Longtime friends and employees remember the life of Hassell Franklin

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – Across North Mississippi and throughout the furniture industry, people are remembering the life of the founder and longtime chairman of Franklin Corporation, Hassell Franklin. Franklin passed away Sunday at the age of 87. He was known for his leadership, philanthropic work, and love for Houston. WCBI spoke on the phone with his two sons Mark and…

MSU President Mark Keenum reflects on legacy of Hassell Franklin

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Hassell Franklin’s support for Mississippi State University along with his overall impact has been well documented. Hassell partnered with Mississippi State University to create the Franklin Furniture Institute in order to provide research and outreach opportunities within the manufacturing industry. MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum sought Franklin for his business knowledge. Keenum told WCBI what…

Starkville Academy starts construction on multipurpose building

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville Academy is expanding its extracurricular activities for students. Work has begun on a new recreation and performing arts building on campus. The school raised the money for the new multipurpose facility through a fundraising campaign supported by families and local businesses. The new facility will be used for a number of activities and events like…

Tupelo Police search for suspect wanted for several car burglaries

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The Tupelo Police Department is looking for a suspect in a string of car burglaries, and they need your help. These images were captured Sunday in the South Thomas Street area of Tupelo. Police believe this person is responsible for several burglaries there. If you recognize this person or have any information on these cases, call…

Water Valley man arrested in Oxford for intimidating witness

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – A Water Valley man already charged with one crime in Oxford finds himself in trouble there again. On January 4, an individual went to the Oxford Police Department to report receiving threatening phone calls. The investigation, in that case, led to the arrest of Robert Walker of Water Valley. He was arrested five days later. Walker…

Columbus City Council votes to cancel Waggoner Engineering contract

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin attempted to dial back the city’s firing of a consulting firm. At last Tuesday’s meeting, the Columbus City Council voted to cancel the city’s contract with Waggoner Engineering. The city hired the firm to consult on how best to spend Columbus’s share of ARPA funds. Waggoner representatives were at the meeting to…

Calhoun County murder trial set to begin on Tuesday

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Calhoun County murder trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday. Ricco Simmons is charged with capital murder. Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan said Simmons fled to the Detroit, Michigan area in September 2020. Simmons was returned to Mississippi on the capital murder indictment in February 2022. He’s accused of shooting and robbing Deundray Garth on…

Founder, chairman of Franklin Corporation, Hassell Franklin dies at 87

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – The founder and longtime chairman of the Franklin Corporation, Hassell Franklin, has died. In 2019, Franklin shared his expertise with young students on a tour of Franklin Furniture. Hassell Franklin was 87 years old. Franklin was known for his entrepreneurship, educational and philanthropic efforts across north Mississippi. He served on many boards including the American Furniture…

Police investigate robbery outside liquor store in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police are investigating a robbery outside a liquor store. The hold-up happened at Liquor World on Highway 45 North. No injuries were reported. Officers searched the area shortly after the robbery but no arrest has been made. If you have any information, call Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook…

Pastor, community leader, college dean is also fashion expert

Dr. Richard Price designs his suits, waistcoats and hats, as part of his ministry

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo pastor known for his involvement in the community, advocacy for civil rights, and work in higher education is also known for his personal style. Whether he’s in the pulpit, or in the chapel at Virginia Union University, Dr. Richard Price is always stylish. Dr. Price came to the North Green Street Church of Christ…

Dance company in Starkville shows appreciation for sanitation workers

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A dance company in Starkville is showing appreciation to the men and women who help keep the town clean. KMG Creations hosted a special lunch for the Starkville Sanitation and Environmental service workers today. This is the fifth year Owner Kayla Gilmore has hosted the event. It’s held during the week of the Martin Luther King…

Drag racing is faster and more furious across the Golden Triangle

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Drag racing is becoming faster and more furious across The Golden Triangle. And that has area law enforcement agencies trying to play catch up. Popular movies like the Fast and Furious franchise have influenced a new generation to test their skills behind the wheel. But they’re not winning any fans among law enforcement, who remind…

Answers revealed for family of missing man in Noxubee County

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The body found in an abandoned house in Macon had been identified as missing Tadrian Shaw who has been missing since October. His family has been tirelessly searching for answers and unfortunately what they found was the worst-case scenario. Tadrian Shaw’s family has been searching for him since he went missing in October. The last…

Two former school campuses have become local venues

The Lyceum at Lee in Columbus and the Hill and Moor in Crawford have transitioned

NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Two facilities in our area are shifting into venues for events and future apartments. The Lyceum at Lee in Columbus and the Hill and Moor in Crawford have transitioned from houses of learning into buildings capable of many different functions. The former Lee middle school and East Oktibbeha County High School have graduated into living spaces,…

Shannon man arrested, charged in connection to Tupelo shooting

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Bond is set at $150,000 for a Shannon man charged in a Tupelo shooting. Tupelo police were called to Nathaneal’s place at 840 Barley Courts around 12:30 Thursday morning for a reported shooting. Witnesses reported a disturbance between groups and a man firing a handgun multiple times. The man, identified as Torrence Gill of Shannon, had…

CMSD brings modified calendar plans back for discussion

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus City Schools could be following a new calendar next school year. The Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees is holding a special call meeting Saturday. Along with a couple of regular business matters, one of the items on the agenda is the “Discussion of Proposed 2023-2024 Academic Calendars”. The Agenda packet for that meeting…