Oktibbeha County employees cut ribbon on new office building

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Some Oktibbeha County employees have a new office space. The board of supervisors hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning for the new public services building. Offices had been located in downtown Starkville for years. Elected leaders believe this is a positive step forward for the employees and the county. “We’re very excited about the new…

Lawmakers make preparations for next year’s legislative session

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Legislature may not be in session, but lawmakers are still at work preparing for next year. That was one of the messages from Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann today. Hosemann was speaking to business and community leaders in Starkville. He touted the accomplishments of this year’s session but said there are some things he would like…

Police cameras capture vehicle driving by after south side shooting

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police are investigating a weekend shooting on the city’s south side. The gunfire happened in the area of 6th Street and 8th Avenue South, just after 6 p.m. on Sunday. Police cameras on 7th Street South were able to capture a vehicle driving by after the shooting. It appears people inside both vehicles were shooting…

Three men in custody after robbery at Oxford apartments

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Three men are arrested after a hold-up at an Oxford apartment complex. Oxford police charged Trinity Brooks, Deandre Kidd, and Tycarious Collins with armed robbery. This past Thursday OPD got a call about a robbery at an Old Taylor Road complex. Officers arrived to find several men running towards a vehicle matching the description the caller…

Future police officers spend a week behind the wheel on the driving course

Along with firearms training, driving techniques are vital for cadets to master

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Future police officers spent their week learning different driving techniques they will use when they are on the streets. Police officers on patrol will spend 80 to 90% of their time during a shift in their vehicles.  That’s why each class of cadets spends a full week on the driving course. “It helps avoid collision with…

Students prepare for careers at “Imagine the Possibilities Summit”

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Leaders in business, government, and education gathered for a summit to help prepare students for careers in Northeast Mississippi. The “Imagine the Possibilities Summit” was held at the Orchard Church in Tupelo. The event is a chance for schools, businesses, and community members to see the resources available for high school students. The audience heard from…

A family in the Caledonia area gives back to kids in the community

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI)-  A family in Caledonia gives back to their community this weekend by providing students with new tools to express themselves. “She was very excited when she got that call I gotta tell you,” said Winters. A call that could change the future for some art students at Caledonia High School. A few months ago Caledonia Native and…

Noxubee County High School alumni reconnect at homecoming festivities

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Home is where the heart is, and Noxubee County High school alumni are back in the place they love. Hundreds of graduates are participating in homecoming festivities this week. The Noxubee County High School Alumni Association was formed many years ago to keep graduates connected. Each year during the high school’s homecoming, the alumni association…

Man arrested after running from deputies at safety checkpoint

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Monroe County deputies make an arrest after a tussle at a safety checkpoint. Now, James Dean Hand is charged with resisting arrest and failure to comply with a lawful order by a police officer. Sheriff Kevin Crook says the checkpoint was at Clay Hill and Liberty Roads on Wednesday. When deputies ordered Hand out of…

Man attacks innocent bystanders on Mississippi State campus

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Louisville man is accused of attacking two innocent bystanders after an argument with his girlfriend. The incident happened on the Mississippi State campus. Now, 21-year-old Elijah Wilkes is charged with robbery, mayhem, malicious mischief, simple assault, and littering. MSU Police Chief Vance Rice says the argument with Wilkes and his girlfriend happened inside of a…

New fire station opens in Tupelo

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – There is a new fire station in the All-America City. Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held at Fire Station Number Two at the Corner of Clayton Avenue and Blair Street. The new fire station replaces the 64-year-old building on West Main that had structural issues. The $1 million fire station was funded through part of a $10…

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…

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…