Real Trouble For Fake Ids: Owning Fakes Can Lead To Serious Trouble
Featured, Local News

Real trouble for fake IDs: Area businesses look out for underage drinking

For those who are still underage, trying to join in the fun can land you in trouble.
Kealy Shields,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – College towns are back in full swing with students back on campus and football season just days away, and for many, living the college life also means enjoying the nightlife. For those who are still underage, trying to join in the fun can land you in trouble. Starkville life is revving back up with students back…

Fallen Scrap Metal Leaves Trail Of Flat Tires, Broken Windshields
Featured, Local News

Fallen scrap metal leaves trail of flat tires on Old Macon Road

MorrisAdmin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – From the racetrack to the river, metal debris can be found all along the road, in people’s tires, and in unusual cases through people’s windshields. Arthur Brown said he has to replace tires for several cars and trucks each month just by driving out of his driveway, totaling thousands of dollars. “I’m spending a lot of…

vote
Local News

Elections continue as Mississippi voters head back for Runoffs

Eric Lampkin,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Mississippi voters headed back to the polls to take care of some unfinished business. Candidates across the state found themselves continuing their Primary campaigns after the first round of voting back on August 8. In our viewing area alone, nearly 40 primary races ended without a candidate receiving the necessary 50% plus one to win a race…

Crime
Crime, Local News

West Point police make arrest in weekend shooting

Joey Barnes,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – West Point police made an arrest in a weekend shooting that injured one person. 17-year-old Jamie Jones was charged with aggravated assault shooting into a dwelling. Police Chief Avery Cook said officers were called to Bulldog Street on Saturday. A man inside of the house was shot in the shoulder and taken to the hospital….

trial lawsuit
Crime, Local News

Testimony begins in murder trial in Lowndes County

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – With a jury selected, testimony began Tuesday morning in a Lowndes County murder trial. Wayne Frasier was accused of killing his wife, Natalie Ryan-Fraser, in December 2021. There was a shooting at the Cedar Street apartment in Caledonia where Wayne Fraser was staying. He had a job in the area and lived here part-time. Deputies…

Wcbi 2023 08 29t110156015
Crime, Local News

Lowndes County man, his son face charges after weekend fight

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County man and his son are facing two charges after a fight over the weekend. 32-year-old Dekkar Fleming was charged with aggravated assault and robbery. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said Fleming and the victim got into an argument this past weekend. Hawkins told WCBI the victim was hit so hard they had…

Area Circuit Clerks Prepare For 2nd Round Of Voting With Primary Runoffs
Featured, Local News

Election workers gear up for Primary Runoff Elections

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Voters in Mississippi will be back at the polls on August 29 for runoffs in the Primary election. Polls will open at 7 a.m. for Runoff Elections. Oktibbeha County circuit clerk Tony Rook said it won’t be as busy but his office is still working to make sure voting runs smoothly. For circuit clerk offices and election…

Some Amory Businesses Receive Grants To Rebuild From Tornados
Featured, Local News

Amory business owners receive tornado relief from grants

MorrisAdmin,

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Eight small businesses in Amory were selected to receive $20,000 grants to rebuild from the wreckage left by the March tornadoes. These businesses were hit hard but a new opportunity for recovery is shedding new light on the city. “We reached out to several of our partners to see if we could come up with a…

Licensed Professionals Give Ways You Can Find Help For Mental Crisis
Featured, Local News

Local facilities look to offer counseling for young adults

Kealy Shields,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mental Health can be an everyday struggle for people, especially young adults who are learning to navigate life, and while there are several resources available in the area, sometimes the effect of mental health can be too much for a person. According to HopkinsMedicine.org, 26% of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental…

Starkville Businesses Prepare For Upcoming Football Season
Featured, Local News

Starkville businesses prepare for upcoming football season

Kaitlyn Yeatman,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi State Bulldogs kicked off the 2024 Football Season this weekend. The first game will be at home, and that has Starkville businesses preparing for big crowds. A football season opener at home is a recipe for large crowds and big business in Starkville. The crowds making their way to campus and Davis Wade Stadium…

trial lawsuit
Crime, Local News

Jury selection begins in Lowndes County murder trial

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Jury selection began in a Lowndes County murder trial. Wayne Fraser was accused of killing his wife, Natalie Ryan-Fraser, in December 2021. There was a shooting at the Cedar Street apartment in Caledonia where Wayne Fraser was staying. He had a job in the area and lived here part-time. Deputies also recovered a gun at the…

gavel
Crime, Local News

Some former Hamilton daycare workers sentenced in Monroe County court

Joey Barnes,

HAMILTON, Miss. (WCBI) – Some former Hamilton daycare workers accused of scaring children have been sentenced in the Monroe County Justice Court. Oci-Anna Kilburn, Sierra McCandless, Misty Shyenne Mills, and Jennifer Newman were each charged with five counts of misdemeanor child deprivation of necessities with substantial harm. Traci Hutson, the fifth daycare worker in this case, was charged with failure…

Capture
Local News

MSU releases new information about student death investigation

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State released new information about the student found dead on campus. 19-year-old Maxwell Curtis Pennebaker was found unresponsive in a vehicle Sunday afternoon. He was a sophomore building construction science major and a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt said foul play was not suspected. University officials have…

Wcbi 2023 08 28t143247569
Local News, State News

Longtime lawmaker from Pontotoc passes away over weekend

Joey Barnes,

PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) – Services will be held on August 29 for a longtime North Mississippi State Representative. Mac Huddleston of Pontotoc passed away over the weekend. He has been in the State House since 2008. Huddleston was a Mississippi State University alum, a U.S. military veteran, a veterinarian, and a former deputy sheriff. Services will be at West Heights…

House Fire
Crime, Local News

Police investigate another arson case in Columbus

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Another abandoned home in Columbus was set on fire. Now, police are investigating a fourth arson case. Firefighters were called to the 1400 block of Seventh Street North at about 11 a.m. Fire Chief Duane Hughes said damage from the flames was contained to the front porch and front door of the home. Witnesses told investigators…

Wcbi 2023 08 28t134403871
Crime, Local News

Alcorn County Tax Collector pleads guilty to fraud-related charges

Ansley Perkins,

JACKSON, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – State Auditor Shad White announced that Former Alcorn County Tax Collector Larry Ross pleaded guilty to false representations to defraud the government. The case was prosecuted Friday in Judge Funderburk’s courtroom, where Ross accepted his plea agreement. Ross is guilty of creating a false bill of sale for a motor vehicle to lower the tax…

Wcbi 2023 08 28t111507975
Crime, Local News

Oxford man arrested for allegedly making harassing phone calls, texts

Joey Barnes,

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – An Oxford man was accused of making harassing phone calls and text messages. 27-year-old Tayler Beard was charged with cyberstalking and intimidating a witness. OPD said a report was taken on August 8 about the alleged calls and texts. The charge for intimidating witnesses came later in the investigation. His bond was revoked once that charge…

Wcbi 2023 01 10t150157258
State News

Democratic nominee for Secretary of State withdraws from race

Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – The Democratic nominee for the Secretary of State race withdrew for medical reasons. Shuwaski Young said he recently suffered a hypertensive crisis. His original intent was to continue campaigning but said he can no longer do that. Young had recently challenged Secretary of State Michael Watson to a debate. Young grew up in Neshoba County. For…

Tupelo Teenager Charged For Juvenile Shooting
Crime, Local News

Tupelo teenager charged for shooting into motor vehicle

The arrest comes two months after an incident on North Green Street when police were called to a report of shots fired.
Grace Brister,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo teenager is in Lee County Jail charged with shooting into a motor vehicle. Tupelo Police arrested 17-year-old Darmarion Calvin. The arrest comes two months after an incident on North Green Street when police were called to a report of shots fired. Witness statements and evidence gathered at the scene led them to develop Calvin…

Students Evacuate From Residence Halls After Threat Was Sent To Police
Crime, Local News

MSU students evacuate from residence halls after threat was sent to police

MSU vice president for strategic communications, Sid Salter says safety is one of the top priorities at the university.
Kaitlyn Yeatman,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Threats at Mississippi State are not taken lightly. Friday, Aug. 25, MSU police received a threat that led to the evacuation of 4 residence halls. MSU Vice President for Strategic Communications, Sid Salter says safety is one of the top priorities at the university. “People make decisions about enrolling in a university with safety and security…