Tupelo High School DECA students win big at international conference

Junior Connor O'Daniel gets in the Top 10, while Senior Simar Gill places in the Top 20

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo High School made a big splash at the recent international conference for a well-known career and technical student organization. It is Connor O’Daniel’s second year in DECA, and the Tupelo High School junior worked hard all year preparing for the organization’s international conference. “I had to basically make a system that would hold virtual employees…

Fire destroys Volunteer Fire Department in Pickens County

PICKENS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A community in Pickens County lost a fire station over the weekend. The Dancy Cochran Volunteer Fire Department was engulfed in flames Sunday. Only one truck was salvaged from the blaze. The Dancy community will still have fire protection as members of the department were able to receive a loaner truck and other equipment. There…

Choctaw County seniors get creative with how they make it to class

CHOCTAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s “senior season” and high schools are letting their students have a little fun. The senior class at Choctaw County High School had a senior parade Tuesday morning. But there was a twist. Come to school in any mode of transportation, except a car. So there were side-by-sides, 4-wheelers, riding lawnmowers, and even a horse…

Experts say being outside is great way to improve your mental health

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – With the ever-increasing pressures of modern life, some mental health professionals are recommending that you turn to the great outdoors for a natural remedy. As mental health issues continue to rise, an expert in the Golden Triangle is highlighting the importance of incorporating nature into our daily lives. Veronica Harrison, an administrator for Community Counseling in…

Fire destroys pick-up truck parked at Columbus soccer complex

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Fire destroyed a truck in downtown Columbus Tuesday afternoon. Smoke and flames started coming from the red Nissan at about 1 p.m. Columbus Fire and Rescue quickly put out the fire without anyone being injured. The pick-up was parked at the Columbus Soccer Complex. No word on what started the blaze. For 24/7 news and updates,…

Jury selection begins for 2021 shooting case in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – One of the men accused in a December 2021 shooting in the parking lot of an East Columbus shopping center is one step closer to trial. Jury selection began Tuesday in the case of Demarcqueis Clark. Clark is standing trial this week for three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Weapon, one count of Shooting into…

Argument leads to 2 shootings, several damaged cars in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An ongoing dispute led to two shootings and several cars being damaged. Columbus police said the first shooting happened at Valencia Apartments on 17th Street and 5th Avenue South on Friday night. A group of women were arguing when shots were fired. Two vehicles were hit by bullets. No one was inside of them. Investigators said…

Columbus police respond to call about gunshots on Airline Road

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police recovered 60 shell casings after a man allegedly fired his gun up in the air. Christopher Burnett was charged with discharging a firearm in the city limits, resisting arrest, and possession of cocaine. A CPD spokesperson said officers were called to the 500 block of Airline Road at about 6:40 this past Saturday morning…

7-year-old cold case file reopens in Noxubee County

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A major development has now surfaced in a seven-year-old cold case that has left law enforcement and the community baffled for years. Winston, It’s been a long seven years since this case first made headlines in Noxubee County, but the Sheriff’s Department has teamed up with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations to conduct a proper…

4 people indicted on jailhouse bribery scheme in Lowndes County

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Three of the four people charged in a jailhouse bribery scheme are indicted. Billy Bowen was charged with bribing a witness. Emily Morgan was charged with tampering with a witness and Tracy Mills was charged with receiving a bribe. A Lowndes County grand jury recently returned those indictments. Investigators said this started on January 15…

Mississippi State prepares Davis Wade Stadium for graduation

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Commencement ceremonies for Mississippi State begin this Friday. But this year, graduates will have an even more memorable celebration by walking across a new stage. Davis Wade Stadium is home to ringing cowbells, touchdowns, and big defensive plays. Chief Communication Officer, Sid Salter said this Friday, diplomas will be handed off and graduation caps will be…

20-year audit report exposes financial woes in Jackson

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – A two decades analysis of audits exposes financial woes in the city of Jackson. State Auditor Shad White’s office released the report, highlighting expenses that exceed revenue, unpaid water and sewage bills, increased debt, and fewer people paying property taxes. With an abundance of unpaid water bills, the city does not have the revenue to fund…

Shooting in Scooba leads to arrest in Noxubee County

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A shooting in Scooba led to an arrest in Noxubee County. Now, 21-year-old Laqerious Brown is facing charges in Kemper County. Noxubee County Sheriff Tommy Roby said someone drove Brown to Noxubee General Hospital with a gunshot wound. He was later released and arrested by Kemper County deputies. Our statewide news partner WTOK reports there…

Former Columbus City Councilman Sidney L. Thompson dies at 92

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Columbus City Councilman has died. Sidney L. Thompson passed away Sunday. The Oktibbeha County native and Mississippi State alum went to work for Eka Nobel and settled in Columbus after a stint in the Army. After a career in business, Thompson set his sights on public service, representing the residents of Ward 2 on…

18-wheeler crash leaves lumber scattered across Highway 50

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An 18-wheeler overturned and shut down Highway 50 in Lowndes County. The crash happened near Harrison Road in a curve. State troopers said no injuries were reported in the accident. Lumber scattered across the highway and into someone’s front yard. Crews worked to turn the truck over and then started to clean up the debris….

Former Starkville teacher faces child sex crime charge

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Starkville teacher is facing a child sex crime charge. Randy Carlisle was charged with touching a child for lustful purposes. An Oktibbeha County grand jury recently indicted him. Prosecutors alleged the incident happened on May 27, 2022. Carlisle was accused of rubbing a student’s buttocks. Court documents said the alleged victim was 17 at…

Garbage truck catches fire in Columbus Kroger parking lot

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – There were some scary moments for a garbage truck driver Monday morning in Columbus. Columbus Fire and Rescue put out the flames of the truck. The driver stopped the rig in the Kroger parking lot at about 8 a.m. Smoke and fire damage could be seen on the Waste Pro truck. Fire Chief Duane Hughes said…