Hamilton Attendance Center works to keep students cool on the bus

Many school buses in the area do not have air conditioning. Record-breaking temperatures for this time of year have rolled through Mississippi.

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Many school buses in the area do not have air conditioning. Record-breaking temperatures for this time of year have rolled through Mississippi. Students ride the bus in the morning, afternoon, and even the middle of the day. A 20 to 30-minute bus ride with no air conditioning can feel a lot longer. So, the Hamilton…

Golden Triangle housing market looking up for homebuyers

The housing market is tight these days

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The housing market is tight these days. Shrinking inventory is driving home prices higher. Factor in interest rates at their highest point in more than a decade, and the idea of home ownership, especially for younger adults, is looking like a distant dream. Changes in the economy have completely changed the housing market. With an increase…

FEMA provides temporary housing for people displaced by tornado

While most found temporary shelter, there has been a need for a long-term solution.

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The tornado that swept through Amory and other parts of Monroe County displaced many residents. While most found temporary shelter, there has been a need for a long-term solution. That solution is now moving from planning to building. Monroe County is taking another step toward recovery. After five months, temporary housing is going up for…

Columbus Salvation Army looks for communities help to fund mission

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – With their Red Kettles and Angel Trees, many people associate the Salvation Army with the Christmas season. The group is in the business of helping people year-round, and that means that they have a year-round need for funding. Unfortunately, the Summer months often mean a slowdown in donations and an increase in requests for help, especially…

EMCC’s Golden Triangle Campus offers new line worker utility program

The goal is to provide local training for jobs with local openings.

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle Campus is powering up a new program. Thanks in part to a grant from AccelerateMS, the campus has started the Utility Lineworker Program. The goal is to provide local training for jobs with local openings. Noah Hatcher has seen up close what it’s like to be a lineman. He’s…

Okolona School District takes measures to combat extreme heat

OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI) – “School safety is a priority here,” said Dr. Marcus Gladney, Okolona Middle School Principal. Principals and athletic directors are experts in knowing how to manage both a school and sporting activities during extreme heat. Gladney serves both roles for the Okolona Municipal Separate School District. Gladney said his middle school is taking the necessary precautions to…

Flood waters continue to rise in the Luxapallila Creek in Millport

A West Alabama town is looking to unclog a creek that has already caused some significant damage

MILLPORT, Ala. (WCBI) – A West Alabama town is looking to unclog a creek that has already caused some significant damage. Where it flows through Lamar County, Luxapallila Creek is filled with years of debris. City leaders in Millport said the rising water stretches nearly 10 miles to the Mississippi state Line. Further upstream in Lamar County, town and county…

New piloting program looks to explain high power bills

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Temperatures are climbing and many people will be running the AC full blast, but staying cool may come at a higher price. 4-County Electric Power Association is looking to be proactive with its members by piloting a new program to help explain differences in their bills. Summer temperatures are on the rise and for many…

Columbus Fire Chief says recent house fires were not accidental

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The old saying goes: “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” And there’s been a lot of both around the Friendly City in the past few days. The fires are still under investigation, and it’s believed that at least some of them may have been intentionally set. Three fires in three days, two of those fires ignited in…