Blood bank urges community to donate blood
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The area’s largest blood bank is looking for donors to boost its reserves. Vitalant put out the call last month for donors, as the blood supply was at emergency status. That meant there was not enough blood on the shelves to handle any unexpected emergencies, such as the incident last month when a man stole a…
Columbus Municipal School District sees improvement in school rating
School Districts around the area recently received their district ratings, and many of them are thrilled at the improvement
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- School Districts around the area recently received their district ratings, and many of them are thrilled at the improvement in local schools. Columbus Municipal School district had been at a D rating since 2016 but this year they went up to C. Since 2016 C.M.S.D has held a consistent D average, but this year that grade climbed…
Elementary student co-authors book with her father
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Most five-year-olds are just learning to read. A little girl in Starkville took on a big task: writing her own book. Duchess Yeates who’s now six and in the first grade co-authored the book with her dad. Yeates says he has been reading to Duchess since she was a baby. When she was around three years…
Hamilton daycare under investigation after video goes viral
HAMILTON, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s all anyone is talking about today. A viral video from a Hamilton daycare has devastated parents and horrified the community. A cell phone video posted on multiple social media accounts shows adult daycare workers scaring toddlers. The adult is wearing a mask from the movie Scream. You can hear and see the children screaming and…
Archivists present research on database identifying victims of slavery
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A digital database is being developed to include victims of slavery across the South. Today, archivists gave a presentation on “The Lantern Project: Uncovering Local African-American History” at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. The project is headed by Mississippi State. It will include digitized and searchable legal records of slavery in Mississippi and Lowndes County. You will be…
MUW Naming Taskforce will host listening session for alumni, community
MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN (WCBI) – The Mississippi University for Women Naming Taskforce sets dates for listening sessions. University leaders say they want to hear from alumni and community members. There will be an in-person session on Monday at the Fant Memorial Library beginning at 5:30 PM. Zoom calls will be this Friday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Information from…
Noxubee County jury indicts Columbus man for murder
NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus man is indicted for murder in Noxubee County. Christopher Wicks was recently indicted by a Noxubee County grand jury. He’s accused of killing 21-year-old Kaliyah Brooks. Brooks was stabbed at Cedar Creek Apartments in June 2021. At the time, Macon Police Chief Davine Beck told WCBI that Brooks was stabbed multiple times. She…
WCBI Job Fair vendors gathered applications, had successful day
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Those looking for a job and those needing employees had a one-stop shop today. The WCBI Job Fair was held this morning at the Lyceum at Lee. More than 20 vendors were set up to take applications and resumes. WCBI hosts similar job fairs throughout the year. The event allows those ready for a new career…
Eupora officers will have new guns for patrol soon
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Eupora police department will soon have new guns for officers to take out on patrol. Eight new handguns will soon be in the hands of patrolmen. City leaders applied for a grant back in June, with help from the state and the U.S. Justice Department. After winning the $5,000 grant and submitting a hardship request,…
Search for next Columbus police chief continues
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The search for the next Columbus police chief is moving forward. A list of more than 60 candidates has been narrowed down to eight. Next week, four candidates will be interviewed on Tuesday and the other four will interview next Friday. No timeline has been set on when a recommendation could be made to the city…
Prominent Lowndes County figure, Roger Short, dies
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County Recreation Director Roger Short passed away early this morning. Short has spearheaded the agency for several years, leading thousands of youth into their first sporting experience. Before that, he lead the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority for 15 years. Short was active in area recreation serving as an official at high school sporting events for…
Finding hope: Tupelo Salvation Army helps single mom follow her dreams
Shelter provides space for office and homeschool for mom and daughter
TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – The area’s only homeless shelter provides basics such as food and housing for thousands every year. But the Tupelo Salvation Army is also helping a single mom develop and launch a business while living in the shelter. The Salvation Army is helping a determined mother and her young daughter follow their dreams. It is just after…
Two teens arrested after video creates concern for Louisville High School
LOUISVILLE, Miss (WCBI) – We are learning more about the two teenagers arrested after a video creates concern on the Louisville High School campus. Now, educators are working to enhance their security efforts. A video circulating on social media showed two male teens entering Louisville High School. In that video you see the teens holding a gun. The post led…
WCBI Job Fair is happening tomorrow
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Job seekers can meet area employers tomorrow in one place. Dozens of businesses and companies will set up booths to meet potential job candidates and accept resumes at the WCBI Job Fair. It’s going on tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lyceum at Lee in Columbus. Vendors will be there from a variety…
Baptist Memorial Hospital GT hosts annual flu shot drive
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Health officials are making it a point of emphasis to get your flu shots so you don’t find yourself contracting the virus. Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle is hosting its Baptist Annual Flu Shot drive. Free shots are available for anyone 18 and older while supplies last. It’s not too late to get your vaccine. The…
Missing man last seen in Tupelo
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)-Investigators need your help to find a missing man last seen in Tupelo. Anthony Ross Powell has been missing since August 3rd. The last time he was seen was near the Barnes Crossing Mall area. He also frequents the cross-town area of Tupelo. Powell is 5’6″, 115 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a…
Columbus apartments scheduled for renovation, saved from demolition
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus apartment complex on the brink of demolition is saved by a new owner. This will require more than a million dollars of improvements at Oak Manor Apartments. “We figured out housing is a definite need, especially affordable housing, so not just housing but affordable housing, and it’s very close to the downtown area,” said…
Oxford murder suspect files lawsuit for illegal imprisonment
OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Tim Herrington has filed a lawsuit against the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department for illegal imprisonment. This reporting is according to Memphis CBS affiliate WREG-TV. Herrington is charged with the first-degree murder of the University of Mississippi graduate Jimmie “Jay” Lee. Lee disappeared on July 8th. He was last seen leaving Campus Walk Apartments in Oxford. Investigators…
Columbus church extends a helping hand after Hurricane Ian
COLUMBUS, Miss (WCBI) – Hurricane Ian is considered the deadliest storm in Florida since 1935. And a local congregation is going outside the walls of its church to help those affected by the deadly storm. Minster Tommy Gillion says that through his disaster relief experience, he has observed that in the seven days after a storm it’s crucial for residents…
ICC hosts conference to discuss future of higher education in Miss.
LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Itawamba Community College has been playing host to representatives from colleges and universities across Mississippi discussing the future of higher education. Nearly 200 college presidents and administrators attended the Mississippi Association of Colleges, also known as MAC, annual conference at the ICC Belden campus. Topics such as mental health, spotting signs of human trafficking and…
WCBI Job Fair will be Thursday at the Lyceum at Lee
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – If you’re ready to make a career move or looking for a job, get your resumes ready and come to the WCBI Job Fair. It’s going on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lyceum at Lee in Columbus. Vendors will be there from a variety of fields, including industry, education, healthcare, and the…
MSU gears up for SEC Nation coming to Starkville
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The SEC Nation Television Program is coming to Starkville this week. That means thousands of fans will be in town and on campus. They are coming for the game and to be a part of the early morning show. That is extra hours for MSU police and others on campus. It is a big week for…
EMCC holds district-wide college fair for students
EAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE (WCBI) – It’s time for the next step. EMCC’S Communiversity held a district-wide college fair that invited about 1,200 students to attend from the six surrounding counties. The fair highlighted the different programs and careers that the universities and colleges have to offer in the state. Students were able to meet with each station to learn…