Tupelo Ham radio operators help Hurricane Ian victims
The radio operators relay valuable information to victims, family members and emergency personnel
TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – We have seen the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian as it came ashore in Florida. Now, as recovery and cleanup begin, local amateur radio operators are helping relay valuable information to victims, their family members, and emergency services. In a corner of the Tupelo Veteran’s Museum, members of the Tupelo Amateur Radio Club and the Wireless…
Water line issues leave residents confused in Starkville
Residents of the Deerfield community in Oktibbeha County are outraged over water leaks
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Residents of the Deerfield community in Oktibbeha County are outraged over water leaks and other problems impacting their neighborhood. The City of Starkville annexed Deerfield several years ago and that has created confusion over who to call when issues occur. The people I talked to in the Deerfield community are frustrated because of the water line issues…
Family settles federal lawsuit with Monroe Co. deputies for 2015 murder
MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The family of a man killed by Monroe County deputies has settled a federal lawsuit. Ricky Keeton was shot and killed during a raid at his home in October 2015. At the time, investigators told WCBI there was information that there were drugs inside the home. A lawsuit was soon filed by Keeton’s family. Attorney…
Man charged with arson after setting abandoned house on fire
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County man is accused of setting an abandoned house on fire. Marty Atkins is now charged with arson. The blaze happened Wednesday night in the 5000 block of Jess Lyons Road. When deputies arrived, the home was engulfed in flames. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says deputies found Atkins in the area and he admitted to…
Report finds MDOC has mishandled inmate documents and records
JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI)- A new report suggests the Mississippi Department of Corrections has mishandled records and data for some offenders under state custody. PEER Mississippi reviews how government agencies perform and if state money is being spent correctly. The committee recently sampled 100 active inmates and found some key flaws in the MDOC database. This included missing documentation, missing photo…
The search for an inclusive name is on at Mississippi University for Women
MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN, Miss. (WCBI)- Discussions continue on whether now is the time for Mississippi University for Women to change its name. The university has held the title for 48 years following four name changes. However, men began attending and graduating from the W for over four decades. School alumni have reached out to President Norah Miller about changing…
City council hears update on acquiring portion of Sandfield Cemetery
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus City Council heard an update on plans to acquire the eastern portion of Sandfield Cemetery. At its most recent meeting, the Council heard from Columbus resident and attorney, Nicole Clinkscales, about maintenance needs at the historic cemetery, particularly the eastern portion. The city had already been looking into the issue. The main roadblock is…
Seniors plan future, healthcare decisions at WCBI Senior Expo
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Planning for now and later. Dozens of seasoned citizens in the area attended the WCBI Senior Expo today in Columbus. The event was an opportunity to educate seniors about resources in the area to help them make healthcare, financial, and legal decisions. More than 25 vendors set up booths to distribute information on a variety of…
MS Solar 7 plans to bring solar electric generating to Clay County
CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The newest “crop” coming out of the Prairie will be feeding the area’s energy needs. A 2,000-acre site in Clay County will soon be home to a solar electric generating and storage facility. Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley signed the order approving its construction and operation in a ceremony today. MS Solar 7…
Eupora Police ask for identity of person caught on camera in shooting case
EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – Eupora Police want to talk to a person seen near the site of a fatal shooting Wednesday morning. Eupora Police have released this picture taken near the scene of the shooting at the Westwood Park Apartment Complex. 26-year-old Daimain Britt of Maben was shot and killed in the parking lot of the apartment complex around 6…
September marks suicide awareness month, group takes action
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – As we end the month of September, we want to take time to talk about an important topic you have heard a number of reports on–suicide awareness. September is suicide prevention awareness month, however, the work goes well beyond after this month. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says it is the 12th leading cause of death…
Former sheriff pleads guilty to embezzlement of public funds
YALOBUSHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Yalobusha County sheriff is expected to spend the next year on house arrest. Former Sheriff Lance Humphreys has pleaded guilty to embezzlement of public funds. State Auditor Shad White accused Humphreys of taking nearly $5,000 from the county’s “Inmate Canteen Account.” He then put that money directly into his personal bank account back…
WCBI Senior Expo healthy living spotlight: preventing falls
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It is happening today. The WCBI Senior Expo is going on at the Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus until 1:00 p.m. Get tips for healthy living and talk with care providers including Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle. “Hello. My name is Madison Guyton, Director of the ambulance Service at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Golden Triangle. Don’t be…
“On Again / Off Again” MUW name change discussion is “on” again
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – What’s in a name? That’s a question that will be swirling around the Mississippi University for Women campus. The on-again / off-again subject of updating the identity of the now co-educational institution is “on-again”. In a letter to MUW Alumni, university president Doctor Nora Miller is again broaching the subject. In the letter, Miller says “we…
Suspect in murder of convenience store clerk had faulty ankle monitor, MDOC investigates
Our exclusive investigation reveals that suspect Chris Copeland stopped checking in with his probation officer in the spring and was under house arrest at the time the Sept. 11 crime
TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – The suspect in the shooting death of a Tupelo convenience store clerk, killed during a robbery, is in jail with no bond, but there are many questions about the case. The suspect, Chris Copeland, had prior felony convictions but was placed on house arrest after violating parole. Six days after he was shot and killed during…
WCBI Senior Expo healthy living spotlight: healthcare and insurance
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Finding the right healthcare plan for you and your loved ones may take a little research. Bell and Associates can answer those questions. You can find them at the WCBI Senior Expo this Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus. Here’s a healthy living spotlight: “As time passes, most…
Biden’s student loan forgiveness plans and challenges.
Borrowers Beware
COLUMBUS, Miss. ( WCBI) – As the Biden Administration rolls out a trillion dollar student loan forgiveness plan, there are many questions that remain. There are also new challenges for those the plan is supposed to help The White House anticipates that nearly 400,000 Mississippians could receive debt relief through the plan. I spoke with the Financial Aid Director Nicole…
Teen charged with calling in bomb threat at Houlka High School
CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Chickasaw County deputies made an arrest on a bomb threat to Houlka High School. The threat was called into the school district this past Friday. Today, a 15-year-old was charged with the crime. The case now goes to the Chickasaw County Youth Court. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter Categories: Crime, Local…
Mississippi National Guard deploys to Florida to aid in hurricane recovery
MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Members of the Mississippi National Guard will help with Hurricane Ian recovery efforts. Governor Tate Reeves says 20 soldiers and airmen will go on the response missions. The 111th Aviation Regiment based in Meridian and the 255th Air Control Squadron in Gulfport are the two chosen locations to deploy. Reeves says the state of Florida requested the…
Eupora police search for killer of early morning shooting
EUPORA, Miss (WCBI) – Eupora police continue to look for a killer tonight after a shooting at an apartment complex. The gunfire happened just before 6 a.m. in the parking lot of the Westwood Apartments. 26-year-old Daimian Keontae Britt of Maben was shot and killed. Webster County Sheriff David Gore was not aware of any suspects that were in custody. Webster…
Noxubee County schools celebrate improvement in grade rating
NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss (WCBI) – Normally getting a “D” on your report card is not a cause for celebration. But for an area school district, it is a sign of improvement and one step closer to regaining local control. In the latest State accountability rankings, the Noxubee County School District moved up from an “F” to a “D”. The district…
Sweet potato farmers anticipate strong, average harvest this season
CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss (WCBI) – This Fall is looking pretty sweet for some area farmers. Sweet potato harvest season has been underway since August, and growers are looking at a strong, average crop. And depending on the weather, they could see “above” average yields. The growing season got off to a slow start due to dry, hot weather in late…
NAACP requests civil rights probe into Jackson water crisis
JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – The NAACP is requesting a civil rights probe into the Jackson water crisis saying the state has long discriminated against the majority black capital. 83% of the Jackson population is African American. The civil rights organization submitted a complaint to the US Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday requesting an investigation into how federal dollars were spent when…