Weather Whys – Fall Foliage
Ever wonder what causes plants to pop with color in the Fall? Meteorologist Jackson Chastain covers the transition to Fall in this week’s Weather Whys! Categories: Featured, Featured Weather, Local News, Weather
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…
4-County crew heads to Florida to help restore electricity
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A 4-county crew is on the way to Florida to help get the lights back on for the millions affected by Hurricane Ian. The crew of 12 left 4-County around 7 o’clock this morning. They will be assisting a sister cooperative in restoring power to residents hit by Ian’s high winds and storm surge. Linemen…
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…
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…