Yokohama Tire Manufacturing prepares leaders of tomorrow

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Yokohama Tire Manufacturing believes the best experiences are paid and hands-on. Over 300 high school students applied for the West Point plant’s ITIRE summer program but only 35 applicants made it in, representing 13 high schools.. ITIRE stands for Increasing Talented Innovators through Real Experiences. The program was designed to show students the career fields…

Republican candidates go head-to-head for Lieutenant Governor race

NESHOBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Neshoba County Fair is known for serving up some spicy politics along with the fair food favorites. The Lieutenant Governor’s Race was on the menu. Current Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann and State Senator Chris McDaniel went head-to-head in Founders Square. With primary elections less than two weeks away, the Republican Candidates were not holding…

Oktibbeha County teen dies in shooting, 2 people arrested

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An Oktibbeha County teenager is dead and two people were arrested after a shooting Wednesday morning. The gunfire happened in the 100 block of Finley Drive at about 10 a.m. Coroner Michael Hunt said 17-year-old Tristian Calmes was taken to OCH Regional Medical Center and later died. Oktibbeha County Sheriff Steve Gladney says the gunfire…

Federal judge blocks new state law targeting absentee voting

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A federal judge blocked a new Mississippi law that targeted absentee voting. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate said the legislation violated the Voting Rights Act and the state could not enforce the law during this year’s primaries and general election. The legislation set a list of people who could collect and send back a ballot that was…

Lowndes County deputies visit schools to conduct threat assessments

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The best time to look at school safety is before students return to campus. That’s the approach the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is taking. Deputies are doing walkthroughs at every school campus in the county to conduct threat assessments. The deputies have been through specialized training to identify weak points in building security. The sheriff…

Columbus PD’s newest camera aims to help catch litterbugs

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Police Department’s newest camera is serving a dual purpose. It’s located on Pickensville Road, in what’s known as the “S” curve. City Spokesman Joe Dillon said the camera is set up to help officers with investigations and to help identify people dumping trash on the property across the street. The city has been battling…

Bridge in Columbus soon to receive funds for repairs

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus will soon repair an aging bridge. The bridge on Waterworks Road was selected for the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund. The Mississippi Transportation Commission made the announcement Wednesday morning. $4 million will be used to make the improvements. No word on when work could begin was released. Official list of approved projects: 40 Projects…

Hibbett Sports in Starkville hosted ‘Clips and Kicks’ for local kids

Hibbett Sports in Starkville offered free haircuts and the opportunity for parents to get last-minute shopping in before the first day of school.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Hibbett Sports in Starkville offered free haircuts and the opportunity for parents to get last-minute shopping in before the first day of school. Six professional barbers volunteered their time to make sure that some young gentlemen went back to school in style. “Haircuts are kind of expensive nowadays so to be able to give a free…

Allegro MedSpa in Columbus held Barbie-themed event Sunday

Allegro MedSpa held a Barbie-themed pampering day.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Allegro MedSpa held a Barbie-themed pampering day. They could come get Barbie-themed manicures, pedicures, and facials, all while Barbie music played in the background. They also provided Barbie-themed food and drinks. Allegro Marketing Director Elizabeth Casano spoke on the importance of self-care at all ages. “This was all our techs’ idea. They decided that they wanted…

Columbus schools enter school year with new superintendent

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – There’s a new man in charge of the Columbus Municipal School District. Dr. Stanley K. Ellis will bring 22 years of educational experience as the next superintendent. The school board started with ten applicants. They hired their new leader in May and now he says he’s ready to get to work. Dr. Stanley K. Ellis has…

EMCC’s Golden Triangle Campus hosts pinning ceremony for LPN program

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Excited graduates walked across the stage at East Mississippi’s Golden Triangle campus for a pinning ceremony. 19 students completed the 12-month Practical Nursing program. The program prepares students to practice under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, Physician, or Licensed Dentist. Zabasjia Price always knew that health care was her passion. “Well I always wanted to…

Circuit clerks prepare for upcoming primary election day

Many of the changes stem from redistricting after 2020 Census

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lee County Circuit Clerk Camille Dulaney and her staff have been working hard, making sure everything is set for primary elections on August 8. “This is basically two elections in one, you have Republican and Democrat ballots, and you will be asked when you go vote which ballot you want,” Dulaney said. This is the…

Starkville students head back to school Tuesday morning

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The new school year kicked off in Starkville. All of the Yellow Jackets will be streaming into class in a matter of hours. Starkville is one of the first districts in the area to return to school. Law enforcement is asking drivers to be patient, leave a little earlier, and watch for buses and students. Columbus,…

Oktibbeha County jury finds man guilty of attempted murder

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)  An Oktibbeha County jury found a man guilty of attempted murder in a shooting almost two years ago. Jerome Davis was found guilty of shooting Calvin Young on Roundhouse Road in Oktibbeha County in July of 2021. Davis was originally charged with aggravated assault in the case, but last year an Oktibbeha County Grand Jury returned…

Disaster relief program, Winston Strong, prepares to help community

Winston Strong organization is looking to re-establish who they are and to get things in order so they can extend their reach in the community.

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been just over a week since dangerous flood waters covered several parts of Winston County. With new trouble hitting the area, long-time disaster recovery group, Winston Strong is gearing back up to help area residents. Several in the community came to the meeting with questions about what to do next or to ask about…

State department of health offers ‘one-stop shop’ for student forms

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – If you are registering your child for school, don’t forget their birth certificate and immunizations. The Mississippi State Department of Health is offering a one-stop shop for the forms students will need to enroll. In case you forgot, parents must provide their child’s school with a Certificate of Immunization Compliance from their doctor or the health department…

Former Community Counseling employee sentenced to 25 years in prison

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Community Counseling employee will spend the next 25 years in prison for abusing his position to victimize a child. 33-year-old Demarkis Mosley pled guilty to the sexual battery of a 12-year-old child. The incidents date back to July and August 2018, when Mosley was employed with Community Counseling. District Attorney Scott Colom said Mosley…

Lee County deputies make drug arrest on suspect with 3 active warrants

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lee County sheriff’s deputies made a drug arrest on a suspect who has three active warrants. A deputy arrived in the Plantersville area about a suspicious vehicle. Phillip Thrasher was found driving the vehicle with allegedly a felony amount of methamphetamine. The 63-year-old was charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance – methamphetamine….

Emmett Till to be honored on 82nd birthday with national monument status

WASHINGTON (WCBI) – Emmett Till will be honored on his 82nd birthday with national monument status. Tuesday, President Joe Biden is expected to name three locations including the Tallahachie County Courthouse in Sumner, Graball Landing near the Tallahatchie River, and the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago as protected monuments. The three spots will highlight Till’s legacy…

Columbus police investigate Friday night shooting at Leigh Mall

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Police are investigating a Friday night shooting at Leigh Mall that left one man injured. Friday night around 7:50 two men, identified by Columbus police as Roy Wallace III and Coercion Hairston got into an argument inside Rue 21 at Leigh Mall. The two men left the store. That’s when Wallace reportedly went to his truck…