Columbus City Council will consider banning sale of ZAZA

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus City Council is considering putting a ban on a new drug taking over the streets. We’ve been telling you about the drug ZAZA that law enforcement in Lowndes County has been sounding the alarm on. It is sold at neighborhood gas stations. One doctor is even calling it “gas station heroin”. Lawmakers are also…

MBI investigates fatal officer-involved shooting in Okolona

OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI) – New information on a story we first brought you at Midday. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is looking into a fatal officer-involved shooting in Okolona. The shooting happened Monday morning in the 1700 block of Highway 32. MBI said no law enforcement was injured but one person was fatally injured. Their name has not been released….

MEMA talks safety plans for Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Monday, February 20 marks the beginning of Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Mississippi. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is using the week to encourage people to have a safety plan in place before bad weather strikes. Having a kit with flashlights, whistles, and helmets for your storm shelter can save lives. Each day this week will…

Black Prairie Blues Museum uses grant to tune up the blues

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Black Prairie Blues Museum doesn’t just live in the past. Even though it celebrates the influence the area has had on the Blues, the museum is also invested in keeping the music moving into the future. And a grant from the 4-County Foundation is helping them carry that mission on. Black Prairie Blues Museum Board…

Officers search for two men connected to deadly Tunica County shooting

TUNICA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County man was killed in a Tunica County shooting over the weekend. Now, north Mississippi law enforcement is searching for Korea McKay and Jefferey Pickett. Both men are from Tunica County. Investigators said Davao Thomas of Crawford was shot multiple times this past Saturday afternoon at Kirby Estates. Witnesses identified McKay to deputies….

Area doctors encourage preventative screenings for heart disease

Three simple tests can help determine if heart disease is present, or likely to occur

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Heart disease is considered the greatest health threat to Americans and is the leading cause of death worldwide, according to the American Heart Association. That’s one reason the month of February is designated as “American Heart Month” and as part of an effort to raise awareness about the early detection of heart disease, local doctors are…

Columbus clinic for children with special needs has grand opening

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A clinic for children with special needs prepared for its grand opening in Columbus. The Essle Center for Perceptual Development is a one-of-a-kind clinic that helps parents and children learn together. Many families are forced to travel many miles from home, even out-of-state to get therapy or individualized treatment for their special needs child. Now pediatrician…

High school students attend career expo at Louisville Coliseum

Career technology education has been a growing field in the last couple of years

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Career technology education has been a growing field in the last couple of years. C.T.E. programs have used the month of February to help promote jobs to students and adults. Students at Louisville High School roamed the floors of the Louisville Coliseum for the first Career Expo. The expo allowed students from 10-12th grade to see…

Monroe County students explore future paths at college, career fair

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Juniors and seniors in Monroe County schools had a chance to explore career paths during a college and career fair. The school district put together a college and career showcase for all Monroe County schools. It was held at the National Guard Armory in Amory. Businesses, industries, and nonprofits, along with the military and police…

Louisville police chief, male leaders plan day of prayer with fathers, sons

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Louisville police provided an update on the shooting that happened on Sunday that injured five people and killed one person. Five people were arrested in the shooting. Chief Sean Holdiness said after his last conversation with the state medical examiner’s office, they expect an autopsy to be back by the beginning of next week. Holdiness said…

3 area school districts receive grant to purchase new bus

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Three school districts in the area will get some financial help from a state agency to purchase a new school bus. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality selected 13 districts for its Mississippi Diesel School Bus Replacement Program. In our area, the Columbus, Chickasaw County, and Itawamba County districts were selected. They will each receive a rebate…

CMSD school board approves modified calendar for 2023-2024

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – After much consideration and surveying from the public, a modified calendar has been approved for the Columbus Municipal School District next year. The new schedule was approved unanimously by the district’s board of trustees. The school year will begin July 27 and will run through May 30. The modified calendar includes two week-long breaks in the…

High school seniors in Lowndes County attend college, career fair

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – As their last year of high school winds down, some Lowndes County seniors are working on their post-graduation plans. The Lowndes County Career and Technical Center hosted a college and career fair to help them with those plans. High school seniors from around the district had a chance to meet with recruiters from several colleges…

Guntown man dies after early morning wreck in Lee County

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An early morning wreck in Lee County left a Guntown man dead. Around 7 a.m., a truck ran off the road on Highway 348, hit a car at County Road 833 in Guntown, and went down an embankment. The driver of the truck, Spencer Tracy Fondren of Guntown was ejected and died at the scene….

TPD announces death of longtime Tupelo police officer, USAF veteran

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo police are mourning the loss of Captain Brett Moyer. Moyer passed away Friday morning. He was hired by TPD in 1999 after serving in the United States Air Force. The agency said his dedication to his family and police family was on display every day. Police and city leaders also asked for prayers for Moyer’s…