West Tupelo bridge closed after inspections found structural issues

Corrosion on bridge's support pilings prompted engineers to close the bridge

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The daily traffic commute for thousands who travel to and from west Tupelo will be impacted for some time. This was after the City announced a 70-year-old bridge on Highway 6 was being closed due to serious structural issues found during recent inspections. At Steele’s Dive, the lunch rush is the bread and butter of the…

Little Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has big economic engine

The Oktibbeha County town of Sturgis has a population of just over 200, but by this weekend there are expected to be thousands of people riding into town.

STURGIS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Oktibbeha County town of Sturgis has a population of just over 200, but by this weekend there are expected to be thousands of people riding into town. For local businesses and leaders, The Little Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is a big economic engine. Sturgis is usually a quiet little town, but that will change this weekend. In…

Lowndes County Narcotics STING Unit conducts round-up of drug violators

They hit the roads of Lowndes County with Operation Rolling Thunder and a list of 28 targets.

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been a busy day for the Lowndes County Narcotics STING Unit and several other law enforcement agencies. They hit the roads of Lowndes County with Operation Rolling Thunder and a list of 28 targets. So far they’ve managed to bring in many of those they were looking for. After a quick rundown of the…

State Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, Parks issues burn ban

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Your bonfires and campfires will have to be put on hold in certain locations but fall is right around the corner. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has issued a burn ban at all state parks effective immediately. The ban is a response to the dry weather, a condition that can influence dangerous blazes. On…

Mississippi students hit record high in state standardized testing

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Mississippi’s students have hit a record high in the state’s standardized testing. The Mississippi Department of Education has released the results for the 2022-2023 school year Mississippi Academic Assessment Program, or MAAP, testing, and scores are up across all subject areas. The state averages show marked improvement in the percentage of students scoring Proficient or Advanced in…

Columbus firefighters battle early morning house fire, no injuries reported

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus firefighters battled an early morning blaze. Fire Chief Duane Hughes said the home at 705 18th Street North appeared to be abandoned. Firemen quickly put out the flames at about 8 a.m. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter Categories: Local…

Lowndes County’s new Sportsplex to have its own identity

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County’s new Sportsplex will have its own identity. Interim Lowndes Recreation Director Tom Velek presented a branding agreement with Bankfirst to the Board of Supervisors at this morning’s meeting. Under the 10-year deal, the baseball and softball facilities at the Lowndes County Sportsplex will become known as Bankfirst Yards. The branding plan goes beyond…

New social media app pops up on Mississippi State campus

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Social media is looking to make a positive impact on the Mississippi State campus. A new app that works like a private Twitter, may provide students with a safe space to chat anonymously. The social media app FIZZ is bubbling up in conversation among students at MSU. Will the app stand the test of time…

FEMA village to house storm victims is in the works

The Federal Emergency Management Agency selected a site to create a village to house victims.

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Back in March, an EF3 Tornado tore through Amory leaving many homes devastated. Many people are still trying to get back in their homes and FEMA has been working to make that happen. The Federal Emergency Management Agency selected a site to create a village to house victims. For four months, tornado victims have been staying…

US Small Business Administration offers disaster aid to flood victims

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A month after a devastating flood, Winston County Residents are still in recovery mode and looking for help. Those in need were able to start the process of getting some help through the Small Business Administration. SBA is giving eligible people and businesses in Winston County and adjacent counties of Attala, Choctaw, Kemper, Leake, Neshoba,…

Lowndes County District 3 Supervisors GOP race will not go to runoff

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – There is now a winner in the Republican Primary for the Lowndes County District 3 Supervisors race. After all the votes were tallied, it was originally determined that a slim three-vote margin was going to send the race between Andy Williamson and Tony Hannah to a runoff, because neither had received the necessary 50% plus…

Calhoun City Alderman faces shoplifting charge out of Tupelo

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Calhoun City Alderman is facing a shoplifting charge out of Tupelo. According to an incident report provided by the City of Tupelo, 52-year-old Tony Herrod was arrested on August 1 outside of Wall’s Bargain Center on South Gloster. The officer had been called to Wall’s to investigate a shoplifter. The report stated that a security…

Shooting between brothers in Columbus lands one in jail, other in hospital

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A shooting between two brothers in Columbus landed one in jail and the other in the hospital. 34-year-old Kadeem Eddines was charged with aggravated assault. The shooting happened Tuesday morning on Pandora Drive. Police Chief Joseph Daughtry said officers were called about an argument. They found Michael Richmond was shot when they arrived. Richmond was listed…

Amory to host Community Action Plan Public Hearing

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s been almost five months since an EF3 tornado ripped through the city of Amory and parts of Monroe County. And the City of Amory is gearing up to host a Community Action Plan Public Hearing. The meeting will be an opportunity for the citizens of Amory and Monroe County to voice questions and concerns regarding the…

Noxubee General Hospital leads by example for rural hospitals

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Hospitals in rural areas usually operate in the red or well above budget. The Noxubee General Hospital has money to spare. While other medical facilities are shutting down and laying off workers, Noxubee General is adding services. Meg Ebert, the CEO of the Noxubee Medical Complex, said they provide the community with quality care in…

Governor Tate Reeves makes campaign stop in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Governor Tate Reeves was on the campaign trail and made a stop in Columbus. The Lowndes County Republican Women hosted the governor for a stump speech. He touted his record on economic development, education improvements, and helping the state recover from natural disasters. The first-term Republican faces off with Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley…