College Students Help Train Future Service Dogs At Mississippi State
Featured, Local News

College students help train future service dogs at Mississippi State

Puppies with a Purpose is a campus organization affiliated with the Guide Dog Foundation.
MorrisAdmin,

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – College students are helping train future service dogs at Mississippi State University. Puppies with a Purpose is a campus organization affiliated with the Guide Dog Foundation. The organization allows students to train dogs in basic commands and help them socialize in different environments. After anywhere from 8 weeks to 14 months, the dogs return to…

First Responders From North Mississippi Honor Those Who Gave Their Life On 9/11
Featured, Local News

First responders from North Mississippi honor those who gave their life on 9/11

A bagpiper leads the way as participants, many wearing their full protective gear proceed to the stairs and a climb covering the same distance as the 110 floors New York 1st responders had to ascend on that fateful day.
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A bagpiper leads the way as participants, many wearing their full protective gear proceed to the stairs and a climb covering the same distance as the 110 floors New York 1st responders had to ascend on that fateful day. Tupelo Fire Chief Brad Robinson has taken part in this event since its inception. But 2023 is…

Rocky Start For Columbus Paving Plans
Featured, Local News

Rocky start for Columbus paving plans

Tuesday night's city council meeting over road work was on rocky terrain.
MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday night’s city council meeting over road work was on rocky terrain. Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskins broke a deadlock between city council members on how six point nine million dollars in tax money should be used to cover issues like road paving, drainage, and bridge maintenance. Councilman Pierre Beard of Ward 4 proposed about three-quarters of a…

Columbus Lowndes Chamber Of Commerce Holds "educators Are Essential"
Featured, Local News

Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce holds “Educators are Essential”

The "Educators are Essential" event allows teachers to gather together and listen to guest speakers talk about topics like teaching after covid, AI, dyslexia and more.
MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce held its “Educators are Essential” event today to celebrate teachers in the community. The “Educators are Essential” event allows teachers to gather together and listen to guest speakers talk about topics like teaching after COVID-19, AI, dyslexia, and more. One of the speakers Dr. Brad Beckham of Baptist Memorial Hospital spoke…

Veterans Gather In West Point, 20 Years After Being Deployed
Featured, Local News

Veterans gather in West Point, 20 years after being deployed

The 223rd Engineering Battalion were among the first set of units to be sent to Iraq from West Point.
MorrisAdmin,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Honor and pride. It’s part of serving in the military.So is comradery. The 223rd Engineering Battalion was among the first set of units to be sent to Iraq from West Point. Marking 20 years, they met at the National Guard Armory in West Point to reconnect and catch up. Larry Boeke said that they all have…

Starkville Police Department Wants Citizens Aware Of A Pigeon Drop Scam
Crime, Local News

Starkville Police Department wants citizens aware of a pigeon drop scam

On Wednesday, Sept. 6, SPD received the report of a "pigeon drop" scam that occurred at the Starkville Crossing shopping center.
Grace Brister,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Starkville Police Department wants citizens to be aware of a pigeon drop scam. On Wednesday, Sept. 6, SPD received the report of a “pigeon drop” scam that occurred at the Starkville Crossing shopping center. Pigeon drop is a confidence trick in which a victim is persuaded to give up money to gain a larger sum…

More Updates Are Coming Out On An Inmate Killed At Parchman Prison
Featured, Local News

More updates are coming out on an inmate killed at Parchman Prison

The Mississippi Department of Corrections has identified the victim killed as 23-year-old Raymond Coffey of Lafayette County
Grace Brister,

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – More updates are coming out on an inmate killed at Parchman Prison. The Mississippi Department of Corrections has identified the victim killed as 23-year-old Raymond Coffey of Lafayette County. MDOC initially withheld Coffey’s identity out of respect for the family and to ensure next of kin was notified. Commissioner Burl Cain says the killing appeared…

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Featured, Local News

Local restaurant owner sees many catering orders for home football games

With eight home games for the Bulldogs, they are likely to be busy all fall.
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – College football season is back and so is tailgating. Some people bring and cook their food to prepare for the game, but others prefer to have theirs catered. Chick-fil-A in Starkville sees large numbers of catering orders for home football games. With eight home games for the Bulldogs, they are likely to be busy all fall….

Reading
Featured, Local News

Mississippi reading scores make progress over last decade

West Lowndes Elementary teachers said many factors go into ensuring the students are successful.
Grace Brister,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – September 8 is International Literacy Day. It’s set aside to observe the importance of literacy and celebrate it as a human right. Over the last decade, reading scores have dramatically progressed in the State of Mississippi. Some of that can be attributed to the Mississippi Academic Assessment. In the state of Mississippi, for students to…

Community Shows Appreciation For First Responders With Luncheon In Columbus
Local News

Community shows appreciation for first responders with luncheon

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – They’re just a phone call away in times of trouble. Businesses and community organizations in Lowndes County showed their appreciation to first responders. Dozens of law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS workers, and other emergency personnel attended the annual “Salute to Lowndes Finest” luncheon in Columbus. The event began 21 years ago after its coordinator visited Ground…

fema
Local News, State News

FEMA approves state request to add counties to request for assistance

Joey Barnes,

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Itawamba County residents may now be eligible for assistance for damage related to June storms. Governor Tate Reeves announced that FEMA approved Mississippi’s request to add counties to the request for public assistance. The week of June 14 through June 19, Mississippi experienced a record-setting 18 tornadoes across the state. Initially, 16 counties were included…

drug bust
Crime, Local News

Tupelo police make major drug bust in Belden after community complaints

Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo police made a major drug bust in Belden after several complaints were made by locals. Investigators conducted a search at Saragosa Circle on Wednesdays. A felony amount of methamphetamine, a felony amount of oxycodone, and a misdemeanor amount of marijuana were found. 10 people were detained on the scene. Four are facing felony charges. Olivia…

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State News

State Board of Education continues search for new superintendent

MorrisAdmin,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi State Board of Education continued its search for a new state superintendent and wanted your input. The SBE has published a survey to gather information about the qualities the public is looking for in their state superintendent. The survey will be open until 5 p.m. on September 22. The SBE will continue to accept applications…

sara reeves
Crime, Local News

Woman arrested in Tupelo for allegedly stealing from her workplace

Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A woman in Tupelo was arrested for stealing from her place of work. Tupelo police arrived at Strofollino’s Wine on West Main on September 4. Sara Reeves was accused of breaking into the business safe, stealing money from the cash register, and stealing the business checkbook. Reeves was charged with embezzlement and felony malicious mischief. Her…

j'kobe warren mugshot
Crime, Local News

Bond set for man charged in connection to West Point shooting

Joey Barnes,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Bond was set for the man charged in a West Point shooting that left a person injured. 20-year-old J’Kobe Warren was charged with aggravated assault. His bond was set at $300,000. Police Chief Avery Cook said the shooting happened Wednesday night at Marston Courts, just off East Brame Avenue. The victim had minor injuries. West…

Area Agencies Gear Up For Yearly Training Drill At Muw.
Featured, Local News

Area agencies team up for yearly training drill at MUW

Kealy Shields,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s only a drill. But each step, each part of a plan can make a difference if there’s an emergency. The Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency planned these drills and worked alongside other first responders, training at Mississippi University for Women. It’s been more than two decades since a tornado swept through the campus of Mississippi…

Culinary Arts
Featured, Local News

Town & Tower partners with MUW to showcase new culinary arts facility

Whether it's hospitality, running a restaurant, or even food photography, the 40,000-square-foot facility has something for everyone.
Grace Brister,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – For over three years, Mississippi University for Women has been eager to get the new culinary arts facility up and running. What started as an idea in 1996 now serves as the future of culinary education. To kick off the semester at Mississippi University for Women, Town & Tower teamed up with The W to showcase…

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Featured, Local News

Community raises money to help local high schooler get new ride

You can find Jeremiah Williams on the tennis court, show choir stage, and always wearing a smile.
Kealy Shields,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Sometimes your biggest supporters are those within your community. A New Hope Senior has been able to see just how much of an impact he’s made on the people around him after they rallied to help him out. You can find Jeremiah Williams on the tennis court, and show choir stage, always wearing a smile,…