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Featured, Local News

Lowndes County investigators search for answers in homicide case

A mother of 4 children was home alone in Lowndes County when a family member discovered the worst
Grace Brister,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A mother of four children was home alone in Lowndes County when a family member discovered the worst. Lowndes County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the death of the 39-year-old woman, Summer Danielle Tennyson. A person of interest is in custody for unrelated charges at the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators have not charged anyone with…

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Featured, Local News

Golden Triangle light’s way for solar energy production

Kealy Shields,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The future of energy production is already taking shape in the Golden Triangle. During Covid, the area landed its first solar panel farm. Since then a second one has been built and a third one is in the works. The growth of solar farms could contribute more to the economy than just renewable energy. There…

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Featured, Local News

Tupelo will get skate park for beginners after local shop wins competition

'Team Tupelo' won the "Red Bull Terminal Takeover"
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo will get a skate park for beginners thanks to a recent victory in a national competition.  Local skateboarders have always been a tight-knit group, but recently, Tupelo skateboarders got a big boost from people across the area, state, and nation. “I’ve never seen the community get behind something like that on that level,” said Matt…

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Local News

Group of mechanics help rescue kitten stuck in Oxford police car

Joey Barnes,

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – An Oxford Police Officer and a group of mechanics came to the rescue for a kitten. Officer David Mahaffey heard a strange noise when he got in his vehicle and when he looked underneath, he noticed a stray kitten. Unable to reach the furry friend, he took his vehicle to the Oxford City Shop. The crew…

Boonville Police
Local News

Two Booneville Police Officers were terminated, another demoted

Allie Martin,

BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Two Booneville Police Officers have been terminated, and a third has been demoted. Police Chief Michael Ramey confirmed that the Board of Aldermen took that action. The officers who were fired have been identified as Austin Kidd and DJ Wilkerson. Briley Strickland was demoted to patrolman. Ramey said he could not comment further on specifics of…

Msms Podcaster Award
Local News

MSMS student wins National Public Radio’s Student Podcast Challenge

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A student at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science can now add “Award-Winning Podcaster” to her list of achievements. Rising Senior Georgianna McKenny is this year’s winner of National Public Radio’s Student Podcast Challenge. McKenny, a podcasting newbie, finished tops out of a field of over 33 hundred entries from 48 states, The District of…

Columbus City Hall
Local News

City officials debate on increasing Columbus city borders

Kaitlyn Yeatman,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus city officials are also debating increasing the city borders. Officials are already looking into expanding east but are now considering going north towards Columbus Air Force Base as well. The proposed annexation is very early in talks. City officials want to be confident that moving north will benefit the city. It is also important that…

Columbus Main St
Local News

Columbus city leaders continue to consider adopting ‘red cup law’

Kaitlyn Yeatman,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – City officials are continuing to consider implementing a “red cup law.” During Tuesday night’s council meeting, the city council voted to create a committee to continue to discuss a “red cup law” for Columbus. The proposed committee would consist of both city leaders and local business owners to get different opinions on the topic. The committee…

Wcbi 2023 06 21t105806287
Crime, Local News

Oktibbeha County deputies make another arrest in May shooting case

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County deputies made another arrest in connection with a May shooting. 18-year-old Jamionte Paster of Starkville was charged with shooting into an automobile. The shooting happened at The Hangout apartments back on May 10. One person was shot and several vehicles were hit by gunfire. Investigators believed there was a party at the complex…

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Featured, Local News

Tupelo Council looks at list of capital projects costing millions of dollars

Projects would be paid for with a combination of capital funds, bonds and other sources
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Tupelo is looking at a list of projects that will cost around $50 million, but will come without a tax hike. The list of projects is diverse and includes things the mayor and council would like to see completed during their term. “All these come from the council, which come from the citizens,”…

Winona
Crime, Local News

Winona Alderwoman arrested at meeting on disorderly conduct charge

Eric Lampkin,

WINONA, Miss. (WCBI) – It was anything but business as usual at Tuesday night’s Winona Board of Aldermen meeting. An ongoing feud between first-term Alderwoman Sylvia Clark and employees of the city’s Recreation and Parks Department erupted during the meeting. Before it was over Clark had to be removed by police. Clark has reportedly been critical of park employees and…

Starkville School Keeps Learning Going With Camps For Students
Featured, Local News

Starkville school keeps learning going with camps for students

Kaitlyn Yeatman,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – School is out, but learning has not stopped in the Starkville Oktibbeha School District. The Partnership Middle School is hosting a variety of camps for students this week. The Partnership School is offering camps during their summer intermission, teaching students fun topics in non-traditional ways. They are offering camps teaching about Chess, creative writing, and neuroscience….

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Featured, Local News

Local shelter reaches full capacity as staff works to get animals adopted

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Animal shelters have to brace themselves this time of year. Spring is a kitten and puppy season, and unfortunately, many of those are unwanted. It’s a full house at the Columbus Lowndes Humane Society. “Comfortably and safely we can hold about 200 animals. Comfortably means everybody isn’t doubled up, and safely is just for health reasons. We…

Need
Featured, Local News

State Senate honors first African American fire chief in Mississippi

MorrisAdmin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A pioneering firefighter is getting some overdue recognition. The Mississippi Senate and the City of Starkville have honored former Starkville fire Chief Willie Johnson with a resolution from the state. Johnson was the first African American fire chief in the state of Mississippi. Johnson’s legacy began in 1988 when he took on the unprecedented role. He…

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Featured, Local News

Increasing road costs puts bumps in the road for maintenance

Kealy Shields,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County residents are facing bumps in the road while they wait for paving in some areas. One speed bump Supervisors are having to deal with is the increasing cost of road maintenance. Lowndes County Road Manager Mike Aldridge said there are several factors slowing down their progress. “The main thing we are running into…

crime police cruiser patrol
Crime, Local News

Lowndes County deputies investigate homicide near Caledonia

Joey Barnes,

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies are investigating a homicide, near Caledonia. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said deputies were called to a home near the intersection of North Wolfe and Grant Roads at about 11 a.m. The 911 call was for an unresponsive person. Deputies arrived to find a white female dead. Investigators are still working to determine how and…

money
Local News

Area youth court, DA’s office plan to collaborate to curb youth crime

Aundrea Self,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A collaboration between the court system and the district attorney’s office could help curb youth crime. The 16th Circuit District Attorney’s Office and Oktibbeha County Youth Court are working together to apply for a federal grant. The money would be used to enhance and expand juvenile crime prevention initiatives. Some of those include early intervention…

Lowndes County (LCBS)
Local News

Lowndes Co. Road Manager goes before board to discuss paving projects

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Road Manager is trying to make visits to county community centers a little smoother. Mike Aldridge went before the Board of Supervisors to discuss paving projects at three of the county’s community centers. The Road Department budget for this year included paving the parking lots at New Hope, Crawford, and Concord. Right…

Mema Reports At Least 100 Damaged Structures After Storms In Moss Point
State News

MEMA reports at least 100 damaged structures after storms in Moss Point

Joey Barnes,

MOSS POINT, Miss. (WXXV) – Damage assessments continue across Mississippi, as severe weather has battered the state for days. In Moss Point, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said at least 100 structures were damaged. This includes homes, businesses, churches, and schools. Six people were injured. Now, city leaders there in the Gulf Coast town are coordinating relief efforts with state…

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Featured, Local News

Local fire chief, coordinator retires after 40 years of service

Kealy Shields,

OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI) – A local fire chief is getting ready to hang up his helmet after 40 years of service. Terry Tucker pulled double duty as Okolona’s Fire Chief and Fire Coordinator for Monroe County. The longtime firefighter has seen many changes during his time of service, but he’s grateful to have served his community. “I just really wanted…