Maben Sturgis Road set to see some major improvements

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Maben Sturgis Road is set to see some improvements in the coming months. There was a groundbreaking on Maben Sturgis Road for the upcoming roadwork. The project is set to begin on August 7 and will also cover Nichols Drive and Morris Road. The improvements will cost $2.7 million with $1 million coming from the…

Lowndes County voters will have choice of 2 political forums coming up

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Voters in Lowndes County will have a choice of two political forums to hear from candidates this week. Those two forums are being held on Thursday, July 27. Voters are invited to the West Lowndes Community Center in Crawford to hear from candidates for countywide and state legislative races. The event begins at 7 p.m….

Neshoba County Fair festivities are in full swing continuing until Friday

NESHOBA COUNTY, Miss. (WTOK) – State politicians are fine-tuning their speeches and getting their walking shoes ready for the Neshoba County Fair. The 2021 Neshoba County Fair Folks are trying their luck at the carnival games. All of the fun started this past weekend and will continue until Friday night. Mississippi’s Giant Houseparty is known for several things but political…

West Point Clay County Animal Shelter holds biggest fundraiser of the year

The shelter had a bar and a live band playing classic 70s tunes

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – The West Point Clay County Animal Shelter held a fundraiser to raise money for the shelter. From 6 p.m. to midnight on July 22, the animal shelter held its biggest fundraiser of the year. Themed WoofStock, the fundraiser had food and offered wine tastings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. After 9 p.m., they had…

Mississippi Super Summer equips teenagers to live out their Christian faith

The evangelism, discipleship camp brought together more than one thousand students from across the state to Mississippi College

CLINTON, MISS. (WCBI) – As the new youth pastor at East End Baptist Church in Columbus, Jacob Davis wanted to take his students to Super Summer. Pastor Davis had never been to the camp but heard from others how it develops leaders in youth groups. He was not disappointed. “Man, it is awesome to be able to see over 1,000…

West Point locals host Kids Fun Day as children gear up to go back to school

Alice and Alex Jones held a kids fun day for children in their community

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) -West Point locals held a Kids Fun Day on July 22 as children gear up to go back to school. Alice and Alex Jones hosted the event for kids in their community. They provided a variety of food for the children, as well as jumpers and a firetruck outfitted with a gaming system. They also gave…

Local churches gear up to help children prepare for school

With school supplies and other essential items on the rise, churches like Northside Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus held a sneakers and clothes giveaway.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – As children are gearing up for back-to-school, local churches are also gearing up to help. With school supplies and other essential items on the rise, churches like Northside Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus held a sneakers and clothes giveaway. Pastor Terrence Windham says that it’s important for ministries to help local families in need. “So it’s…

Junior Auxiliary of Columbus members give back with school supplies

Through Art Reach, over 1,600 zipper bags filled with art and school supplies were delivered to elementary schools throughout Lowndes County this past week in preparation for the new school year.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Junior Auxiliary of Columbus members have been busy with the return of Art Reach as students prepare to return to school. Originally established due to CDC guidelines during COVID, this project has continued because of its positive impact on the students and teachers of the community. Through Art Reach, over 1,600 zipper bags filled with art…

Bibles and backpacks supply students for the new school year

A former local Eagle Scout is giving back to his community in a big way, hoping to empower the next generation.

STARKVILLE, MISS. – A story of generosity takes center stage in Starkville today. A former local Eagle Scout is giving back to his community in a big way, hoping to empower the next generation. Freddie Williams has hosted Bibles and Backpacks in Starkville for the second year in a row. This event gave away hundreds of school supplies and bibles…

Gun policy divides candidate forum in Lowndes County

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- What started out as a candidate forum in New Hope, ended up being two candidate forums in New Hope. Candidates for Lowndes County offices were scheduled to meet this evening at the New Hope Community Center to speak to the public. That meeting was planned to be indoors, however, organizers of the event asked on-duty Lowndes…

SHINE Camp in Tupelo prepares girls for 7th grade

The Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo sponsors the camp, which teaches self esteem, healthy habits and other key traits for success

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It has been a week of art, good food, new friends, and wisdom from area leaders like Juanita Floyd, who told her story of growing up during desegregation. 48 rising seventh-grade girls took part in this year’s SHINE Camp, a project of the Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo. SHINE stands for Strong, Healthy, Independent, Non-Judgmental, and Empowered….

14th Chancery District hosts free family law clinic in Webster County

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The 14th Chancery Court District hosted a free family law clinic at the Webster County courthouse. The clinic’s purpose is to assist low-income families with legal matters. Residents from Chickasaw, Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, and Webster Counties were all able to attend. Judge Paula Drungole-Ellis said several attorneys throughout the district showed up to volunteer…

Starkville police remind citizens to follow laws in school zones

During the summer, some drivers may get a little lax when it comes to traffic rules around schools, and they can get unaccustomed to seeing buses on the road. But Starkville police want to remind people that school will be back in session, and they will be watching.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – During the summer, some drivers may get a little lax when it comes to traffic rules around schools, and they can get unaccustomed to seeing buses on the road. But Starkville police want to remind people that school will be back in session, and they will be watching. Corporal Robert Eguires said passing buses or speeding…

Shopping for school supplies may be a little extra this year

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Several schools in our area are less than a week away from classes starting back. This means it’s time to get supplies to start off the school year. Most schools have a list of what students will need, but how much will that cost this year? According to the National Retail Federation, back-to-school spending is expected…

Columbus-Lowndes County Airport soaring to new heights

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Columbus was awarded a $600,000 grant for a project aimed at constructing a new hangar at the Columbus-Lowndes County Airport. Dan Duston, the fixed base operator of the county airport, said the money was long overdue for updates. “The recently awarded multimodal grant can be used in collaboration with federal BIO funds that…

Overcrowding poses major issue for local animal shelter

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Too many animals and not enough money or supplies. It’s a common problem at animal shelters across the country, especially in the Spring and Summer months. That means some shelter staff has to get creative about how they go about raising money. The sounds of dozens of dogs greet you as you approach West Point…

Columbus Fire and Rescue celebrates adding new fire truck

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Fire and Rescue celebrated a new addition to its fire truck collection: Engine 25. The estimated life span of a fire truck is 25 years. And, During the last five years, it is time to look for a replacement. Columbus Fire Chief Duane Hughes said it was long overdue as one of their fire…

Lowndes County School District holds new teacher orientation

The Lowndes County School District wanted to make sure its new teachers had the resources they needed before the start of the new school year.

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The countdown is on for the beginning of the new school year. Parents are getting their children ready, stocking up on school supplies, and trying to readjust schedules. It is not just parents and students gearing up for the new year, teachers are getting ready too. The Lowndes County School District held its new teacher…

Dyslexia Summit brings together educators, parents, professionals

The summit was sponsored by the Regional Rehab Center as a way to share methods for teaching dyslexic students

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It is estimated that one in five children suffers from dyslexia, a learning disorder that affects reading, writing, and spelling. Finding ways to help those children was the topic of a summit in Tupelo. For Dr. Melissa Thomas, finding ways to help kids with dyslexia succeed is crucial. As principal of Tupelo High School, she wants…