Itawamba, East Mississippi community colleges not raising tuition this school year

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two of North Mississippi’s largest community colleges will not be raising tuition for the upcoming academic school year. Both Itawamba Community College and East Mississippi Community College will not be increasing tuition for students for the 2022-2023 academic year. “Our board and of course, the college as a whole, is always excited when we can keep…

Former Columbus Waffle House employee indicted on a murder charge

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Columbus Waffle House employee is indicted on a murder charge. Hezekiah Manigo was indicted for second degree murder by a Lowndes County grand jury. Investigators believe Manigo and 28-year-old Davartex Fisher got into an argument about an order. Fisher was a customer there at the restaurant. Manigo is accused of coming out from behind…

It’s important to remember that safety is always the top priority for students

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Students have begun their return to University campuses, and as they are checking off the last few items on their supply lists, many may be overlooking one back-to-school necessity – Safety. School is almost in session and students are picking up those last-minute items. Whether it’s your books, computer, or even a pencil. But don’t forget…

Columbus man has been indicted for first degree murder

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been almost 10 months since an argument turned deadly on 22nd Street North in Columbus. Now, a Columbus man has been indicted for first degree murder. Investigators say a shouting match between a man and the father of his stepdaughter’s unborn child escalated. That’s when they say 47-year-old Terry Macon shot and killed 28-year-old Deadrian…

Lowndes County Board of Supervisors increasing pay for public defenders

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors is hoping a bump in pay will raise the bar for the County’s public defenders. Circuit Judge Jim Kitchens presented his case for improving pay for the attorneys assigned to handle cases for those defendants who may not be able to afford representation. Kitchens cited the necessity of the…

Christopher Lick was sentenced to 78 months in prison

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus businessman is sentenced to more than six years in prision for fraudulently claiming more than $6 million in COVID relief money. Christopher Lick was sentenced Friday to 78 months in prison. Court documents say Lick devised a scheme to get PPP funds for personal use. Lick admitted to buying a home valued at more…

College Hill Presbyterian church damaged following Saturday fire

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- A Lafayette County church is damaged following a devastating fire. Around 11p.m., Lafayette County 911 got a call of a structure fire at College Hill Presbyterian Church located at 339 County Road 102. When firefighters arrived on scene, the rear of the church was fully involved. Fire Department Engine 10 stretched one line to the back…

Armed robbery suspect captured in Yalobusha county

Yalobusha deputies took Jones into custody after a lengthy chase on foot. 

YALOBUSHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- The suspect involved in an armed robbery in Calhoun County has been captured in Yalobusha County. 54-year-old Clarence E. Jones, was taken into custody on county road 436 near Coffeeville on Saturday. Yalobusha deputies said Jones was arrested after a lengthy chase on foot. WCBI release more updated information as it becomes available. Categories: Featured, Local…

Railroad crossing maintenance in Tupelo starts Monday

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- Spring Street between Clark Street and Elizabeth Street will be closed for railroad crossing maintenance at 6 a.m. on Monday, August 15th. The road should be reopened by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16th. All traffic will have access to the area but no through traffic will be allowed. Categories: Featured, Local News Tags: Road Closure, traffic

Starkville police investigate Saturday shooting, one person hurt

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)-Starkville Police investigate a shooting that happened early Saturday morning. Sergeant Brandon Lovelady said officers went to Pines Manufactured Home Community on Louisville Street around 1:30a.m. for reports of a gunshot victim. The person was transported for treatment, condition unknown at this time. This shooting remains under investigation. If you have information, please contact the Starkville Police Department…

Former Chief of Mississippi Highway Patrol has died

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Department of Public Safety Commissioner and Chief of the Mississippi Highway Patrol has died. The MHP announced the death of David Huggins this afternoon. Huggins served as Chief of the Highway Patrol under Governor Ray Mabus from 1988 until 1992. In 2000, he was named Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, and served…

Doctors urge other physicians to talk with their patients about gun safety

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – They probably see it first hand more than anyone else – the damage that can happen from firearms. Friday, the doctors who make up Mississippi’s Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Mississippi College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma urged physicians to talk with their patients about gun safety. Mississippi has the highest rate of…

City of Booneville and its Police Chief headed to Federal Court

BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Booneville and its Police Chief are headed to Federal Court in October. A Mississippi woman has filed a Federal civil lawsuit against a former Booneville Police Officer, the City of Booneville, and Police Chief Michael Ramey. The woman claims she was sexually assaulted by an on-duty police officer in August of 2020. In…

Name released of man killed in wreck on Highway 45 Alternate

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – We now know the name of the man killed on Highway 45 Alternate Friday morning. 37-year-old Thomas C. Brown Junior of Crawford died after being hit by an 18 wheeler. The crash happened just after 4 AM on Highway 45 Alternate at Sam Hill Road near Crawford. According to the Highway Patrol, Brown was walking…

Another arrest made in connection to Lee County homicide

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Another arrest is made in connection with a Lee County homicide. Patricia Flakes was captured in Tennessee by U.S. Marshals. The Lee County Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page made the announcement this morning. Shannon Bramlett and Darick Moody were captured in Florida last week and have since been returned to Lee County. Flakes is the estranged…

Owner of Oxford moving company found and arrested

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – The owner of an Oxford moving company has been found and arrested. 26-year-old “Vlad” Ladygin is charged with two counts of embezzlement under contract. He was arrested Thursday. Oxford police started investigating Spyder Moving Services and arrested employee Charles Joiner on August 5th. Investigators had been searching for Ladygin, the owner of the company, ever since….