MEMA releases early numbers of storm damage assessment
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The scope of the damage in Mississippi is mind-boggling, and we are just now getting some preliminary numbers of just how badly our communities were battered. Community of Wren, Miss. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said early numbers show Monroe County had 1,476 homes damaged, along with 29 roads and three utilities. 50 people were injured in…
Individual FEMA assistance approved for Mississippi storm victims
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Individual assistance from FEMA has been approved for storm victims in Mississippi. However, disaster recovery centers have not opened. To get a jump start on your FEMA paperwork, there are a few things to know. You must file an insurance claim first. You must also report your damage to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. You can do…
Weather Whys – Snow and Moisture
Ever wondered why there’s no snow falling even with below-freezing temperatures? Meteorologist Jackson Chastain has answers in this week’s edition of Weather Whys! Categories: Featured, Featured Weather, Local News, Weather
Lowndes Co. Sheriff’s Office assisting in Monroe Co.
MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office wasted no time to offer assistance to Monroe County and Amory. Lowndes County deputies have been rotating shifts around the clock, helping with dispatch, patrol efforts, and keeping looters away. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says his agency’s response is vital to Monroe County as its agencies are stretched thin. While residents are…
172-year-old church in Wren is demolished in storms
WREN, Miss (WCBI)-Community members in Wren picked up the pieces of a staple in their community. Tranquil United Methodist Church was built in 1847. Over the church’s lifetime, it has suffered many tragedies but has continued to stand the test of time. WCBI talked with members about the importance of this landmark and how they plan to pick up the…
National first responder shortage puts demand on the local responders
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) -The first few days after a storm are critical as families and the community regroup and gather what’s left of their precious memories. The importance of first responders amplifies following natural disasters. Columbus Fire Chief says the national first responder shortage is putting a higher demand on the local responders. “Firefighters do more than fight fires,” Chief Duane…
Amory residents band together after devastating tornado
Help comes from across the region and state
AMORY, MISS. (WCBI) – The people of Amory have come together following the catastrophic tornado that ripped through the Monroe County community Friday night. A war zone. That best describes a vast swath of Amory following a tornado that swept across the state. Trees were down everywhere, and that meant the familiar sounds of chainsaws. Amory Mayor Corey Glenn says about 40%…
Service members impacted by Friday night’s storms
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI)- Service members were impacted by Friday night’s ruthless storms. Some of the heaviest damage occurred along the Highway 25 corridor heading north out of town. Amory High school and the adjacent National Guard armory had extensive roof damage. The armory houses the 1st Squadron 98th Cav of the Mississippi National Guard. Commander Lt. Colonel Lee Greco says…
Piggly Wiggly owner in Amory expects a comeback
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI)- The people of Amory continue to recover from Friday night’s devastating tornado that wreaked havoc on 40% of the community. Even those who didn’t get damaged will have to deal with the fact that they won’t have their neighborhood Piggly Wiggly to shop at. As you can see it suffered extensive damage and owner Joe McGonagill says,…
Coming to light; Winona resident’s reaction to morning storm damage
WINONA, Miss ( WCBI) – People across the state have been waking up to the devastating effects of Friday Night’s storms. In Winona, several homes were destroyed on Hwy 407 One homeowner compares being in the middle of the storm last night versus witnessing the result of the destruction once the sun rose this morning. “It’s pretty overwhelming…,” said Tim…
Corinth Theatre Arts kicks off 55th season with ‘Steel Magnolias’
CTA is the longest running consecutive community theatre group in Mississippi
CORINTH, Miss. (WCBI) – A well-known story of six women who are described as “delicate as magnolias, but tough as steel” is brought to the stage in Corinth. To kick off its 55th season, Corinth Theatre Arts is bringing “Steel Magnolias” to the stage. “Our season this year is ‘back by popular demand’,” said CTA Executive Director Joshua Steen. That…
Local emergency agencies are gearing up for severe weather
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Our WCBI weather team predicts severe weather moving through the area tonight. And local emergency agencies are gearing up for the unexpected. Columbus Fire and Rescue has duties that go beyond the title. Those include being the first responders during and after disasters. Sunshine and blue skies. It may be the calm before the storm. That’s…
10 people arrested after undercover human trafficking operation
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A joint operation involving the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, the Mississippi Bureaus of Investigation and Narcotics, Homeland Security, Child Protective Services, and the Center for Violence Protection nets 10 arrests. The suspects, including two women from Memphis and one from Gordo, were arrested Thursday night in Columbus. They are believed to be involved in a…
United Way of Lowndes, Noxubee expands service area
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The United Way of Lowndes and Noxubee is going to need a bigger letterhead. That’s just one takeaway from the organization’s community meeting Friday. The United Way’s Executive Director recapped 2022’s accomplishments and laid out plans going forward into 2023. One big change is an expansion in the group’s service area. It now includes Choctaw, Oktibbeha, Webster,…
Habitat for Humanity dedicates homes to two families in Tupelo
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Two families now have homes to call their own, after a lot of sweat, equity, and help from volunteers. Northeast Mississippi Habitat for Humanity held dedication ceremonies for two homes, side-by-side, on Nelle Street in Tupelo. The homes are built on land donated by the city for the Habitat homes. Both families have worked hard on…
Former Baptist paramedic convicted of tampering with opiods
OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – A former paramedic in Oxford is convicted of tampering with opioids while on the job. 35-year-old Richard Bowen was sentenced in federal court to three years probation and ordered to pay more than $30,000 in restitution. The former Baptist Ambulance employee tampered with vials of morphine and fentanyl in October 2021 and other times while he…
Noxubee County Grand Jury indicts murder suspect
NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A murder suspect has been indicted by a Noxubee County Grand Jury. According to the Noxubee County Sheriff’s Office, in 2021, Ramsey Langford got into an argument with Montrell Burrage. The argument sparked in Burrage’s home before spilling out onto Highway 21, west of Shuqalak, where Burrage was shot. Burrage later died at a Jackson…
Local nonprofit to host golf tournament to help children in crisis
SALTILLO, Miss. (WCBI) – Golfers have an opportunity to help an emergency shelter for children in our area. Faith Haven is holding its second annual golf tournament on April 7. It takes place at the Natchez Trace Golf Club in Saltillo. The nonprofit takes in children who are facing crisis situations, while CPS works to re-establish the children’s home as…
Fire destroys building in Oktibbeha County, no injuries reported
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – This is all that’s left of a building in Oktibbeha County. Volunteer firefighters responded to the fire on Self Creek Road at about 5:20 Thursday afternoon. When they got there, they found smoke and flames. It took volunteers from the fire departments in Sturgis, Maben Central, and Adaton to put out the fire. There were…
Uncorked: Broussards Bakery
Categories: Featured, Uncorked Tags: uncorked
The business of bees: Getting honey from the hive to the plate
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Nature and our food source depend on the business of bees. And a local beekeeper and restaurant are predicting that the bee colonies this season will produce lots of honey for the area. Bees have an interesting life; they work as a colony to pollinate crops, populate more bees, and create honey. And an area…