STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A pioneering firefighter is getting some overdue recognition. The Mississippi Senate and the City of Starkville have honored former Starkville fire Chief Willie Johnson with a resolution from the state. Johnson was the first African American fire chief in the state of Mississippi. Johnson’s legacy began in 1988 when he took on the unprecedented role. He…
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County residents are facing bumps in the road while they wait for paving in some areas. One speed bump Supervisors are having to deal with is the increasing cost of road maintenance. Lowndes County Road Manager Mike Aldridge said there are several factors slowing down their progress. “The main thing we are running into…
CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies are investigating a homicide, near Caledonia. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said deputies were called to a home near the intersection of North Wolfe and Grant Roads at about 11 a.m. The 911 call was for an unresponsive person. Deputies arrived to find a white female dead. Investigators are still working to determine how and…
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A collaboration between the court system and the district attorney’s office could help curb youth crime. The 16th Circuit District Attorney’s Office and Oktibbeha County Youth Court are working together to apply for a federal grant. The money would be used to enhance and expand juvenile crime prevention initiatives. Some of those include early intervention…
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The steps to get the newest megasite built just got a little bit closer. Chief Executive Officer for the Golden Triangle LINK Joe Max Higgins went before the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors to start the process on the next steps needed to take. This will be the Golden Triangle’s fifth megasite. The 1,500 acres…
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Road Manager is trying to make visits to county community centers a little smoother. Mike Aldridge went before the Board of Supervisors to discuss paving projects at three of the county’s community centers. The Road Department budget for this year included paving the parking lots at New Hope, Crawford, and Concord. Right…
MOSS POINT, Miss. (WXXV) – Damage assessments continue across Mississippi, as severe weather has battered the state for days. In Moss Point, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said at least 100 structures were damaged. This includes homes, businesses, churches, and schools. Six people were injured. Now, city leaders there in the Gulf Coast town are coordinating relief efforts with state…
Categories: In the Kitchen
OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI) – A local fire chief is getting ready to hang up his helmet after 40 years of service. Terry Tucker pulled double duty as Okolona’s Fire Chief and Fire Coordinator for Monroe County. The longtime firefighter has seen many changes during his time of service, but he’s grateful to have served his community. “I just really wanted…
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A state historic marker was unveiled at a well-known former African-American high school in Oktibbeha County. The marker was dedicated outside of the old B.L. Moor High School. This marked the culmination of a 55-year legacy celebration weekend. The school was closed in 2013. Artifacts and collectibles are being donated to the Oktibbeha Museum Society….
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Strong winds and hail blew into Lowndes and Noxubee Counties, Friday afternoon, and left behind damage to people’s property. “We have not seen a lot of storms recently that had a hail of that size and that significance. And not only was it significant-size hail but it came down for 10 or 15 minutes, from what…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus got in on the action this Juneteenth holiday. This is the 26th anniversary of the city celebrating Juneteenth. Organizers set held a tailgate party over at the Roger Short Soccer Complex. People set up their tents, grills, and coolers. Companies, churches, and other organizations are involved in the festivities. The event began at 4 p.m….
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Freedom Day observances are still underway in the Magnolia state. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the day of emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Students in Starkville have been using their talents to illustrate the end of slavery and the promise of freedom. Director of Starkville Arts Council, Mary Switzer said…
JASPER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – One person is dead and nearly two dozen others were injured as a tornado roared through Jasper County. The heaviest hit area appears to be near the town of Louin. That’s where the fatality was reported, along with the injuries. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency released this drone video this afternoon, as assessments were being…
JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – The Jackson metro area saw dangerous storms roll through Sunday night. This is video from Rankin County where damage was reported around Florence and Pelahatchie. Tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings stretched on for hours along the I-20 corridor last night. Cooling stations are open in Jackson, as thousands remain without power after days of storms. These…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A child was accidentally shot in the leg after finding a gun at a Columbus home. A CPD source told WCBI that a 14-year-old originally found the weapon on Sunday night. The juvenile then went into a bedroom and put the gun down. Moments later the toddler pick-up the gun. That’s when it fired and a…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Some area SNAP recipients may be eligible for replacement benefits due to recent storms. The Mississippi Department of Human Services is making replacement benefits available for SNAP recipients who experienced a power outage of more than six hours due to recent storms in the area. Those who think they may qualify need to apply through the Mississippi…
Categories: WCBI Sunrise Saturday
VERNON, Ala. (WCBI) – Alabama shoppers are expected to see a slight decrease in their grocery bills starting in September. Governor Kay Ivey announced on Thursday she had signed House Bill 479, which will reduce the Alabama grocery tax into law. The bill will reduce the tax on food items from 4% to 3% and has the possibility to be…
JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi’s unemployment rate hit a new record low for the third consecutive month. The month of May’s 3.2% unemployment rate marks the third consecutive month that Mississippi set a new record low. Governor Tate Reeves says this is because the state is making record investments in Mississippians and creating thousands of high-paying jobs around the state….
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The first Black land-grant university in the nation held a fundraising event in Tupelo on June 17. Alcorn State University held its second annual walk, Run and Roll 5K Race for Scholars, at Fair Park to raise money for scholarships for students from Northeast Mississippi. Founded in 1871, Alcorn State is the second state-supported school in…
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Jaronica Jackson of Columbus is facing charges in Tupelo for allegedly trying to deposit fraudulent checks. Jackson, 24, i9s charged with False Pretense. Tupelo Police served the warrant Thursday, June 15. The alleged crime happened in 2022 when investigators say Jackson deposited fraudulent checks at a bank in Tupelo. Her bond was set at $10,000. The…
VERNON, Ala. (WCBI) – Over Jessica Horton’s music career, she has taken on several roles, but many know her for her similar looks and vocals to Patsy Cline. Horton gave radio listeners a blast from the past Saturday morning as she performed some of the country artist’s biggest hits. Horton will tell you she’s loved Patsy Cline since she was…