Magee Courier-Simpson County News

10/18/2026

SIMPSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE INVESTIGATING MULTIPLE OVERNIGHT SHOOTINGS; PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REQUESTED

October 18, 2026 — The Simpson County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating two separate, consecutive shooting incidents that occurred during the late-night hours of Saturday, October 17, and the early morning hours of Sunday, October 18, 2026.
At approximately 1:20 a.m. Sunday, E911 received a report of an occupied home and vehicles damaged by gunfire with no injuries, followed shortly by a second shooting on Simpson Highway 149 near the Boswell Regional Center where two gunshot victims were privately transported to the hospital and 23-year-old Landon Smith was found deceased from a gunshot wound in a vehicle backseat. Investigators worked through the night processing scenes and interviewing witnesses.
The Simpson County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information to contact local law enforcement:

• Simpson County Sheriff's Office: 601-847-2921
• Magee Police Department: 601-849-2366
• Mendenhall Police Department: 601-847-2641
• Central Mississippi Crime Stoppers: 601-355-TIPS (8477)

Further updates will be released as details become available.

10/17/2026

Magee Wins!!
Magee 29
Raleigh 7

10/17/2026

Touchdown Trojans!
Trojans take a 15-7 lead over Raleigh into halftime

10/16/2026

🚨🔥 MENDENHALL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT – IMPORTANT FIRE SAFETY WARNING 🔥🚨

🚒 SIMPSON COUNTY IS UNDER A COUNTY-WIDE BURN BAN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE! 🚒

Folks, we cannot stress this enough. THE CONDITIONS ARE DANGEROUS, AND IT DOES NOT TAKE MUCH TO START A WILDFIRE!

With extremely dry vegetation, low humidity, and wind gusts forecasted to reach 30 MPH, one careless spark can turn into a fast-moving wildfire before firefighters can even arrive.

Our volunteer firefighters, along with departments across Simpson County, are doing everything we can to protect our communities. But we need YOUR help!

⚠️ IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT BURNING BRUSH!

There are several everyday activities that can start a wildfire in these conditions:

🚬 Ci******es: Never throw cigarette butts out of your vehicle.

⛓️ Trailer Chains: Make sure your safety chains aren’t dragging and throwing sparks.

🚜 Tractors & Bush Hogs: Striking rocks, metal, or other objects can create sparks that ignite dry grass.

🚗 Vehicles: Hot exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Be careful where you park and drive.

🔥 Brush & Trash Burning: Do NOT burn leaves, brush, trash, or debris.

⚡ Power Lines: Downed lines and damaged electrical equipment can quickly start fires.

🛠️ Welding & Grinding: A single spark can ignite surrounding vegetation.

🏕️ Fire Pits & Campfires: Avoid recreational fires and open flames.

🗑️ Hot Ashes: Charcoal and ashes can remain hot enough to start a fire long after you think they’re out.

🕒 “WHAT IF I BURN EARLY IN THE MORNING OR LATE AT NIGHT?”

NO! THERE IS NO SAFE TIME TO BURN RIGHT NOW!

Just because the wind dies down or the temperature drops doesn’t mean the danger goes away.

The burn ban is in effect 24 HOURS A DAY, subject to the official order’s restrictions and exceptions.

🚒 A MESSAGE FROM YOUR MENDENHALL VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

We want everyone to understand something.

When that pager goes off, our firefighters leave their families, jobs, supper tables, and warm beds to answer the call.

We’re volunteers. We’re your neighbors, friends, coworkers, and family members. We don’t have unlimited manpower, trucks, or resources. And when multiple fires break out across the county, those resources get stretched dangerously thin.

Every preventable fire puts firefighters at risk and takes equipment and personnel away from another emergency where someone’s life may depend on us.

We cover our communities because we love them, and we’ll continue answering the call. But the best wildfire is the one we never have to fight.

🏠 Think about your neighbors.
🐄 Think about the livestock and property that could be lost.
🚒 Think about the firefighters who will be called to protect it.
❤️ Most importantly, think about the lives that could be changed forever.

🚨 IF YOU SEE SMOKE OR FIRE, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY! Don’t assume someone else has already called.

🔥 NO BURNING. NO EXCUSES. NO FIRE IS WORTH SOMEONE’S LIFE. 🔥

Mendenhall Volunteer Fire Department
🚒 PLEASE SHARE THIS POST! Help us get the word out before the next fire starts.

10/14/2026

An editorial opinion of The Greenwood Commonwealth: Elections always bring the malady of short-sightedness, such as politicians supporting proposals to reduce or suspend fuel taxes, even if that means slowing down much-needed road and bridge construction and repairs.

10/12/2026

A 60-year-old resident of a transitional facility in Simpson County died at a hospital after being severely beaten Saturday night, Oct. 10, and a suspect has been charged with murder, according to Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins.

Authorities identified the victim as Jerry Michael Lee and the suspect as Travis Weatherspoon of Crawford Mississippi, who was taken into custody at New Way Transitional Facility No. 1, located at 1072 Simpson Highway 149, across from the Boswell campus. The facility, New Way Transitional Facility No. 1, is owned by New Way Mississippi Inc. and operates under a contract with the state Department of Corrections

According to Sheriff Mullins, Simpson County deputies responded to the facility after receiving a report of a fight in progress. Dispatchers advised that the suspect was refusing to get off the victim.

Weatherspoon was still assaulting the victim when deputies arrived. He was taken into custody after some struggle.

Lee had suffered severe injuries to his face and the back of his head, according to Mullins. Deputies observed blood on a nearby chair and on Weatherspoon’s knee.

The report stated that Weatherspoon continued acting aggressively toward law enforcement even after being taken into custody. He also made remarks about the devil and the world coming to an end.

Residents at the facility were unable to explain what led to the altercation.

Covington County Ambulance Service personnel arrived and assisted deputies in providing aid to Lee. Emergency personnel determined that AirCare was needed, and Lee was transported for medical treatment. He later died at a hospital, Mullins said.

Weatherspoon was subsequently charged with murder in connection with Lee’s death.

Weatherspoon had a list of previous criminal convictions, including co***ne possession in 2009, burglary in 2013 and second-degree arson in 2019. Weatherspoon was recently arrested by the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office in September for a disturbance at the facility. He served five days. The investigation into the fatal incident is ongoing.

10/12/2026

A 60-year-old resident of a transitional facility in Simpson County died at a hospital after being severely beaten Saturday night, Oct. 10, and a suspect has been charged with murder, according to Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins.
Authorities identified the victim as Jerry Michael Lee and the suspect as Travis Weatherspoon of Crawford Mississippi, who was taken into custody at New Way Transitional Facility No. 1, located at 1072 Simpson Highway 149, across from the Boswell campus.

A 60-year-old resident of a transitional facility in Simpson County died at a hospital after being severely beaten Saturday night, Oct. 10, and a suspect has been charged with murder, according to Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins. Authorities identified the victim as Jerry Michael Lee and the sus...

10/12/2026

🚨🔥 BURN BAN EFFECTIVE TOMORROW – SIMPSON COUNTY 🔥🚨

Effective Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Simpson County will be under a countywide burn ban.

🚫 ALL PROHIBITED OUTDOOR BURNING MUST STOP!

This includes burning leaves, brush, trash, debris, bonfires, campfires, and other open burning activities covered by the ban.

💰 VIOLATORS CAN FACE FINES!

Under Mississippi law, anyone knowingly and willfully violating a burn ban can face misdemeanor charges and fines ranging from $100 to $500.

⚠️ With extremely dry conditions and increased wildfire danger, a single spark can quickly become an uncontrollable fire.

Our volunteer fire departments are already stretched thin responding to emergencies throughout the county. Please do your part to protect our firefighters, neighbors, homes, and property.

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST! Help us spread the word BEFORE the burn ban takes effect tomorrow.

For official burn ban information:
https://www.mfc.ms.gov/burning-info/burn-bans/

Mendenhall Volunteer Fire Department

10/11/2026

Update: Madison has been found safe and returned to her family
🚨🚨🚨Missing Juvenile🚨🚨🚨

DATE: October 11, 2026
CONTACT: Simpson County Sheriff's Department (601-847-2921)
MISSING JUVENILE ALERT: LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKING PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE LOCATING 15-YEAR-OLD MADISON BRIDGES

MENDENHALL, MS – The Simpson County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public's assistance in locating a missing 15-year-old juvenile, Madison Bridges.
On Saturday, October 10th, 2026, at approximately 10:23 PM, deputies responded to a residence at 237 Big Hill Road regarding a missing juvenile report. Family members reported that Madison had left the residence with an unidentified individual in a white pickup truck.
Missing Juvenile Details:
• Name: Madison Bridges
• Age: 15 years old
• Physical Description: Light-skinned female, approximately 5'0" tall, weighing roughly 100 pounds.
• Hair: Long black hair with a black and blonde weave/wig.
• Last Seen Wearing: Gray jogger pants, a dark navy-blue sweatshirt, and Adidas shoes.
• Belongings: She was carrying a yellow backpack.
Suspect Vehicle Information:
Home surveillance footage captured Madison entering a late model white Ford pickup truck featuring dark-tinted windows. The operator and any additional occupants of the vehicle remain unidentified at this time.
A statewide Be on the Lookout (BOLO) alert has been officially issued, and agency investigators are actively pursuing leads.
Anyone with information regarding the current whereabouts of Madison Bridges, or anyone who recognizes the white Ford pickup truck pictured, is urged to immediately contact the Simpson County Sheriff's Office at 601-847-2921 or call 911.

10/10/2026

Cougars WIN!
FINAL SCORE

SCA- 10
Brookhaven Academy- 7