Ole Miss marching band looks forward to upcoming season

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – A good performance requires good practice. And this Summer members of the Ole Miss marching band have had a little more pep in their steps since the University has installed a new practice field. In November 2017, the Pride of the South Marching Band had planned on working on a new practice field but things were…

Tupelo Police Department introduces new crime-fighting tool

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo police have a new crime-fighting tool, and residents and business owners can play a part. With property crimes increasing nationwide, more homeowners are turning to security cameras to help protect their valuables. “It gives the homeowner situational awareness of what’s going on with their property, while they’re there and when they’re away,” said Tupelo Police…

Park areas in West Point get much needed renovations

Parks in West Point are looking a little bit newer.

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Parks in West Point are getting a much-needed facelift. The city received a grant for over $100,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield to fund several renovations to area parks. Parks in West Point are looking a little bit newer. Through a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield, and input from the community, Parks and Rec…

Oxford police host NightCap giveaway to help prevent drink spiking

One undeniable danger that many young people face is the risk of their drinks being spiked with a harmful substance. It happens more often than one would think.

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – One undeniable danger that many young people face is the risk of their drinks being spiked with a harmful substance. It happens more often than one would think. “This is one of those things where, whether it is students or their parents, it’s just a concern across the country,” said Oxford Police Public Information Officer Breck…

Mississippi BBB warns consumers about dishonest contractors

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – New construction, repairs, and renovations. The building trades are busy in North Mississippi, and while people know what they pay for, some are getting less than expected. Now, the Mississippi Better Building Bureau is issuing a warning to consumers to watch out for dishonest contractors. The Mississippi BBB has received many complaints about homeowners paying for…

Downtown Columbus could soon see safety improvements to crosswalks

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Downtown Columbus is expected to become a little safer. At a special meeting with the mayor and city council, City Engineer Kevin Stafford talked to the council about a capital improvement grant for Main Street. The improvements would help make crosswalks safer for citizens. More details on the grant are expected to be discussed at the…

Chase involving stolen hearse ends in Choctaw County

CHOCTAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Law enforcement chasing a stolen hearse came to a dead stop in Choctaw County. Sheriff Brandon Busby said his deputies put out spike strips to end the chase on Highway 12 in Weir. The hearse was stolen from a funeral home in Kosciusko Wednesday evening. Law enforcement there spotted the vehicle and tried to pull…

Testimony continues in Lowndes County murder trial

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The state has rested its case in the murder trial of Wayne Fraser. Prosecutors presented a third day of testimony against Fraser in Columbus. Fraser was accused of killing his wife Natalie Ryan-Fraser in December of 2021. The jury heard from the victim’s brother who testified that Wayne Fraser called him the morning of Natalie…

MSDH offering free screenings for blood sugar, blood pressure

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi State Department of Health is taking steps to combat chronic diseases in the state. Beginning August 31, you can get free blood sugar and blood pressure checks at your local health department. You can either call your local clinic or just drop in during business hours. The blood sugar numbers are done with a simple…

West Point police make another arrest in shooting investigation

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – West Point police made a second arrest in a shooting investigation. 26-year-old Demontre Ford was charged with aggravated assault and shooting into a dwelling. Police Chief Avery Cook said officers were called to Bulldog Street this past Saturday. A man inside of the house was shot in the shoulder and taken to the hospital. 17-year-old…

Two Birmingham men face charges in Lowndes Co. after high-speed chase

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Two Birmingham men are facing charges in Lowndes County after a high-speed chase and crash. 23-year-olds Sakaree Green and Darrius Washington were both arrested after the pursuit. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said his deputies were alerted by Pickens County law enforcement about a speeding car that would not pull over. Deputies spotted the vehicle and tried…

CHANGE FEST in Tupelo celebrates music, art, skateboarding

Organizers will give back to the community through a beginner skate park at Gumtree Park

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) –  This weekend, parts of downtown Tupelo will be turned into a skate park, art fair, and music fest. It’s all part of the second annual CHANGE FEST. For two months now, Willie Nelson has been working night and day at his business, Welding Willie’s, making skateboard ramps for CHANGE FEST. “I just want to do something…

Columbus-Lowndes Public Library: A place for more than reading

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The library is a place where pages turn and imaginations take flight. For half a century, the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library has been impacting lives through the power of reading and much more. And the library is changing with the times. You can still find books, but they are also embracing the community to keep their patrons…

Tupelo mayor makes his selection for city’s new fire chief

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Tupelo could have a new Fire Chief as early as next Tuesday. Mayor Todd Jordan has made his selection for the Tupelo Fire Department’s top job, and he didn’t have to look far to find the right candidate. Jordan has selected Interim Chief Brad Robinson to fill the post left vacant after former…

Amory football prepares to play at home away from home

Football fans tend to have a gameday routine but for some, that routine may look a lot different, especially in Amory where tornado relief continues.

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Football fans tend to have a game day routine but for some, that routine may look a lot different, especially in Amory where tornado relief continues. It’s impossible to get a home-field advantage when your team has no field to call home. However, Tupelo High School wanted to make sure that the Amory Panthers had an…

Neighboring counties combine resources to find stolen property

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A cooperation between two counties helped recover stolen property and put two suspects behind bars facing grand larceny and possession of stolen property. The Winston and Noxubee counties’ sheriff’s departments are showing that even small departments with limited resources can make a big bust if they combine resources and communicate with each other. After a…

Prosecution continues to lay out its case in Lowndes County murder trial

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The prosecution continued to lay out its case in a Lowndes County murder trial. Jurors heard from the state medical examiner’s office. Natalie Ryan-Fraser’s wheelchair was also brought into the courtroom. Wayne Fraser was accused of killing Natalie, his wife, in December 2021. Fraser listened to testimony and took notes. There was a shooting at…

West Point community gears up for 45th Prairie Arts Festival

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – The Prairie Arts Festival in West Point is gearing up for its 45th celebration. The event has now evolved into a small-town tradition with thousands in attendance. Lisa Klutts is the Director of the West Point Clay County Community Growth Alliance. She said the festival will be fun for the whole family. “We are excited…

Calculations show assumed winners in Lowndes County races

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The results of the two runoff races in Lowndes County are not official but a simple math equation can tell you the winner. Once the affidavit ballots were counted today, Kalee Talley took control of the tax collector race. She has a 16-vote lead with only 11 outstanding absentee ballots. This means mathematically, at least,…

MSU continues week focused on healthy choices, options

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University continued its week focused on healthy choices and options. The campus hosted dozens of vendors who promoted wellness and well-being to the students and staff. These resources ranged from mental to physical and emotional health aspects. Santee Ezell is the Director of Health Promotion and Wellness. She said educating students on the…