Student-led organizations at MUW gather donations for women, children

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi University for Women’s mission goes beyond educating women but also extending a helping hand to women in the community. The I.D.E.A.L Women and Family Relations student-led organizations are gathering donations for women and children that are in unique circumstances. Today’s donation day leads to the “A Walk in Her Shoes” march on Thursday. Students,…

Columbus mayor takes action to curb litter problem with new campaign

Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin is teaming up with Mother Goose and others to combat the city's litter problem.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin is teaming up with Mother Goose and others to combat the city’s litter problem. The mayor and the Pick It Up Possum Town Committee will launch the Don’t Be A Litter Critter, Pick It Up Possum Town campaign next week. Gaskin said mostly the elderly pick up litter around their neighborhoods. Mother…

Columbus creates take-home vehicle policy for city employees

Only police and firefighters are allowed to take city vehicles home under federal law

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – City vehicles will have to stay parked after shifts end. The City of Columbus created a government take-home vehicle policy. Only police and firefighters are allowed to take city vehicles home under federal law. Federal law said the IRS could tax on-call city employees for responding to emergencies in city vehicles after hours. If any other…

Aberdeen School District to host job fair looking for teachers

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – You may have heard there is a statewide teacher shortage. The Aberdeen School District is doing its part to remedy that. The school district is hosting a job fair Thursday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Central Office – 1100 West Commerce Street. The district is hiring for school-level teaching positions as well as…

Man last seen in Shuqualak still missing one month later

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been four weeks since anyone has seen 30-year-old Kenneth Reed. Now, the reward for information about Reed has increased to $7,500. Kenneth Reed was last seen one month ago in Shuqualak. His vehicle was found on Paulette and Mahorner Road. If you have information on Reed’s whereabouts, call the Noxubee County Sheriff’s Department at (662)…

Columbus overview committee member seeks to meet again

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A member of the Columbus overview committee wants to get the band back together. The committee was put in place in 2015 after the death of Ricky Ball. The last meeting the committee had was in 2019 and leadership has changed quite a bit since then. City leaders said in Tuesday night’s council meeting there were…

Tupelo prepares to update plans for city growth, development

Steering committee will be selected and then start working on updated plan through 2040

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The All America City is looking to update its long-range plan to meet the community’s vision and goals. The first step for the Comprehensive Plan 2040 is the formation of a steering committee, made up of professionals who live or work in Tupelo. Once everyone has agreed to serve, the work will begin. “We want this…

Local fire chief explains importance of HVAC maintenance

Dust buildup and trapped debris in air ducts can lead to fire risk

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Cleaning out your air ducts probably doesn’t come to mind when thinking about spring cleaning. Fire Chief Duane Hughes said you need to do more than change out your monthly air filter to prevent a risk of fire. Dust and debris tend to collect in air ducts, which isn’t normally a cause for concern. But when heat…

LINK CEO delivers progress update on Aluminum Dynamics

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – With the state’s largest economic development plan signed off on and breaking ground, the Golden Triangle Development Link is looking ahead to the next challenge. LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins delivered an update on progress at Aluminum Dynamics and what could be happening in the future. Higgins laid out a proposed timeline for the construction…

Prentiss County deputies arrest man on child molestation charges

PRENTISS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Prentiss County investigators arrested a Baldwyn man on child molestation charges. Last week, a Prentiss County Deputy took a report of inappropriate contact with a child. Sheriff’s Office investigators took over the case and interviewed the victim. The child’s parent filed charges based on the allegations and on evidence collected, and a warrant was issued…

Community donates money going toward equipment at WCSO

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Winston County Sheriff’s Office recently received $25,000 from businesses in the community to go toward important equipment. A few months ago the sheriff’s office added two new drones to their crew, these drones are able to fly in bad weather and fly higher than their first drone. The Winston County Sheriff’s Office said they…

Member of citizen oversight board seeks to reconstruct group

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It has been more than seven years since a citizen oversight board for the Columbus Police Department was formed. But a change in administration, police chiefs, and the pandemic may have put a pause on regular meetings. Former Mayor Robert Smith and the City Council in December of 2015 voted to form a permanent committee. At…

Former Tupelo youth pastor faces more child sex crime charges

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Tupelo youth pastor is facing more child sex crime charges. 27-year-old Alexander Blackwelder is now facing two counts of sexual battery by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. In a press release, Sheriff Jim Johnson said Tupelo police turned over information to deputies from their investigation into Blackwell which led to the charges. TPD charged…

Man indicted in Clay County on child sex crime, spreading HIV

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man has been indicted in Clay County on a child sex crime and the spread of HIV. 31-year-old Demonta Cantrell is charged with possession of child pornography and exposure to HIV. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said Cantrell was arrested in Orlando, Florida, and was extradited to West Point. The indictment claimed he allegedly…