Lowndes Young Leaders program holds graduation ceremony

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Students throughout Lowndes County graduated from one of the top leadership programs in the state on Tuesday. Lowndes Young Leaders originated in 1999 and have made countless leaders since. Only 21 students made it through the competitive application and interview process this year. The members are exposed to local governments and million-dollar industries to gain hands-on…

Trial begins in Oktibbeha County for teen charged with murder in 2019

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Prosecutors are calling witnesses and experts to the stand in an Oktibbeha County murder trial involving a teenager. 16-year-old Aviante Jordan was charged with murder in connection to a fatal November 2019 shooting at Brookville Garden apartments in Starkville. The victim, 23-year-old Laterrence Dewon McCarter, was found dead at the scene. Investigators also arrested 30-year-old…

Lee County woman arrested after child reportedly tests positive for drugs

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lee County woman was arrested after a child reportedly tested positive for drugs. Over the weekend, Tupelo Police arrested Jessica Shemitra Ivy on a warrant for two counts of Child Endangerment, Child Testing Positive for Controlled Substance. The warrant was issued after an investigation involving two juveniles that began in January. The investigation is…

New Albany man charged with capital murder of 7-week-old child

NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WCBI) – A New Albany man accused of killing a seven-week-old child is being held without bond. 26-year-old Arthur Eurek was charged with capital murder. New Albany Police Chief Chris Robertson said the investigation started on April 23. Child Protective Service notified Robertson’s officers about a child in Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, in Memphis, with head and…

Water safety can help your children stay afloat this summer

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – As temperatures rise and families head to pools, lakes, and beaches this summer, it’s important to keep water safety in mind. Knowing just enough to keep your head above water isn’t enough when it comes to water safety for our kids. Summer is just around the corner, so before your children make a splash, make sure…

Friends, family reflect on life, legacy of former WCBI News Director

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Long-time north Mississippi journalist and former WCBI News Director Robert Davidson passed away Sunday. He oversaw some of the largest stories to impact the region for 25 years. His greater impact may have been on the people who told those stories. Robert was more of a behind-the-scenes guy. He was a father and husband, a role…

Jury selection begins for Oktibbeha County murder trial

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Jury selection began in round two of an Oktibbeha County murder trial. James Dustin Nixon was charged with first-degree murder. In July of last year, Judge Jim Kitchens declared a mistrial. The decision came after learning the State Medical Examiner’s office had evidence that neither the defense nor the district attorney’s office had access to…

Starkville police make 3 arrests in Sunday night shooting at gas station

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville Police have arrested three suspects connected to a gas station shooting from Sunday night. 17-year-old Coby Jones of Starkville has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault. The incident happened at the Sprint Mart at the intersection of Highway 182 and Old Mayhew Road. A bullet grazed a woman associated with the involved parties…

Lowndes County leaders explore options for more public storm shelters

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County leaders are exploring options for emergency storm shelters in the western and southern areas of the county. Lowndes County Emergency Management Director Cindy Lawrence went before the Board of Supervisors with a proposal for 12 public storm shelters for Artesia, Crawford, and Plum Grove. Lawrence is considering applying to FEMA for funding for…

Noxubee County supervisors latest to pass ban on ZAZA

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Noxubee County is the latest county to ban ZAZA. The board of supervisors approved the ordinance to take effect immediately. The city of Macon is included in this ban. Tianeptine is the technical name for the drug, which is sold as a supplement in convenience stores. Noxubee County Sheriff Tommy Roby said deputies will deliver…

Transportable Temporary Housing Units available soon for tornado victims

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Transportable Temporary Housing Units will soon be available to some tornado victims. Governor Tate Reeves’ office said about 250 survivors are eligible. These would be people from the March 24 tornadoes in Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe, Montgomery, Panola, and Sharkey counties. FEMA is calling the qualified applicants to let them know the next steps moving forward. They can…

State school boards association assists CMSD with finding superintendent

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Municipal School District Board will now be receiving help from the Mississippi School Boards Association in finding a new superintendent for the district. The association notified over 5,000 people about the search. All completed applications were processed before the March 17 deadline. 10 people applied for the superintendent position. Of the ten applicants, there…

Retired WCBI News Director Robert Davidson has died

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Retired WCBI News Director Robert Davidson passed away Sunday morning in Tupelo. He ran the newsroom at WCBI from 2012 through 2021. Most of his professional career was spent in news, from photographer to producer to manager. He also worked in television in Jackson, Tennessee, and for years as News Director at WTVA in Tupelo. Robert…