Reading
Featured, Local News

Mississippi reading scores make progress over last decade

West Lowndes Elementary teachers said many factors go into ensuring the students are successful.
Grace Brister,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – September 8 is International Literacy Day. It’s set aside to observe the importance of literacy and celebrate it as a human right. Over the last decade, reading scores have dramatically progressed in the State of Mississippi. Some of that can be attributed to the Mississippi Academic Assessment. In the state of Mississippi, for students to…

Community Shows Appreciation For First Responders With Luncheon In Columbus
Local News

Community shows appreciation for first responders with luncheon

Aundrea Self,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – They’re just a phone call away in times of trouble. Businesses and community organizations in Lowndes County showed their appreciation to first responders. Dozens of law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS workers, and other emergency personnel attended the annual “Salute to Lowndes Finest” luncheon in Columbus. The event began 21 years ago after its coordinator visited Ground…

fema
Local News, State News

FEMA approves state request to add counties to request for assistance

Joey Barnes,

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Itawamba County residents may now be eligible for assistance for damage related to June storms. Governor Tate Reeves announced that FEMA approved Mississippi’s request to add counties to the request for public assistance. The week of June 14 through June 19, Mississippi experienced a record-setting 18 tornadoes across the state. Initially, 16 counties were included…

drug bust
Crime, Local News

Tupelo police make major drug bust in Belden after community complaints

Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo police made a major drug bust in Belden after several complaints were made by locals. Investigators conducted a search at Saragosa Circle on Wednesdays. A felony amount of methamphetamine, a felony amount of oxycodone, and a misdemeanor amount of marijuana were found. 10 people were detained on the scene. Four are facing felony charges. Olivia…

Wcbi 2023 04 13t122333720
State News

State Board of Education continues search for new superintendent

Aundrea Self,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi State Board of Education continued its search for a new state superintendent and wanted your input. The SBE has published a survey to gather information about the qualities the public is looking for in their state superintendent. The survey will be open until 5 p.m. on September 22. The SBE will continue to accept applications…

sara reeves
Crime, Local News

Woman arrested in Tupelo for allegedly stealing from her workplace

Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A woman in Tupelo was arrested for stealing from her place of work. Tupelo police arrived at Strofollino’s Wine on West Main on September 4. Sara Reeves was accused of breaking into the business safe, stealing money from the cash register, and stealing the business checkbook. Reeves was charged with embezzlement and felony malicious mischief. Her…

j'kobe warren mugshot
Crime, Local News

Bond set for man charged in connection to West Point shooting

Joey Barnes,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Bond was set for the man charged in a West Point shooting that left a person injured. 20-year-old J’Kobe Warren was charged with aggravated assault. His bond was set at $300,000. Police Chief Avery Cook said the shooting happened Wednesday night at Marston Courts, just off East Brame Avenue. The victim had minor injuries. West…

Area Agencies Gear Up For Yearly Training Drill At Muw.
Featured, Local News

Area agencies team up for yearly training drill at MUW

Kealy Shields,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s only a drill. But each step, each part of a plan can make a difference if there’s an emergency. The Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency planned these drills and worked alongside other first responders, training at Mississippi University for Women. It’s been more than two decades since a tornado swept through the campus of Mississippi…

Culinary Arts
Featured, Local News

Town & Tower partners with MUW to showcase new culinary arts facility

Whether it's hospitality, running a restaurant, or even food photography, the 40,000-square-foot facility has something for everyone.
Grace Brister,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – For over three years, Mississippi University for Women has been eager to get the new culinary arts facility up and running. What started as an idea in 1996 now serves as the future of culinary education. To kick off the semester at Mississippi University for Women, Town & Tower teamed up with The W to showcase…

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Featured, Local News

Community raises money to help local high schooler get new ride

You can find Jeremiah Williams on the tennis court, show choir stage, and always wearing a smile.
Kealy Shields,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Sometimes your biggest supporters are those within your community. A New Hope Senior has been able to see just how much of an impact he’s made on the people around him after they rallied to help him out. You can find Jeremiah Williams on the tennis court, and show choir stage, always wearing a smile,…

Job Seeker
Featured, Local News

Job seekers stop by Starkville Sportsplex for employment opportunities

At the Starkville job fair, businesses were doing what they could to get people in the building
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Job seekers stopped by the Starkville Sportsplex in hopes of finding a new job. Many sectors of the workforce have had problems recruiting and or retaining employees. WCBI’s job fair at the Starkville sportsplex helped nearly 20 employers connect with potential employees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; transportation and warehousing was the only job…

beer
Local News

Caledonia Board of Aldermen passes sale of beer, light wine ordinance

Eric Lampkin,

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI) – Caledonia residents soon won’t have to leave town to pick up a cold six-pack or have a drink with dinner. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Caledonia Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance allowing the sale of beer and light wine within town limits. The ordinance laid out rules for both on-premises and off-premises consumption. On-premises consumption will…

road bridge closed construction work
Local News, State News

Northern District Transportation Commissioner talks upcoming projects

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Northern District Transportation Commissioner sees a smoother road ahead for some Mississippi drivers. John Caldwell spoke to business and community leaders in Columbus. Caldwell briefed them on upcoming road and bridge projects across North Mississippi, including the Highway 15 bypass around Ripley, and overlay and safety projects coming to Highways 69 and 12 in Lowndes…

Fires And Flames
Local News

Fire destroys house in Starkville Wednesday night; No injuries reported

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Firefighters arrived at a home in Starkville Wednesday night that was engulfed in flames. Around 11:30, East Oktibbeha Volunteer Firefighters arrived at a home on Cambridge Drive. No one was at the home during the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. The alarm system inside the home notified the alarm company about the…

Fiery Crash
Local News

Fiery crash in Winston County leaves 2 people seriously injured

Joey Barnes,

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Two people were seriously injured in a fiery Winston County crash. The accident happened around 3 a.m. Thursday morning. You can see flames billowing from the car, as firefighters worked to put out the fire. Sheriff Jason Pugh said the two people injured in the Brooksville Road accident were thrown from the car. The cause…

jahennessi clark noxubee wanted
Crime, Local News

Man wanted out of Noxubee County for aggravated assault charge

Joey Barnes,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Noxubee County deputies and United States Marshals are looking for a young man who is considered armed and dangerous. 19-year-old Jahennessi Clark is wanted for the charge of aggravated assault. Deputies were called to the area of Highway 145 and the Sportsplex, near Macon, this past Friday night about a shooting. City workers were able…

fatal crash accident
Local News

Motorcycle crash on Highway 45 South claims life of Columbus man

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A motorcycle crash claimed the life of a Columbus man. Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant said 45-year-old Bill Boyd IV lost control of his Harley Davidson on Highway 45 South. The crash happened on Highway 45 South, near Glenn Machine Works, on Tuesday evening. Boyd was taken to Baptist Golden Triangle where he passed away….

Houlka Attendance Center Revives School Spirit For Community
Featured, Local News

Houlka Attendance Center brings new beginnings for New Houlka

MorrisAdmin,

NEW HOULKA Miss. (WCBI) – Houlka Attendance Center is going through changes. Its focus is not only on test scores but building community, fostering school pride, and making lasting memories for generations to come. “It’s going to cause a lot of hype,” said Seth Burt, Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and Head Boys Basketball Coach for Houlka Attendance Center. Excitement at…