Man attempts to run over person leaving gym in Amory

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – What started out as a question nearly led to a man getting run over. 54-year-old Byron White of Humble, Texas was charged with attempted aggravated assault. Amory police said the victim was leaving a gym when White approached him and asked who was inside. The victim told him to talk to someone else and left to…

Lowndes County man re-sentenced in deadly armed robbery case

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County man was re-sentenced in a deadly armed robbery case. Cortez Williams originally pleaded guilty to depraved heart murder in 2019. That plea and his sentence of 20 years were overturned. Monday, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was ordered to serve more than 11 years in prison. Williams was also given credit…

Mississippi State abuzz with activity for World Bee Day

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – There’s a buzz in the air on Mississippi State’s campus. World Bee Day was this past weekend but the college celebrated the pollinators on Monday by hosting an informative event. Guests were able to interact with STEM activities and learn about beekeeping, and the importance of supporting honey and native bees. “They are not only pollinating…

Oxford police search for suspects involved in shooting

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Oxford Police are looking for any suspects involved in a shooting that injured three people. Officers arrived at Holly Hills apartment around 1:30 Saturday morning. Someone on the 911 call stated they heard multiple gunshots in the parking lot. The three individuals shot all suffered non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made at this time. If…

Annual 5K in Tupelo honors memory of fallen law officers

Hundreds turn out for 'Blessed are the Peacemakers' 5K

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Hundreds of people laced up their running shoes and took part in a 5K supporting those who put their lives on the line daily to protect and serve. Before this 5K begins, a procession of blue lights honors the memory of those who paid the ultimate price protecting and serving. “We have three officers represented in…

Campus of former Wood Junior College is under new ownership

It's been nearly 140 years since two ministers started a seminary in the small Webster County community of Clarkson

MATHISTON, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been nearly 140 years since two ministers started a seminary in the small Webster County community of Clarkson. A few years later, the school was moved to Mathiston, where students could travel easily by train. Most people remember it as Wood Junior College, a thriving school in the ’70s and ’80s. The property has been…

Webster County couple killed in weekend car crash

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An elderly Webster County couple was killed in a weekend car crash. The Mississippi Highway Patrol said the accident happened on Highway 9, north of Walthall, late Friday afternoon. 79-year-old Robert Pittman’s vehicle was going south when it went off the road and hit a tree. Mr. Pittman and his wife, 76-year-old Mary Pittman, of…

Early morning fire in Columbus claims lives of woman, pets

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The investigation into a deadly early morning fire in Columbus continues. Firefighters were called to a camper park on Lincoln Road at about 5:30 a.m. The camper was engulfed in flames when the firemen arrived. Columbus Fire and Rescue Chief Duane Hughes said a woman and her two pets died in the blaze. The state fire…

Community helps popular music duo who lost home in fire

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The community is coming together to help a popular husband and wife music act who lost everything in a fire. Keith and Margie Brown regularly play at festivals, events, and fundraisers in the area. Their home in Columbus caught fire Wednesday night. The house was a total loss, and the couple was left with very few of…

Montgomery Co. deputies search for suspects allegedly using fake money

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department hopes you can help identify some people accused of passing bogus bucks. In a Facebook post, the agency said the people in these pictures are using counterfeit $100 bills to pay for items. The cash appears to be legitimate using a counterfeit-detecting marker. However, the ink will smear as soon…

Tupelo man charged in fatal stabbing of woman on Wednesday

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo man was charged with killing a woman in the middle of the afternoon on Wednesday. Tupelo police investigators believe Ricky Shumpert stabbed the victim, 43-year-old Tyronza Heavens, to death. Officers responded to reports of the stabbing on North Church Street. That’s where they found Heavens with multiple wounds. She was taken to the North…

SROs protect schools, provide positive influence for students

Lee County Sheriff's Office partners with the school district to provide SROs on campuses

GUNTOWN, Miss. (WCBI) – As we celebrate National Police Week, it’s an opportunity to highlight those who protect and serve. Those officers on school campuses are protecting our most valuable asset, our children. Whether he is sitting with students during lunch, walking the halls, or helping with cafeteria cleanup, Lee County Deputy Matthew Williams is right at home on the Guntown…

Job fair helps connect employers with potential employees

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi’s unemployment rate is at a historic low. However, there are still people looking for jobs and companies needing workers. “There can be a fit for anyone,” said Erin Bragg from the CPI Group. Hundreds of people walked through the Lyceum at Lee, searching for their new or next opportunity. Bragg said finding jobs are not…

Noxubee County leaders help find new ways of transportation

Pedaling towards better health is the goal for leaders in Noxubee County

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Pedaling towards better health is the goal for leaders in Noxubee County. The people with Mississippi State University’s AIM for Change program were researching a transportation plan for Noxubee County. That’s when they found another problem they said needed to be addressed. “That’s how we got the results that transportation was needed in Noxubee County…

Columbus Boys, Girls Club unveils finished renovation project

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Leaders and members of the Columbus Boys and Girls Club are showing off their new look. A renovation project at the club recently wrapped up and the public could come inside to see the changes. The project included new flooring throughout the building along with updates to the kitchen and restroom areas. Club members also now…

Workforce advice: What makes applicants stand out to employers

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – In this competitive job market, some employers look for employees that stand out from the usual crowd of applicants. Steel Dust Recycling out of Milport, Alabama, employs nearly 40% of Lowndes County residents and is looking to add to it. Human Resources Manager Joe Fleming offers tips to anyone entering the job force. “We look…

Majority of Mississippi students excel on state reading exams

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A majority of Mississippi continues to excel on its state reading exam. The Mississippi Department of Education reported that over 76% of third graders passed the state reading assessment during the spring semester. That’s over 31,000 students. That’s more than the 2021-2022 school year and the 2018-2019 school year before the COVID pandemic. For students who didn’t…