AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Amory will be closed on Easter Sunday. It will be open Saturday and again on Monday. The regular hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Again, this weekend’s closing will only be for Easter Sunday. A tax…
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Some Lowndes County high schoolers are recognized for their work and their leadership. The Exchange Club of Columbus hosted its annual Youth and ACE Awards ceremony on Thursday. The organization recognized teens that have overcome adversities and challenges while pursuing good grades and leadership. Students from five schools in the county took part in the…
LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – When a tornado hits your hometown, it’s a memory that is forever engraved in your mind. Almost nine years ago the Town of Louisville lost a lot after a tornado ripped through the town, taking homes, businesses, and even family members. On this month nine years ago many people in Louisville faced a tragic moment in…
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – When disaster strikes, there is a critical need for volunteers to help in the recovery. And the American Red Cross is one organization that is always there to fill that need. But the organization has a need of its own: more volunteers. WCBI spoke with Red Cross Disaster Program Manager about the importance of volunteerism during…
PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Although the damage is still evident, there has been a lot of progress in the four days since the tornado hit Pontotoc County. “We were rated at an EF2 tornado from county line to county line,” said Pontotoc County Emergency Management Director Allen Bain. Bain said preliminary assessments show about 115 structures, including homes, barns,…
LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – An early morning FBI raid in Louisville rattled a quiet neighborhood. Witnesses reported seeing Louisville Police, the FBI, and a van identified as a bomb squad. Sources told WCBI this is part of an FBI task force operation. The reason for the raid is still unknown. The FBI has confirmed that one person was taken into…
WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – A murder trial in West Point could be in the hands of a jury by Thursday morning. The prosecution presented its case against Octavius Collins early Wednesday. Then, his defense had its turn. Closing arguments began around 4 p.m. Collins was accused of killing 43-year-old James Roberson on Thanksgiving morning 2020. Investigators said the shooting…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A major utility company is fueling volunteer efforts in the wake of the March 24 tornado outbreak. Atmos Energy is contributing $50,000 to the American Red Cross Mississippi Chapter for use in relief efforts in Rolling Fork and Amory. More than 300 Red Cross workers have been on the ground in the affected areas feeding people, helping…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – We will continue to remind you about FEMA Individual Assistance available to those of you who have damage in Carroll, Monroe, and Montgomery counties. This includes people who rent their home or apartment. Here’s how this may help your family. Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing. The initial rental grant is for a one-month or…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Almost 2,000 people applied for safe rooms since August. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency opened applications in 2022 for individual safe rooms. During the application process, FEMA has requested additional information from applicants. The state is waiting for FEMA to approve those safe room applications. If your application is approved, a MEMA representative will contact you by…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Investigators have made an arrest in a fatal shooting incident from Tuesday night. Tyshawn Henley was charged with Capital Murder. Starkville police said there were reports of shots fired at Blake Court Townhouses at 1220 Louisville Street. That’s where police found 31-year-old Kirby Sherman. Sherman was pronounced dead at the scene by Oktibbeha County Medical Examiner…
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Storm season tends to put people on high alert, and rightfully so. Storm shelters have become a hot commodity following the recent wave of tornadoes and severe weather. Teresa King moved back to her hometown of Amory in December of 2022. In just three months since her return, a tornado ripped through her town. “I drove…
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – For more than 30 years, Tupelo’s Mall at Barnes Crossing has had a huge economic impact, bringing jobs and shoppers to Lee County. The area’s regional mall is celebrating its 33rd anniversary and is looking to the future. It was 1991 when Jeff Snyder was put in charge of the security at the Mall at Barnes…
PICKENS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Millport man is killed in an early morning crash in Pickens County, Ala. 35-year-old Trent Graham died at the scene of the accident on Tabernacle Road. The crash happened just before seven this morning. Coroner Chad Harless said Graham’s vehicle left the road and hit a tree. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating…
PICKENS COUNTY, Ala. (WCBI) – The body of a missing woman was found in Pickens County, Alabama. Karen Lanzas Chavarria was reported missing last month to the Pickensville Police Department. The Pickens County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney Andy Hamlin said she was found a short distance away from her home. Coroner Chad Harless told WCBI an autopsy has been…
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Better Business Bureau warns the public to be on high alert for scams. Storm victims can become scam victims when government funds are handed out. Leaders of the BBB said if you are rebuilding, your contractor has to be approved by the state of Mississippi. Any repairs over $10,000 must be handled by a…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi University for Women has long been known for helping students achieve their goals. Now the university is celebrating surpassing one of its own. The “Be The Light” campaign started in 2017 with the goal of raising $15 million. The W reached that goal and kept going to raise more than $25 million. Every dollar makes…
NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Noxubee County deputies are looking for a man accused of shooting a car. Deandra Smith is considered armed and dangerous. Investigators said the shooting happened in the PinyWoods area back on March 21. Deputies told WCBI there was an adult and two juveniles inside the vehicle when a bullet when through the roof of the…
WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Jury selection began Tuesday in a West Point murder trial. Octavius Collins was indicted for the November 2020 shooting. He’s accused of killing 43-year-old James Roberson on Thanksgiving morning. The jury selection process started Tuesday morning and testimony is expected to continue the rest of the week. Investigators said the shooting happened at Windale Apartments….
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency, as the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency released new numbers from this past weekend’s tornado damage. 94 homes, along with six farms were damaged in Pontotoc County. This was the hardest-hit area in the state. Meanwhile, in Lee County 32 homes and five businesses were impacted by a tornado. Tishomingo…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – FEMA has an update for folks in Monroe and Montgomery Counties. FEMA-contracted home inspectors will be working in those areas. After applying for FEMA financial assistance, you may be contacted to schedule an appointment for an inspection of the damage to your home. This means you may get a call from an unknown or restricted phone number….
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Voters met with their elected leaders Tuesday morning in Lowndes County. This was the first event of County Government Appreciation Month. The event was to allow folks a chance to visit the people they elected to office over a cup of coffee. Supervisors also awarded $1.7 million to be split among 10 area non-profit organizations….
OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Oxford police made an arrest in a March shooting. 28-year-old Johnny Thompson was charged with aggravated assault. OPD said the shooting happened on March 18 in the 100 block of Creekmore Boulevard. There was an argument before the gunfire. The victim had a non-life-threatening wound. Thompson’s bond was set at $25,000. For 24/7 news and updates,…