00015mts00 00 05 16still001
Featured, Local News

MedStat begins contract with OCH Regional Medical Center

As of last Friday, you may have noticed a change to the ambulances in Oktibbeha County. MedStat officially started its contract with OCH Regional Medical Center.
Kealy Shields,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been a month since the CEO and administrator for OCH Regional Medical Center went to the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors to inform them of their decision to contract with Global Medical Response to provide Emergency Medical Services. As of last Friday, you may have noticed a change to the ambulances in Oktibbeha County…

Img 6791
Featured, Local News

Plantersville’s animal control officer honored during recent MML conference

Officer Jason Lessel gets the public safety award for his efforts at reducing stray dogs through a registration program
Allie Martin,

PLANTERSVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Less than two years after starting the animal control department in Plantersville, Officer Jason Lessel was recognized by his peers during the recent MML conference. “I was surprised, but honored,” Lessel said. Lessel has been a police officer with Plantersville for six years but saw a need for an animal control officer to help deal with…

Wcbi 2023 07 05t163157633
Local News

Golden Triangle Boys & Girls Clubs to provide hot meals for children

Aundrea Self,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Golden Triangle are making sure children in the community have hot meals while school is out for the summer. The clubs in Columbus, Starkville, and West Point serve breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. While several school districts in the area host summer feeding programs, some of those…

New Fire Truck
Local News

Oktibbeha County Volunteer Fire Department gets new fire truck

Kaitlyn Yeatman,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County recently bought a new fire truck. The county was in need of a new truck after one was sent to another department and an older truck needed to be serviced. They got this one for a reduced cost. The new truck has many new features. Oktibbeha County Volunteer Fire Department Chief Joe Pennell…

Miss Mississippi Volunteer Contestants Gather In The All America City Ahead Of This Year's Pageant
Featured, Local News

Contestants arrive for Miss Mississippi Volunteer Pageant

The pageant offers more than $120,000 in scholarship money
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – As they arrived at the Performing Arts Center at Tupelo High School, each contestant was “sashed” by the newly crowned Miss Volunteer America Hannah Perrigin. This time last year, Perrigin won Miss Mississippi Volunteer. “For this week, I want to encourage all the girls, the teens and misses to make friends. They will get exactly what…

MHP
Local News, State News

Mississippi Highway Patrol releases July 4 travel enforcement period report

Eric Lampkin,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol issued fewer tickets but reported more fatalities this July 4 Holiday compared to last year. The 2023 Independence Day Holiday Travel Enforcement Period only ran two days this year, from 6 a.m. Monday until Midnight Tuesday. During that time, State Troopers wrote over 4,400 tickets and made 49 arrests for impaired driving. They…

Tupelo Man Taken Into Custody And Charged With Three Counts Of Sexual Battery
Local News

Tupelo man taken into custody and charged with three counts of Sexual Battery

These charges will be presented to the Lee County Grand Jury
Grace Brister,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – On Friday, May 5, Tupelo Police Department officers responded to a report of inappropriate sexual contact with a juvenile. After further investigation, Javarus Shackelford, 26, of Tupelo,  was taken into custody and charged with three counts of Sexual Battery by a Person in a Position of Authority. On July 2, Tupelo Municipal Court Judge Allen ordered…

A Starkville Girl Scout Is Helping A Member Of Her Community
Featured, Local News

A Starkville girl scout is helping a member of her community

Paige Shelton chose to help clean up a portion of Charles "Lala" Evans land for her community project for her Civil Award.
Kaitlyn Yeatman,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Starkville girl scout is helping a member of her community. Paige Shelton chose to help clean up a portion of Charles “Lala” Evans land for her community project for her Civil Award. Most know “Lala” Evans in Starkville as the town’s first Black mail carrier. However, he’s also known for this area in his yard…

00015mts00 00 03 21still001
Featured, Local News

Families make a splash at Moncrief Park for free pool day

The Parks and Rec department held a free swim as part of its 4th of July celebration.
Kealy Shields,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Jump right in. Dozens of families spent the holiday at the pool at Moncrief Park in Starkville. The Parks and Rec department held a free swim as part of its 4th of July celebration. Moncrief is one of only a few public swimming pools in the area. It was closed at the beginning of the summer…

Sequence 0300 00 45 17still001
Featured, Local News

Dozens rally together to show support for car wreck victim

23-year-old Summer Ethridge was airlifted to the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo Friday morning after a car wreck at a dangerous intersection in West Point.
Kealy Shields,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Dozens of people rallied together to show their support for a car accident victim that remains in critical condition. 23-year-old Summer Ethridge was airlifted to the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo Friday morning after a car wreck at a dangerous intersection in West Point. Friends and family gathered at the Tupelo hospital and her hometown…

M Dangerous Intersection Pkg 070323mpg00 01 37 03still001
Featured, Local News

Law enforcement remind community to stay safe this 4th of July

Kealy Shields,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Law enforcement has been working hard during the extended holiday weekend. With lots of travelers hitting the road to visit friends and family, several people gearing up for tonight’s celebrations. Staff Sergeant Derrick Beckom with the Mississippi Highway Patrol said there are lots of considerations to keep in mind to keep you safe this 4th…

Alcohol
Featured, Local News

Independence Day booms sales for local package store

Justin Wilkerson is the general manager of a local liquor store. He said business has been booming business this Independence Day.
Kealy Shields,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – This year’s 4th of July has become a 4 Day Holiday weekend for many. That means more time for rest, relaxation, and refreshment. Justin Wilkerson is the general manager of a local liquor store. He said business has been booming business this Independence Day. “This past weekend was very busy and we are expecting today…

Firework Related Injuries Skyrocket Around Fourth Of July Holiday
Featured, Local News

Small fireworks have big impact on safety during Fourth of July

MorrisAdmin,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Fireworks stands in north Mississippi have been busy in the lead-up to the Fourth of July. But burn-related injuries also skyrocket around this time of year. We all love watching fireworks in the night sky on holidays but they come with some significant risks. Tina’s Fireworks has been helping people around Okolona light up the…

00077mts00 00 00 13still001
Featured, Local News

Dangerous intersection has law enforcement looking for solutions

Kealy Shields,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An accident in Clay County over the weekend has left one woman in critical condition, and it has law enforcement looking at ways to make an intersection safer. Highway 50 East stretches from West Point to Columbus and intersects with Barton Ferry and Herman Shirley Roads. Once again, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office found itself…
Local News

Extremely hot weather causes damage to part of Hwy 82 W in Starkville

Kaitlyn Yeatman,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Asphalt is crumbling, and a crack is running across two lanes of a Mississippi highway. This is Highway 82 West in Starkville, just before the exit for Highway 389. This buckling was caused by excessive heat conditions. That’s according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Asphalt can heat up to 140 to 150 degrees on a…

money
Local News

Lowndes Co. Supervisors discuss school district’s claimed budget shortfall

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Supervisors in Lowndes County found themselves in a familiar situation, being asked to fund a budget shortfall for the county school district. The Lowndes County School District has claimed a $1.1 million shortfall in its budget. The two groups have been at odds over how certain industrial properties should be taxed. School leaders said properties…

Lowndes County (LCBS)
Local News

Lowndes Co. Supervisors accept bid to pave community center parking lots

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County Supervisors paved the way for improvements at three of the county’s community centers. Supervisors accepted a bid from Falcon Contracting to pave the parking lots at Concord, Crawford, and New Hope Community Centers. Currently, all three have gravel lots which have become popular for the “wrong” reasons. People have been showing off their…

The State Fire Marshal's Office Encourages Firework Safety This Independence Day
Local News

The State Fire Marshal’s Office encourages firework safety this Independence Day

Those wishing to purchase and use fireworks need to check with their fire protection officials to make sure local laws are being followed. Certain areas prohibit fireworks from being used within city limits. One cannot shoot fireworks in Columbus city limits and the fee for it is almost $250.
Grace Brister,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – If you are shooting fireworks this holiday weekend, the State Fire Marshal’s Office encourages firework safety this Independence Day whether at home or a firework show. State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney says to use common sense when dealing with fireworks, and never point them at someone. Those wishing to purchase and use fireworks need…