CFB vote to change Nancy Carpenter’s contract

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The structure of the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau could soon look different. Through published reports and sources, WCBI has learned Nancy Carpenter’s contract to lead the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation was not renewed. The CVB board recently made that vote. Sources tell WCBI there was a contract extension offered to Carpenter to remain the executive…

NEMCC partners with Region IV to provide mental health services to students

Long term counseling will be available at no cost to NEMCC students

BOONEVILLE, MISS. (WCBI) – Making the transition from high school to college can be tough. And experts say it’s even worse for many students, in the wake of the Covid 19 related lockdowns and isolation. One local community college is partnering with a mental health agency to help students who need long-term counseling, and it’s at no cost to the…

Are there enough houses to go around?

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- If you’re in the market to buy a house, you may be hesitant to pull the trigger due to a hike in interest rates. Realtors say it’s still a buyer’s market and you’re better off owning than renting. Interest rates are up, and that can cool home buying but with industry growth and an abundance of buyers…

Teenager facing charges after weekend shooting in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A teenager faces serious charges after a weekend shooting in Starkville. 17-year-old Charcell Gray was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with Aggravated Assault and Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling in connection with a Saturday morning shooting at the Pines Manufactured Home Community. Police were called to The Pines around 1:30 Saturday morning for a reported gunshot…

Man indicted on manslaughter also indicted for separate shooting

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A man already indicted on manslaughter now faces more charges in a separate shooting. Demarcqueis Clark was indicted by a Lowndes County grand jury on three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of malicious mischief, and one count of shooting into a dwelling. He’s accused of shooting at three people. During that gunfire, a business was…

Former Dollar General clerk indicted for armed robbery

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Another man is indicted after several armed robberies in Lowndes County this past spring. 20-year-old Dorium Davis was indicted for armed robbery. Investigators say Davis was a clerk at the first Dollar General hold-up that happened this past March on Highway 182. Davis was hit in the head with a gun during the incident. Sheriff…

Oktibbeha County Supervisors exploring options for Felix Long Hospital

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County Supervisors are exploring new options for an old county building. The old Felix Long Hospital sits near the heart of downtown Starkville, and Supervisors are considering potential uses for the property. One possibility on the table is demolition, but before they can do that they need to know what’s inside the building, including…

Columbus has a new interim police chief

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – There’s a new man in the Chief’s office at Columbus Police Department. Monday was Assistant Chief Doran Johnson’s day on the job as Interim Chief. Johnson will be running the department while the City Council and Mayor search for a permanent replacement for Chief Fred Shelton, whose last day on the job was Monday. Johnson’s long…

Former West Lowndes bus driver indicted on child abuse charge

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A former West Lowndes bus driver is indicted on a child abuse charge. A Lowndes County grand jury recently indicted William McBride. This past April deputies were called to the chaotic scene at the high school and reviewed security video on the school bus. At the time, Sheriff Eddie Hawkins told WCBI there was a fight…

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…