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…

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…

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…

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….

City of Columbus decides to replace old police, public works vehicles

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus City Council is adding some custom touches to its vehicle fleet leasing program. The city has decided to replace some aging vehicles in the Police Department and Public Works fleets through a lease agreement, rather than buying them outright. The lease program saves money in the long run on things like maintenance and allows…

Dak is back: MSU welcomes new live bulldog mascot

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A new team member will be prowling the sidelines at Mississippi State football games this year, but this guy won’t be suiting up. The Bulldogs have a new bulldog. Dak, the latest four-legged mascot joined the team earlier this month. Mississippi State fans are used to seeing Jak the live bulldog mascot at sporting events or…

Amory mayor, Monroe County officials discuss recovery plans

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Amory and Monroe County officials held a press conference to review and update citizens on the progress in the town. The storm left a devastating scene. New beginnings are ahead, but the road to recovery will be long. The progress made so far in Amory is promising, but Amory Mayor Corey Glenn said…

Columbus woman arrested, faces child neglect charge

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus woman is facing a child neglect charge. 43-year-old Yolanda Moore was arrested by Columbus police on Wednesday. CPD did not release the circumstances that led to Moore’s arrest. The felony charge of child neglect is labeled “with substantial harm.” Moore remained in jail on Thursday afternoon. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook…

Baptist Behavioral Health Directors talk about resources for storm victims

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Recent storms impacted families in physical, emotional, and even psychological ways. At the exchange club meeting at Lion Hills, the Directors of Behavioral Health at Baptist Golden Triangle talked about the resources the hospital has for storm victims or people that suffer from other problems. He said they’ve also had some people reach out to him…

Vitalant South hosts ‘Battle of the Badges’ blood drive in Tupelo

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It was a friendly competition among first responders to help recruit blood donors. Vitalant South hosted the “Battle of the Badges”. Tupelo Police, the Tupelo Fire Department, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office took part in the competition. Blood donation centers were set up at the police department’s community room and the Vitalant Bus was at…

FEMA opens mobile application centers in 4 tornado damaged counties

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Federal assistance is becoming more accessible to tornado victims in Mississippi. The Federal Emergency Management Agency Mobile Application Centers are now open in four counties including Monroe County. The mobile center in Monroe County can be found at the Old Armory National Guard building on 101 South 9th Street in Amory. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are…