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…

Noxubee County grand jury indicts woman on child sex crimes

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – There’s new information in a child sex crimes case in Noxubee County. Lashundra King A Noxubee County grand jury indicted Lashundra King. She was charged with statutory rape and accessory after the fact. No court date has been set. Her co-defendant, Jataquist Morris, was indicted on statutory rape, grand larceny, fondling, and attempted sexual battery…

Eight Days of Hope continues tornado recovery work in Amory

Rapid Response Team has helped clear limbs and debris from hundreds of homes

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – It has been more than two weeks since a deadly tornado hit Monroe County, but the work from a Pontotoc County-based ministry continues. Don Dabney may be more than 30 feet up in a bucket cutting limbs, but there’s no place he would rather be. “God has called me here,” Dabney said. Dabney is the Rapid…

Mississippi State University hosts research showcase

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The future is bright here in the Magnolia State. Mississippi State University was showing off its advanced research and academic discoveries with a showcase that included more than a dozen interactive displays. As research week on campus just kicked off, WCBI was at the event to explore the different inventions and the minds behind these creations….

West Lowndes Elementary students, staff sending supplies to Rolling Fork

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Students and staff at West Lowndes Elementary School are sending support and supplies to tornado victims miles away from home. The school recently launched its “Helping Hands for Rolling Fork” donation drive. They’re collecting non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, toiletries, diapers, and other personal needs. Rolling Fork was struck by a tornado in late March,…