Operation Christmas Child
Featured, Local News

Local churches take part in ‘Operation Christmas Child”

West Jackson Street Baptist Church sends its shoe boxes to a children's home in Mexico
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Churches across our area are busy packing shoeboxes full of Christmas gifts for children around the world. At Tupelo’s West Jackson Street Baptist Church, a “packing party” was held Wednesday night. Shoe boxes full of Christmas gifts were packed and prepared to be shipped out.  It’s part of a ministry known as “Operation Christmas Child.” The…

Hairdresser 110521
Featured, Local News

Hairstylist helps longtime co-worker and friend who faced unexpected illness

Melanie Payne Ware is making sure her co- worker has income coming in during illness
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo hairstylist is coming to the aid of a co-worker who was recently hospitalized after a sudden illness and has no medical insurance. Although Paula Morrow is a longtime client at Holly Hills Salon, this is the first time she has seen Melanie Payne Ware for hair coloring. Morrow is a regular client of Tina…

Hosemann 110521
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Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann says action needed to expedite autopsies at state crime lab

The lieutenant governor says he is working on a solution to the backlog at state crime lab
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann says action needs to be taken now to free up the backlog of autopsies at the state crime lab. The lieutenant governor said he talked this week with Commissioner of Public Safety Sean Tindell, offering to get more private practices to be able to do autopsies. Hosemann says the backlog means criminal…

Guyton Retires 110421
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Dick Guyton to retire as executive director of Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation

Guyton says it's time to let someone else oversee the foundation, birthplace and museum
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The longtime executive director of the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation is retiring. Dick Guyton announced that he will retire on January 8th, which would have been Elvis’ 87th birthday. Guyton has served as executive director of the Memorial Foundation and the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum since 2002. Guyton is 82 and says it’s time to…

Hosemann Speaks 110421
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Lt. Gov. Hosemann says lawmakers will have a medical marijuana bill in regular session

The lieutenant governor said the bill is complete
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann says he believes lawmakers will deal with medical marijuana during the regular legislative session. Hosemann says lawmakers have completed most of the work on a medical marijuana bill. The lieutenant governor says the bill will allow medical marijuana and not the recreational use of the drug. “I think it’s one of…

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Secretary of State touts importance of local elections

Secretary of State Michael Watson tours voting precincts on election day
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi’s Secretary of State says it’s important for people to vote in their local elections, even though there are no state or national races on the ballots. Michael Watson was in Tupelo at the Bissell precinct this morning, to observe voting at the West Tupelo polling place. The secretary of state visited with election workers and…

Iah Arcade 11221
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Students at IAC rewarded for perfect attendance, positive behavior

Students who meet goals get a trip to the "I Zone"
Allie Martin,

FULTON, Miss. (WCBI) – Students at an area school are learning that hard work and good behavior pays. For the month of October, students at Itawamba Attendance Center were given a challenge. “We did perfect attendance, plus you couldn’t have any office, discipline referrals.  So you had to be pretty good, well behaved and you had to be here every…

Coroner Election
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Coroner’s race is on the ballot for Chickasaw County voters Tuesday

The special election was called when longtime Coroner Michael Fowler resigned
Allie Martin,

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Voters in Chickasaw County will cast ballots on Tuesday in the race for coroner.  The special election was called when longtime coroner Michael Fowler resigned. Interim County Coroner Larry Harris,  Funeral Director Whitney Lancaster, and former coroner Andy Harmon are all vying for the job. Harris served as deputy coroner and was named interim coroner…

Ja Tupelo Vosot 102821
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Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo honors school administrators, counselors and nurses

'School Aid' lunch allows JA to showcase its services for students
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It was an opportunity to thank local school administrators for their hard work during a luncheon organized by the Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo. The JA’s: “School Aid” committee organized the lunch for administrators, nurses and counselors in Tupelo and Lee county schools. During the lunch, administrators heard about the many services JA offers for students, such as…

Dance King Pkg 102821
Featured, Local News

‘Dancing with the King’ helps teach young people about ballroom dance and Elvis

The event raises money to get ballroom dance lessons into local schools
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Celebrities from across the region are lacing up their dance shoes and making last minute preparations for an event that helps teach youngsters about ballroom dancing and the king of rock and roll. WCBI’s Allie Martin is part of this year’s “Dancing with the King’ and gives us a sneak peek of his routine, and tells…

Tupelo Hotel 102721
Featured, Local News

New hotel first property to open as part of fifty million dollar development

'Home2Suites' is part of the 'Landmark' development
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The first guests are checking in this Wednesday at ‘Home 2 Suites” by Hilton. Christy Cook is director of sales and says there has been a lot of interest in the city’s newest hotel, before opening day. “I have had a ton of response, everyone, obviously wants to come see it,” Cook said. The 89 room…

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Calhoun County holds career fair for elementary students

Third and fourth graders visit with professionals from various careers
Allie Martin,

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Hundreds of elementary students in Calhoun County schools are considering their career paths. The students were part of a unique career fair. It was an opportunity for Calhoun County third and fourth graders to meet with professionals from a variety of careers. “We have Weyerhauser, Mississippi State University with bioproducts, TVA, Natchez Trace, Baptist, Northwest is here…

Gym Feeding 102521
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Premiere Athletix and Horseshoe Farms feed first responders

'Feed the Red, Feed the Blue' honors first responders for their work
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It is National First Responder’s Week and a Tupelo gym is showing its appreciation to those who keep us safe. Premiere Fitness and Horseshoe Farms provided lunch for police, fire and sheriff’s departments,  EMTs, and other first responders, as part of an event called “Feed the Red, Feed the Blue.” This is the second year the two…

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Aberdeen merchants hoping for a robust Christmas shopping season

Business owners say planning and preparation are key to a strong Christmas season
Allie Martin,

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – Businesses are gearing up for the Christmas shopping season, even as they deal with nationwide supply chain issues. The shelves are fully stocked at “Ashley’s Boutique and Gifts”. Owner Ashley Patterson says if recent trends are any indication, this Christmas shopping season will be big. “We had a wonderful Christmas last year, I think it was…

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Featured, Local News

Future police officers learn how to respond to active shooter calls

The main objectives are; stop the killing and stop the dying
Allie Martin,

TUPELO,  Miss. (WCBI) – Future police officers are learning how to respond to an active shooter call. For two days, cadets in Class B 68 of the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center have been put through various active shooter scenarios. Their firearms use training ammunition, known as sim rounds.  Non lethal rounds that provide realistic training. The Department of Homeland…

Tupelo Parade Vosot 101921
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NMMC named ‘Grand Marshal’ for Reed’s Christmas Parade

NMMC chosen for heroic acts by employees during pandemic
Allie Martin,

  TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The North Mississippi Medical Center has been named Grand Marshal of the largest Christmas parade in the region. The ‘Reed’s Christmas Parade’ will take place December 1st in downtown Tupelo.  NMMC was named Grand Marshal because of the heroic work healthcare workers and staff have done over the past year and a half. Jack Reed…

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Sanctuary Hospice House provides end of life care regardless of patient’s ability to pay

Tupelo ministry will hold its biggest fundraiser of the year, with "Celebration Village"
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – For families with loved ones who have a terminal illness, choosing end-of-life care can be a daunting task. One Northeast Mississippi ministry is trying to ease that burden. “This is a busy highway, Number 6, and we all drive by here,  a lot of times and see the yellow house and we have no idea what it’s…

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‘Pastor Caleb’ plans a community wide revival for his 10th birthday

Although Caleb Rodgers has cerebral palsy, that doesn't stop him from proclaiming a message of hope
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo child is not letting a physical limitation stop him from proclaiming an important message. For nine-year-old Caleb Rodgers, a typical day may include physical therapy, doing homeschool work,  or one of his favorite activities, sitting with his Dad, singing hymns. Caleb has cerebral palsy, and though he may be nonverbal, Caleb is able to communicate…

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Veteran law officer protects and serves on school campuses

Longtime deputy at Hancock County Sheriff's Department is SRO for all five Houston schools
Allie Martin,

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – A new school year for one school district in our region means an added layer of protection for students and teachers. When Howard Parker was hired as the school resource officer, one of the first items on his to-do list was to make sure the campuses were secure. “Simple things like doors leading to the outside, not…
Featured, Local News

New executive director of Chickasaw Development Foundation sets goals

Patsy Gregory wants to get the entire community involved in improving the region
Allie Martin,

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The new leader of the Chickasaw Development Foundation says the county is poised to grow its existing businesses and industries, and attract new ones. Patsy Gregory has been on the job for about a month now as executive director of the Chickasaw Development Foundation. When she’s not in her office, she may be at a meeting,…

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‘Faith And Blue’ event helps bridge the gap between police and the community

Tupelo's West Jackson Street Baptist Church hosts dinner for police and the community
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Bridging the gap between the community, churches, and police, that’s the goal of a nationwide initiative that has come to the All America City. Community members, police, and pastors met Monday evening at Tupelo’s West Jackson Street Baptist Church, as part of a “Faith And Blue’ outreach. “Faith and Blue’ is a nationwide effort to connect…

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Plans moving along for the Chickasaw Heritage Center

The 36 million dollar project will be built off of the Natchez Trace Parkway in Tupelo
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Plans are moving along for a project that will help tell the story of the Chickasaw Nation. For a wreath-laying ceremony at the Piominko statue at Fairkpark, there was Choctaw social dancing and hymns. The ceremony provided a look into the traditions and customs of the Chickasaw Nation.  Their history and story will be highlighted at the…

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Monroe County parents take issue with school board over various policies and procedures

The parents group says the board is unresponsive to their concerns, while the school district superintendent says all concerns are taken seriously
Allie Martin,

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A group of parents in Monroe County is upset with the school board over what parents say is the board’s reluctance to hear from the public on various issues. The district’s superintendent says there are procedures in place that people must follow to keep things orderly. It was at a meeting of the Monroe County School Board…

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Students, parents and teachers take part in “National Walk To School Day’

The event promotes physical fitness for all ages
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo High School cheerleaders helped get parents, students and teachers pumped up for “National Walk To School Day.” Joyner Elementary was the only school in Tupelo that was able to take part in the event, because the school is located in the historic Joyner neighborhood, with easy walking access to the school. The event is sponsored…