West Point man faces charges in two different investigations

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – A West Point man is facing charges in two separate investigations. 22-year-old Lamarquez Evans is charged with murder and armed robbery. He remains in the Clay County Jail. Police Chief Avery Cook tells WCBI the alleged armed robbery happened late Saturday night or early Sunday morning on Calhoun Street. The victim’s wallet was taken in…

Flu activity on the rise in north Mississippi, Walgreens reports

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Flu season is starting to ramp up in Mississippi. The Walgreens flu index shows that our corner of north Mississippi, including Columbus, West Point, and Tupelo, ranks at number two with the highest flu activity. The findings come from Walgreens nationwide and compile data from prescription data for antiviral medicines used to treat the flu. Doctors recommend…

Oktibbeha County deputies warn about phone scams

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County deputies are warning about a scam. The sheriff’s office said someone is calling people on the phone, telling them they have warrants, and asking for them to pay with a pre-paid card over the phone. Deputies say whoever is making the calls is even using the names of local police officers and judges….

Starkville police investigate Sunday night shooting at apartment complex

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville police are investigating a Sunday night shooting. Sgt. Brandon Lovelady said the incident happened at about 8 p.m. at Sandhill Arms Apartment complex on Sand Road. One person was injured in the incident. SPD is not releasing any additional information about the shooting, citing an ongoing investigation. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook…

Two men face capital murder charges for 2021 shooting in Brooksville

BROOKSVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Two men are facing capital murder charges in connection with a December 2021 shooting in Brooksville. Jaquraus Wells is charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of aggravated assault. Kendal Thomas is charged with two counts of capital murder, aggravated assault, and drive-by-shooting. Bond for Wells is set at $1.2 million. Thomas has…

Bryan Public Library in West Point hosts winter coat drive

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Members at Bryan Public Library are looking to keep folks in the community warm. The library started a coat drive two weeks ago and has seen dozens of coats and jackets come in since it started. Workers at the library encourage others in the community to give any old jackets or coats. The coat drive…

Master Gardeners meet up to share knowledge on plant care

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Gardeners from around the area met today to learn a few tips and tricks for their gardens this fall. Master Gardeners from throughout the area met at the local regional group in Columbus today at the Extension office. Nearly 50 people gathered and listened to speakers talk about how they can take care of their plants…

Tupelo police uncover lottery ticket scheme at convenience store

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The dream of cashing a $500,000 lottery ticket turns into a nightmare for a Tupelo convenience store worker. 40-year-old Jessica Parker is charged with felony embezzlement. Tupelo police said she used her position at Barnes Crossing Road Texaco to take the money and use her position to identify winning lottery tickets. Parker would then get them…

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker’s father dies at the age of 98

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WCBI) – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker’s father has passed away. Judge Thomas Frederick Wicker died this morning at a Memphis hospital at the age of 98. Wicker was born in 1924 and grew up in Benton County. He served in Europe for the Army Air Force during World War two and earned four battle stars. Later, Wicker would…

Tupelo woman accused of embezzling thousands from business

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo woman is accused of taking about $14,000 from a business. Now, 48-year-old Lori Palmer is charged with embezzlement. Tupelo police say they were called about missing money at Oak Creek Apartments back on September 26th. Management at the complex suspected Palmer had taken the money. Several days later a warrant was issued for her…

Elementary schools, Head Start Center get funding for more pre-K classes

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Elementary schools and a Head Start Center in Lowndes are getting a financial boost to fund additional pre-K classes. The Mississippi State Board of Education added Lowndes County to the Early Learning Collaborative Program. The allocation will give Lowndes County School District and Coleman Head Start $550,000 a year to serve 11 pre-k classes. This…

Tishomingo County company contracted to make trousers for Army, Navy

TISHOMINGO COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A north Mississippi company will continue to dress America’s Army and Navy. Golden Manufacturing Company was awarded a $10.8 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense. The Tishomingo County company will make trousers for service members. Golden has won DOD contracts for uniform items since 2019. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith made…

Chickasaw County hosts annual Fun Day for people with special needs

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s a day of fun for everyone in Chickasaw County. The extension service hosted its annual field day this morning. There were games, pony rides, and cart rides at the Chickasaw County Agri-Center. The event allows people of all ages with special needs to come out and have a “Fun Day.” People around the county…

Plantersville residents enjoy animal field day at town hall

PLANTERSVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Plantersville residents had a chance to get needed shots for their dogs and also get their pets microchipped. It was all part of the “Field Day” held at the town hall. Plantersville Animal Control teamed up with the Tupelo Lee Humane Society for the event. Free shots were given to dogs, and for $25, pets could…

Alabama reports continued record low unemployment rates

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WCBI) – Alabama’s unemployment rate continues to hover at record lows. The state’s seasonally adjusted rate for September held at 2.6%. That record low is the same as last month. It’s also down significantly from last year’s 3.2%. Governor Kay Ivey says there have been 50,000 new jobs added since last September. The Alabama Department of Labor also…

Miss. Republican party launches initiative to recruit women into politics

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Republican party launches a women’s initiative to recruit and train more women to run for office or become more active in the party. The announcement was recently made outside the GOP headquarters in Jackson. This plan is one way that leaders believe they can grow the party. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch says despite women…

THS football coach shares fond memories of Sam Westmoreland

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – As those who knew Sam Westmoreland cope with the sudden death of the MSU offensive lineman, the man who coached him at Tupelo High School is speaking out. We talked to Coach Ty Hardin who shared his memories of coaching number 76. Tupelo head football coach Ty Hardin last saw Sam Westmoreland on the sidelines of…