Isaias warnings and shelters lead Mississippi rundown; JUCO teams post key wins
Coastal warnings, reported shelter openings and travel restrictions shaped Mississippi’s Friday coverage of Hurricane Isaias. In other news, Gautier police asked for help finding a missing teenager and a Tupelo man pleaded guilty in a three-death case. Thursday’s junior-college football results and a Jackson State soccer rally lead the sports report.
Friday, October 9, 2026. This rundown covers articles originally published after 4:45 p.m. CDT Thursday through 4:45 p.m. CDT Friday.
Featured graphic: NOAA/NWS flash-flood outlook shared by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. The map was issued at 3:42 a.m. CDT Friday and is a time-stamped forecast, not a live conditions map.
Mississippi News
Coastal warnings, shelters and service changes
A Friday MS News Group hurricane report described a hurricane warning from Ocean Springs eastward to Florida’s Bay-Gulf county line and a storm-surge warning from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Florida’s Suwannee River. Its reported surge ranges were 3 to 5 feet from the river mouth to Dauphin Island, Alabama, and 5 to 7 feet from there to Indian Pass, Florida; the deepest water would depend on local wind, coastline and waves. A separate report citing Mississippi emergency managers warned of heavy rain, gusty winds and surge along the Coast.
The Friday reports differ on the storm’s strength and landfall timing. This rundown therefore does not treat either figure as a live update. Residents should follow current local emergency directions as conditions change.
County officials reported locally operated shelters and safe rooms open in several coastal counties, according to MS News Group’s shelter list. It includes sites in Gulfport, Lucedale, Perkinston, Jackson County, Poplarville and Picayune, with full addresses in the linked report. Anyone planning to travel should confirm that a location is still operating and heed local instructions.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation’s drawbridge notice said gate arms on I-110 and state routes 605 and 609 would be removed beginning at 10 a.m. Friday; after that, the bridges would be locked against marine traffic until the storm passed. Gautier also closed municipal offices Friday, including City Hall, police records, courts, utilities, parks and recreation. Emergency police and fire services remained operational, and regular office operations were expected Monday if conditions permitted.
Gautier police seek missing teenager
Gautier police asked the public for help finding Colten Potter, 16, who they said was last seen around noon Wednesday leaving the Bayou Oaks Street area. The department described him as wearing a light blue long-sleeve shirt and black shorts. The report lists further identifying details and asks anyone with information to call Gautier Police Dispatch at 228-497-2486; emergencies should go to 911. The notice reflects the police report published Friday, and the linked article should be checked for any later update.
Tupelo man pleads guilty in three-death case
Jaylen Wells, 22, pleaded guilty to three manslaughter charges in the deaths of Norahs Coleman, Jessica Pannell and Robben Wilson, Tupelo police said. The victims were killed at a social gathering in July 2021. A judge sentenced Wells to 31 years in state custody, with another 29 years suspended, according to the report. Police said Wells was the fourth defendant to plead guilty in the case; his trial had been scheduled for later this month.
Mississippi Sports
Northwest wins fourth straight, stays tied atop division
No. 6 Northwest Mississippi beat Holmes 41-26 on the road Thursday, its fourth consecutive victory. Northwest improved to 5-2 overall and 4-0 in the MACCC North Division, where it remained tied for the lead. The team recorded 10 sacks against Holmes, which fell to 1-6 overall and 1-2 in the division, according to the sister-site report.
Hinds wins big; Itawamba edges Jones
Hinds defeated Pearl River 56-20 Thursday night in Poplarville, improving to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the MACCC South Division. Sports Mississippi attributed the road win to a fast offensive start and strong defense but did not provide individual statistics. In another Thursday matchup, No. 8 Itawamba held off Jones College 24-21 in Fulton. The Jones report noted that the Bobcats have faced three top-10 NJCAA opponents this season; it supplied no play-by-play account of the finish.
Ole Miss and Jackson State head into Saturday road games
No. 9 Ole Miss is scheduled to play Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, with kickoff listed for 2:30 p.m. Central. No. 22 Jackson State travels to Grambling State for its second consecutive week of Southwestern Athletic Conference play. The sister-site preview did not list a kickoff time for the Tigers, and storm-related conditions make a fresh schedule check prudent before travel.
Jackson State rallies; Alcorn posts shutout
Jackson State women’s soccer scored twice after halftime to beat Grambling State 2-1 Thursday evening in Ruston, Louisiana. In another SWAC result, Alcorn State defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 17-0 Thursday afternoon in Vicksburg. The Alcorn report put the Lady Braves at 4-4-3 overall and 1-0-2 in conference play; it did not provide individual scoring details.
