Investigators identify body found in Webster County as missing man
WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Investigators have identified a body found in Webster County. Sheriff David Gore said no foul play is suspected in the death of Cedell Starks. He was last seen on January 12. His body was found just south of Mantee off Highway 15 back on February 28. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook…
Town of Amory joins together after recent area tragedies
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – As many cities in Mississippi are still in shock from losing almost everything due to a tornado hitting their hometowns, volunteers and elected officials have stopped by to pray for them and help them back on their feet. Two weeks ago, several Amory residents endured what some said was their worst nightmare. A tornado swept through…
Families in Pontotoc react to damaging storms
PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s a scene that is familiar to many across the state. Tornadoes ripped through several parts of Northeast Mississippi late Friday night and early Saturday morning. In Pontotoc, people around the Highway 41 area woke up to see a different reality Saturday morning. Mary Farr lost her home during the storm and crews were working hard…
Crowd gathers on College Street to watch annual ‘Stella Shout’
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Dozens of folks gathered on College Street in Columbus Friday evening to channel their “inner Brando”. Columbus’s annual “Stella Shout” is a little early this year, normally it’s part of the Tennessee Williams Tribute Weekend in September. This year it joined the Burns Bottom Art Festival. Contestants young and old got the chance to recreate the…
FEMA sends teams to assist in damaged Mississippi neighborhoods
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – One week to the day from that damaging storm. And clean up in Winona and Amory is just getting started. There is help. Much of it will come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA. They have people on the ground, walking from home to home in damaged Mississippi neighborhoods offering assistance. Some people who…
Police academy graduate continues family tradition in law enforcement
Amory Police Department Detective Andy Long's daughter is newest member of the force
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – There are 18 new law enforcement graduates. One of those new rookies will follow in the footsteps of her father, a man that trained her for the job. Emma Long has always wanted to become a police officer. “I can’t really put a set time on when,” Emma Long said. It was a full circle moment…
Preservation Society of Columbus Pilgrimage kicks off Jubilee of Homes
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s Springtime in Columbus, and that means visitors coming, sometimes by the literal busload. The Preservation Society of Columbus’s Spring Pilgrimage: Jubilee of Homes kicked off today with a Lunch-and-Learn featuring local historian Rufus Ward. Ward talked about the connections among the various populations during the settlement of the Prairie region and Columbus, connections between Native…
Amory community hosts dress drive for local students heading to prom
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – For many teenagers, it is a rite of passage. The prom is a way for juniors and seniors to celebrate the school year, but storms in Amory have dampened preparations. Some families lost everything, and that includes fancy dresses for a once-in-a-lifetime event. Local merchants are making sure the students in their town don’t miss out….
Starkville police arrest two people after argument at McDonald’s
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Two arrests were made and guns were recovered after an argument between employees at McDonald’s. Starkville police said 20-year-old Lakendia Williams was charged with disorderly conduct and interference of a business. 21-year-old Janya Rainer was charged with resisting arrest and failure to comply. All of those charges are misdemeanor charges. Officers were called to the Highway…
All 5 districts of Lowndes County VFDs team up to host rodeo
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – They help the community during emergencies, and now they’re asking the community to help them in a fun way. All five districts of the Lowndes County Volunteer Fire Department have teamed up to bring a weekend of family fun to the Lowndes County Horse Park. The volunteers have brought a professional rodeo to Lowndes County….
Discovery Center raises awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Over 3 million child abuse cases are reported yearly in the United States, and The Starkville Oktibbeha School District Discovery Center plans to raise awareness here in Mississippi. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Discovery Center is kicking things off with a pinwheel ceremony. The pinwheel represents a child’s whimsical innocence and reminds adults…
Restaurants, businesses take part in annual ‘Taste of Tupelo’
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Restaurants and businesses had a chance to get their food and services in front of potential new customers in Tupelo. The annual “Taste of Tupelo” brought more than 1,600 people to the Cadence Bank Arena. Restaurants had samples of food and drink, while businesses were able to let guests know about their services. The event was…
Plane crash in Lafayette County leaves 1 person dead, another injured
LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – One person is dead and another is injured after a plane crash in Lafayette County. The sheriff’s department said it was contacted by Union County deputies at about 9 p.m. Thursday night about a plane that had taken off there and had not returned. A cell phone from one of the people on board was…
Disqualified Public Service Commissioner candidate files appeal
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A Northern District Public Service Commissioner candidate disqualified from the ballot is appealing the ruling. Amanda Gunasekara filed the appeal in Hinds County Thursday. Matthew Barton, a Desoto County attorney, asked the courts to remove her. At issue was how long the former Trump administration appointee had lived in Mississippi. You must have lived in the state…
Noxubee Co. grand jury indicts man on simple assault of vulnerable adult
NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The man accused of breaking inside a home and assaulting an elderly couple was indicted by a Noxubee County grand jury. Jamar Stallings faces burglary, sexual battery, simple assault on a vulnerable adult, and kidnapping charges. The reported home invasion happened last July. He was arrested in the Piney Woods community a week later because…
Uncorked: Broussards Dinner
Categories: Featured, Uncorked Tags: uncorked
State Board of Education Names Mike Kent Interim State Superintendent
JACKSON, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) has named Mike Kent interim state superintendent of education to serve from April 3 through June 30 and announced plans to appoint a long-term interim superintendent to begin July 1. Kent has served as interim deputy superintendent at the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) since 2012, after retiring…
Hatley High School seniors take part in ‘Decision Day’
Seniors unveil post graduation plans after months of working with the district's career coach
HATLEY, MISS. (WCBI) – It was a special day for seniors at Hatley High School, who have been preparing for life after graduation. More than 40 Hatley High School seniors have a game plan for the next stage of life, whether it’s the workforce or college. The ceremony is called “Decision Day” and follows months of working with the school’s…
Starkville High hosts pre-prom safety awareness event
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – There were sirens and first responders at Starkville High School Thursday afternoon, but it wasn’t an actual emergency. The school hosted a pre-prom safety awareness event to help students understand the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. The event began included a mock traffic accident and a simulation with sirens, emergency vehicles, ambulances, and a helicopter….
Columbus Lowndes Co. Airport naming terminal after local aviation pioneer
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Lowndes County Airport will soon bear the name of a local aviation pioneer. The airport authority board recently voted unanimously to name the terminal for Lieutenant Colonel Alva Temple. Colonel Temple was a fighter pilot in the 99th Pursuit Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Force in World War Two – the Famed…