls behind him it's a pleasure to coach a kid like that." Nelson is averaging 21 points and 6.5 rebounds through 24 games as Ridgeland (21-4) faces Warren Central (5-11) at 7:30 p.m he just continues to draw good sets and good plays for me to get open and get easy buckets." Nelson, the recent Itawamba Community College commit, was selected for the Mississippi-Alabama game and was a 2024-25 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen selection "I'm proud of him," junior guard Khameron Snow said "He's one of the biggest leaders and the biggest scorers on our team Nelson knew he would have to take on a leadership role entering the season as one of four seniors on the team and the only senior in the starting five he credits his team around him with being willing to compete and understand the game just as much as he does MORE: There's a new No. 1 in latest Mississippi boys basketball Super 25 rankings after Germantown falls McIntyre knew he had to take a chance with his offensive scheme coupled with the tallest returning players no bigger than 6-foot-4 "You kind of adjust to whatever the player personnel that you have this year," McIntyre said agrees the pace Ridgeland plays is intense but is necessary for rebounds because any little thing can miss the rotation." Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.