Sturgis city leaders chose to table proposed ordinance

STURGIS, Miss. (WCBI) – A proposed ordinance for the town of Sturgis has now been tabled. Following a developer’s purchase this year of multiple properties in downtown Sturgis, city leaders drafted a new ordinance that would have given the city architectural review and approval of all designs and improvements for existing buildings. It would also give the city design approval…

Columbus leaders draft plans to use ARPA money to ease flooding issues

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus leaders are moving forward with plans to use American Rescue Plan Act money to alleviate some of the city’s flooding issues. The Council voted to allow Waggoner Engineering to move forward on seeking grant money from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to help pay for two projects around 15th Avenue North and the Brickyard….

Business approaches city, county about buying old building on Yorkville Rd

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A former manufacturing plant could soon be going back to work. A Lowndes County business has approached Supervisors and the Columbus City Council about buying the old Maxxim Medical building on Yorkville Road. The city and county partnered to buy the building in 2008. Since then it has been used primarily for storage. Both groups have…

Woman arrested for trespassing at Hatley School, assaulting student

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A school parking lot fight led to charges in Hatley. 18-year-old Aubrey Denton is accused of going onto the Hatley School campus and assaulting a student. Monroe County Sheriff Kevin Crook said Denton then left the area. She was later arrested in Pontotoc County on a trespassing charge, filed by the Monroe County Schools Superintendent….

District Three Constable Phil Gann announces plan to retire

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – One of the longest-serving elected officials in Lee County history is retiring. District Three Constable Phil Gann spoke about his decision to not run for an 11th term, and his future plans. It was 1983 when Phil Gann was elected to his first term as Lee County Constable, and he has never looked back. “Never…

Lowndes County now holds valuation of over $1 billion

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Last year property in Lowndes County was valued at $980 million. That value has now gone over $1 billion. But what does that mean? Just about 10 years ago the value of the property on the Lowndes County tax rolls was $532 million. Today, that number has almost doubled. The County’s value is now $1.46…

With recent layoffs many are looking for jobs and they may be in the GTR

GOLDEN TRIANGLE (WCBI) – Recent large-scale layoffs in North Mississippi have former workers looking for answers and, more importantly, jobs. Experts on workforce development talked about the outlook in the Golden Triangle. Layoffs like those at United Furniture and Tiffin have shocked long-term employees. What they may not realize is that the next job could be just a short drive…

Amory PD conducts search operation connected to 2021 murder case

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – A cold case investigation is heating up in Amory. Amory PD posted on Facebook about increasing police presence on Highland Drive near 12th Avenue North for a search operation. 12th Avenue North is where the murder of Judy Baxter, an elderly woman, took place in August 2021. Amory Police said they are searching two properties in…

Golden Egg made appearance in Columbus Tuesday morning

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Golden Egg made its arrival in Columbus this morning. Bulldog fans got to bask in the glory as egg bowl champions and take pictures with the historic trophy. The Tennessee Williams Welcome Center was the last stop on the 2022 Golden Egg tour. If you missed it, maybe there will be more opportunities to come…

Two people take stand in Lowndes County murder trial

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A murder trial continues in Lowndes County. Lowndes County EMA Director Cindy Lawrence and a former Columbus police officer took the stand in the murder trial involving Terry Macon. Terry Macon Macon is charged with First Degree Murder in the October 2021 shooting death of Deadrian Buckhalter. CPD said Macon and Buckhalter got into an…

South Side Elementary students decorate Christmas story trees

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the halls, South Side Elementary decorated trees with ornament balls. But the magic lies in the story of the trees. Each class read and learned about a different Christmas book and was challenged to create a tree based on the story. “We wanted every kid to be involved…

Child accidentally shoots sibling; toddler in serious, but stable condition

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A two-year-old Monroe County boy is in serious, but stable condition at UAB Hospital following an accidental shooting. Monroe County deputies responded to the shooting call around noon on Sunday in the Lackey community. Sheriff Kevin Crook said the child was accidentally shot by his older sibling, also a toddler. Crook said there were adults…

Lowndes County murder trial begins opening statements

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A murder trial is underway in Lowndes County. A jury was seated late this afternoon, and opening arguments began in the trial of Terry Macon. Macon is charged with First Degree Murder in the October 2021 shooting death of Deadrian Buckhalter. Columbus Police said the two men got into an argument on 22nd Avenue North…

LCBS approves county workers to haul away tree, yard debris

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County will be able to help homeowners who suffered tornado damage dispose of some of their debris. Much of the damage from last Tuesday’s tornado happened along Highway 12, which is a state-maintained highway, and an area where Lowndes County road crews normally don’t pick up limbs and other tree and yard debris. Under…

Supervisors approve raise for some Lowndes County elected officials

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Some Lowndes County elected officials will be seeing a little extra in their checks come January. Supervisors approved a $2,000-a-year raise for Justice Court Judges, the County Attorney, and themselves. Lowndes County has surpassed $1 billion in property valuation. State law sets a minimum and maximum pay for certain elected officials in counties based on…