City council officially chooses Joseph Daughtry as new police chief

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – We heard from the Columbus Police Department’s newest Police Chief for the first time Tuesday night following the mayor’s announcement. Joseph Daughtry took the stand to address the city council, the police department, and the citizens. Daughtry has served in law enforcement for over 20 years from the Orleans Parrish Sheriff’s Department, Pelahatchie, Hinds County, Rankin…

Local college changes name to Blue Mountain Christian University

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. (WCBI) – A local college that has been part of the area for nearly 150 years is undergoing a name change. “Well, it’s a marvelous opportunity for us to communicate who we are as an institution,” said Dr. Barbara McMillin, President of Blue Mountain Christian University. McMillin said the name change from Blue Mountain College to Blue…

LCBS vote to pass resolution honoring Judges Lee Howard, Lee Coleman

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Accolades continue to pour in for a pair of retiring circuit judges. Today, the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors voted to pass a resolution honoring 16th Judicial District Circuit Court Judges Lee Howard and Lee Coleman for their service. Both Howard and Coleman are retiring from the bench this year. Lee Howard has been a…

Volunteer fire station gets new name honoring former chief

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A volunteer fire station in Lowndes County will now bear the name of its longtime chief. Lowndes County Supervisors voted unanimously today to rename the Rural Hill Fire Station in memory of Wayne Doyle. Doyle served as a volunteer firefighter for 40 years and was the longtime Chief of District 3. Supervisors said that Doyle…

One woman dies in Monday morning car crash in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Police are investigating a Monday morning car accident in Columbus that left one person dead. 59-year-old Catherine Rigdon was driving one of the cars involved in the crash on Highway 45. She was traveling north. Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant said Rigdon was taken to Baptist Golden Triangle. She died last night. Investigators are trying to…

Joseph Daughtry expected to be named the next police chief of Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Sources told WCBI that Joseph Daughtry is expected to be named Columbus’ next Police Chief at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. Daughtry, one of the three finalists for the job, currently serves as the Chief of Police in Natchez Mississippi. He also serves as President of the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police. Monday, Daughtry visited Columbus…

Local groups team up to host turkey drive in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Thanksgiving is just over a week away and three local groups are teaming up to make sure families have a turkey on the table. The Community Benefit Committee, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Columbus are hosting a turkey drive. They hope to have at least 1,000 turkeys to give away this weekend. The groups…

West Point police hold press conference for murder investigation

WEST POINT Miss. (WCBI) – West Point police have made a total of seven arrests in an ongoing investigation into the death of 22-year-old Jerni White. Jaylon Heard, Renaldo Carrothers, Lamarquez Evans, Terrance Rowe, Shaunmicah Strong, and Kevin Holliday Jr. have all been charged with murder. Jaquerius Crawford was charged with aggravated assault. Today, the West Point police department held…

MJI files lawsuit to allow Mississippi abortion ban to take effect

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – A conservative legal group is suing to allow Mississippi’s abortion ban to take full effect. The Mississippi Justice Institute or MJI filed a lawsuit in Hinds County County Chancery Court today on behalf of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The suit is aimed at allowing Mississippi’s abortion ban to take full effect. In…

Calhoun County deputies arrest, charge man with aggravated rape

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Calhoun County deputies made an arrest in a rape investigation. Roger Armstrong was charged with two counts of aggravated rape. Sheriff Greg Pollan said the alleged incidents were reported this past Saturday and happened within a day or two of the report. Pollan told WCBI there is one reported victim in the investigation, as of…

LCSO releases identities of 19 suspects in drug trafficking investigation

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – New details after Lowndes County investigators arrest 19 people during a drug round-up. This was part of a six-month investigation involving multiple state and federal agencies into illegal drug trafficking in the county. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said between the 19 suspects, 33 felony charges were filed. The sheriff described most of the suspects…