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Featured, Local News

Starkville woman is dedicated to her role as caregiver for her dad

After her mother passed away, she continued as a caregiver role for her father, helping him navigate the stressful, emotional, and new life of living with dementia.
Grace Brister,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Although they may be adults now, more and more children find themselves taking care of their parents. Candice Williams never dreamed she would be the caregiver to the people that gave her life and care growing up. After her mother passed away, she continued as a caregiver role for her father, helping him navigate the stressful,…

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Crime, Local News

State’s high court upholds Oktibbeha County capital murder conviction

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The state’s high court upheld an Oktibbeha County capital murder conviction. A jury found Tommy Chisholm guilty in July 2021. He went inside of Dr. Shauna Witt’s optometry office, which was inside the Starkville Walmart, and shot her in January 2018. Chisholm was sentenced to life in prison. He appealed various aspects of the case….

crime police cruiser patrol
Crime, Local News

SPD investigates bomb threat call made to Kroger in Starkville

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville police continue to investigate a bomb threat at a grocery store. Officers were called to Kroger on Highway 12 at about 9 a.m. for the report of a bomb at the store. The area was closed down while the store was searched. Everything quickly reopened in about an hour. The investigation is continuing and no…

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Crime, Local News

Monroe County jury finds man guilty of child sex crimes

Joey Barnes,

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An Amory man was found guilty of child sex crimes by a Monroe County jury. Cayce Jones was convicted of sexual battery and fondling of a child under the age of 14. Due to the nature of the offenses, Jones was ineligible for parole or early release. Jone was sentenced to 30 years in prison….

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State News

Delta State University’s newest president officially started June 1

Eric Lampkin,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Delta State University’s newest president is officially on the job. Dr. Daniel J. Ennis took over the reins in Cleveland on June 1. Ennis comes to DSU from Coastal Carolina University, where he most recently served as provost. Ennis has said that he plans on getting the lay of the land before making any major policy decisions…

Elvis Fest
Local News

Tupelo pays tribute to Elvis Presley with annual festival

Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The annual festival paying tribute to the memory of Tupelo’s most famous native son is underway. The Tupelo Elvis Festival began Wednesday evening with a gala at the Cotton Mill. Past winners of the Elvis Tribute Artist competition took the stage for a full house. This is the 25th Tupelo Elvis Festival and host Tom Brown…

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Crime, Local News

Man arrested for reportedly breaking into churches, stealing robes

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A man wearing a church robe and claiming to be Jesus was accused of breaking into two churches. 27-year-old Deshon O’Neal was charged with two counts of burglary and one count of disorderly conduct. Columbus police said officers were called to a hotel about a suspicious man on June 6. O’Neal was reportedly wearing a white…

City Council Approves Columbus Chief's 3 Year Contract Proposal For New Hires
Featured, Local News

Columbus City Council requires officers to commit 3 years on patrol

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus City Council took a vote on implementing a policy that would tackle low retention rates within the police department. The Columbus City Council is requiring its officers to make a three-year commitment to the Friendly City. Once the officer has been hired and gone through training, that officer must remain with the Columbus police department…

Boys, Girls Club Begin Summer Program In All 5 Locations
Featured, Local News

Boys, Girls Club begin summer program in all 5 locations

Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – School may be out but the work is kicking into high gear for staff and volunteers with the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Mississippi. Kyion White has come full circle. Growing up, White was a member of the Boys and Girls Club, eventually becoming a junior staffer, then a program staff member. Now, he is…

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Featured, Local News

New exhibit looks at early merchandising of Elvis Presley

The exhibit from the EP Blvd Pawn Shop also features Tupelo related Elvis items
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A new exhibit at the Tupelo Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum chronicles the early merchandising of the King of Rock n’ Roll. The exhibit is called “Mr. Presley, are you ready to fly?” based on the line in the Elvis movie from Colonel Tom Parker, played by Tom Hanks. Items in the exhibit are original from…

City Council Continues To Finalize Funding Decisions For Propst Park
Local News

City council continues to finalize funding decisions for Propst Park

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Propst Park has been the topic of discussion among city council work sessions for months. The council continued to finalize decisions for funding renovations for the 70-year-old park. An intent resolution to issue the loan has yet to be adopted. The city will then have to advertise the intention to issue the loans proposed. A public…

road bridge closed construction work
State News

Several counties starting, finishing roadwork projects worth millions

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Several counties in Mississippi are starting or finishing up roadwork projects that are each worth millions. The Mississippi Lottery is funding an $8.7 million mill project that stretches seven miles of US 82 in Webster County. It’s expected to be completed this summer. Work will soon begin on a $4 million lottery-funded project in Union County to…

cmsd school
Local News

CMSD takes care of meal planning with annual Summer Feeding Program

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Municipal School District is helping out students and their families this Summer. The district is taking care of weekday meal planning with its annual Summer Feeding Program. Children 18 and under can grab a free breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. And most won’t have to go too far to take advantage of the…

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Local News

Multi-million dollar investment looks to bring over 150 jobs to Noxubee Co.

Joey Barnes,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A $418 million investment will bring more than 150 jobs to Noxubee County. Huber Engineered Woods will locate a state-of-the-art oriented strand board plant in Shuqualak. The company will build on a 551-acre site and make specialty engineered wood panels. Noxubee County and the Tennessee Valley Authority are providing assistance. The Mississippi Development Authority will…

Jl King Park Splash Pad
Local News

Park in Starkville set to receive major improvements

Kaitlyn Yeatman,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Starkville park is set to receive updates to attract more families. Over the next year, J.L. King Park is set to see many major improvements. The splash pad is due to see an expansion, to help beat that summer heat. Along with the splash pad, the tennis and basketball courts are also set to receive…

STARKVILLE
Local News

Starkville receives millions of dollars for improvements downtown

Kaitlyn Yeatman,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Downtown Starkville will be seeing a lot of development in the coming years. The City of Starkville has received a total of $6 million to put towards improvements on Main Street and Highway 182. $1.2 million is already being used to update the water, sewer, and stormwater lines on Main Street. The other $5 million will…

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Local News

Local soup kitchen makes sure people stay fed, hydrated

Aundrea Self,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A local soup kitchen is making sure people stay fed and hydrated. Loaves and Fishes in Columbus provides meals to more than 300 people every day. During the summer months, volunteers want to make sure people who use their services also have enough water. Recently Baptist Golden Triangle donated dozens of cases of water to help…

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Crime, Local News

Lowndes County deputies arrest 8 people in meth trafficking investigation

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County narcotics deputies arrested eight people in a months-long meth trafficking investigation. The narcotics STING unit seized more than $15,000 in cash, over eight pounds of methamphetamine, and five vehicles. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said the case started after neighbors called deputies about a large amount of traffic coming to and from a house. Agents…

Fulton City Hall
Local News

Fulton voters ready to invest tourism tax into town projects

Aundrea Self,

FULTON, Miss. (WCBI) – Fulton voters are ready to invest in tourism and recreation. A 3% tourism tax passed in a special election Tuesday. Mayor Emily Quinn said they still have nine affidavit ballots and one absentee ballot to count, but that won’t change the outcome. The 3% tax will be added to food and beverage purchases inside city limits….

Area Camp Aims To Create Fun Summer For Kids With Cancer
Featured, Local News

Camp Rising Sun shines light on special group of kids

MorrisAdmin,

MILLPORT, Ala. (WCBI) – Camp Rising Sun has been shining a light on a special group of kids in the region for decades. The camp was started to give kids with cancer or who have had cancer, a chance to do something they sometimes miss out on: just be kids. When you think of summer camp, you don’t typically think…

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Featured, Local News

Itawamba County Jail garden provides life skills for trustees

The garden at the new jail is also a saving for taxpayers
Allie Martin,

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Inmates in Itawamba County are learning valuable life skills while growing their own produce. Since April, trustees at the Itawamba County Jail have worked the garden, Monday through Friday. “They come out every morning and work, four or five hours, gives them something to do and it shows them progress,” said Maj. Malcomb Driskill, jail…