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…
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…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Drugs like marijuana, fentanyl, and methamphetamine are illegal to have and if you’re caught with them, you’re likely to end up in court, but what happens to the drugs after the gavel hits the desk? Drug crimes are common across this part of the state, and when someone is arrested for possessing or trafficking, those drugs…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A bill going through the Legislature could make it easier to prosecute rape cases in Mississippi. House Bill 995, authored by Representative Dana McLean of Columbus, would redefine the definition of rape. Current law still has antiquated language regarding the character of the victim and does not consider spousal rape. This is the second time McLean…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – One of Columbus’ oldest churches is making a historic change. At a church conference Sunday night, over 67% of the members present voted to leave the United Methodist Church. The split has been brought on by conflicting beliefs on how leadership in the denomination has interpreted and acted on church principles. Columbus First United Methodist Church…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville Aldermen will consider an ordinance requiring contractors to fix damage to city property. The Right-of-Way Protection Ordinance applies to above and below-ground infrastructure, such as sidewalks and water taps. This applies to damage done during the construction process that goes beyond normal wear and tear. Under the proposal, violators would have 30 days to make…
MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University’s Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion continues its celebration of Women’s History Month. Monday, OIDI hosted a panel discussion focused on empowering women. The panel featured five distinguished women from a variety of backgrounds sharing their life experiences. They also offered insights on how to encourage, promote, and support women from all…
MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – A Noxubee man will spend over a decade in prison for an apartment robbery. Antonio Roby pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and will be on probation for five years after his release. The hold-up happened in February 2020 at Cambridge Manor Apartments. The robbery charge in the case…
WINONA, Miss. (WCBI) – Winona city leaders are expected to discuss its stray dog controversy. Four people are scheduled to talk to aldermen about the issue at the board’s Tuesday night meeting. City leaders said stray dogs are supposed to stay in the pound for 10 days. If the pups are not adopted, they are euthanized. The controversy stems from…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – For five years now, the Columbus Soccer Organization has offered a soccer league to adults who never lost their love for the sport. “It’s a passion. It’s about continuing with that passion. That’s just it. The passion keeps you going,” said Williams. One of Colby Williams’s favorite hobbies in high school was soccer and his love…
EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – Easter started early for kids and families in Eupora. Saturday, March 18, the police department held a Funny Bunny Fun Day at the PD. The event had an easter egg hunt for kids aged one through nine. There was also an easter egg basket giveaway, gift cards were given out, and a chance for a couple…
Ever wondered what happens when the earth comes between the sun and moon? What about when the moon comes between the earth and the sun? Meteorologist Jackson Chastain has the details on eclipses in this week’s edition of Weather Whys! Categories: Featured, Featured Weather, Local News, Weather News, Weather Whys
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Stevenson Clark may be based in Memphis, but he’s heard worldwide on popgospelradio.com and he got his start in Monroe County. “As a singer, my family brought me up singing, I’ve been singing since I was five years old, I give all praise to God and to Pastor Denvil and Verdie Clark because they started this,”…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Dozens of people at the American Legion were doing more than just revving up their engines. The “I Am Mentoring Program” along with the 2nd Look Corvette Club partnered Saturday to host a car show. Group members talked about how events like this help raise awareness for their mission. When he is off duty from his…
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – A slight chill in the air didn’t keep people in Amory from heading out to the first farmer’s market of the season. Vendors from all over Monroe County came out to show the community their craft. WCBI was at the farmers market and learned what inspired people to take their hobbies to the next level. Lynette…
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STARKVILLE, Miss. ( WCBI ) – A shooting has one man looking for answers after his property was damaged. An innocent bystander, Caleb Murphy, was at Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern when a dispute inside led to a shooting in the parking lot. It wasn’t until later that night that he noticed bullets damaged his vehicle and one of his most…
FULTON, Miss. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi-based coffee company is going strong and helping support mission work around the world. Kay Pittman remembered vividly her reaction when her husband Mike told her he was going to start roasting coffee and selling it. “I thought, ‘what are you thinking?’,” Pittman recalled. That was in 2010 and Mike Pittman’s job was about…
WINONA, Miss. (WCBI) – Stray dogs are dying in Winona but not in the way that many would think. City leaders said stray dogs are supposed to stay in the pound for 10 days and if they’re not adopted then they’re taken to a vet where they are euthanized. However, a new animal control officer is being accused of skipping…
MOOREVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Mooreville Trooper is set to become an Air Force Academy Falcon. Mooreville High School senior, Tommy Towery has earned an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. U.S. Representative Trent Kelly’s office made that announcement today. Towery is a member of the Trooper Soccer, Track, and Cross-Country teams. He also organized the Mooreville High…
MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University is hosting the top landscape and horticulture students on its home turf this week. Over 600 students from 47 schools across the country have been taking part in the National Collegiate Landscaping Competition. Students compete in 30 events that cover all aspects of landscaping, from design to irrigation, to proper and creative…
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – They are raising the green Friday evening in Oktibbeha County. Volunteers spent the morning decorating for the Shamrock Ball. Money raised through ticket sales and donations will benefit OSERVS. OSERVS is the Oktibbeha-Starkville Emergency Response Volunteer Services. Staff and volunteers work with the city and the county to prepare the community for disasters. This is…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – New moms in Mississippi will now be eligible for a full 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage. Calling it part of his “new pro-life agenda”, Governor Tate Reeves signed off on Senate Bill 2212. Mississippi usually allowed two months of Medicaid coverage for women after the birth of a child. During the pandemic, a public health emergency…
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A dispute over a missing cat led to the death of a dog and charges being filed. 62-year-old John Cook was charged with killing animals. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said deputies were called about gunshots being fired on Honnell Mill Road on Thursday. Deputies found a dog, that was leashed, and had been shot…