A West Point woman brought her business to life through tragedy

Finding the bright side to even the darkest situations is something much easier said than done

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- Finding the bright side to even the darkest situations is something much easier said than done. Christine Robertson knew she had the magic touch when it came to decorating. She just never had the time to shine. In 2012, she got her first call from a family friend to decorate a wedding, from there her business,…

Local Marine veteran expands fundraising efforts for wounded heroes

'7 Days for the Troops' will take place in at least three other cities this year

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo man, who is also a veteran of the United States Marines , is raising money for disabled veterans. Twenty twenty two has already been a busy year for Scott Burns.  In March, Burns spent one week camped out on a tower, in Tampa, to raise money for disabled veterans. ” We raised eight thousand…

Columbus Police Department holds memorial for fallen officers

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Sunday, May 15th, is National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Friday, May 13th was set aside for the 34th annual nationwide candlelight vigil to remember those officers lost in the line of duty over the past year. The Columbus Police Department joined their brothers in blue across the country to remember the 619 officers whose names have…

Tammy Wynette Legacy Center plans big celebration for late singer’s 80th birthday

The Legacy Center atrracts music lovers from across the globe

TREMONT, MISS. (WCBI) – A big celebration is taking place this weekend in Itawamba County to mark what would have been the 80th birthday of Tammy Wynette. When Larry Cantrell became director of the Tammy Wynette Legacy Center a couple of years ago, the building, an old garment factory, was empty.   But after a lot of hard work, from…

Noxubee County Investigators discover more dog remains

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Earlier this week, the Noxubee County Sheriff’s Department found the remains of around 10 dogs in a creek off of Green Briar Road. And just today, there were more remains found in a different location. On Wednesday, the Noxubee Sheriff’s Department discovered the remains of dogs after what seemed to be the aftermath of a…

Before you take a dive the pool, make sure you practice water safety

People are grabbing their swimsuits and heading to the nearest pool.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Temperatures are nearing 90 degrees, and folks are looking for a way to beat the heat. People are grabbing their swimsuits and heading to the nearest pool. But before your kids take a dive to cool off, be aware of the water safety. It only takes a few seconds for your child to slip underwater. According to…

Windsor Place celebrates National Nursing Home week with fish fry

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Residents at Windsor Place in Columbus end National Nursing Home Week on a tasty note. The staff treated residents and their families to a fish fry and an afternoon of top-notch entertainment featuring music by Keith and Margie. National Nursing Home Week is held the week after Mother’s Day each year. Organizers say activities like these…

Woman accused of killing her stepdaughter found not guilty

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A woman accused of killing her stepdaughter is found not guilty in Monroe County. Our state-wide news partner WLBT reports the verdict was returned this afternoon. T’Kia Bevily was charged with killing 14-month-old Jurayah Smith in Claiborne County. A change of venue was granted and the trial was held in Monroe County. Just last year,…

Man charged with grand larceny and failure to stop

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A man police say was spotted in the act of stealing a car and then running from the police is facing charges. Officers responded to the call around 2 o’clock Thursday morning on Eckford Drive. They saw the car a short time later a tried to stop it. The suspect, 38-year-old Donnell Riley, led them on…

Former Starkville Sanitation Department charged with embezzlement

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Starkville Sanitation Department finds himself in the can. 26-year-old Tyrone Spencer Jr. is charged with embezzlement. Starkville police say the investigation started after receiving internal and external complaints. Spencer was an employee at the time of the alleged incidents. He has been released on bond. Categories: Crime, Local News

Columbus police are investigating an early morning shooting

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police are investigating an early morning shooting. The gunfire happened in the 1500 block of 22nd Street North at about 2 a.m. Police Chief Fred Shelton says shots were fired at a home. No one was injured and no one has been arrested. Shelton hopes a CPD camera posted near the crime scene will help…

Mississippi State Athlete Engineering Summit brings latest in sports science to pros on and off the field

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Wednesday, Mississippi State launched its inaugural Athlete Engineering Summit on the latest developments in technology meant to advance the field of athletics and beyond. The goal of the summit hosted at East Mississippi Community College’s Communiversity, was to bring together experts in professional sports, medicine, the military and manufacturing to discuss how the same data…

NEWMS recognizes women who are making a difference

"Women of Distinction" awards ceremony honors trailblazers

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Women who are making a positive impact on their communities were recognized today in Tupelo. New Expectations for Women in Mississippi, also known as NEW MS, held its “Women of Distinction” Awards at the Bancorpsouth Conference Center. Five women and one organization were recognized for their efforts , with various non profit groups throughout the region….

Youth crime spikes, community leaders urge more parental involvement

Community leaders say that's one of the keys to keeping kids out of trouble. 

LOWNDES COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- “It starts at home.” Community leaders say that’s one of the keys to keeping kids out of trouble. When school dismisses for summertime in a couple of weeks, leaders urges parents to know where their children are when they are away from home. Around the area, there have been numerous incidents involving minors since the beginning of…

Houston High School Seniors ready to perform end of year play

Proceeds from the play go back into the school's drama department

HOUSTON, MISS. (WCBI) – Seniors at Houston High School have not only been preparing for graduation but have also been busy rehearsing for an end-of-the-year play. “Every year the senior play goes on I’ve always came and watched, and I’m like ‘yeah man, I can’t wait until I’m a senior and it’s my turn,” said Trinity Buggs, who is part…

Shopping Center in Starkville is estimated to open in September

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Get ready to shop until you drop. A new shopping center is under construction on Highway 12 in Starkville. If you’ve been driving through Starkville, you have probably noticed the construction on Highway 12. “It’s called triangle crossing and we refer to it as power centers and it’s going to have tenants such as marshals, Ulta,…

Local community members wrote a song to honor Mother Goose

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – She is a Columbus treasure and now there’s a song celebrating Mother Goose. Local guitarist Hoot Wilder and former school board member Glenn Lautzenhiser teamed up to write “Ode to Mother G.” Today they debut the song at Zachary’s restaurant. Mayor Keith Gaskin sang while Wilder played. Mother Goose is the longtime children’s librarian at the…

Starkville High School seniors visit local elementary schools

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s a trip down memory lane. The senior class at Starkville High School spent the morning making a final stop at all the elementary schools in the district. The annual “Senior Walk” gives the soon-to-be graduates a chance to see some of their former teachers and get well wishes from the current students. The first stop…

Columbus city leaders get the ball rolling on a redistricting plan

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus city leaders get the ball rolling on a redistricting plan. At a work session, the mayor and city council heard a preliminary redistricting report from Chris Watson of Bridge and Watson Consultants in Oxford. After each census, cities, and counties have to redraw ward and district lines to adjust for changes in population and to…

Winston County jurors return not guilty verdict for Ru-Shaka Cobb

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Winston County jurors returned a not guilty verdict in a murder trial. The verdict was read to Ru-shaka Cobb in Winston County Circuit Court this afternoon. Cobb was arrested in December 2019. He was accused of shooting and killing Lee Andrew Hughes Junior. The trial started yesterday. Cobb could face charges related to alleged assaults…

Golden Triangle Regional Airport receives $1 million for improvements

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi’s Congressional delegation announces $15 million in grants for 29 airports in the state. The money comes from a Federal Aviation Administration program. Golden Triangle Regional Airport will receive $1 million to improve the contract tower, terminal building, and install lighting and fencing. The Columbus-Lowndes County airport will also get money to fix the taxiway. Airports…

Local splash pads and parks opening as school year ends

STARKVILLE/AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – School is almost out and the heat is here which means it is time for the parks to open. The J.L King Senior Memorial Park in Starkville and the Frisco Park in Amory have both opened their splash pads. Moncrief Pool in Starkville is scheduled to open Memorial Day Weekend. Community members may enjoy the splash…