Local family shares ASD diagnosis journey

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – April is Autism Awareness Month. And autism or autism spectrum disorder looks different for each person. Ava Madison is nine years old. Her parents, Darnell Madison and Ariel Colvin, said they noticed signs of Autism in Ava at early age. “Her social skills, they were delayed. Her speech was delayed, just her interactive skills. We had some…

Lee County church covers the streets in prayer

VERONA, MISS. (WCBI) – Step by step, members of The Anchor Church prayed as they walked on this evening,  to the fire station,  the police department, and city hall, where prayers were lifted for Mayor Bobby Williams. The prayer walk comes one week after two separate shootings left two people dead,  and another wounded   But Anchor Church Pastor David Ball says the…

Local high school senior turns his struggles into strength

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Exchange Club of Columbus recently hosted the 2025-2026 Accepting the Challenge of Excellence Awards Luncheon. The A.C.E. Award goes to a student who has persevered through hardship. This year’s winner was Rowe Gillis of New Hope High School, and for him, life hasn’t always been easy. He was a healthy and active student and…