Starkville plans to make walking, biking in town more accessible

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The city of Starkville is making walking and biking more accessible throughout the city. You may have noticed cones around Highway 182. Starting at Old West Point Road and along 182, crews are replacing one of the lanes going east to add a biking and walking path. The path will connect to College View and the…

Columbus City Council approves police chief’s request for more radar units

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police will soon have an additional tool, besides the city’s ever-present speed bumps, to slow down speeders. At last night’s meeting, the City Council approved Police Chief Joseph Daughtry’s request for 18 radar units. 15 of these will be going into CPD patrol cars, and three will be mounted on the department’s motorcycles which will…

SOCSD shares successes during State of the Region meeting

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Administrators with the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District shared their stories of success during the State of the Region meeting. A panel discussion focusing on the “Starkville-Oktibbeha Story” looked at the unique innovations in the district, such as Partnership Middle School, Acadedmic Houses, Intersessions, and the school’s recently adopted modified calendar. Deputy Superintendent Christy Maulding said it’s…

Man arrested on child abuse charge in Lafayette County

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Multiple agencies helped Lafayette County deputies make an abuse arrest. 42-year-old Jerrelle Jordan of Abbeville was charged with child abuse. Investigators say to protect the children involved and the nature of the case no details would be released in the ongoing investigation. Family Crisis Services, CASA, Communicare, and Child Protective Services helped in the case….

Columbus mayor breaks tie on landscaping proposal

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin was playing the role of tie-breaker at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. But the end result was a return to the status quo. At issue was a proposal to maintain the areas around the exits on Highway 82. MDOT cuts them about twice a year. Columbus Public Works maintains them in between…

Saltillo to get new fire station with help from county, state

Legislature gave one million dollars for new fire station

SALTILLO, Miss. (WCBI) – The fastest-growing city in Lee County will get a new fire station, and more than half the money is already pledged. The property markers are in place on one point two acres of land at the north end of the Turner Industrial Park. The parcel will be the site of a new fire station for the…

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…