Aberdeen city leaders look at possible solution to parking problem

Some homeowners say drivers of big rigs park in private lots, causing damage to property

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – Some Aberdeen homeowners are upset over damage to their property, they say is caused by truck drivers parking their big rigs on private property. DeRhonda Jones lives next door to the old Fred’s in Aberdeen.  Although the store has been shuttered for years, she says the parking lot is used by truck drivers, who live in…

Ms center for reentry helps former incarcerated people adjust to society

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Adjusting to life outside of prison can be a big challenge for people who’ve been incarcerated. State leaders are discussing way to help them transition back into society. A conference in Starkville  focused finding to help people after they served their time. Some of the most common questions a formerly incarcerated person may have are—how do I…

Pleas from murder victims family did not change prison sentence

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Pleas from a murder victim’s family does not change a woman’s prison sentence. Alexis Sanders was ordered to serve 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to second degree murder. The Canton woman’s attorney asked the court to reconsider the prison sentence after the victim’s family asked for a shorter amount of time to be…

Local Chapter of Woodmen Life gives Fire Station 4 new flag

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Local Chapter of Woodmen Life showed their dedication to a local fire station. Fire station number 4 is the newest station in Columbus. The group showed its appreciation by hosting a flag ceremony this afternoon. The group Donated a new flag pole, an American flag as well as the state of Mississippi flag This event…

Starkville receiving some new street art on University Drive

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Street Art is a very popular form of art that is spreading quickly all over the world. The city of Starkville is one of the latest cities to join this trend. Students and community volunteers are teaming up to design University Drive by small town center with the goal in mind to connect the University and…

JA of Columbus Crown Club decorated school sidewalks

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Junior Auxiliary of Columbus Crown club kicked off the first of many projects for the 2022-2023 academic year. All across the Columbus Municipal and Lowndes County School Districts active members of the Crown Club are using chalk to write positive messages on the sidewalks of elementary schools The goal of this project is to bring…

Columbus Mayor and Fire Department inspecting the city hall roof

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Being the mayor of a town comes with a lot of responsibilities. Thursday, Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin took his job to new heights. With the help of the Columbus Fire Department, he used a fire engine to take pictures of the roof, downspouts, and gutters. The pictures are needed for a Mississippi Department of Archives and…

Car chase ends with vehicle crash and murder suspect arrested

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Thursday night chase in Columbus ends with a vehicle crash and a murder suspect behind bars. On Wednesday investigators with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office got an arrest warrant for Freddie Williams. Williams is the chief suspect in the July 9th death of Willie Dickerson. Dickerson was shot to death in the 300 block of…

Weir man arrested in Oktibbeha County shooting

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An arrest is made in connection with an Oktibbeha County shooting. 25-year-old Savion Winters, of Weir, is charged with aggravated assault and armed robbery. Deputies believe he was involved with a reported shooting at 21 Apartments back on April 25th. At least one person was injured in the gunfire. Asheem Harris and a juvenile were…

Renovations wrapping up in the Winona – Montgomery County Schools

WINONA, Miss (WCBI)- While Winona-Montgomery County students were out on summer break, their schools were receiving a much-needed face-lift. After nearly 50 years, the halls of Winona Elementary School will be taking on a different look. Emergency Relief Funds made it possible for the district to make some needed changes. Renovations across the Winona – Montgomery County Consolidated School District…

Columbus pays IRS close to $40K fine after city submitted tax documents late in 2017

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Thursday, an agent with the Internal Revenue Service showed up without warning at city hall, claiming that Columbus owed the agency more than $50,000. Chief Financial Officer Jim Brigham discussed the situation Wednesday morning during the regularly scheduled post-city council meeting press conference. “We did have one large, outstanding fine that came out in 2017, where…

Monroe Co. NAACP meets with Chickasaw Co. Sheriff regarding complaints against deputy

NAACP representatives were given officer's bodycam footage from one of the traffic stops

MONROE AND CHICKASAW COUNTIES, MISS. (WCBI) – The Monroe County Chapter of the NAACP met with the Chickasaw County Sheriff today after the civil rights group filed two complaints about the alleged conduct of a deputy. The complaints were filed on behalf of two women, Doris Lipsey, and Jennifer Blair.  Both women claim that in separate traffic stops, Chickasaw County…

Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce celebrates educators

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Educators are Essential – that was the message today from the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber welcomed back teachers and school staff with a pep rally before they get down to the serious business of the 2022 – 2023 school year. Teachers were treated with discounts at local businesses, door prizes, and entertainment. The…

Local barbershop and nonprofit team up to give free haircuts

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A local barbershop and a nonprofit are teaming up to give kids a new look and a new outlook. Marcus Stokes runs the Bluprint foundation. He and barbers at Spotlight barber shop in Columbus invited boys ages 5 to 17 to get a free a haircut today. This is the second year Stokes has offered free…

Canton woman pleads guilty to murder in Oktibbeha County

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Canton woman pleads guilty to murder in Oktibbeha County. However, her time in prison could change. Alexis Sanders was ordered to serve 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to second degree murder. Now, her attorneys have filed a motion to reconsider that prison sentence. They claim the victim’s family has requested Sanders not…

Starkville bank robber arrested and will spend next ten years in prison

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Starkville bank robber will spend the next decade in prison. Laquavis Collier was ordered to serve ten years behind bars for the September 2021 hold-up. He was sentenced in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court. The robbery happened at Renasant Bank on Lampkin Street. Starkville police say Collier walked into the bank and eventually stole some items…

Mississippi could save $350,000 / year by turning off cellphones

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – The State of Mississippi could save around$350,000 a year by getting rid of unused cellphones. That’s one of the findings from a State Auditor’s Office study of cellphone usage by state agencies. Shad White’s office analyzed over 2,123 state issued mobile devices from five state agencies, and found that 30% of those had little to no…

Two people die in crash involving four-wheeler and motorcycle crash

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Two people are dead after a collision between a four-wheeler and a motorcycle in Monroe County. The crash happened Tuesday night just before 7:30. Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley says it happened at the intersection of Old Wren Road and Wren Cemetery Road. The driver of the motorcycle, James Strawhorn, 22 and the driver of the…

Louisville’s Taylor Group partnering with Netherlands company to open tractor factory, creating nearly 100 jobs

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A joint venture between a Mississippi company and an international firm is expected to bring nearly 100 more jobs to the Golden Triangle. Tuesday, the Golden Triangle Development LINK announced that Terberg Taylor Americas Group is investing close to $16 million to build a vehicle manufacturing facility in Lowndes County. “They’re going to create jobs,…

Chickasaw Heritage Center fundraising picking up momentum

An awards gala set for September will also serve as a fundraiser for the Heritage Center

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A fundraising campaign for a Chickasaw Heritage Center in Tupelo is gaining momentum. The Chickasaw Inkana Foundation has released a draft of architectural drawings for the Chickasaw Heritage Center. That center will be built off of the Natchez Trace Parkway and will help tell the story of how the Chickasaws lived in Mississippi for hundreds of…

School districts are finding ways to work around teacher shortages

Students are returning to class this week, but in some districts may not have a teacher when they get there

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Students are returning to class this week, but in some districts may not have a teacher when they get there. Like many others, the Columbus Municipal School District is facing a teacher and staff shortage. The district recently published a flyer showing 26 vacancies, including teachers, bus drivers, and cafeteria staff. Superintendent Dr. Cherie Labat said they’re…

Mississippi State says partnership with EMCC is vital to Golden Triangle’s economic growth

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State’s vice president for research and economic development was at the Communiversity Tuesday to promote the partnership between MSU and East Mississippi Community College. Julie Jordan says that the Communiversity has already realized its purpose as a force for economic growth in the region by supporting and providing job training across all kinds of…

Winston County deputies charge man with capital murder

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Winston County deputies upgrade charges in an ongoing homicide investigation. 30-year-old Darius Johnson is now charged with capital murder. Sheriff Jason Pugh says the underlying charge is home invasion. Johnson was denied bond. The shooting happened Sunday night on Hillcrest Circle. Johnson is accused of going to his ex-girlfriend’s home and shooting at her and…