Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic holds annual fundraising banquet

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It was a night of uplifting stories of how a local nonprofit crisis pregnancy clinic has impacted many lives. The Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic held its annual fundraising banquet at the Orchard Church in Tupelo. The guest speaker was Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” and “Duck Commander.” He encouraged supporters to stay focused on helping the nonprofit…

Governor Reeves reverses course on Medicaid postpartum coverage

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Governor Tate Reeves reversed course on Medicaid postpartum coverage for Mississippi mothers. In a tweet Sunday, Reeves said lawmakers should pass a law continuing coverage to 12 months after birth and he will sign the legislation. Currently, Medicaid coverage only extends to 60 days for mothers. Reeves had been unwilling to offer support to the measure until…

Local sheriff’s deputy retires after serving 28 years in law enforcement

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A local sheriff’s deputy has retired after nearly three decades of service. Donald Richardson spent 28 years in Law enforcement. He started with Columbus Police Department before going to Lowndes County Sheriff’s office where he worked in patrol and narcotics. Richardson said he plans to enjoy his retirement and do things he’s been wanting to…

Community members ‘shine like diamonds’ during annual Charity Ball

Tupelo's Outstanding Citizen of the Year is announced during the gala

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The 60th annual Charity Ball theme was “A Grand Gala: Helping Our Community Shine Like Diamonds”. And that is precisely what guests did, as well as the “Living Ads”, senior girls from Tupelo and Lee County schools who represented businesses that donated to the JA’s mission of serving children. It’s a big night for the young…

JA of Tupelo Charity Ball provides funds to help children throughout year

The 60th Charity Ball is a party with a purpose

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – It is a night of glamour and fun, all for a great cause. The 60th annual Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo Charity Ball is taking place at the Cadence Bank Arena. It is the only fundraiser for the organization and proceeds from that event help thousands of children every year. It is a Tuesday afternoon and Lesley…

Louisville investigator talks about dangers of Brooksville Road

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Hundreds of people around Louisville are grieving after an SUV hit a 12-year-old girl earlier this week. An investigator from Louisville about the dangers of the road where the accident happened. While the incident is still under investigation, law enforcement is ruling it an accident and does not believe speed was a factor. Mike Perkins, the…

World of Customs Auto Show will be in Tupelo this weekend

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Car enthusiasts will want to make their way to Tupelo for a unique car show this weekend. The World of Customs Auto Show is taking place in Building five of the Tupelo Furniture Market. There are more than 100 cars on display. There are custom cars, trucks, and motorcycles, along with restored and antique vehicles. Organizers…

9th annual Junior Auxiliary Gala prepares final touches in West Point

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – West Point is finishing all the final touches for its 9th annual Junior Auxiliary Gala. The masquerade theme event will be held Saturday in downtown West Point at the Ritz Theater and Conference Center. All the money raised from the event will fund the various projects they do throughout the year. Members said they are…

MCA teaches group in Louisville about becoming full-stack coder

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Technology drives nearly everything we do today, and coding is the language that drives that technology. The Mississippi Coding Academy, or MCA, is an 11-month program that teaches people all the skills they need to become full-stack coders, someone who can develop client and server software. MCA also teaches more basic, everyday skills like online meeting…

Two Columbus men each plead guilty to sexual battery

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two Columbus men pleaded guilty to sexual battery. Joshua Guyton Joel and Joshua Guyton each pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery. They will both serve three years in prison and be on probation for five years. When they were originally indicted, the duo was charged with two counts of sexual battery back in November…

Monroe County man faces child sex crime charges

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Monroe County man is facing a child sex crime charge. 26-year-old Matthew Blackston was charged with child molestation. Sheriff Kevin Crook said Blackston was arrested at his Sunshine Lane home earlier this week. Bond for Blackston was set at $100,000. He’s being held in the Lowndes County jail. Crook said if anyone has any…

Bond has been set for Yokohama Tire factory shooter

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Bond is set for the man accused in a deadly shooting at Yokohama Tire. 41-year-old Willie Swain was charged with murder. He turned himself in yesterday. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said bond for Swain was set this morning at $1.2 million. A preliminary hearing is now scheduled for March 9. Scott told WCBI an…

Columbus Police Department gears up to get ZAZA out of town

Zaza Ban

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Zaza sellers and users beware, the Columbus Police Department is gearing up to roll out its plans for getting ZAZA off the shelves and out of town. WCBI spoke with CPD public information officer, about the department’s timeline for getting ZAZA out of town. In a unanimous vote Tuesday night, the Columbus City Council voted to ban…

Tupelo High School Quill and Scroll hosts Journalism Career Fair

Students were able to get a look at possible career pathways in journalism

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Journalism students at Tupelo High School had a chance to explore possible career paths. It was part of a journalism career fair hosted by the Quill and Scroll Honor Society. Camden Shaw likes to hear other people’s opinions on a variety of subjects. His interest in journalism brought him to the career fair in the Media…