Mississippi roundup: Greenville outages, disaster center closings and ranked football showdown

Greenville's mayor is demanding answers after a second major Optimum service outage in a week, while disaster service centers in three coastal counties prepare to close. A free overdose response training is coming to Oxford, and Lowndes County has launched a daily check-in service. In sports, Mississippi State is preparing for a ranked SEC matchup with Alabama, and two Mississippi community college programs reached national poll milestones.

This Sept. 29 edition covers articles first published in the 24 hours ending at 4:45 p.m. Central Tuesday. Times and status details below reflect what those reports established by that cutoff.

Mississippi News

Greenville mayor demands action on repeated communications outages

Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons said the city experienced its second major Optimum outage in a week and called on the provider to explain the cause and steps to prevent another disruption. In a statement reported by MSNewsGroup, Simmons said dependable internet and telephone service matters to city government, schools, businesses, hospitals, public safety and residents. He asked Optimum to describe its backup plans and offer affected customers appropriate credits or other relief. The report records the mayor's demands; it does not establish the technical cause, the number of customers affected or whether service has since been restored.

Oxford agencies schedule free Narcan training

The Oxford Police Department, Lafayette County Sheriff's Office, Ole Miss Police and Communicare MS plan a free community Narcan training from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Oxford Police Department training room, 9 Industrial Park Drive. The announcement says attendees will receive Narcan, registration is unnecessary and the event is open to everyone. The agencies framed the session as a way to provide tools that can save lives. Their announcement also referred to the deaths of two students in the community this week, but did not state a cause; this report does not attribute those deaths to an overdose.

Three coastal disaster service centers near closing dates

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says Disaster Service Centers in Harrison, Pearl River and Stone counties are scheduled to close this week. The Harrison County center is due to close Friday, Oct. 2; the Pearl River and Stone centers are due to close Saturday, Oct. 3, according to MSNewsGroup's report. Residents who need in-person help should check the center's operating details before traveling. The report announces center closing dates; it does not say that every form of disaster assistance ends when the centers close.

Lowndes County starts daily wellness check service

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office has introduced ConfirmOK, an automated daily phone or text check-in for county residents who could benefit from regular contact. Participants confirm they are OK by answering a call and pressing 1. If they do not respond after the configured attempts, the service can notify a family member, caregiver or other designated contact, depending on how it is set up. The sheriff's office announcement says the service uses an existing phone rather than a pendant or other device. County residents can begin registration through the ConfirmOK link in the sheriff's office app. The announcement describes a check-in and alert service, not a substitute for emergency care.

Gautier police seek missing 17-year-old

Gautier police asked for help locating Kalashia Stewart, 17, who was last seen about 4:30 p.m. Sunday after leaving the Martin Bluff Road area. The department's notice described her as wearing a black hoodie, black biker shorts and black New Balance shoes, and asked anyone with information to contact its Criminal Investigations Division at 228-497-2486. This summarizes the notice published within the reporting window; the source did not provide an account of why she was missing or a later outcome.

Mississippi Sports

Mississippi State and Alabama prepare for ranked SEC game

No. 16 Mississippi State is set to host No. 7 Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 3, in a matchup that will also bring SEC Nation back to Starkville. Sports Mississippi's game preview reported that coach Jeff Lebby and players discussed preparations Monday. A separate sister-site report says SEC Nation will broadcast from the Junction from 8 to 11 a.m. Central Saturday. The show is an additional sign of attention on the game, while the football result remains ahead. These reports describe one matchup, summarized here once.

Northwest volleyball earns first national Top 25 ranking

Northwest Mississippi Community College's volleyball team entered the NJCAA Division II Top 25 at No. 23, the program's first appearance since it began in 2020. The Rangers were 23-0 when the rankings were released Tuesday, according to Sports Mississippi's report. The report says three Mississippi teams are now ranked, another statewide milestone. Northwest's recent win over Pearl River is part of that run, but the ranking itself is the new development. East Central is next on the home schedule Wednesday, followed by stronger tests at the Alabama Gulf Coast Classic.

Jones College women's soccer takes No. 1 spot

Jones College women's soccer moved to No. 1 in the NJCAA Division II poll released Tuesday. Sports Mississippi says it is only the second time the Bobcats have held the top spot, after an earlier turn in October 2023. The report points to wins against several nationally ranked opponents and six shutouts as signs of the team's strength. Upcoming matches against Holmes, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Pearl River will test that ranking. Other same-day coverage gave inconsistent season records, so this rundown does not state one.

Southern Miss sets basketball slate with in-state matchups

Southern Miss released its 2026-27 men's basketball nonconference schedule, which includes a Nov. 13 home game against Jackson State and a Dec. 22 neutral-site meeting with Ole Miss at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The Golden Eagles are scheduled to open the regular season against Tougaloo on Nov. 2 and visit Iowa State four days later, according to Sports Mississippi's schedule report. Those dates give fans three Mississippi opponents and an early national road test to mark, while the season's outcomes remain to be decided.

Southern Miss football looks toward Sun Belt opener

Southern Miss coach Blake Anderson discussed the team's preparation for its Oct. 6 trip to Troy, the Golden Eagles' Sun Belt opener. Southern Miss stood at 1-3 and was seeking to end a three-game losing streak when Sports Mississippi reported on Tuesday's news conference. Anderson described progress in effort and defense while acknowledging the need for better results. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Troy, with ESPN2 coverage. His comments provide a current view of the program before conference play, not a prediction of how the opener will go.

Featured image: City of Greenville statement graphic about repeated Optimum outages. Credit: City of Greenville, Mississippi – Government.