Sandersville

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Child Killed, Car Driver Critical Following Crash | Van hits 18 wheeler head-on in Jones County

A head-on crash between an eighteen wheeler tanker and a Chrysler Town & Country mini-van has left a female child passenger dead and the adult female driver of the van in extremely critical condition. Volunteer fire and rescue units from Sandersville and Rustin were dispatched to the call just before 2:00 p.m. with the wreck reported on Sandersville-Pleasant Grove Road near Jessie Byrd Road. A second alarm dispatched Powers Volunteer Fire & Rescue with Rescue 1 and Heavy Rescue. Upon arrival, emergency services units advised both victims in the van were trapped and extensive extrication efforts were undertaken usingthree full sets of hydraulic rescue tools.

Multiple units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department, EMServ Ambulance Service, Sandersville Police Department, Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna and Beat 3 Supervisor Barry Saul responded to the call. The adult female driver was extricated and driven by ambulance to a nearby landing zone in a field where an Air Care rescue helicopter landed. Rustin firefighters established and manned the landing zone during the air rescue helicopter’s landing and departure. The female child was declared deceased at the scene and firefighters worked diligently for nearly thirty minutes to extricate her body from the destroyed vehicle. The driver of the eighteen wheeler owned by T.K. Stanley was unhurt. The roadway was closed for over three hours as rescue, accident investigation and vehicle recovery operations proceeded. Seven rescue and fire apparatus along with nearly twenty volunteer firefighters from the three volunteer fire departments responded to the scene. Beat 3 units were called in to sand the roadway which was coated in vehicle fluids and fuel. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Jones County Sheriff’s Department. UPDATE: Additional responding agencies to the fatality crash in Sandersville today included:

District Attorney Investigator Wayne Black, Deputy Coroner Burl Hall, Jones County Fire Chaplain Drew Blanton

We understand that the adult female driver of the mini-van who was transported by Aircare rescue helicopter was sent to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.

Filed under: Breaking News, Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, EMServ Ambulance Service, fatality, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Sheriff's Department, Sandersville, Sandersville Police Department

Help Jones County VFD's

JONES COUNTY FIRE COUNCIL JOINS “POWER THOSE WHO PROTECT US” PROGRAM

TO BUILD GREATER AWARENESS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS NEEDS

Duracell and the National Volunteer Fire Council Launch Battery Donation Program Nationwide

The eighteen Jones County volunteer fire departments plus Ellisville Fire Department that are members of the Jones County Fire Council today joined forces with more than 23,000 other volunteer fire departments across the country in the Power Those Who Protect Us battery donation program created by Duracell, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council. The program helps build greater awareness around the challenges volunteer firefighters face on a daily basis and the need to help support them. Most fire departments in the U.S. are staffed by volunteer firefighters who rely on approximately 20 percent of their funding to come from local fundraising and donations.*

The Power Those Who Protect Us battery donation program lets consumers give back to local volunteer firefighters, like those in Jones County who devote countless hours of their free time to protecting our communities. When consumers purchase specially marked CopperTop battery packs, Duracell will make a battery donation to volunteer fire departments to help power communication devices and life-saving

equipment.  By going to www.duracell.com/protect, donations can also be earmarked to local departments by zip code.

“The majority of fire departments in the U.S. are being staffed by volunteer firefighters, many of which, like us, lack enough funding for basic equipment needs,” said Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna. “We’re asking everyone to help make a difference and purchase specially marked Duracell batteries so our stations can receive much needed support to power our communication devices. From personal alert system devices, thermal imaging cameras and personnel location equipment, to radios and flashlights – batteries help power these critical tools.”  For more information about Duracell’s Power Those Who Protect Us program, please visit www.duracell.com/protect.

Jones County volunteer  fire and rescue departments include:

District 1 – Calhoun, Hebron, Pleasant Ridge, Soso

District 2 – Shady Grove, Sharon

District 3 – Rustin, Sandersville

District 4 – Glade, M&M, Powers

District 5 – Johnson, Moselle, Ovett, Union

District 6 – Boggy, South Jones, Southwest Jones

Plus, Ellisville Fire Department which is a combination career and volunteer fire department

About Duracell’s Power Those Who Protect Us Program

Duracell’s Power Those Who Protect Us donation program lets consumers give back to the selfless heroes who devote their time to protect their communities. When a consumer purchases specially-marked CopperTop battery packs, Duracell, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council, will make a battery donation to volunteer fire departments to power communication devices and life-saving equipment.

About the National Volunteer Fire Council

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS , and rescue services. Organized in 1976, the NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer fire and emergency services in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Each state firefighter’s association elects a representative to the NVFC Board of Directors.

*Source: FEMA US Fire Administration 2005, Survey of the Needs of US Fire Service

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Duracell, Ellisville Fire Department, FEMA US Fire Administration, Fire station, Jones County, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Fire Council, National Volunteer Fire Council, Public safety, Sandersville, Sharon, Volunteer fire department

Car Collides With Train In Sandersville | Driver injured

A Nissan Altima driven by an adult female which was crossing the railroad crossing at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Road in Sandersville apparently didn’t see an oncoming Norfolk Southern freight train on Thursday night and was hit by the train’s engine.  The devastating crash spun the Altima around and tossed it off the tracks as the train conductor made an emergency stop.  Sandersville Volunteer Fire & Rescue was dispatched to the call at 11:53 p.m. and responded with Engine 1, Engine 2 and Rescue 1 under the command of Fire Chief John Bounds. Multiple units from the Sandersville Police Department under the command of Police Chief Tony Hosey, units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna also responded to the incident.

The driver of the vehicle was trapped briefly in her car before being extricated by emergency responders and transported by EMServ Ambulance Service to South Central Regional Medical Center for treatment of undisclosed injuries.  The Norfolk Southern freight train was pulling twenty-two freight cars headed north to Meridian when the accident occurred.  There were no reports of injuries to any of the train personnel and no damage to the train tracks reported.  An investigator from the Mississippi Department of Transportation Rails Division was also dispatched to the scene to conduct a post-crash investigation.  The crossing where the accident occurred was not equipped with crossing signal arms or other electronic warning devices.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, EMServ Ambulance Service, John Bounds, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Sheriff's Department, Mississippi Department of Transportation Rails Division, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Sandersville, Sandersville Police Department, South Central Regional Medical Center, Tony Hosey

Eight Escape Burning Home in Jones County

Heavy fire damage is visible at the home of Ali and Ashley Shelby on Gilmore Shelby Road.

A two alarm blaze at the home of Ali and Ashley Shelby on Gilmore Shelby Road off of Smith-Chapel Road in eastern Jones County destroyed much of the home on Sunday morning just after 8:30 a.m. as firefighters battled the raging fire being pushed by winds gusting to 30 miles per hour.  Mr. & Mrs. Shelby along with another adult and five children were asleep in the home when Mr. Shelby heard popping noises and discovered the home was burning in the attic space.  Flames were already through the roof as the occupants escaped the home through both doors and windows into the yard where they were met by bitterly cold temperatures.  Volunteer fire units from Powers, M&M, Glade, Sandersville and Rustin responded to the scene with Powers Asst. Chief Brent Broadway serving as Incident Commander.

“Flames were pouring from the roof upon our arrival,” noted Powers Asst. Chief Brent Broadway.  He adds, “Fortunately, all eight family members had escaped the burning home and we were able to focus our efforts on fire suppression instead of rescue.  However, the fire had

broken through the roof and the high winds were pushing the fire through the entire attic space.  We were able to save a lot of their personal belongings, but the home is deemed a total loss.”  A unit from EMServ Ambulance Service responded to the fire to check the occupants for any smoke inhalation injuries and the American Red Cross responded to assist the family with emergency needs.  Dixie Electric Power Association also responded to the scene to disconnect electrical power to the home.  Volunteer fire units were on the scene until just after 11:00 a.m. conducting fire suppression, overhaul and salvage operations.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Ali Shelby, Ashley Shelby, Brent Broadway, Disaster/Accident, Dixie Electric Power Association, EMServ Ambulance Service, Firefighter, Jones County, Sandersville

Massive Blaze Destroys Poultry House in Jones County

Firefighters work to cool exposed diesel fuel tanks at the scene of a massive poultry house fire on Jessie Byrd Road in the Rustin Community of Jones County.

A massive blaze on Saturday morning at 4:30 a.m. at 173 Jessie Byrd Road in the Rustin Community destroyed a poultry house and threatened another as volunteer firefighters from four departments battled the flames and below freezing temperatures.  The owner of the poultry farm, Cindy Bolivar, and her husband Stanley were awakened by two hunters who were passing by and saw the poultry house in flames and dialed 911 to report the fire.  Volunteer fire and rescue units from Rustin and Sandersville responded on the first alarm and arrived to find the first poultry house engulfed in fire with flames threatening a large commercial propane tank and two large diesel fuel tanks in addition to another nearby poultry house.  A second alarm was dispatched requesting both M&M and Powers Volunteer Fire & Rescue to respond to the scene as well.

Firefighters instituted fire suppression efforts with initial concentration on cooling the propane and diesel tanks to prevent the potential for an explosion.  Five fire engines, three tankers, a rescue unit, Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna and a unit from Dixie Electric Power Association responded to the blaze.  Mr. Bolivar reported that both poultry houses had chickens picked up about a week ago and that both houses were in the process of being cleaned and readied for the next batch of chickens.  The Bolivar’s raise poultry for Sanderson Farms and damage to the farm is estimated to exceed $300,000.  Firefighters were on the scene for over three hours conducting fire suppression and overhaul operations.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Cindy Bolivar, Dan McKenna, Firefighting, Jones County, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Sandersville, Volunteer fire department

Rollover Wreck On Poole Creek Road Jones County

Volunteer fire units from Rustin and Sandersville were dispatched at 10:49 a.m. on Monday to a report of a one vehicle rollover accident on Poole Creek Road in the Rustin Community.

According to reports from the scene, an adult female driver of a Nissan Maxima lost control of her vehicle after another vehicle crossed into her lane and she left the roadway and the Maxima flipped over onto its side.  The driver was evaluated at the scene by medics from EMServ Ambulance Service but declined transport to the hospital by ambulance.  Units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the crash scene.

Rustin Fire Chief Bob Cranford served as Incident Commander during the fire department response to the incident.

Filed under: Jones County, Bob Cranford, Disaster/Accident, EMServ Ambulance Service, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Rustin, Sandersville

Jones County Baptist Association Resolution in Opposition to Casino Gambling

Jones County Baptist Association Adopts Resolution in Opposition to Casino Gambling

Whereas, gambling is built on a system that appeals to personal greed, that fosters deceit, that exploits those most vulnerable and at risk, particularly children and the poor, and

Whereas, gambling violates the 10th commandment against coveting and the biblical work ethic by encouraging individuals to think they can get something for nothing, thus minimizing personal initiative and responsibility, and

Whereas, gambling contributes to family instability, to economic hardship, and to increased crime rates in communities where gambling facilities are located, and

Whereas, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians are involved in construction of a casino in Jones County.

Be it therefore resolved,  that messengers of churches affiliated with the Jones County Baptist Association, meeting at Bethlehem Baptist Church on October 4, 2010, call on its member churches to actively oppose efforts to establish casino gambling in Jones County, and

Be it further resolved, that we acknowledge the sovereign status of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and affirm our desire to see the Choctaw people prosper through any and all legitimate and honorable options to casino gambling, and

Be it finally resolved, that we offer support and cooperation to fellow Christian believers in the Bogue Homa community as we seek to work together in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Southern Baptist Churches Opposed to Casino

Bethel     Pleasant Home

Bethlehem    New Hope

County Line    Open Door

Ellisville First Baptist   Ovett First Baptist

Emmanuel    Park Haven

Fairfield    Pineview

Faith     Salem Heights

Friendship    Sandersville

Glade     Shelton

Grace     Soso First Baptist

Heritage Heights   Sumerland

Highland    Tuckers Crossing

Indian Springs    West Ellisville

Journey    Plainway

Laurel First Baptist   Myrick First Baptist

Moselle Memorial

For more information contact: Rev Cary Kimbrell 601-498-8830

or Rev John Bryant 601-580-6452

Filed under: Church, Ellisville, Jones County, Laurel, Ellisville, Jones County Baptist Association, laurel, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Sandersville, Southern Baptist Convention

Flash Flood Warning until 7:45pm; Forrest and Jones Counties

The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for…
northern Forrest County in southeast Mississippi…
this includes the cities of… Petal… Hattiesburg…
Jones County in southeast Mississippi…
this includes the cities of… Laurel… Ellisville…

* until 745 PM CDT

* at 539 PM CDT… National Weather Service Doppler radar detected
thunderstorms producing very heavy rain near Stringer… moving
southeast at 15 mph. Estimated radar rainfall amounts… on the
order of one to three inches… have occurred in the past hour.

* Other locations in the warning include but are not limited to
Moss… Sandersville… Tuckers Crossing… Moselle… Eastabuchie…
Rawls Springs… Ovett… Macedonia… sunrise and McLaurin

Very heavy rainfall will continue over the warned area for the next
two hours with an additional two to four inches possible.

Filed under: Ellisville, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Jones County, Laurel, Weather, Eastabuchie Mississippi, Ellisville, Flash flood warning, Flood, forrest county, Forrest County Mississippi, Hattiesburg Mississippi, Jasper County, Jones County, Jones County Mississippi, Lamar County Mississippi, Laurel micropolitan area, mississippi, National Weather Service, Natural Disaster, Republic of Macedonia, Sandersville, Smith County, Stringer, Weather