Mississippi Governor candidate Brandon Presley makes stop in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – While candidates across the state will be watching Tuesday night’s primary returns, one candidate for Governor is already focused on November. Brandon Presley was in Starkville visiting businesses and talking to residents while he kicked off the next phase of his campaign. Without an opponent in the primary, Presley has already been focusing his attention on…

Voter turnout starts steady at Columbus polling place

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The polls opened at 7 Tuesday morning for voters to cast their votes in statewide and county elections. Poll workers at the Lion Hills Center in Columbus told WCBI the turnout had been steady so far. By around 10 a.m., 275 people had voted. According to our statewide news partner WLBT, Lowndes County is one of…

Increasing numbers: Women continue to rise in manufacturing industry

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – They are caregivers, entrepreneurs, and bosses, and you see them in increasing numbers in manufacturing settings. According to the U.S. Census and Bureau data, about 30% of women make up the manufacturing industry. From production line workers to engineers, and managers, women are finding a place in the field. Senior Supervisor in Mixing at Yokohama,…

County governments prepare for Primary Election Day

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Candidates have been on the campaign trail for months, and your TV and radio have been buzzing with ads. It’s an election year in Mississippi. Statewide and County offices are on the ballot, and August 8 is the first real test. Lowndes County Circuit Clerk Teresa Barksdale said the county is kicking election preparation into high gear….

Mississippi State band camp is back and larger this year

It's time to crank up the tunes for band students at Mississippi State

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s time to crank up the tunes for band students at Mississippi State. Band camp kicked off Monday for the Bulldogs and goes on all week. Just like the Bulldogs Football team, the Famous Maroon Band has to put in time on the practice field before they hit Davis Wade Stadium for the first time on…

Two-year narcotics investigation leads to drug bust in Choctaw County

CHOCTAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A two-year narcotics investigation resulted in a major drug bust in Choctaw County. 44-year-old Justin Brown was arrested at his home in Ackerman. Investigators allegedly found a felony amount of methamphetamine, powder Cocaine, crack cocaine, hydrocodone, and marijuana. Brown was charged with multiple felony drug charges along with possession of a firearm by a convicted…

4-County installing free guest Wi-Fi network at Lowndes County Sportsplex

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – You won’t have to leave your tech at home when you go to the Lowndes County Sportsplex. 4-County Electric Power Association is installing high-speed fiber internet at the county’s newest sports facility. The high-tech hook-up won’t just be for coaches and officials. 4-County is also setting up a free guest network that will be available…

Lowndes County Supervisors put out call for new recreation director

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors is putting out the “Help Wanted” sign. Supervisors approved forming a committee that will set qualifications and begin advertising for a new full-time Director of the Lowndes County Recreation Department. Tom Velek has been filling the position on an interim basis since the first of the year. He was…

Tree falls on vehicle in Chickasaw County killing 2 people, injuring 2 others

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A tree falling on a vehicle in Chickasaw County killed two people. The crash happened Sunday afternoon on Highway 8. Tavishea Harris was driving eastbound when the tree fell. 22-year-old passenger Aron Cordova Barriosand and 58-year-old passenger Annie Francis Harris both died at the scene. Tavishea Harris and 64-year-old passenger Estella Harris were injured. State…

Florida man to make appearance in Columbus court for sex crime charge

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Florida man will make an appearance in a Columbus courtroom this week. 21-year-old Rylee Williams was charged with sexual battery and statutory rape of a minor. Columbus police said he was extradited to the city last week. Bond for Williams was set at $75,000. No information about the case was released. A preliminary hearing was…

Columbus woman gives back to local humane society

Vanessa Poteet jumped on the oppurtunity to give back to her community by helping them out.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Lowndes Humane Society was in desperate need of cat food. Vanessa Poteet jumped on the opportunity to give back to her community by helping them out. She shared a post on a local Columbus Facebook page, and within 20 minutes she had around $210  in donations from the community. She grabbed every bag on…

Harrisburg Baptist Church host food giveaway

Clay Anthony serves as Missions Pastor and the event coordinator. He says the church conducts these food giveaways three times a year.

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Cars were lined up early on August 5 waiting for the Food Giveaway sponsored by Harrisburg Baptist Church in conjunction with the Mid-South Food Bank. Boxes were distributed to those who presented the proper ID. Clay Anthony serves as Missions Pastor and the event coordinator. He says the church conducts these food giveaways three times a…

Early soybean crop in Starkville looks good as it nears harvest

Mississippi’s 2.3 million acre soybean crop is looking strong late in its growing season.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi’s 2.3 million acre soybean crop is looking strong late in its growing season. Soybeans are used in everyday products like food, and animal food, and they also have industrial benefits and alternative fuels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates 72% of the crop is in good or excellent condition. They estimate more than 96% of the…

Tractor accident claims the life of a Columbus man

64 year old Tim Andrews was moving dirt at his house in West Lowndes with a Massey Ferguson 135 tractor.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Saturday morning accident claimed the life of a Columbus man. On August 5, 64-year-old Tim Andrews was moving dirt at his house in West Lowndes with a Massey Ferguson 135 tractor. The tractor rolled over and trapped him under it. Multiple emergency crews responded and removed Andrews from under the tractor. Lowndes County Coroner Greg…

Choctaw County Democratic Party Executive Committee sponsors rally to hear from candidates

Primary elections are quickly approaching

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Primary elections are quickly approaching, and the Choctaw County Democratic Party held a rally to make people aware of the candidates and motivate them to vote this election season. Hearing the candidates’ stances was one thing, but the chair of the county party, Dr. Nola Bryant, wants that interest to translate into action. “We have a…

West Point Junior Auxiliary hosts annual ‘Stuff the Bus’ fundraiser

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – The West Point Junior Auxiliary will be hosting its annual “Stuff the Bus” fundraiser. Their goal is to partner with the community and provide school supplies to local children in need. The donations will be divided between the 11 West Point schools. Organization members asked that any and all donations be new items. “There is…

Center for Violence Prevention will house victims advocate in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Victims of human trafficking have a newly designated advocate on their side. The Center for Violence Prevention in Jackson extended its services to Columbus with a Rapid Response team member to work directly with trafficking victims and local law enforcement. The Jackson Center responds to about 200 trafficking victims a year. Human Trafficking is the use…

Wife, mother, business woman finds time to help kids at Boys, Girls Clubs

Sierra Cannon is one of the celebrity dancers for "Dancing Like the Stars"

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Every week the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Mississippi provide safe programs for kids across the region. But they can’t do it without the support of the community, and this weekend, celebrities from across the region are showing their skills on the dance floor as part of “Dance Like the Stars”, the largest fundraiser for…

Columbus police make 2 arrests after shooting near hospital

Gavin Fields and Dustin Pope are both in the Lowndes County Jail.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two people were arrested Friday morning in Artesia from Monday’s shooting that spilled over into the Baptist Golden Triangle parking lot. Gavin Fields and Dustin Pope are both in the Lowndes County Jail. The two brothers face six counts of aggravated assault and one charge of shooting into an occupied vehicle after Monday afternoon’s shootout in…

Columbus schools say they started year with fewer job openings

Dr. Stanley Ellis came in with a Mission to get Columbus Municipal School District to a B

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s not uncommon for there to be a few job vacancies in a school district at the beginning of the school year, but the Columbus Municipal School District started the school year with 26 unfilled slots last year. A year later things seem to be running more smoothly. Superintendent Dr. Stanley Ellis came in with a…