Inmates committing crimes out on bond frustrate local law enforcement

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Law enforcement officers are constantly dealing with a disturbing cycle. Suspects who have been arrested and released on bond return to the streets to commit more crimes. That’s resulting in more arrests and more frustration for officers. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins explains some problems his deputies feel. “It’s very frustrating for us. When we…

Tupelo company develops safety products for schools, businesses, homes

TAPCO's safety screens can repel bullets, explosives, knives and baseball bats

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A North Mississippi company is developing a product to protect lives and property. A local state senator believes the product could also help thwart potential attacks on schools. Tapco Screens can repel a knife and a baseball bat. The Tupelo company started making screens and storm windows in the 1960s. But over the years, Tapco developed…

MDE and MDHS release P-EBT cards to over 92,000 children under six

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Department of Education and the Mississippi Department of Human Services have begun releasing P-EBT benefits to over 92,000 children who were under the age of six and received SNAP benefits during the 2021-22 school year or summer of 2022. P-EBT cards for those recipients will be mailed starting today through October 22. Children who were…

Former Columbus mayor, George Wade, has died

LOUISIANA (WCBI) – A former Columbus mayor has passed away. George Wade served as mayor of Columbus from 1997 until 2001. He was a businessman who owned and operated a feed and seed in the city. Wade was also a retired insurance and financial representative. Wade was 90 years old. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Griffin Funeral Home in…

Noxubee County joins list of active area burn bans

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Noxubee is now the latest county in our area under a burn ban. If you’re in Noxubee, you should avoid burning anything for about the next month. The burn ban will last until November 7th. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter  Categories: Local News

Yalobusha County deputies arrest fentanyl drug dealer

YALOBUSHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A year-long multi-agency investigation gets a suspected drug dealer off the streets in Yalobusha County. Yalobusha County deputies arrested 51-year-old Lee Henson of Tillatoba Monday night after a traffic stop. During the bust, deputies uncovered nine hundred doses of fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone pills, two ounces of cocaine, two guns, and over $4,000 in…

Tenn-Tom Waterway remains open despite Miss. River water levels sinking

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – As water levels sink on the Mississippi River, the Tenn-Tom Waterway says it is open for business. Some loads of grain have been stalled on the Mississippi due to lower water levels. However, the Tenn-Tom has not experienced the same drop. Yellow Creek Port, the Port of Amory, Clay County Port, and the Lowndes County Port all…

West Point seniors citizens celebrate first Fall Festival

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Today’s weather was just right for enjoying the great outdoors. And that’s just what the residents at the West Point Community Living Center did. The Center celebrated its first Fall Festival. Residents were treated to live entertainment and games, and of course, there was “festival food”. Hot dogs and hamburgers were on the menu. The…

Tupelo man arrested for breaking into, vandalizing commercial building

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo man is accused of being inside a closed business and damaging the building. 27-year-old Zachary Ballard is charged with burglary of a commercial building. Officers got a report of someone inside Hometown Healthcare on South Gloster while the business was closed. The inside of the building was ransacked. Ballard was arrested at the scene….

Aberdeen mayor files charges against local officials

From the Boardroom to the Courtroom

ABERDEEN, Miss (WCBI) -Drama continues to unfold at Aberdeen City Hall. The mayor has filed charges against one sitting alderman and one former alderman. This latest uproar surrounds a court ruling over the Ward one set. From the boardroom to the courtroom is where some of the Aberdeen Board of Aldermen are headed. The Ward One seat has been the…

Eight Days of Hope providing relief to Hurricane Ian victims

The ministry's "Rapid Response Teams" have been working providing hope and healing to hurricane victims

PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi-based ministry is providing hope and healing to victims of Hurricane Ian in Florida. Eight Days of Hope deployed its Rapid Response Teams to the Sarasota Florida area only days after Hurricane Ian made landfall on September 28th. Donald Dabney is a Rapid Response manager and has been working in the area. He says…

Tupelo Rotary Club members deliver donuts polio vaccine fundraiser

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Members of the Tupelo Rotary Club were delivering donuts to help eradicate polio. It is all part of “Purple Pinkie Day”, which raises money to provide oral doses of the polio vaccine in countries where it is still prevalent. Specially made donuts, called “Purple Pinkies” are sold by Rotary Club members to provide doses of the…

Noxubee County woman indicted for church burglary

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A woman will spend four years in prison for breaking into a church. Brooke Bloxham was indicted for burglary of a church. The burglary happened at Oak Leaf Church in Mashulaville back in December of last year. Bloxham was sentenced earlier this week in Noxubee County Circuit Court. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us…

Nonprofit raises money to buy new bulletproof vests for Aberdeen police

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – 47 law enforcement officers throughout Northeast Mississippi will have a life-saving piece of equipment, thanks to a local nonprofit. Each year, Wives of Warriors hosts the “Blessed are the Peacemakers 5K.” Proceeds from the event raise money to purchase bulletproof vests for local law officers. Today, officers were fitted for their vests at the Tupelo Police…

Columbus committee dedicates road to boxing champion Henry Armstrong

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – He was the Western Whirlwind, the Dark Angel of Destruction. He was also from Columbus. Boxing champion Hurricane Henry Armstrong is being honored in his hometown. Today, local leaders and the Henry Armstrong Celebration Committee officially dedicated 3rd Street North from Main Street to 7th Avenue as Henry Armstrong Way. Born Henry Jackson, Junior in 1912,…

Committee narrows search for next Columbus police chief

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – There is an update to a story we’ve been following in Columbus. The search for the next police chief is down to seven candidates. An out-of-state candidate dropped out of the running before a Tuesday interview. Several candidates were interviewed that same day. The remaining group will be interviewed on Friday. The ten-person search committee has…

LCSO & Community Benefit Committee team up for annual haunted house

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The Columbus Fairgrounds will turn into another fright fest at the end of October. It’s time for this year’s haunted house. Each year the funds raised from the haunted house, help buy gifts for children in the foster care system, for Christmas. Volunteers recently gathered to start gearing up for the frights. The event will run October…

Harvest season is looking good for area farmers

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss (WCBI) – While temperatures are warm, in some areas, you might think it’s been snowing. The residue from one of Mississippi’s cash crops showing up on the sides of the road is evidence of harvest season. And local economist is projecting a good year. According to the MSU Extension Service, Mississippi farmers’ crop prices are higher than…

Houston car dealership donates vehicle for Calhoun County SRO Program

Steve Eaton of Eaton Chevrolet, Buick, GMC saw a social media post from the sheriff about the need for vehicles

HOUSTON, MISS, (WCBI) – The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office has a boost for its School Resource Officer program. Just last week as a school resource officer was driving from Vardaman to Pittsboro, his vehicle, a backup vehicle in the sheriff’s fleet, broke down. “Those are the vehicles that have 200,000 miles on them, the second day on the job, one…

Brooksville woman faces charges for cyberstalking

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The case against a Brooksville woman moves forward after she’s indicted. Ashley McCoy is facing a cyberstalking charge. A Noxubee County grand jury recently returned that indictment. Prosecutors say the alleged crime happened between March and June of this year. A trial date has not been set. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook…

Sim Scott Seniors walk to raise awareness for breast cancer

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in Columbus, a group of Seniors is getting the word out. The Sim Scott Seniors took to the walking track at the park to raise awareness about the disease, honor the survivors among them, and remember those who lost the fight. After the walk, the group took part in…