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Exclusive Content, Featured, Local News

Community raises thousands for man killed in tragic car wreck

In less than a week, more than $40,000 was raised on a GoFundMe for Koehn.
Kealy Shields,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – 26-year-old Ryan Koehn was tragically killed in a car wreck after a vehicle plowed into his pickup truck. 22-year-old Tristan Atkinson led the Mississippi Highway Patrol on a high-speed chase through downtown Columbus when Atkinson hit Koehn’s vehicle at the Main and 5th Street intersection. Koehn was airlifted to Regional One Hospital in Memphis for his…

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Featured, Local News

False reports lead to real charges for Carlee Russell

MorrisAdmin,

ALABAMA (WCBI) – Carlee Russell has been in media headlines since her alleged abduction. Now, she’s on the other side of the law. False reporting causes havoc among police, local communities, and in this case the country. “Hoover detectives obtained warrants for the arrest of Carlee Russell,” said Chickasaw County Sheriff James Myers. Charges have been filed in a case…

Veteran Newsman, Former Wcbi News Director Gene Edwards Dies At 77
Local News

Veteran newsman, former WCBI News Director Gene Edwards dies at 77

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Veteran newsman and former WCBI News Director Gene Edwards has passed away. Edwards came to WCBI from KSTP in Minneapolis in 1988. From 1988 to 1990 he wore two hats here at WCBI, serving as both Lead Anchor for the Evening Newscasts and News Director. A former co-worker described him as an “old-school” TV newsman who…

Charges Upgraded In Deadly Downtown Columbus Crash
Featured, Local News

Charges upgraded in deadly downtown Columbus crash

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Charges were upgraded this afternoon involving the deadly crash in downtown Columbus. Tristan Atkinson was charged with murder. He’s already facing a felony fleeing, DUI, and reckless driving, along with other traffic violations. Atkinson’s bond was set at $500,000. He remains in the Lowndes County jail. The murder charge came after Ryan Koehn died. Last week,…

Hospital Pic
Breaking News, Crime, Featured, Local News

Four injured in shooting near Baptist Golden Triangle in Columbus

Four people were injured in a Columbus shooting
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Four people were injured after a shooting at or near Baptist Golden Triangle. Police Chief Joseph Daughtry told WCBI there was an altercation on the back side of the hospital. Investigators believed people in two vehicles were shooting at each other. They also think the gunshot victims came from those cars. Daughtry said four people have…

Appliances Plus Fire
Local News

Firefighters battle blaze at Appliances Plus in Lowndes County

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Plumes of black smoke billowed over Lowndes County Monday afternoon. The flames towered above piles of scrap at Appliances Plus on Highway 182. District 5 and 2 volunteer firefighters, along with Columbus Fire and Rescue battled the blaze. The owner told WCBI he believed a newer appliance may have sparked the fire because of how…

lowndes county sheriff
Local News

Heritage Academy reaches agreement with LCSO to hire deputy as SRO

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – When students return to Heritage Academy in August, they’ll be seeing a new face in the halls. The private school in Columbus has reached an agreement with Lowndes County to hire a deputy to work as a School Resource Officer. Heritage will have one officer covering both the Elementary and High schools. A veteran deputy will…

State Auditor
State News

Mississippi Office of State Auditor releases annual Exceptions Report

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi State Auditor’s office has recovered nearly $2 million of taxpayer money. State Auditor Shad White said his office has demanded and recovered more public money in the past five years than at any other time in history. The office published its annual Exceptions Report. It shows the demands issued by the auditor’s office and the…

Wcbi 2023 04 13t122333720
State News

State Board of Education announces timeline for superintendent search

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) -Everything seems to be going according to plan as the Mississippi State Board of Education announced its timeline for the state superintendent search process. The application period launches on August 14. In the month of September, a public survey will be released on desired qualities and priorities for the state’s next education leader. The application deadline ends on…

Lowndes County (LCBS)
Local News

Lowndes County Supervisors get update on county’s ARPA-funded projects

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County Supervisors got an update on the progress of the county’s ARPA-funded projects. Supervisors looked at how much of the money has been committed, and how much is left. The county received just under $11.4 million in federal funds. When they first got notified of the amount, Supervisors came together, discussed, and prioritized how…

absentee
Local News, State News

Circuit clerk’s office offers ability to vote absentee for August 8 election

MorrisAdmin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – With elections coming up, the circuit court is offering people the ability to vote absentee. Absentee voting began 45 days before the elections on August 8. According to Lowndes County Circuit Court Teresa Barksdale, they have had 250 people vote absentee. Voters have the ability to vote absentee in the circuit clerk’s office if they…

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State News

Mississippi Dept. of Human Services warns SNAP recipients of skimmers

MorrisAdmin,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Scammers are targeting people who get SNAP benefits and the Mississippi Department of Human Services is sending out a warning. According to MDHS, there have been multiple reports of scammers getting access to SNAP EBT card numbers and PINs through skimming. Card skimmers copy card information when a card is swiped or scanned for payment. This could…

Saltillo Citizens Participate In Annual Kids N' Cops.
Featured, Local News

Saltillo Citizens participate in annual Kids N’ Cops

The event was created to bridge the gap between youth and law enforcement.
Allie Martin,

SALTILLO, Miss. (WCBI) – Despite the sweltering heat folks descended on the Saltillo City Park to participate in the annual Kids N’ Cops. They were able to sit in Fire Engines or Police Cars. They lined up to take advantage of a free school supplies giveaway. Deundra Poole is the Public Relations Director for the Saltillo Police Department and organizer…

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Holds Resource Fair In Amory.
Featured, Local News

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency holds Resource Fair in Amory

It has been about 5 months since tornados moved through Mississippi, and the recovery continues.
MorrisAdmin,

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – It has been about 5 months since tornados moved through Mississippi, and the recovery continues. Mississippi Emergency Management Agency held a Resource Fair on July 29 in Amory, offering additional support. At the Fair, Atmos Energy donated the CREATE foundation for relief efforts. The CREATE Foundation has been a force in these efforts for the past 50…

Local Business Help Monroe County Students Gear Up To Start Back
Featured, Local News

Local business help Monroe County students gear up to start back

Aberdeen's Freshly's Market, and Urgent Care, under the umbrella of Hollidaay's Helping Hands organization, gave away over two hundred backpacks and supplies, along with snacks for kids to enjoy.
Joey Barnes,

MONROE COUNTY, Miss (WCBI) – Back school preparation is happening throughout Mississippi. As Monroe County students gear up, local business is helping students with essential school items. Aberdeen’s Freshly’s Market, and Urgent Care, under the umbrella of Holliday’s Helping Hands organization, give away over two hundred backpacks and supplies, along with snacks for kids to enjoy. “Kids are our future…

"sneaker Ball" At The American Legion Inspires Audience Members To Make A Difference In Their Community
Featured, Local News

“Sneaker Ball” at American Legion inspires audience members to make a difference in the community.

Entrepreneur Katina Holliday Wiseman was the guest speaker and encouraged young people to follow their dreams by putting God first, working hard, and not being afraid of failure.
Allie Martin,

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – It was a night of glamour, good food, and inspiration at the Mayor’s Youth Council Blue Carpet Ball in Aberdeen. It was a “Sneaker Ball” at the American Legion as members of the Mayor’s Youth Council encouraged and inspired audience members to make a positive difference in their community. “To see the energy they have and…

Mississippi Bureau Of Investigation Issues Endangered, Missing Child Alert
Local News

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation issues endangered, missing child alert

Malyiah Crosby was last seen getting into a tan 2001 Ford Explorer with a Mississippi license plate HN57049.
Grace Brister,

HINDS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has issued an Endangered, Missing Child Alert for 14-year-old Malyiah Crosby of Hinds County, Mississippi. She is described as a black female, 5’3, weighing 95 pounds, with maroon hair and brown eyes. Crosby was last seen at 3 a.m. on July 29, wearing a maroon Byram bulldog hoodie, light gray…

Victim Of The Main Street Crash Has Died
Crime, Local News

Victim of the Main Street car crash has died

26-year-old Ryan Koehn was airlifted from the accident scene and later died from his injuries at Regional One Hospital in Memphis.
Grace Brister,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The victim of the Main Street crash has died. According to the Lowndes County Coroner, the victim is 26-year-old Ryan Koehn, who was airlifted from the accident scene. He later died from his injuries at Regional One Hospital in Memphis. The crash took place in downtown Columbus at the intersection of Main and 5th Streets. An…

Improvements Are Happening In Different Areas Of Starkville
Local News, News Team

Starkville Mayor asks residents for patience as crews are making improvements throughout the city

Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill says although the work being done may have a slight inconvenience for drivers now it will make for a better Starkville in the future.
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Things may not look the best in certain parts of Starkville as workers are making improvements throughout the city. Many have seen that certain portions of downtown Starkville are blocked off as crews are redoing the roads and what’s under them. There’s also power line work being done on Reed Road. Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill says although…

Fredrick Hood Jr
Crime, Local News

Georgia man arrest in high speed Pickens County chase

Hood was caught driving 93 miles per hour in a 65 on Highway 82, seven miles from the state line.
Grace Brister,

PICKENS COUNTY, Ala. (WCBI) – A Georgia man who led officers on a high-speed chase through Pickens County will serve six months in jail. Oct. 2, 2022, Fredrick Hood Jr. refused to pull over during a traffic stop, leading officers on a dangerous chase more than 20 miles through Pickens County. Hood was caught driving 93 miles per hour in…

Improvements Are Happening In Different Areas Of Starkville
Local News

Improvements are happening in different areas of Starkville

Things may not look the best in certain parts of Starkville as workers are making improvements throughout the city
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Things may not look the best in certain parts of Starkville as workers are making improvements throughout the city. Many have seen that certain portions of downtown Starkville are blocked off as crews are redoing the roads and what’s under them. There’s also power line work being done on Reed Road. Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill says although…

Auto Burglaries Are The Most Common Felony In Starkville
Crime, Featured, Local News

Auto burglaries are the most common felony in Starkville

It is not because thieves are breaking in but because people are simply not locking the car door.
Grace Brister,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – It only takes a few simple steps to make sure your is in the same place you left at all times. If you’re not careful, you could fall victim to an auto burglary. Josh Horton at the Starkville Police Department said it is a crime of opportunity. “Generally what will happen, is someone will just walk…