Local service organization to host benefit for children in foster care

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A service organization in Columbus is throwing a big party to benefit a special Christmas project. The Community Benefit Committee is hosting its annual “Party with a Purpose” on July 28. The group has adopted all of the children in the foster system in Lowndes County and several from the Columbus and Lowndes County School…

Finish line remains distant for Financial Concepts’ downtown project

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Rooted in the downtown community, Financial Concepts celebrated its 35th anniversary. Hoping to expand, in 2021, the company purchased the lot where the Gilmer Inn use to sit to build a new office building. Columbus City Council decided the designs for the construction of the new building have to be approved by both the Columbus Preservation…

Traffic stop leads Carroll County deputies to drug arrest

CARROLL COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A traffic stop in Carroll County landed a Greenwood man in jail. On Wednesday, Carroll County deputies pulled over a green SUV in Carrollton. After questioning the driver and the passenger, the deputies were given consent to search the vehicle. They also searched the driver, Recardo Reed of Greenwood, and reportedly found a clear bag…

MedStat begins contract with OCH Regional Medical Center

As of last Friday, you may have noticed a change to the ambulances in Oktibbeha County. MedStat officially started its contract with OCH Regional Medical Center.

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been a month since the CEO and administrator for OCH Regional Medical Center went to the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors to inform them of their decision to contract with Global Medical Response to provide Emergency Medical Services. As of last Friday, you may have noticed a change to the ambulances in Oktibbeha County…

Plantersville’s animal control officer honored during recent MML conference

Officer Jason Lessel gets the public safety award for his efforts at reducing stray dogs through a registration program

PLANTERSVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Less than two years after starting the animal control department in Plantersville, Officer Jason Lessel was recognized by his peers during the recent MML conference. “I was surprised, but honored,” Lessel said. Lessel has been a police officer with Plantersville for six years but saw a need for an animal control officer to help deal with…

Golden Triangle Boys & Girls Clubs to provide hot meals for children

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Golden Triangle are making sure children in the community have hot meals while school is out for the summer. The clubs in Columbus, Starkville, and West Point serve breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. While several school districts in the area host summer feeding programs, some of those…

Oktibbeha County Volunteer Fire Department gets new fire truck

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County recently bought a new fire truck. The county was in need of a new truck after one was sent to another department and an older truck needed to be serviced. They got this one for a reduced cost. The new truck has many new features. Oktibbeha County Volunteer Fire Department Chief Joe Pennell…

Contestants arrive for Miss Mississippi Volunteer Pageant

The pageant offers more than $120,000 in scholarship money

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – As they arrived at the Performing Arts Center at Tupelo High School, each contestant was “sashed” by the newly crowned Miss Volunteer America Hannah Perrigin. This time last year, Perrigin won Miss Mississippi Volunteer. “For this week, I want to encourage all the girls, the teens and misses to make friends. They will get exactly what…

Mississippi Highway Patrol releases July 4 travel enforcement period report

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued fewer tickets but reported more fatalities this July 4 Holiday compared to last year. The 2023 Independence Day Holiday Travel Enforcement Period only ran two days this year, from 6 a.m. Monday until Midnight Tuesday. During that time, State Troopers wrote over 4,400 tickets and made 49 arrests for impaired driving. They…

Tupelo man taken into custody and charged with three counts of Sexual Battery

These charges will be presented to the Lee County Grand Jury

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – On Friday, May 5, Tupelo Police Department officers responded to a report of inappropriate sexual contact with a juvenile. After further investigation, Javarus Shackelford, 26, of Tupelo,  was taken into custody and charged with three counts of Sexual Battery by a Person in a Position of Authority. On July 2, Tupelo Municipal Court Judge Allen ordered…

A Starkville girl scout is helping a member of her community

Paige Shelton chose to help clean up a portion of Charles "Lala" Evans land for her community project for her Civil Award.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Starkville girl scout is helping a member of her community. Paige Shelton chose to help clean up a portion of Charles “Lala” Evans land for her community project for her Civil Award. Most know “Lala” Evans in Starkville as the town’s first Black mail carrier. However, he’s also known for this area in his yard…

Families make a splash at Moncrief Park for free pool day

The Parks and Rec department held a free swim as part of its 4th of July celebration.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Jump right in. Dozens of families spent the holiday at the pool at Moncrief Park in Starkville. The Parks and Rec department held a free swim as part of its 4th of July celebration. Moncrief is one of only a few public swimming pools in the area. It was closed at the beginning of the summer…

Dozens rally together to show support for car wreck victim

23-year-old Summer Ethridge was airlifted to the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo Friday morning after a car wreck at a dangerous intersection in West Point.

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Dozens of people rallied together to show their support for a car accident victim that remains in critical condition. 23-year-old Summer Ethridge was airlifted to the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo Friday morning after a car wreck at a dangerous intersection in West Point. Friends and family gathered at the Tupelo hospital and her hometown…

Law enforcement remind community to stay safe this 4th of July

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Law enforcement has been working hard during the extended holiday weekend. With lots of travelers hitting the road to visit friends and family, several people gearing up for tonight’s celebrations. Staff Sergeant Derrick Beckom with the Mississippi Highway Patrol said there are lots of considerations to keep in mind to keep you safe this 4th…

Independence Day booms sales for local package store

Justin Wilkerson is the general manager of a local liquor store. He said business has been booming business this Independence Day.

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – This year’s 4th of July has become a 4 Day Holiday weekend for many. That means more time for rest, relaxation, and refreshment. Justin Wilkerson is the general manager of a local liquor store. He said business has been booming business this Independence Day. “This past weekend was very busy and we are expecting today…

Small fireworks have big impact on safety during Fourth of July

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Fireworks stands in north Mississippi have been busy in the lead-up to the Fourth of July. But burn-related injuries also skyrocket around this time of year. We all love watching fireworks in the night sky on holidays but they come with some significant risks. Tina’s Fireworks has been helping people around Okolona light up the…

Dangerous intersection has law enforcement looking for solutions

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An accident in Clay County over the weekend has left one woman in critical condition, and it has law enforcement looking at ways to make an intersection safer. Highway 50 East stretches from West Point to Columbus and intersects with Barton Ferry and Herman Shirley Roads. Once again, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office found itself…

Extremely hot weather causes damage to part of Hwy 82 W in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Asphalt is crumbling, and a crack is running across two lanes of a Mississippi highway. This is Highway 82 West in Starkville, just before the exit for Highway 389. This buckling was caused by excessive heat conditions. That’s according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Asphalt can heat up to 140 to 150 degrees on a…