TechByte (Great Outdoors) – 04/21/23
Categories: TechByte Tags: cell phones, technology
Verona third graders take field trip to Toyota for ‘Environmental Day’
Toyota partners with Lee County schools for Earth Day celebration
BLUE SPRINGS, Miss. (WCBI) – It was an opportunity to learn about ways to be better stewards of the planet, while also learning about the work that goes on at Toyota Mississippi. It was a lesson in pollination using a relay race as a teaching tool. “Growing Healthy Waves” brought a very lively bee and flower to the first-ever “Earth…
Catfish Alley festivities kick off in Columbus, ready for Saturday
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Events are going on throughout the area all weekend. One that is reeling in people’s attention in Columbus is Catfish in the Alley. What used to be one of the biggest African American hubs in the state is still being celebrated. Black dentists, chefs, and other entrepreneurs would come to Catfish Alley for good food and…
‘Men of Excellence’ hosts 2023 State of Black Men Symposium at MSU
MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Revive, Recharge, Redirect. That’s the motto of this year’s State of Black Men Symposium on Mississippi State University’s campus. The conference, hosted by the “Men of Excellence” organization, allowed black men to engage with local professionals to discuss the importance of the black man’s role in the family and in the professional world. Other discussions…
Fairview kindergarten students take inspiration from visitor to write book
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Most five-year-olds are just learning to read a book. A class of kindergarten students in Columbus has written a book. And they drew inspiration from a special visitor to their class. Sheila Goodman’s class at Fairview Elementary recently released the book, “When I’m 102 Just Like You.” The inspiration for the book came after one of…
Governor signs bills giving Capitol Police more jurisdiction in Jackson
JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – It has been hotly debated. But, now, the Governor’s signature is on new laws that give the Capitol Police more jurisdiction in the capital city. Governor Tate Reeves signed four bills Friday that he said strengthen public safety in Jackson. With these new laws, there is extra money to hire and support 150 police officers on…
MHP, Itawamba County deputies search for missing man
ITAWAMBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Itawamba County Sheriff’s Office are asking for your help to find a missing man. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has issued a Silver Alert for 19-year-old Hunter Ray Patterson of Mantachie. Patterson is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 148 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes….
Mississippi airports awarded nearly $35M in federal grants for improvement
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Two federal grant programs are paving the way for major improvements at some area airports. In all, about $35 million is coming to Mississippi through the Federal Aviation Administration’s AIP, or Airport Improvement Program, and the AIG, or Airport Improvement Grant Program. Seven area airports will be impacted with some of them getting money from both programs….
Alabama continues to set new record low unemployment rate
ALABAMA (WCBI) – Alabama set a new record low unemployment rate, again. The rate for March is 2.3%. This means there are just over 53,000 people unemployed in the state. February’s numbers stood at 2.5%. Governor Kay Ivey said jobs have been added in manufacturing, business services, private education, and health services sectors in Alabama. Salaries have also increased over…
Miss. IHL Board reports Alcorn State University appoints interim president
LORMAN, Miss. (WCBI) – Another change in leadership at one of Mississippi’s universities. The state Institutions of Higher Learning board said Dr. Felecia Nave is no longer the president at Alcorn State University. She had been in that role since 2019. No reason was given for her departure. Nave was the first female to lead Alcorn. Mississippi Today reported that…
Medical marijuana dispensary opens on 4/20 in Tupelo
The Dispensary by REV held a ribbon cutting and welcomed people in to educate them
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – You probably know about 4/20 and some locals thought what better way to celebrate than to open a dispensary. The Dispensary by REV held a ribbon cutting and welcomed people in to educate people about how medical cannabis works. General Manager of Rev of Tupelo Kelly Riley cut the ribbon to celebrate her store’s official opening…
Misusing Ozempic for weight loss affects people who actually need it
GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – There’s a growing concern in the medical community: the misuse of the diabetic drug Ozempic, for rapid weight loss in people who are not diabetic. A pharmacist warns that using this medication without a medical need can lead to serious side effects and potential health risks for the users and true diabetics. Ozempic for weight…
Longtime DJ retiring after more than 4 decades on north Mississippi radio
Award winning broadcaster Stan Allen never intended to make radio a career, but God had other plans
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – His voice has been coming through the north Mississippi airwaves for more than four decades, but after next week, a longtime disc jockey will be signing off. For more than 40 years, he’s been a familiar voice on radio across North Mississippi. Stan Allen started his radio career at WCPC in Houston, Mississippi, after serving his…
Governor signs bills allocating money for infrastructure improvements
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – More than $2 billion will be used to improve roads, bridges, airports, and other infrastructure in Mississippi. Governor Tate Reeves signed two pieces of legislation to get the money moving. $1.4 billion will go to the Mississippi Department of Transportation. No specific projects were in the bill, meaning MDOT has the flexibility to choose the improvements. Senate…
Former Mississippi wrestler latest person indicted in state welfare scandal
MISSISSIPPI (WLBT) – A former Mississippi wrestler is the latest person facing a federal indictment in the state welfare scandal. Ted DiBiase, Jr. is facing one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, six counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and four counts of money laundering related to the misuse of millions of…
Staff Sergeant Derrick Beckom receives Trooper of the Year Award
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Some of the Patrolmen of Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop G made a pit stop in Columbus to help honor one of their own. The Columbus Exchange Club presented its Trooper of the Year Award to Staff Sergeant Derrick Beckom. A Eupora native, Beckom is in his 20th year with MHP and currently serves as Troop G’s…
MSMS wraps up final performance of ‘Tales from the Crypt’ on Friday
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – You have one more chance to see history come to life in Columbus. Students from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science will have their final presentation of “Tales from the Crypt” Friday night beginning at 7 p.m. at Friendship Cemetery. The performances are the culmination of their year-long research project into people buried at the…
Tupelo woman Tracy Shanklin has been found, receiving care
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo woman who was reported missing Wednesday night and was the subject of a Silver Alert has been found. Tupelo Police sent out a release in the early morning hours that Tracy Shanklin had been found and was receiving care. The Mississippi Highway Patrol also canceled its Silver Alert. For 24/7 news and updates, follow…
Deadline approaches to apply for D-SNAP benefits
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Some important dates are approaching for some tornado survivors in the area. If you do not already receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, you can apply for D-SNAP. For qualifying households, D-SNAP provides money to help buy food lost in the storm or if you lost income due to the disaster. The deadline in Montgomery County is…
Leaders in Amory cancel city-wide curfew restriction
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Nearly a month after imposing a curfew, the city of Amory has lifted the restriction. Town leaders put the curfew in place the day after that devastating EF3 tornado swept through, leaving piles of debris. The city and property owners have spent the last few weeks clearing debris from the roads. The police department lifted the…
MSU receives historical $100M donation to endowed scholarship fund
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Mississippi State students will have more opportunities for scholarships after a $100 million gift to the university. George and Kathy Bishop made the donation. This builds on the couple’s $10 million commitment back in 2018. This is the largest gift to a higher education university in the state’s history. The George Bishop Family Endowed Scholarship provides university-wide…
Prominent family honored for their work improving lives of Mississippians
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A well-known family was honored for their work helping improve the quality of life for Northeast Mississippians. The Reed Family was the recipient of the 2023 “Red Rasberry Humanitarian Award.” That award is named in honor of Red Rasberry, one of the founders and first director of the Regional Rehab Center. The RRC provides a variety…