TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – For more than 40 years, a Tupelo-based nonprofit has been rescuing children who are caught in crisis situations. Faith Haven provides a compassionate setting for kids who have endured terrible ordeals, and while the need for their services is increasing, some of the funding has gone away. Jackie Smith came on board as executive director of…
COLUMBUS, Miss (WCBI) – The Preservation Society of Columbus celebrates 83 years of welcoming visitors to the homes of locals to showcase the architecture and interior design. This year, the Pilgrimage tours also include the voices of those who helped shape the community. The Preservation Society is gearing up to show more than just homes but also to educate the…
TUPELO, Miss. (WCB) – April is National Donate Life Month and NMMC Tupelo is trying to get the word out about the need for organ donors. The Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, or MORA, and NMMC held a ceremony in celebration of National Donate Life Month at the Tupelo hospital. Information was provided on the urgent need for organ donors and…
LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Louisville woman was accused of having sex with teenagers for two years, while allegedly using drugs and alcohol. Latika Davis was charged with sexual battery. Louisville police said the alleged incidents started in 2020 and continued through 2022. Investigator Mike Perkins said there are at least three victims but he believed there are more. Perkins…
MISSISSIPPI (WTOK) – A group of teens is facing charges in several counties after a multi-day crime spree. Louisville police said the four teens from there were arrested Wednesday afternoon with the help of state troopers. Our state-wide news partner WTOK reported the first incident happened Tuesday when a person was held at gunpoint and forced to withdraw money from…
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Amory will be closed on Easter Sunday. It will be open Saturday and again on Monday. The regular hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Again, this weekend’s closing will only be for Easter Sunday. A tax…
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Some Lowndes County high schoolers are recognized for their work and their leadership. The Exchange Club of Columbus hosted its annual Youth and ACE Awards ceremony on Thursday. The organization recognized teens that have overcome adversities and challenges while pursuing good grades and leadership. Students from five schools in the county took part in the…
LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – When a tornado hits your hometown, it’s a memory that is forever engraved in your mind. Almost nine years ago the Town of Louisville lost a lot after a tornado ripped through the town, taking homes, businesses, and even family members. On this month nine years ago many people in Louisville faced a tragic moment in…
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – When disaster strikes, there is a critical need for volunteers to help in the recovery. And the American Red Cross is one organization that is always there to fill that need. But the organization has a need of its own: more volunteers. WCBI spoke with Red Cross Disaster Program Manager about the importance of volunteerism during…
PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Although the damage is still evident, there has been a lot of progress in the four days since the tornado hit Pontotoc County. “We were rated at an EF2 tornado from county line to county line,” said Pontotoc County Emergency Management Director Allen Bain. Bain said preliminary assessments show about 115 structures, including homes, barns,…
LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – An early morning FBI raid in Louisville rattled a quiet neighborhood. Witnesses reported seeing Louisville Police, the FBI, and a van identified as a bomb squad. Sources told WCBI this is part of an FBI task force operation. The reason for the raid is still unknown. The FBI has confirmed that one person was taken into…
WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – A murder trial in West Point could be in the hands of a jury by Thursday morning. The prosecution presented its case against Octavius Collins early Wednesday. Then, his defense had its turn. Closing arguments began around 4 p.m. Collins was accused of killing 43-year-old James Roberson on Thanksgiving morning 2020. Investigators said the shooting…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A major utility company is fueling volunteer efforts in the wake of the March 24 tornado outbreak. Atmos Energy is contributing $50,000 to the American Red Cross Mississippi Chapter for use in relief efforts in Rolling Fork and Amory. More than 300 Red Cross workers have been on the ground in the affected areas feeding people, helping…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – We will continue to remind you about FEMA Individual Assistance available to those of you who have damage in Carroll, Monroe, and Montgomery counties. This includes people who rent their home or apartment. Here’s how this may help your family. Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing. The initial rental grant is for a one-month or…
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Almost 2,000 people applied for safe rooms since August. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency opened applications in 2022 for individual safe rooms. During the application process, FEMA has requested additional information from applicants. The state is waiting for FEMA to approve those safe room applications. If your application is approved, a MEMA representative will contact you by…
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Investigators have made an arrest in a fatal shooting incident from Tuesday night. Tyshawn Henley was charged with Capital Murder. Starkville police said there were reports of shots fired at Blake Court Townhouses at 1220 Louisville Street. That’s where police found 31-year-old Kirby Sherman. Sherman was pronounced dead at the scene by Oktibbeha County Medical Examiner…
AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Storm season tends to put people on high alert, and rightfully so. Storm shelters have become a hot commodity following the recent wave of tornadoes and severe weather. Teresa King moved back to her hometown of Amory in December of 2022. In just three months since her return, a tornado ripped through her town. “I drove…
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – For more than 30 years, Tupelo’s Mall at Barnes Crossing has had a huge economic impact, bringing jobs and shoppers to Lee County. The area’s regional mall is celebrating its 33rd anniversary and is looking to the future. It was 1991 when Jeff Snyder was put in charge of the security at the Mall at Barnes…
PICKENS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Millport man is killed in an early morning crash in Pickens County, Ala. 35-year-old Trent Graham died at the scene of the accident on Tabernacle Road. The crash happened just before seven this morning. Coroner Chad Harless said Graham’s vehicle left the road and hit a tree. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating…
PICKENS COUNTY, Ala. (WCBI) – The body of a missing woman was found in Pickens County, Alabama. Karen Lanzas Chavarria was reported missing last month to the Pickensville Police Department. The Pickens County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney Andy Hamlin said she was found a short distance away from her home. Coroner Chad Harless told WCBI an autopsy has been…
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Better Business Bureau warns the public to be on high alert for scams. Storm victims can become scam victims when government funds are handed out. Leaders of the BBB said if you are rebuilding, your contractor has to be approved by the state of Mississippi. Any repairs over $10,000 must be handled by a…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi University for Women has long been known for helping students achieve their goals. Now the university is celebrating surpassing one of its own. The “Be The Light” campaign started in 2017 with the goal of raising $15 million. The W reached that goal and kept going to raise more than $25 million. Every dollar makes…
NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Noxubee County deputies are looking for a man accused of shooting a car. Deandra Smith is considered armed and dangerous. Investigators said the shooting happened in the PinyWoods area back on March 21. Deputies told WCBI there was an adult and two juveniles inside the vehicle when a bullet when through the roof of the…