MDOT wrapped up inaugural rural infrastructure summit

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Department of Transportation wrapped up an inaugural rural infrastructure summit Friday afternoon. Panel discussions focused on maximizing local, state, and federal resources. Round table topics such as preparing rural Mississippi to connect with electric vehicles were also discussed. The goal is to convene infrastructure leadership to share information, knowledge, and resources that will help enhance…

Main Street in Starkville is being reimagined

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Main Street in Starkville is being reimagined with a new look. A study was presented today at the Starkville Board of Alderman’s work session. Consultants from Kimley Horn reviewed traffic flow and peak times when people were driving down Main Street. One proposal is to take out turning lanes on Main Street, which could help make…

Main Street organizations across the state to receive ARPA funding

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Mississippi Main Street organizations across the state will receive ARPA funding. 40 communities with a population of less than 25,000 people will receive $100,000. Eight communities with more than that population will get $125,000. The Mississippi Legislature appropriated the funds to Mississippi Main Street to be sent throughout the state. All of the money must be spent…

Three people facing charges in Kosciusko homicide

ATTALLA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI/WLBT) – Three people are facing murder charges and police are searching for another in a Kosciusko homicide. Michael Summers, Tashey Johnson, and Aaliyah Lusk were arrested in connection to the shooting death of Kenwon Riley on April 29. Our state-wide news partner WLBT, They were all given a $250,000 bond and are in the Leake County…

New Aberdeen School District superintendent discusses plan for students’ academic success

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – Wednesday, the Aberdeen School District announced that Dr. Andrea Pastchal-Smith will be their next superintendent. Currently the principal at (Island) Eiland Middle School in Louisville, she has a history of getting the most out of her students during her 22 years in education. “I have served as an elementary, middle and high school principal, along with…

Cities and counties looking to spend ARPA dollars

The federal funds must be spent on certain projects by 2026

LEE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – Cities and counties throughout the region are facing decisions on how to spend millions of federal dollars. “Since I was with the state auditor’s office forty years ago, I’ve never seen this kind of money coming into counties and municipalities,” said Lee County Chancery Clerk Bill Benson. “It’s a once in a lifetime transfer of…

Local YMCA officials want to help prevent drowning this summer

It's summer time and several people will take to the pool or even the beach

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s summer time and several people will take to the pool or even the beach, but before you go out there it’s best to learn how to swim. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. and a good way to prevent drowning is to take swim lessons; which are offered at the YMCA….

Oktibbeha County deputies make child sex crime arrest

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County deputies make a child sex crime arrest. 35-year-old William Smith Jr. is charged with sexual battery. Investigators tell WCBI a report was made on Wednesday and that’s when Smith was arrested. Deputies say the alleged victim is under the age of 17. Smith remains in the Oktibbeha County jail on hold by the…

Columbus Police Department roof leaking into municipal complex

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Police Department is looking to fill some gaps on the force and on the roof. Leaks have been happening for a while in the municipal complex. Garbage cans are sometimes used to catch all of the rainwater. Leaks are also reported at the complex that houses the Columbus police crime lab and other city…

4-County host first in person meeting since March of 2020

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Members of 4-County Electric Power Association host their annual meeting, the first in-person meeting since COVID-19. After meeting virtually during the pandemic, members gathered at East Mississippi Community College auditorium for food, fun, fellowship, and information. During the meeting, 4-County leaders gave helpful tips in preserving electricity and shared information about the services the utility…

Lee County woman in jail, charged with second degree murder

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A 20-year-old Lee County woman is in jail, charged with second-degree murder after allegedly shooting her boyfriend. Rachel S Brown was arrested Wednesday by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department. She is accused of shooting 21-year-old Kavon Usher in the early morning hours of May 28th. Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson says Usher and Brown were living…

Testimony continues Thursday in a Clay County murder trial

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Testimony continues Thursday in a Clay County murder trial. Prosecutors called inmates that were in the jail at the time of the March 2019 homicide. Investigators are accusing Cameron Henderson of killing Dale O’Neal. Henderson and O’Neal were both inmates at the Clay County jail at the time. O’Neal was found dead in his jail…

MidMorning with Aundrea: Spanakopita

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Megill Imes is a student at the MUW Culinary school. She shows us how to make Spanakopita. Spanakopita. Easy to put filling together Fresh or frozen spinach (need to squeeze excess water in frozen) Wring spinach out in a cheese cloth Make sure filling isn’t watery so it won’t make the dish soggy Block of feta…

97 percent of East Webster third graders pass Mississippi reading test

MATHISTON, Miss. (WCBI) – While third grade reading test scores across Mississippi are approaching pre-pandemic numbers, some schools are exceeding them. Third graders at East Webster Elementary received a 97 percent pass rate for the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program. “Coming into third grade, students are already really scared of third grade because they know they have a gate test they…

Columbus woman accused of shooting into two apartments

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus woman is accused of shooting into two apartments. 30-year-old Ashley Webber has been charged with two counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling. Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton says the shooting happened at Cypress Park Apartments, on South Lehmberg Road, back on May 24th. Shelton tells WCBI Webber argued with some people and as…

Prentiss County woman proves age not factor when getting an education

Sixty seven year old Rochelle Jenkins recently graduated from NEMCC

BOONEVILLE, MISS. (WCBI) – A Prentiss County woman is proof that age is not a factor when it comes to getting a college degree. When you walk into Ramsey Hall at NEMCC, the first person you see is Rochelle Jenkins, always ready with a smile and a wave. Jenkins has worked part-time at the recruiting office since she retired from…

Mississippi’s WIC program is helping participants get formula

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – During a national infant formula shortage, Mississippi’s WIC program is helping participants receive benefits. With no reserve of infant formula, the WIC program is adding infant formula products and package sizes to the approved products list. These products are available until August The Mississippi State Department of Health says these new options for WIC are helping meet…

Police chiefs worry for their officers safety and juveniles that carry high caliber weapons

Local law enforcement are concerned with the rise of youth gun violence in the area

LOUSIVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Local law enforcement are concerned with the rise of youth gun violence in the area; not only for the teens, but for their officers out in the field. Juveniles have been carrying high caliber weapons and officers have been recovering them much more than they’d like to admit. High rates of gun violence nation wide continue to…

Clay County murder trial continues Wednesday in West Point

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Clay County murder trial continues Wednesday in West Point. Cameron Henderson is accused of killing Dale O’Neal in March 2019. Henderson and O’Neal were both inmates at the Clay County jail at the time. Today, two people that were on duty at the detention center testified in the trial. O’Neal was found dead in…