Brooksville police chief resigns, search for new chief begins

BROOKSVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The town of Brooksville finds itself looking for a police chief, once again. Virginia Rich tells WCBI she has resigned, effective immediately. She took over the Brooksville police department back in April. The Noxubee County town had not had a police chief for eight years when Rich got the job. Rich has worked as an officer…

Louisville ministry continuing its mission even after a fire

Hope Missions of Louisville Mississippi

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Louisville ministry known for bringing hope to the community is now hoping to regroup after a fire damages its building. Angela Nance has been arrested in the case and is being charged with arson of a religious building. Usually, when families are displaced by a fire or find themselves in a crisis in Winston County,…

Arrest warrants issued for former Hamilton daycare workers

Four former employees face felony charges, one faces misdemeanor charges

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Arrest warrants are issued for five former workers at a Monroe County daycare where a cell phone video was taken showing workers scaring toddlers. The investigation began after a video was posted, showing workers at Lil Blessings Child Care and Learning Center in Hamilton wearing a mask from the movie Scream, scaring children. The daycare…

Man charged with felony possession of marijuana, felony fleeing

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies said a man was throwing drugs out the window, narrowly missing children playing, while running from law enforcement. 28-year-old Eldridge Pete Langford III is charged with felony possession of marijuana and felony fleeing. The sheriff’s department’s Special Tactics Investigative Narcotic Group or STING Unit was doing surveillance in the area of 17th…

Absentee ballots available for November General Election

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Absentee ballots are now available for the November 8th General Election. There are two ways to vote absentee. You can go by the Circuit Clerk’s Office, or you can get a mail-in absentee ballot. If you choose to vote in-office, you can go by the Circuit Clerk’s office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday….

Oktibbeha County, City of Starkville team up to pave major road

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A partnership between an Oktibbeha County Supervisor and a Starkville Alderman paves the way for improving a major connector road. Garrard Road is a busy stretch of road connecting the Starkville City Limits and Highway 25. Thousands of drivers travel the road every day, and it was beginning to show the strain. Both the city…

Mississippi State football player has died

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Mississippi State football player has died. Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt has confirmed a young man who is an MSU football player has died. MSU Athletics released the following statement: “Mississippi State University was deeply saddened to learn of the death this morning of freshman student-athlete Samuel Westmoreland, 19, of Tupelo, Mississippi. Westmoreland, a…

Chickasaw, Union County schools receive funding for more security

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Two north Mississippi schools received federal money to help boost security. Chickasaw and Union County School Districts have both been awarded more than $495,000. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith announced the Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Service grants this morning. The Districts can use the funds to help with coordination with law enforcement, security…

Suspect charged with Capital Murder in death of Greenville detective

GREENVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The man accused of shooting and killing a Greenville detective last week faces a capital murder charge. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation confirmed Kamarcus Charles is out of the hospital and officially charged in connection to the death of Myiesha Stewart. Kamarcus Charles Charles was injured during the shootout near Highway 1 and Highway 82 last Tuesday….

NEMCC gets big boost for its workforce development training programs

Gov. Tate Reeves presented a 2.2 million dollar check to NEMCC from Accelerate Mississippi

BOONEVILLE, MISS. (WCBI) – The $2.2 million check will help North East Mississippi Community College enhance its truck driving training program by funding two simulators for students. The money will also help create another LPN class for future healthcare workers. The funding came from Accelerate Mississippi, the centralized office promoting workforce development. “We were creating this office of workforce development…

Pandemic babies could be more at risk for develpmental delays

COLUMBUS, Miss (WCBI) – As the COVID pandemic begins to fade, new studies are now showing some of the lasting effects. Recent research suggests that babies conceived and born during the pandemic face social and communication developmental delays. The pandemic not only shut the country down but may also have shifted the future development of the next generation. A study…

MSU pays tribute to veterans by joining the Blue Star Memorial Program

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A tribute to military veterans is unveiled on the Mississippi State University campus today. MSU is the first Mississippi university to join the Blue Star Program. The Garden Clubs of Mississippi and the Sonny Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans dedicated the marker today. The Blue Star Memorial honors all veterans of America’s armed forces. MSU’s Director…

UPS Store donates new books to middle school in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – 11 cases of new books were donated to Partnership Middle School in Starkville. The UPS Store in Starkville made this generous donation through its participation with its corporate partnership, Toys for Tots. Funds were raised during their 2021 holiday season. They hope their partnership with the school will continue to impact the community. “We’re super excited…

Monroe County deputies arrest man for fleeing, trafficking drugs

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A West Point man is arrested in Monroe County on several drug charges. Charterious Moore is charged with aggravated trafficking of methamphetamine, felony fleeing, and possession of marijuana. Deputies set up a safety checkpoint at the intersection of Highway 382 and 25, south of Aberdeen on October 16th. Investigators say Moore sped away from deputies….

Oktibbeha County deputies still looking for grave vandal

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County deputies are still searching for the person that vandalized a grave. The incident happened at Memorial Garden Cemetery on Oktoc Road back on October first. Deputies say someone stole an urn and scattered ashes on the property. Some grave markers were also reportedly taken. If you have any information you can call the…

Former Starkville firefighter indicted for embezzlement

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Starkville firefighter is indicted on an embezzlement charge. This past May we told you about the arrest of Clarence Parks. Now, an Oktibbeha County Grand Jury has indicted him. He is charged with embezzlement: fraud committed in public office. The investigation started after internal and external complaints. In the indictment, prosecutors allege he used…

Three candidates left in the running to be next Columbus police chief

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The search for Columbus’s next top cop is narrowed down to three candidates. A search committee interviewed seven people before selecting the finalists. The final three were selected for a meeting this morning. Sources tell WCBI that no one currently employed at the Columbus Police Department made the list. The names of those candidates have not…

Starkville offers a way for locals to shop, dine, and save

STARKVILLE, Miss (WCBI)- With the Holidays right around the corner, and inflation taking a bite out of everybody’s budgets, finding good deals is extra important right now. The fall season is here, which means the holiday season is near, and Starkville is offering some ways for residents to shop and not break the bank. Hunter Harrington, director of the Greater…