Preservation Society of Columbus Interview – 03/22/23
Midday Guest
Rosalyn with Ralph Null and Cathy Howell, from the Preservation Society of Columbus. Categories: Sunrise & Midday Guests
On the Beat (Baptist Medical Group Columbus Children’s Clinic) – 03/22/23
//SPONSORED//
Join host Isaac Williams as he talks to Dr. Andrea Morris with the Baptist Medical Group Columbus Children’s Clinic about mental health in adolescents. Categories: On the Beat
Man last seen in Shuqualak still missing one month later
NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been four weeks since anyone has seen 30-year-old Kenneth Reed. Now, the reward for information about Reed has increased to $7,500. Kenneth Reed was last seen one month ago in Shuqualak. His vehicle was found on Paulette and Mahorner Road. If you have information on Reed’s whereabouts, call the Noxubee County Sheriff’s Department at (662)…
Columbus overview committee member seeks to meet again
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A member of the Columbus overview committee wants to get the band back together. The committee was put in place in 2015 after the death of Ricky Ball. The last meeting the committee had was in 2019 and leadership has changed quite a bit since then. City leaders said in Tuesday night’s council meeting there were…
Inmate medical care: the ones who provide care behind bars
GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Inmates can be in jail for a long period of time, and at some point, they are likely to need medical care. Medical care often falls to Infirmary nurses. WCBI went to the Lowndes County Jail to find out what nurses see in a day and why they choose to give care to people behind…
Louisville native has special request to celebrate 95 years of life
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s tough to think of a gift you want at 95 years old. Unless you’re Jean Woodruff. All she wanted is an opportunity to help and heal. Over nine decades of life and Woodruff’s goal is to help the most vulnerable: sick children. A conversation started with a friend, which led to a Facebook post, and…
Tupelo prepares to update plans for city growth, development
Steering committee will be selected and then start working on updated plan through 2040
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The All America City is looking to update its long-range plan to meet the community’s vision and goals. The first step for the Comprehensive Plan 2040 is the formation of a steering committee, made up of professionals who live or work in Tupelo. Once everyone has agreed to serve, the work will begin. “We want this…
Local fire chief explains importance of HVAC maintenance
Dust buildup and trapped debris in air ducts can lead to fire risk
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Cleaning out your air ducts probably doesn’t come to mind when thinking about spring cleaning. Fire Chief Duane Hughes said you need to do more than change out your monthly air filter to prevent a risk of fire. Dust and debris tend to collect in air ducts, which isn’t normally a cause for concern. But when heat…
LINK CEO delivers progress update on Aluminum Dynamics
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – With the state’s largest economic development plan signed off on and breaking ground, the Golden Triangle Development Link is looking ahead to the next challenge. LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins delivered an update on progress at Aluminum Dynamics and what could be happening in the future. Higgins laid out a proposed timeline for the construction…
Prentiss County deputies arrest man on child molestation charges
PRENTISS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Prentiss County investigators arrested a Baldwyn man on child molestation charges. Last week, a Prentiss County Deputy took a report of inappropriate contact with a child. Sheriff’s Office investigators took over the case and interviewed the victim. The child’s parent filed charges based on the allegations and on evidence collected, and a warrant was issued…
Community donates money going toward equipment at WCSO
WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Winston County Sheriff’s Office recently received $25,000 from businesses in the community to go toward important equipment. A few months ago the sheriff’s office added two new drones to their crew, these drones are able to fly in bad weather and fly higher than their first drone. The Winston County Sheriff’s Office said they…
Member of citizen oversight board seeks to reconstruct group
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It has been more than seven years since a citizen oversight board for the Columbus Police Department was formed. But a change in administration, police chiefs, and the pandemic may have put a pause on regular meetings. Former Mayor Robert Smith and the City Council in December of 2015 voted to form a permanent committee. At…
Fire engulfs front of vehicle parked outside Autozone in Starkville
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Just after 11:30 a.m., fire crews were called to Auto-zone on Highway 12 for an SUV that caught fire. Flames engulfed the front of the SUV for five minutes before fire crews were able to put it out. A fire investigator told WCBI that it appeared that the fire started under the hood but is still…
Former Tupelo youth pastor faces more child sex crime charges
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Tupelo youth pastor is facing more child sex crime charges. 27-year-old Alexander Blackwelder is now facing two counts of sexual battery by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. In a press release, Sheriff Jim Johnson said Tupelo police turned over information to deputies from their investigation into Blackwell which led to the charges. TPD charged…
Man indicted in Clay County on child sex crime, spreading HIV
CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man has been indicted in Clay County on a child sex crime and the spread of HIV. 31-year-old Demonta Cantrell is charged with possession of child pornography and exposure to HIV. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said Cantrell was arrested in Orlando, Florida, and was extradited to West Point. The indictment claimed he allegedly…
Area sheriff explains the process of what happens to confiscated drugs
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Drugs like marijuana, fentanyl, and methamphetamine are illegal to have and if you’re caught with them, you’re likely to end up in court, but what happens to the drugs after the gavel hits the desk? Drug crimes are common across this part of the state, and when someone is arrested for possessing or trafficking, those drugs…
House Bill 995 looks to redefine rape in Mississippi
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A bill going through the Legislature could make it easier to prosecute rape cases in Mississippi. House Bill 995, authored by Representative Dana McLean of Columbus, would redefine the definition of rape. Current law still has antiquated language regarding the character of the victim and does not consider spousal rape. This is the second time McLean…
FUMC of Columbus members vote to leave United Methodist Church
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – One of Columbus’ oldest churches is making a historic change. At a church conference Sunday night, over 67% of the members present voted to leave the United Methodist Church. The split has been brought on by conflicting beliefs on how leadership in the denomination has interpreted and acted on church principles. Columbus First United Methodist Church…
Starkville leaders consider ordinance protecting damaged city property
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville Aldermen will consider an ordinance requiring contractors to fix damage to city property. The Right-of-Way Protection Ordinance applies to above and below-ground infrastructure, such as sidewalks and water taps. This applies to damage done during the construction process that goes beyond normal wear and tear. Under the proposal, violators would have 30 days to make…
OIDI hosts panel discussion at MSU celebrating Women’s History Month
MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University’s Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion continues its celebration of Women’s History Month. Monday, OIDI hosted a panel discussion focused on empowering women. The panel featured five distinguished women from a variety of backgrounds sharing their life experiences. They also offered insights on how to encourage, promote, and support women from all…
Noxubee man pleads guilty to aggravated assault, sentenced to 15 years
MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – A Noxubee man will spend over a decade in prison for an apartment robbery. Antonio Roby pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and will be on probation for five years after his release. The hold-up happened in February 2020 at Cambridge Manor Apartments. The robbery charge in the case…
City leaders expect to discuss stray dog controversy in Winona
WINONA, Miss. (WCBI) – Winona city leaders are expected to discuss its stray dog controversy. Four people are scheduled to talk to aldermen about the issue at the board’s Tuesday night meeting. City leaders said stray dogs are supposed to stay in the pound for 10 days. If the pups are not adopted, they are euthanized. The controversy stems from…