September is recognized as National Preparedness Month

No one knows when disaster may strike but being prepared is the key to protecting ourselves.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – September is recognized as National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency says it’s a good time for people to look at their personal and family plans for responding to a natural disaster. No one knows when disaster may strike but being prepared is the key to protecting ourselves. The first step you can take…

Supervisors formalize policy on debris pickup in Lowndes County

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors is working to clear up confusion over who needs to clear out debris. At Tuesday’s meeting Supervisors adopted a policy that makes official what has been standard practice for quite some time. County road crews will not be picking up large tree debris, things like stumps, sections of tree…

Green Light on Green Cup

COLUMBUS, Miss (WCBI) – The Green Cup Ordinance will take effect on September 15. The new policy will allow restaurants and bars to allow a patron to leave their establishment with an alcoholic beverage. The alcohol must be in a green cup, specially marked. Barbara Bigelow is the executive director of Columbus Main Street. She lists key points for patrons…

Former MS state trooper dies assisting in vehicle crash

A retired state trooper was killed this morning after assisting in an accident on Highway 6.

PANOLA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A retired state trooper was killed this morning after assisting in an accident on Highway 6. Michael Griffin of Ripley came upon a two-vehicle crash around 11 a.m. According to Mississippi Highway Patrol, the wreck involved a pickup truck and a car. Griffin pulled over to check on one of the drivers as a car…

For many, Labor Day is the perfect day to hit the Tenn-Tom Waterway

Friends and families spending Labor Day on the Waterway.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Many people in Columbus chose to spend their day off working outdoors. At Columbus Lake, friends and family gathered to spend the holiday together. Many could be found enjoying food and fellowship around the area and lots of people brought out their boats. Luke Walker and Luke Walker Jr. are visiting family in the area and…

After a Summer lull, area clinics are seeing a spike in COVID cases again

The Golden Triangle is seeing more cases of the latest strand of Covid-19 called "Kraken."

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Golden Triangle is seeing more cases of the latest strand of COVID-19 called “Kraken.” According to the CDC, Lowndes, Clay, Oktibbeha, and Noxubee counties have some of the highest cases in the country. Judy Trenary is a Nurse Practitioner at Weekends Plus Urgent Care. She sees a link between the rise and students returning to…

MBI continues investigation into standoff at the Grenada Walgreen’s

A hostage situation at the Walgreen's store in Grenada ended with the death of the suspect

GRENADA, Miss. (WCBI) The suspect is dead after a hostage situation in a Walgreens store in Grenada Sunday. Now the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is handling the case. The suspect, 39-year-old Bradley Hatcher was shot by members of the Mississippi Highway Patrol SWAT Team. Sunday afternoon Grenada police along with other local and state law enforcement responded to Walgreens in…

Meeting set to educate public on Columbus’ “Green Cup” ordinance

The two groups are holding a meeting to discuss the new law Tuesday morning (Sept. 5th).

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus’s new Go Cup Ordinance goes into effect September 15th, and the city and Main Street Columbus want to make sure residents understand it. The two groups are holding a meeting to discuss the new law Tuesday morning (Sept. 5th). The Go Cup Ordinance, sometimes called the “Green Cup” Ordinance, will allow restaurant and bar patrons…

New cans coming to Columbus

When and how you put garbage out is changing in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – When and how you put garbage out is changing in Columbus. As of Monday, September 4th, Columbus residents will be switching over to once-a-week garbage pickup. Those whose garbage was being picked up on Mondays and Thursdays will now only be getting picked up on Mondays. For residents who had Tuesday and Friday pickup, Tuesday will…

West Point celebrates 45th annual Prairie Arts Festival

The city of West Point welcomed thousands of visitors today for an annual Labor Day Weekend event, called the Prairie Arts Festival

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – The city of West Point welcomed thousands of visitors today for an annual Labor Day Weekend event. The Prairie Arts Festival has everything from bar-b-que and home décor to cake tastings and clothing. This rainy weather didn’t dampen business at the 45th Annual Prairie Arts Festival. Troy Gandy owns Johnnie Mae’s. He says the event…

Mississippi State’s first game had thousands pitching their tents on campus

Generations of families popped tents in the Junction to gather for food and fellowship. Many families even enjoyed the game from their tailgate.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s officially tailgating season, and Mississippi State’s first game against Southeastern Louisiana had thousands of fans pitching their tents on campus. Generations of families popped tents in the Junction to gather for food and fellowship. Many families even enjoyed the game from their tailgate. Esther Herring and her husband have been coming to the Junction for…

Hundreds come to Tupelo for 2nd annual Change Fest

It's a celebration of music, art, and skateboarding.

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s a celebration of music, art, and skateboarding. Hundreds came to Tupelo for the second annual Change Fest. Participants came from places like Austin Texas, New Orleans, and various Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi communities. Ben Policicchio is with Change Skate Shop in Tupelo. He says this sport attracts a certain kind of individual. “You can learn…

Brandon Presley visits Columbus to speak with citizens

General Elections will be on November 7th. 

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The governor’s race is heating up in Mississippi. The latest poll conducted by Mississippi Today shows current Governor Tate Reeves has an eleven-point lead. Brandon Presley was in Columbus to talk with citizens. Not only does he challenge the latest data, but he hopes to challenge more in an upcoming debate. “We have a poll that…

NMHS issues notice of data security incident

Their Security Operation Committee was immediately notified and shut down the system, and they ended the unauthorized access within 17 minutes.

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The North Mississippi Health Services issued a notice on its website of a data security incident. On July 3, NMHS became aware of unauthorized access through an employee’s email account after a phishing email was opened. Their Security Operation Committee was immediately notified and shut down the system, and they ended the unauthorized access within 17 minutes….

Prentiss County students learn about career paths after high school

PRENTISS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Hundreds of high school students in Prentiss County had a chance to visit professionals from various career fields. It was part of the first Career Expo, organized by the district’s new career coaches. At this career expo, students at the Corinth Academy of Cosmetology were providing hair stenciling to young students. NEMCC’s Auto Service Technician…

Mississippi State: Tackling campus traffic during football season

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State kicks off its football season at home on September 2. Thousands will be making their way to Davis Wade Stadium, but getting there requires a unique strategy. Are you ready for football? Well, pack your patience. With Limited parking tomorrow, “this” is probably your best option. We spoke with the MSU Transportation Department, which anticipates…

Lowndes County CTE opens cosmetology program

Not every career path starts in college. The Lowndes County School District is exposing students to several professions at its Career and Technology Center.

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Not every career path starts in college. The Lowndes County School District is exposing students to several professions at its Career and Technology Center. On September 1, the district celebrated the grand opening of its cosmetology program. A common question that is asked to students all over is “What do you want to be when…

City, campus officials celebrate new pathway connecting MSU to Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A ribbon cutting was held in Starkville between city and campus officials celebrating the opening of a new connective pedestrian walkway. This is part of a joint project between Mississippi State and the city of Starkville to better connect Mississippi State to Starkville for pedestrians and bikers. The transportation commissioner for the Northern District John Caldwell…

Jury finds Wayne Fraser guilty of manslaughter, sentenced to 20 years

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The man accused of shooting and killing his wife was found guilty. Jurors took about three hours to find Wayne Fraser guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to the maximum of 20 years in prison. Fraser killed his wife, Natalie Ryan-Fraser, at a Caledonia apartment in December 2021. Ryan-Fraser was in Caledonia visiting her husband,…

MHP releases more details about deadly ATV crash in Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol released more information about a deadly ATV crash in Montgomery County. The accident happened Monday night on Stafford Wells Road. Troopers said Winona Police Officer Patrick Mitchell pulled over the driver of the ATV, 51-year-old David Nix, and then there was a brief pursuit. MHP is still investigating how the four-wheeler…