MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – With a hard-fought primary battle in the rearview mirror, District 15 State Senator Bart Williams is now looking forward to the next legislative session. Lawmakers will have a lot on their plates when they return to Jackson in January. Williams would like to see continued improvement in the state’s education system and improvements in infrastructure. He also…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Call before you dig. That’s the message from “Mississippi 811”, a non-profit organization providing underground utility notification service. Friday, August 11 is “811 Day” in Mississippi. It’s a reminder to call 811 before digging to avoid hitting buried utility cables. Things, like installing a mailbox or fence, or planting a tree or shrub, all require a free…
WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Court of Appeals upheld a Winston County shooting conviction. Brothers Joe and Justin White appealed their convictions of drive-by shooting and shooting into a dwelling. They were tried and convicted together. Both men argued there was insufficient evidence to support a conviction and the verdicts were contrary to the evidence. The court disagreed….
MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A school district’s goal is to prepare its students for the future, whether that’s college or the workforce. The Monroe County School District is partnering with William Carey University for those inspired to transition from student to teacher. Students who complete the new teacher Academy program are eligible to receive full tuition and a scholarship…
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The new leader of the Tupelo Community Theater said she has been preparing for this role for years. For Lisa Martin, taking on the role of executive director of the Tupelo Community Theater is a homecoming of sorts. “We volunteer at the theater, have so for 20 years. My husband and I both have. We actually met…
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Paper versus touchscreen was the question when it came to voting procedures. Oktibbeha Circuit Clerk Tony Rook had the answer. “We found that most individuals want paper. They want to be able to put their hands on paper. The paper ballot we use is very similar to a scantron so everybody’s familiar with it. Everybody’s…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Classes at Mississippi State University start next week and many students will be jumping into a whole new time in their lives. For many of the students, it may be their first time leaving the nest. Even with returning students, many things easily be forgotten. Some simple tasks and reminders can put everyone at peace of…
PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Incumbent Pontotoc County Sheriff Leo Mask easily won the Republican Primary. Mask received 5,476 votes, Chad Mills garnered 1,318 and Jay Allen received 1,057 during Tuesday’s election. After the unofficial results were announced, Mask said he would continue to focus on fighting crime, especially the illegal drug trade. He said he is grateful for the…
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The State Appeals Court upheld the conviction of a man who tried to kill another man in Starkville in 2019. Jessie Carpenter was sentenced to 30 years in prison for shooting Antonio Hart in December 2019. According to court documents, the two men had an argument in the Summer of that year. On December 15,…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A disagreement over a downtown Columbus property is heating up. The old Gilmer Inn hotel property at Main and Third streets is owned by 8692 Holding LLC. Scott Ferguson is the registered agent for that company. He also operates Financial Concepts in Columbus. He bought the property with the intent to develop the space. Furguson has…
NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Noxubee County man serving life plus 20 years will remain in prison. The Mississippi Court of Appeals has affirmed the Murder and Attempted Murder convictions of Marcus Gardner. In August of 2017, Gardner was arrested for the shooting death of his girlfriend Chelsea Pace at the home the couple shared in the Cockrell Quarters…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Some political experts believed familiar faces and the lack of polarizing races kept voter turnout low for Tuesday’s Primary Election. According to Dr. Brian Anderson, a political science professor at MUW, incumbents running for office in a Republican-dominated state, didn’t inspire a great turnout. Anderson said there were over 30,000 fewer votes cast for governor in…
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – People who live in Amory and Monroe County can have their say on the community’s tornado recovery. The city is hosting two community meetings for folks to ask questions and express concerns about the March twister. Amory is applying for a Disaster Recovery Community Development Block Grant. These events will help develop an action plan for…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – It’s primary election day. Election officials said turnout is typically low for primary elections, and that could be because the primary process can be a confusing one. It’s decision day for party primaries in state and county-wide races. The primary election narrows the field to just one candidate in each party. What that means for votes is…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The business of attracting business in the Golden Triangle has been good, and the Golden Triangle Development LINK planning an expansion. The LINK’s new offices will be at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, putting them closer to the industries they’ve been working with over the years. Site selection is a big part of Golden Triangle Development…
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – This week marks the beginning of a celebration honoring the life and legacy of Elvis Presley. One of the highlights of Elvis Week in Memphis is the Ultimate Tribute Artist competition, where a grand champion will be crowned. The singer’s birthplace has a strong track record in the contest, and this year’s Tupelo ETA has been…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – This is the ideal move-in day at the Mississippi University for Women: sunny and hot with a slight breeze. Instead, this is what students experienced moving in at the W today. With gloomy weather making its debut for the week, Director of Housing and Residence Life, Andrew Moneymaker, encouraged students to be patient. “Especially today with…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – While candidates across the state will be watching Tuesday night’s primary returns, one candidate for Governor is already focused on November. Brandon Presley was in Starkville visiting businesses and talking to residents while he kicked off the next phase of his campaign. Without an opponent in the primary, Presley has already been focusing his attention on…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The polls opened at 7 Tuesday morning for voters to cast their votes in statewide and county elections. Poll workers at the Lion Hills Center in Columbus told WCBI the turnout had been steady so far. By around 10 a.m., 275 people had voted. According to our statewide news partner WLBT, Lowndes County is one of…
GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – They are caregivers, entrepreneurs, and bosses, and you see them in increasing numbers in manufacturing settings. According to the U.S. Census and Bureau data, about 30% of women make up the manufacturing industry. From production line workers to engineers, and managers, women are finding a place in the field. Senior Supervisor in Mixing at Yokohama,…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Candidates have been on the campaign trail for months, and your TV and radio have been buzzing with ads. It’s an election year in Mississippi. Statewide and County offices are on the ballot, and August 8 is the first real test. Lowndes County Circuit Clerk Teresa Barksdale said the county is kicking election preparation into high gear….
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s time to crank up the tunes for band students at Mississippi State. Band camp kicked off Monday for the Bulldogs and goes on all week. Just like the Bulldogs Football team, the Famous Maroon Band has to put in time on the practice field before they hit Davis Wade Stadium for the first time on…
CHOCTAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A two-year narcotics investigation resulted in a major drug bust in Choctaw County. 44-year-old Justin Brown was arrested at his home in Ackerman. Investigators allegedly found a felony amount of methamphetamine, powder Cocaine, crack cocaine, hydrocodone, and marijuana. Brown was charged with multiple felony drug charges along with possession of a firearm by a convicted…
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – You won’t have to leave your tech at home when you go to the Lowndes County Sportsplex. 4-County Electric Power Association is installing high-speed fiber internet at the county’s newest sports facility. The high-tech hook-up won’t just be for coaches and officials. 4-County is also setting up a free guest network that will be available…