Knowing how to use fire extinguisher can save your life

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Having a smoke detector in the home is a top priority when it comes to fire safety but it’s not the only priority. There are several different fire extinguisher classes for different types of fires. Fire officials recommend buying the ABC class of extinguishers for the home. This is the most common type and most…

Lee County Schools will begin offering pre-K classes

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Students in Lee County Schools will be able to start one year earlier, as the district will offer pre-K classes in August. Whitney Thomas has taught kindergarten at Verona Elementary for six years. She said it’s evident on the first day of class when students have had some sort of instruction, whether from daycare or…

Clean up efforts continue in Monroe County weeks after tornado

Residents, volunteers, and crews from across Mississippi and Alabama are doing what they can to clear debris

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – The clean-up process is in full swing in Monroe County. Residents, volunteers, and crews from across Mississippi and Alabama are doing what they can to clear debris from the EF-3 tornado that hit Amory and Wren. Debris is lined up nearly all over town in Amory; crews are piling up as much as they can and…

Former Doc’s Toyota employee charged with embezzlement

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – An Ackerman woman could soon be facing charges in two counties for an embezzlement scheme. 50-year-old Latisha Smith was charged with embezzlement. Our state-wide news partner WTOK reports Smith is a former employee at Doc’s Toyota in Philadelphia. Police there are accusing her of swindling $71,000. Before moving to Neshoba County, Doc’s was formerly located in…

Mississippi Power employees send supplies to Rolling Fork

ROLLING FORK, Miss. (WCBI) – Employees of a power company are sending help to tornado victims in Rolling Fork. Many of the employees at Mississippi Power have family in the town and wanted to send supplies to help as communities work to recover. In a 48-hour period, they collected enough supplies to fill an 18-wheeler. The truck made the trip…

Mississippi House Bill gives citizens right to privacy when buying guns

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – In Mississippi, you will have a right to privacy, at least when it comes to buying guns and ammunition. Governor Tate Reeves signed House Bill 1110 into law. Under the new law, state entities and private individuals will be prohibited from keeping a registry of privately owned firearms or firearms owners. It also prohibits financial institutions, such…

Alabama man sentenced to 30 years in Mississippi prison

TISHOMINGO COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A northwest Alabama man was ordered to serve 30 years in a Mississippi prison. Damion Gruenberg from Haleyville, Alabama was sentenced in Tishomingo County Circuit Court. He was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, hydrocodone, and stolen firearms back in February. District Attorney John Weddle said the case was investigated by the State Bureau of Narcotics and…

Oktibbeha County deputies arrest man in homicide investigation

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County deputies made a quick arrest in a homicide case. 37-year-old Marco Brown was charged with first-degree murder. He remains in jail. A hearing is scheduled for sometime Thursday. Investigators said they were called to a mobile home on Teagarden Lane at about 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon for an unresponsive person. Inside, they found…

Two Columbus men charged with aggravated assault, attempted murder

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two Columbus men were accused of blocking in a car and shooting at its driver. Tyler Harris 23-year-old Tyler Harris and 24-year-old Aaron Brooks were charged with aggravated assault and attempted murder. The shooting happened Tuesday night at Yorkville Apartments. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said Brooks and Harris were driving in separate vehicles when the…

Highway 25 in Amory will be closed Saturday, Sunday to remove debris

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – There’s a road closing to tell you about this weekend in Amory. Highway 25 will be closed in sections to remove debris. The city is asking drivers to find an alternate Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. for the work. Businesses and homeowners should continue to put debris by the roadside in separate…

Parade celebrates, shows appreciation for 911 dispatchers in Lowndes Co.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus was in full gear for Telecommunicators Appreciation Week. When emergencies happen, these dispatchers are the first on the line. 911 dispatchers were celebrated for their hard work and dedication to answering one phone call at a time. First responders and family were in attendance at the Lowndes County Emergency Service Department. The event took several…

Homicide investigation in Oktibbeha Co. underway

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Wcbi received new details about a death investigation in Oktibbeha County that was first reported Wednesday afternoon. The sheriff’s office is working on a homicide investigation after one person is found dead. Deputies arrived at Teagarden Lane, a trailer park community, around 4:00 Wednesday afternoon. A suspect has been arrested. Neighbors and witnesses tell WCBI that…

Residents gear up for the next phase of storm recovery

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Recovery from a disaster doesn’t happen overnight. There are several stages. Amory residents have been focused on clean-up. Now, they’re examining what’s left, and what it’s going to take to rebuild. Those who have been through this before say it’s going to take a lot of two resources, patience, and time. “People are finding out that…

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians utilizes land for casino in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Beginning next year, drivers traveling Highway 25 through Winston County are going to have a new and unique roadside stop. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is beginning construction of the Louisville Travel Plaza, but this isn’t just another truck stop. As you make the drive down Highway 25 you may start seeing some new construction…

Law enforcement sees trend of crimes being committed on social media

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Crimes being played out on social media are becoming more common. It happened in Louisville, Kentucky, Memphis, and even here in Columbus. People are being killed with a virtual audience watching. Mass shootings and frightening moments are all captured on a cell phone now. Mental health expert Veronica Harrison said many people pulling the trigger want…

Tornado victims may be eligible for Small Business Administration Loans

Owning a small business isn't a requirement for an SBA Disaster Assistance Loan

PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – When most people hear Small Business Administration, they naturally think of business loans. But the SBA is also there in the aftermath of disasters providing loans for homeowners and renters to rebuild or replace belongings. And you don’t have to be a small business owner to qualify. Tornado victims applying for assistance from FEMA may…

Starkville police make another arrest in shooting investigation

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville police made another arrest in a recent shooting. 18-year-old Marcus Bell Jr. was charged with aggravated assault. In a news release, SPD said Bell was arrested after being treated for a gunshot wound. The shooting happened at the Sprint Mart on Highway 182 and Old Mayhew Road. Investigators believed an argument led to the gunfire….

More students than expected head back to school in Amory

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – As the recovery process continues in places like Amory and Winona, sometimes it’s the return of everyday things that can have a surprising impact. This week Amory students headed back to school. The March 24 tornado that hit the town did significant damage to Amory High School’s athletic facilities. Those were so badly damaged that the…