Columbus police investigate shootout Monday evening

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police are investigating an east Columbus shootout. The shooting happened Monday evening at about 6:45 near the intersection of McCrary Road and Forrest Boulevard. Columbus police said a man was walking on McCrary when a car passed him. That vehicle stopped and three people got out and started shooting at the victim. The victim shot…

Bond set for man charged with murder in Clay County

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Bond was set for the man charged in a deadly Clay County shooting. Myquinton Barr was charged with murder. He was given a $950,000 bond in Clay County Justice Court Tuesday morning. Barr was accused of killing 40-year-old Charles Knox on Dixie Road this past Sunday. Sheriff Eddie Scott said there was an argument before…

Oxford man arrested, charged with kidnapping, sexual battery

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Oxford police made a sexual assault arrest. 52-year-old John Scott Michael, of Oxford, was charged with kidnapping and sexual battery. Investigators said officers were called to Courthouse Square on April 12 for a person needing help. The victim told OPD that a man sexually assaulted them. Michael was arrested Monday. His bond was set at $50,000….

Navistar Defense in West Point increases number of employees

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Navistar Defense in West Point has increased its employment significantly over the last few years. This comes after a grant from the Mississippi Development Authority. The manufacturing company committed to creating 500 jobs in Mississippi as well as updating their facilities by $8 million. They have reached that goal within the last 12 months. “These…

Okolona educates public about USDA Housing Loans, Grants

OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI) – The city of Okolona is educating the public about the financial assistance that may be available to them. Okolona city officials want their people to know about a range of financial assistance created by the United States Department of Agriculture aimed at helping rural communities achieve quality housing through grants, loans, and loan guarantees under the…

Mississippi IHL Board Commissioner speaks about state public universities

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The commissioner of higher education said Mississippi’s public universities are creating qualified workers to fill job openings. There are eight public universities in the state. Overall, the higher education system saw a decrease of 755 students from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022 numbers. That is only a slight decline, with more than 75,000 people enrolled for…

Proms have changed over the years and are now flashier than ever

Prom season is here; for graduating high school seniors, it is a time to shine and sparkle

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- Prom season is here; for graduating high school seniors, it is a time to shine and sparkle.  It is prom week and Porsha Fields stopped by M & K Ladies Wear to get last-minute alterations on her daughter’s dress. Fields said her daughter chose her dress carefully for the elegant event. It’s been busy at M and…

A local sorority helps give back on Earth Day in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The Starkville chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is planting for the future. The chapter held a tree-planting ceremony this morning in celebration of Earth Day, and they had some help. Participants in the group’s youth leadership institute did some digging, watering, and finally the planting of a flowering cherry tree in a homeowner’s yard. A.K.A members…

A woman is charged with burglary and credit card fraud in Oxford

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI)- Lafayette County sheriff’s office make an arrest after residents reported their vehicles had been broken into. On Thursday, April 20, 2023, deputies with the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office received reports from two residences in the area of county road 369 regarding their vehicles being broken into. Deputies began gathering information and a suspect was identified after several…

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…

‘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…

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…