FEMA updates storm-related financial aid numbers

NORTH MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – In the 2 months since tornadoes and severe storms hit communities across Mississippi, FEMA has provided disaster assistance to more than 3,500 households. The agency has awarded more than $10.3 million in grants through the Individuals and Household Program to eligible homeowners in Carroll, Monroe, Montgomery, Humphreys, Panola, and Sharkey Counties. Those grants help pay for…

Suspect in multi-county murder case sentenced on previous charge in Chickasaw County – denied bond in Clay County

OKOLONA & WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – The suspect in the death of Denasia McGregory had an eventful day in court Friday – actually, 2 courts. Labrandan Tumblin was scheduled for an arraignment in Clay County Justice Court on a murder charge in connection with McGregory’s death. She was found in a car in Tupelo, but evidence suggests she was…

People are hitting the campgrounds for Memorial Day

For some in the area, the campground will be where they'll spend the long Memorial Day weekend

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- For some in the area, the campground will be where they’ll spend the long Memorial Day weekend. Lake Lowndes is a weekend home for some people for the holidays and Memorial Day weekend is one that draws a large crowd. Several people have set up for their relaxing weekend at the campground. There’s a process before…

Columbus restaurateur recognized for feeding community need

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A local restaurateur was honored for his service, not only to his customers, but also his community. The Columbus Exchange Club presented its annual Book of Golden Deeds honor Thursday to Doug Pellum. Pellum, the owner of Zachary’s Restaurant in Columbus, was chosen for his community involvement and generosity in hosting numerous benefits for a wide…

Golf tournament supports retirement community

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- The weather was perfect for a round of golf to help a good cause. Trinity Place Retirement Community hosted its inaugural golf tournament at Elm Lake Golf Course. In addition to competing in the tournament, teams could enter to win door prizes and participate in fun activities at various holes along the course. 22 teams participated….

Charges expected to upgrade for teen accused of killing a juvenile

Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott and District Attorney Scott Colom are working together on the case

CLAY COUNTY, Miss (WCBI)- More details have emerged about the circumstances surrounding the death of 16-year-old Denasia McGregory. The suspect being held is facing new charges. District Attorney Scott Colom and Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott met with McGregory’s family Thursday morning. Sheriff Eddie Scott said it’d been a busy 24 hours working this case, but he’s sure that justice…

Prep your car for the summer heat

COL.UMBUS (WTVA) – The calendar is about to flip from May to June and the Temperature is rising, which means more people will be taking to the highway for those Summer getaways. But summer heat and long miles can be tough on your car. The countdown is on for Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start to Summer. The first…

Tupelo Lions Club collects glasses to donate to people in Uganda

Tupelo ophthalmologist takes more than 1,000 pairs of eyeglasses to Uganda

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – They are a common sight every year, donation boxes for used eyeglasses from Lions Club chapters. One Northeast Mississippi Lions Club recently collected more than a thousand pairs of glasses and they’re helping people a world away. During the most recent meeting of the Tupelo Lions Club, Dr. Lee Walker gave the highlights of a recent…

Police say guns among teenagers continue to plague communities

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Guns among teenagers are continuing to plague communities across the country. On Tuesday, detectives from the Columbus Police Department recovered what they said is an AR-15 from a juvenile. Both a judge and police chief Joseph Daughtry agree that parents and adults in the community need to step in as mentors for the city’s youth before…

Death investigation of Houston teenager continues

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – There are new details about the death of Denasia McGregory. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said there are more clues about the man detained in the investigation and how McGregory may have been killed. “This is another shooting victim. In this case, right here we are dealing with a 16-year-old whose life was just starting…

Columbia Industries has ribbon cutting for newly renovated facility

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbia Industries and the Golden Triangle Development LINK hosted a ribbon cutting for Columbia Industries’ state-of-art facility. The family-owned company specializes in heavy steel customization and fabrication. The newly renovated facility will allow manufacturing equipment used in aerospace, shipyard, oil & gas, power generation, and waste & recycling industries. Over 60 jobs created with an average…

Montgomery County law enforcement search for accused car thieves

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Law enforcement in Montgomery County is looking for two accused car thieves. COURTESY: Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. This is an example of the type of car and not a photo of the actual car that was stolen. The sheriff’s department said a 2003 Toyota Camry, similar to the one in the picture, was taken from…

Deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is May 25

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – There is an important deadline looming for people who suffered damage from the March tornadoes in Carroll, Montgomery, Monroe, Panola, and Sharkey Counties. Thursday, May 25, is the last day to apply for federal disaster assistance. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Homeowners and renters in those areas who have uninsured or underinsured storm-related losses may be able…

Man shares invention he uses to make traffic stops run smoother

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Over 20 million law enforcement traffic stops happen yearly; some are successful, and some end tragically. One Texas native shared an invention he hoped will help traffic stops run smoother. “The biggest hole I have ever seen was the barrel of a police gun,” said Brian Wilturn, founder of The Pocket USA. Wilturner said his first encounter…

Coping on the job: How first responders manage mental health

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – For emergency responders, stressful situations are often part of the job. But that stress can build up over time causing long-term issues. Diagnoses of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, are becoming more common among front-line emergency workers like police, EMTs, and firefighters. The emotional weight first responders carry is unimaginable. WCBI spoke with the crew from…

Lowndes County Port Authority celebrates 35 years

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI ) – The Lowndes County Port Authority celebrated a 35-year milestone of sailing the economic waves of the Golden Triangle. Fittingly, The department hosted a crawfish boil and remembered the achievements it has made throughout the years. Fred Long is the Vice President of Logistics Services. He says the port has significantly increased the amount of cargo…

Tupelo police arrest man accused of child sex crimes

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo police arrested a man accused of a child sex crime. Brian Grice was served a Lee County Capias Warrant for two counts of Sexual Battery of a Child under 14. The charges stem from an alleged 2022 incident. Grice’s bond is set at $75,000. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter Categories: Crime,…

Joint agency operation lands 14 arrests in Clay County

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Law enforcement officers arrested over a dozen people right before the weekend in an effort to get illegal guns off the street. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint operation with the West Point Police Department, the state’s violent crime task force, Mississippi Highway Patrol, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the Department…

Plans move forward to repair stretch of road by Columbus Chick-fil-A

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Drivers in Columbus will soon have a smoother ride to lunch. If your dinner plans in Columbus include Chick-fil-A, you probably know the pain of trying to get there. For years, the pot-hole-plagued street that runs beside the popular eatery has been an obstacle course for people trying to get their chicken tender fix without wrecking…

NMHS confirms 4 facilities resigning from Mississippi Hospital Association

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Another group of medical care facilities left the Mississippi Hospital Association. North Mississippi Health Services confirmed that four of its facilities submitted a letter of resignation from MHA. North Mississippi Medical Center Tupelo, Pontotoc, Eupora, and Iuka are the four facilities walking away from the organization. This is not all of the hospitals in NMHS’s network. A…

West Lowndes 3rd graders achieve 100% pass rate on reading test

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – West Lowndes third graders are reading with flying colors. The group of students had a 100% pass rate on the third-grade reading test after the first retest. This is the school’s first time reaching this high achievement average. The teachers said their students have worked hard all year and their test scores are here to…