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Featured, Local News

Campus of former Wood Junior College is under new ownership

It's been nearly 140 years since two ministers started a seminary in the small Webster County community of Clarkson
Joey Barnes,

MATHISTON, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been nearly 140 years since two ministers started a seminary in the small Webster County community of Clarkson. A few years later, the school was moved to Mathiston, where students could travel easily by train. Most people remember it as Wood Junior College, a thriving school in the ’70s and ’80s. The property has been…

Fatal Car Crash
Local News

Webster County couple killed in weekend car crash

Joey Barnes,

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An elderly Webster County couple was killed in a weekend car crash. The Mississippi Highway Patrol said the accident happened on Highway 9, north of Walthall, late Friday afternoon. 79-year-old Robert Pittman’s vehicle was going south when it went off the road and hit a tree. Mr. Pittman and his wife, 76-year-old Mary Pittman, of…

Fires And Flames
Local News

Early morning fire in Columbus claims lives of woman, pets

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The investigation into a deadly early morning fire in Columbus continues. Firefighters were called to a camper park on Lincoln Road at about 5:30 a.m. The camper was engulfed in flames when the firemen arrived. Columbus Fire and Rescue Chief Duane Hughes said a woman and her two pets died in the blaze. The state fire…

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Featured, Local News

Community helps popular music duo who lost home in fire

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The community is coming together to help a popular husband and wife music act who lost everything in a fire. Keith and Margie Brown regularly play at festivals, events, and fundraisers in the area. Their home in Columbus caught fire Wednesday night. The house was a total loss, and the couple was left with very few of…

Montgomery County Deputies Search For Suspects Accused Of Passing Fake Money
Crime, Local News

Montgomery Co. deputies search for suspects allegedly using fake money

Joey Barnes,

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department hopes you can help identify some people accused of passing bogus bucks. In a Facebook post, the agency said the people in these pictures are using counterfeit $100 bills to pay for items. The cash appears to be legitimate using a counterfeit-detecting marker. However, the ink will smear as soon…

Tupelo Police Department Investigates Fatal Stabbing On Wednesday
Crime, Local News

Tupelo man charged in fatal stabbing of woman on Wednesday

MorrisAdmin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo man was charged with killing a woman in the middle of the afternoon on Wednesday. Tupelo police investigators believe Ricky Shumpert stabbed the victim, 43-year-old Tyronza Heavens, to death. Officers responded to reports of the stabbing on North Church Street. That’s where they found Heavens with multiple wounds. She was taken to the North…

Local Sheriff Aims To Help Keep Kids Safe At School In Lee County
Featured, Local News

SROs protect schools, provide positive influence for students

Lee County Sheriff's Office partners with the school district to provide SROs on campuses
Allie Martin,

GUNTOWN, Miss. (WCBI) – As we celebrate National Police Week, it’s an opportunity to highlight those who protect and serve. Those officers on school campuses are protecting our most valuable asset, our children. Whether he is sitting with students during lunch, walking the halls, or helping with cafeteria cleanup, Lee County Deputy Matthew Williams is right at home on the Guntown…

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Featured, Local News

Job fair helps connect employers with potential employees

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi’s unemployment rate is at a historic low. However, there are still people looking for jobs and companies needing workers. “There can be a fit for anyone,” said Erin Bragg from the CPI Group. Hundreds of people walked through the Lyceum at Lee, searching for their new or next opportunity. Bragg said finding jobs are not…

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Featured, Local News

Noxubee County leaders help find new ways of transportation

Pedaling towards better health is the goal for leaders in Noxubee County
Joey Barnes,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Pedaling towards better health is the goal for leaders in Noxubee County. The people with Mississippi State University’s AIM for Change program were researching a transportation plan for Noxubee County. That’s when they found another problem they said needed to be addressed. “That’s how we got the results that transportation was needed in Noxubee County…

Columbus Boys, Girls Club Unveils Finished Renovation Project
Local News

Columbus Boys, Girls Club unveils finished renovation project

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Leaders and members of the Columbus Boys and Girls Club are showing off their new look. A renovation project at the club recently wrapped up and the public could come inside to see the changes. The project included new flooring throughout the building along with updates to the kitchen and restroom areas. Club members also now…

job career working
Local News

Workforce advice: What makes applicants stand out to employers

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – In this competitive job market, some employers look for employees that stand out from the usual crowd of applicants. Steel Dust Recycling out of Milport, Alabama, employs nearly 40% of Lowndes County residents and is looking to add to it. Human Resources Manager Joe Fleming offers tips to anyone entering the job force. “We look…

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State News

Majority of Mississippi students excel on state reading exams

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A majority of Mississippi continues to excel on its state reading exam. The Mississippi Department of Education reported that over 76% of third graders passed the state reading assessment during the spring semester. That’s over 31,000 students. That’s more than the 2021-2022 school year and the 2018-2019 school year before the COVID pandemic. For students who didn’t…

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Crime, Local News

Lowndes County court term ends with 2 men going to prison

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Another week of the Lowndes County court term ended with two men going to prison. We first told you about the conviction of Davonta Wells on Wednesday night. He was ordered to serve 16 years in prison after being found guilty of shooting into a dwelling and felon in possession of a handgun. He was…

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State News

State education board makes future plans to choose interim superintendent

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Conversations on who should be Mississippi’s next education leader are gearing up. The State Board of Education will hold a special session on June 15 to consider who will take the interim state superintendent job this summer. The person selected will officially take the job on July 1. The next interim superintendent will also have the opportunity…

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Local News

Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office honors fallen officers at annual memorial

MorrisAdmin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is remembering officers who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice. The department held its annual “Fallen Officers Memorial” Thursday morning. During the ceremony, deputies laid a wreath on a monument dedicated to officers who’ve died in the line of duty. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins spoke about the importance of remembering officers who took…