Mississippi News
Jackson water outage forces cancer patients to evacuate
Jackson water outage forces cancer patients to evacuate the city
After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Jackson to shut down in 2020, officials with the nonprofit were excited to reopen earlier this year.
They planned a celebratory grand reopening ceremony to be held Thursday to help get the word out that cancer patients and their caregivers who live more than 40 miles outside Jackson could once again stay at the lodge, free of charge, while undergoing their treatment at several of the city’s hospitals.
But on Monday, three days before the Thursday ceremony, 11 cancer patients and their caregivers staying at the lodge were forced to evacuate Jackson when the capital city’s water system began failing.
The American Cancer Society is footing the bill for their hotel rooms outside of Jackson.
“We don’t want patients to have to delay their treatment just because we’ve got water problems in Jackson,” said Letitia Thompson, vice president of regional cancer support for the American Cancer Society. “So we’ve been able to find and pay for them to stay in area hotels.”
Patients also have access to a van to transport them to and from their treatment.
Thompson said the lodge, which first opened in 2019, is experiencing fluctuations in water pressure that have created plumbing issues. Patients and their caregivers continue to be housed at the suburban hotel, and Thompson said they will not be brought back to the lodge until it’s had a week of reliable water pressure.
“(The water pressure) comes and goes … Certainly the American Cancer Society works hard to be good stewards of the dollars people give us, but we can’t put cancer patients at risk. We don’t want cancer patients to wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to flush the toilet,” she said.
The lodge accommodates patients who are getting treatment at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, St. Dominic Memorial Hospital, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center and other treatment centers in Jackson. A patient must first receive a referral from a treatment facility to begin the process of using the lodge.
Thompson also said the organization is working to offer its services to cancer patients who live in the Jackson area as well.
“We want to be there for cancer patients who are dealing with this water shortage who live here in Jackson,” said Thompson. “We’re working to set up a system to take referrals and requests for cancer patients who might need hotel rooms for whatever time they need it … We want to eliminate as many barriers for treatment as we can.”
For more information from the American Cancer Society, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
READ MORE: Answers to commonly asked questions about the Jackson water crisis
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing is charged with murder as prosecutor says DNA found on rifle trigger
SUMMARY: Tyler Robinson, 22, was charged with the murder of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, shot Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. Robinson confessed via text to his partner and left a note expressing intent to kill Kirk, citing hatred. DNA linked Robinson to the rifle used. Prosecutors revealed Robinson planned the attack for over a week and targeted Kirk, a key conservative youth leader. Robinson’s political views shifted after dating a transgender man, causing family tensions. After the shooting, Robinson discarded evidence and urged his partner to delete texts. FBI investigates possible wider connections. Charges include murder with potential death penalty enhancements.
Read the full article
The post Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing is charged with murder as prosecutor says DNA found on rifle trigger appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination believed to have acted alone, says Utah governor
SUMMARY: Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested for the targeted assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Orem, Utah. Authorities said Robinson had expressed opposition to Kirk’s views and indicated responsibility after the shooting. The attack occurred during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was shot once from a rooftop and later died in hospital. Engravings on bullets and chat messages helped link Robinson to the crime, which was captured on grim video. The killing sparked bipartisan condemnation amid rising political violence. President Trump announced Robinson’s arrest and plans to award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The post Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination believed to have acted alone, says Utah governor appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies
SUMMARY: On the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, solemn ceremonies were held in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville to honor nearly 3,000 victims. Families shared personal remembrances, emphasizing ongoing grief and the importance of remembrance. Vice President JD Vance postponed his attendance to visit a recently assassinated activist’s family, adding tension to the day. President Trump spoke at the Pentagon, pledging never to forget and awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. The attacks’ global impact reshaped U.S. policy, leading to wars and extensive health care costs for victims. Efforts continue to finalize legal proceedings against the alleged plot mastermind.
The post Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies appeared first on www.wcbi.com
-
News from the South - Alabama News Feed7 days ago
Zaxby's Player of the Week: Dylan Jackson, Vigor WR
-
News from the South - North Carolina News Feed5 days ago
What we know about Charlie Kirk shooting suspect, how he was caught
-
Local News7 days ago
US stocks inch to more records as inflation slows and Oracle soars
-
Local News6 days ago
Russian drone incursion in Poland prompts NATO leaders to take stock of bigger threats
-
News from the South - North Carolina News Feed6 days ago
Federal hate crime charge sought in Charlotte stabbing | North Carolina
-
Local News Video6 days ago
Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, St. Patrick’s Parker Talley!
-
The Center Square6 days ago
Weapon recovered as manhunt continues in Kirk assassination investigation | National
-
News from the South - Arkansas News Feed5 days ago
NW Arkansas Championship expected to bring money to Rogers