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Featured, Local News

Vandalism blamed for outage with Tombigbee Fiber customers

Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley encourages anyone with information on the crime to come forward
Allie Martin,

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Vandalism is being blamed for an outage affecting thousands of customers of Tombigbee Fiber. Although the issue was fixed the same day, the search is now on for those responsible. The outage was first reported Tuesday morning and was caused by vandalism. Tombigbee Fiber CEO Scott Hendrix said someone cut through these cables on County…

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Featured, Local News

Fire station in Chickasaw County is thankful for its community

MorrisAdmin,

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Firefighters are used to responding to their communities in times of need. Now, in Chickasaw County, the community is returning the favor. Fighting fires and answering other emergency calls is hard enough, but it’s even more of a challenge when you don’t have all the equipment you need close by. That’s what the Thorne Volunteer…

candle vigil funeral
Local News

Tupelo Community Theatre Executive Director Tom Booth dies at 68

Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A leader in the arts community in Northeast Mississippi has passed away. Tom Booth, executive director of the Tupelo Community Theatre, died from natural causes. Booth, who was 68, began his service as executive director of TCT in 1992. He was prominent in the local, regional and national community theatre family. He led TCT to many…

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State News

Governor Reeves issues directive to ban TikTok from all government devices

Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi joined a growing number of states where Tik Tok is banned on government-issued devices and the state’s network. Governor Tate Reeves announced the directive this afternoon. The letter was sent to state departments and agency heads. He said this is to safeguard sensitive information and protect critical infrastructure from the Chinese-based app. State employees must…

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Crime, Local News

Pontotoc man in prison for illegally possessing unemployment benefit cards

MorrisAdmin,

PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) – A man from Pontotoc will serve four years in prison for illegal possession of unemployment benefit cards. 28-year-old Deonte Dilworth was sentenced Wednesday in federal court after pleading guilty. In addition to the four-year sentence, Dilworth will be on probation for three years after his release. He was also ordered to pay more than 202,000 in…

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Crime, Local News

Macon Police, Miss. Bureau of Narcotics investigate pharmacy break-in

Eric Lampkin,

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – Macon Police and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics are investigating a pharmacy break-in. Macon Police Chief Davine Beck told WCBI that video surveillance showed that two burglars heaved a cinderblock through the window of City Drug on Jefferson Street between 3 and 4 this morning. A passerby noticed the damage later and alerted the owner, who…

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State News

Infant dies from COVID-19 in Mississippi, MSDH confirms

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Another Mississippi infant has died from COVID-19. The Mississippi State Department of Health confirmed the passing today. The child was under the age of one. The agency did not release when the child died or where. Records from MSDH show 14 children under the age of 18 have died from COVID since 2020. Most of the deaths…

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Local News

Friends, family, colleagues honor life of George Bryan

Joey Barnes,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Business leader George Bryan is laid to rest today. Bryan was known for his business, charity work, and efforts to help the area grow. The Clay County native had his hand in many projects that improved West Point. He also worked with economic developers to entertain and meet with executives that were thinking about bringing…

Ummc Micro Lab Test
State News

MSDH reports deadly fungal outbreak as “serious situation”

Eric Lampkin,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi State Department of Health is calling the outbreaks of a deadly fungus a “rapidly expanding and serious situation”. Candida Auris, or C. Auris, is a fungus that is highly resistant to most major anti-fungal drugs. It can enter the bloodstream and move throughout the body, and it has been causing outbreaks in healthcare facilities. There…

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Crime, Local News

Parents face charges after child is found wandering alone

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The parents of a child found wandering the streets of Columbus are facing charges. Tyler Williams and Elett Lowery are both charged with two counts of misdemeanor child neglect. The three-year-old child was found walking down the railroad tracks near College and 22nd Streets South. He was not harmed but Columbus police did make a push…

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Local News, National/World News

GTR Airport Executive Director explains effects of FAA system failure

Kealy Shields,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Hundreds of flights were canceled Wednesday morning after a failure in the FAA’s Notice to Air Missions System. This computer system communicates with pilots and alerts them of safety hazards. GTR Airport Executive Director Matt Dowell explained how it has affected the Golden Triangle and the importance of taking those precautions. “This NOTAM system is…

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Crime, Local News

Woman arrested, charged for stabbing man in Columbus

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A man was stabbed and a woman is in jail after an argument. Now, 23-year-old Vanglorious Jones is charged with two counts of aggravated assault. The incident happened about early Tuesday morning, about midnight, in the 1200 block of Ash Street in Columbus. The victim had multiple injuries. Columbus police continue to investigate the incident. For…

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State News

State representative introduces bill to exclusively recognize MLK Day

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI/WLBT) – A Columbus lawmaker wants Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to have his own holiday in the state of Mississippi. State Representative Kabir Karriem has introduced a bill that would exclusively mark the third Monday of January as Dr. King’s birthday holiday. Right now, the state also recognizes Robert E. Lee’s birthday on the same day. Lee was…

Lil Blessings Daycare
Crime, Local News

MSDH emails Lil’ Blessings Daycare stating the center is being fined

MorrisAdmin,

HAMILTON, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi State Department of Health has fined the Lil’ Blessings Child Care and Learning Center in Hamilton following videos that showed employees taunting children while wearing Halloween masks. WCBI was the first local station to report the story and get answers. There are new details in the story that triggered a lot of parents. MSDH…

Car Crash 2
Local News

Victim identified in deadly crash Tuesday on Casey Lane

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The woman killed in a Lowndes County crash was identified. 40-year-old Summer Michelle Yearby died at the scene of the accident on Casey Lane on Tuesday morning. Coroner Greg Merchant said Yearby was the passenger inside the Honda Accord that hit a tree. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins told WCBI that the driver told deputies he lost…

Medical Marijuana
Featured, Local News

One doctor in the GTR is proud to educate others on Medical Marijuana

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Patients with debilitating illnesses and pain have been waiting for Mississippi’s medical marijuana regulations to go into effect. It’s a multi-step process. And, now the first licensed physician to prescribe medical marijuana in the Golden Triangle said part of his role is making sure the community understands how prescription cannabis works. There is a lot of regulation…

Lowndes Ema
Local News

Lowndes County Emergency Management searching for 911 dispatchers

Kealy Shields,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Emergency Management is looking to hire 911 dispatchers. Dispatchers do not have to have previous experience and will receive on-the-job training. Director of the Lowndes County EMA Cindy Lawrence said they are looking for someone who is dedicated to helping others and who can be a leader during times of stress. “Well,…