Starkville murder trial involving teenager ends in mistrial

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The trial of a Starkville teenager accused of murder ended in a mistrial. After seven hours of deliberation Thursday, jurors in the trial of Aviante Jordan were hopelessly deadlocked and could not reach a unanimous decision. The judge declared a mistrial early Thursday evening. Jordan was 16 when he was arrested and charged with murder in…

Developmental delays linked to overload of screen time

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Technology is all around us. It’s our main source of entertainment, and it’s taking on a larger role in the world of education, especially since the COVID Pandemic increased the need to learn from home. But that same technology that is used to teach is also being linked to developmental delays, especially among pre-schoolers. According…

City of Columbus gears up for 27th annual Market Street Festival

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s one of the busiest festivals in our area, and we’re two days away from it. The 27th annual Market Street Festival kicks off Friday evening and runs through Saturday afternoon. However, preparation takes place year-round. It’s an event that’s 364 days in the making. “Preparations really go on throughout the year and this year we…

Christians join ‘National Day of Prayer’ rallies across the region

Pastors call for prayers for communities, first responders, military, families and government leaders

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Charlotte Trice Copeland had some business at the Lee County Justice Center when she found out from a friend about the “National Day of Prayer” ceremony. She said it was too important to miss. “If we don’t all fall on our knees and unite together in prayer, we are going to be lost. This world needs…

Dozens gather at Lowndes County Courthouse for ‘National Day of Prayer’

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Dozens gathered on the front lawn of the Lowndes County Courthouse for music and prayers. The Christian Community in Prayer hosted the annual “National Day of Prayer” event at noon. The local clergy and community members prayed for different areas of focus including churches, families, government, schools, military, and the media. Students from Columbus High School…

Jurors deliberate on murder trial involving Starkville teenager

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Jurors are deliberating the fate of a Starkville teenager in connection to a deadly shooting. Aviante Jordan was 16 when he was arrested and charged with murder in 2019. The shooting happened that November at Brookville Garden apartments. 23-year-old Laterrence Dewon McCarter was found dead at the scene. Testimony in this murder trial started earlier this…

Columbus mayor briefs city, county leaders on community progress

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – If you want to make things better, get involved. That was one message from Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin. Gaskin briefed Columbus and Lowndes County business and community leaders on projects and progress around the city. Gaskin hit on a number of topics from new software and procedures to streamline the budgeting process in the city to…

MEMA reports March 24 tornado death toll increases

SHARKEY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The death toll from the March 24 tornadoes has increased. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency announced one person in Sharkey County has died after being hospitalized for about six weeks. The death toll in Sharkey County is 14 and 22 statewide. MEMA said they are saddened about this latest development. For 24/7 news and updates,…

MDOT makes changes to Hwy 25, Longview, Poor House Roads crossing

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Highway 25 in Oktibbeha County looks a little different and safer. The Mississippi Department of Transportation installed a temporary, restricted U-turn barrier at the Highway 25 intersection with Longview and Poor House Roads. Drivers can no longer cross over the highway. Now, they must turn right and go to the next median opening to turn…

Testimony continues in Oktibbeha County murder trial

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Testimony continued in the murder trial of James Dustin Nixon. He was accused of killing 26-year-old Shawn Stricklin back in 2018. This is the second trial for Nixon who 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…

Amory offers debris removal assistance to those in need

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – If you’re unable to remove debris from your property in Amory, there’s a way to get help. This is for people that cannot move the debris themselves or with volunteer assistance. The city applied to FEMA for private property debris clean-up. That’s why the contractor the city hired can clear the limbs and other items. To…

Bond denied for man accused of threatening to kill Senator Roger Wicker

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – A man accused of threatening to kill United States Senator Roger Wicker was denied bond. 58-year-old William Sappington was charged with threatening to injure or kill a U.S. official. The hearing was held in a federal courtroom in Oxford on Wednesday. He’s accused of going to the senator’s cousin’s home on April 26 and saying he…

Teacher appreciation week: Giving back to those who give the most

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) –  Teacher Appreciation Week is just around the corner, and many people are looking to give back to those who give the most. Teachers touch beyond the classroom and for many of them, their students’ success is their success. WCBI talked with local educators about their everyday duties and the passion that keeps them going. They’re mentors,…

Education, leadership, mentoring featured at State of the Region meeting

Partnerships among businesses, non profits and schools touted as keys to a thriving community

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Business and community leaders throughout the area were given proven tips on ways to prepare future leaders for success. It was part of the Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi’s “State of the Region”. New Albany High School Senior Alea Hudson moderated a panel discussion on Girl’s Leadership. Hudson said it wasn’t until she became…

CMSD to host event for public to meet superintendent candidates

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Municipal School District has named the three finalists for the superintendent’s job. Hattiesburg High School Principal Dr. Victor Hubbard, current Kemper County School Superintendent Hilute Hudson, and Dr. Stanley Ellis, an Assistant Superintendent with the Tunica County School District. The public will have a chance to meet and hear from the three finalists for…

Columbus police investigate shooting at apartment complex

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police now say a recent shooting happened at a different apartment complex. A CPD spokesperson said the incident actually happened at The Reserve apartments on Monday. There was an argument between two men before the gunfire started. No injuries were reported. Two guns were recovered. It was initially reported to WCBI the shooting happened at…

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…