Human remains found in late May have been identified

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Human remains found in late May have been identified, and they add another piece to the puzzle of a missing person case in Tupelo. Lee County Coroner Carolyn Green tells WCBI that the State Medical Examiner’s Office has positively identified the remains as those of Lori Cockrell. The 58-year-old Tupelo woman had been missing since…

Black empowerment group advocates for the 2nd Amendment ahead of Juneteenth events

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Ahead of the Juneteenth Holiday this Sunday, the Black Empowerment organization is trying to gather the attention of African Americans in Columbus and all over the Magnolia State. The Lowndes County Courthouse is one of the three locations in the state where demonstrations took place today. Black Empowerment is gearing up for its “Gathering of the…

Columbus Mayor briefed business and community leaders on city progress

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin gets in a tune-up before next month’s State of the City Address. Gaskin briefed Columbus and Lowndes County business and community leaders on the city’s progress over the past year. One of the key issues has been the city’s financial health. When Gaskin took office, Columbus was a couple of years behind…

Columbus city permits given to three potential medical cannabis businesses

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Three potential medical marijuana dispensaries have taken a small but necessary step towards opening up shop in Columbus. The Columbus Planning Commission approved permits for three businesses that are each vying for a location on Highway 45. Two of the companies are seeking to set up their business in the Jackson Square Plaza. State regulations state…

West Point Police hold active shooter training to keep officers ready after Buffalo and Uvalde shootings

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – The West Point Police Department held active shooter training at the Central School on Monday. How law enforcement responds to active shooter situations became part of the nationwide conversation in the wake of the Uvalde, Texas shooting. “When…we do have to go in, they’re going to do what they have to do to save the…

First Responders give tips on how to stay cool for the summer

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The First official day of Summer isn’t until; next week, but the Summer heat is already here. And if you’re spending any time outdoors, you need to take extra precautions. It hits you almost as soon as you walk out the door. It is hot. Some folks are leaving the air conditioning only if they…

Kids of the Golden Triangle participate in Lemonade Day

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss (WCBI) – Kids across the Golden Triangle had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur for Lemonade Day. Some pocketed their funds, others decided to spend a few bucks. When life gives you lemons…make lemonade. That’s what kids across the Golden Triangle did on Saturday afternoon. “We have pink lemonade regular lemonade…

March of our lives rally takes place in downtown Tupelo

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- A March for Our Lives took place at Fairpark Saturday morning. The nation-wide rally pushes for tighter gun restrictions. The Tupelo event was one of many across the country in the wake of the recent shootings arcoss the United States. Americans are calling on Congress to enact stronger gun control measures like Universal Background Checks, a ban…

Elvis’ longtime jeweler recalls stories of the singer’s generosity

Lowell Hays is a judge for the Tupelo Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Tupelo’s Elvis Festival is in its fourth day, and one of the special guests helped design the bling that Elvis wore, and often gave away. Lowell Hays is back as a judge for Tupelo’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition. And Hays knows what to look for.  As Elvis’ jeweler, he attended many of the singer’s concerts,…

MSU allows the opportunity for all students to feel equal

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi State University is striving to create an inclusive environment on campus.. MSU has 1 of only 15 comprehensive programs for students with intellectual disabilities in the nation. This program is known as ACCESS. “We would like to put an access student into your American government class and I was like great let’s do it, What’s that…

After the guilty verdict: Lowndes co. families remember loss of loved ones

With a guilty verdict, the family can take an extra step towards gaining closure.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- A Clay County jury has found Clark Allen Jr. guilty of murder. Family members may have exited the courtroom with justice, but their hearts remain broken from the loss of their loved ones. Allen was accused of killing 31-year-old Demario Snell, 22-year-old Mauricio Nance, and 24-year-old Tyshun Fields in Artesia in January 2019. After three years and…

A half day man hunt ends with an alleged killer behind bars

Bender allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend and unborn child

ACKERMAN, Miss. (WCBI)-14 and a half hours later Dante Bender was taken into custody. Bender made his way from Newton County to Ackerman early this morning where he was caught and arrested. Bender allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend and unborn child along with Meridian police officer, Kennis Croom. His phone was pinged in Ackerman after an almost 15 hour…

Meridian Police Department hold press conference after arrest

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WCBI) – After a night on the run, a suspected cop killer is in jail in Meridian. 31-year-old Dante Marquez Bender is accused of shooting Meridian police officer Kennis Croom. Croom and other Meridian Police officers were called to a domestic violence incident around 5 PM Thursday afternoon. When they got to the scene, they found a victim…

MSU iCreate camp to host pop up shop Saturday in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – While most parents pay for summer camps, these campers are earning instead. Mississippi State University’s iCreate camp for young entrepreneurs gears up for business Saturday during their pop-up shop in Starkville. This week-long camp taught leadership and teamwork to help them build, market, and sell their products. Campers say that they have created products for all…

Columbus PD arrest six juveniles and one adult in recent weapon theft

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police continue to arrest people suspected of stealing an officer’s weapons. Chief Fred Shelton says six juveniles and one adult have been arrested in the investigation. 18-year-old Javarion Davis is charged with felony taking of a motor vehicle and auto burglary. He remains in jail, and more arrests are expected. Officers have recovered four guns,…

Noxubee County deputies arrest Dollar General armed robbery suspect

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Noxubee County deputies make an arrest in a Dollar General armed robbery. Demetrias Prince is charged with armed robbery. Bond has not been set for the Shuqualak man. He remains in the Noxubee County jail. The hold-up happened this past Monday at Dollar General in Shuqualak. Deputies say the clerk was held at gunpoint by…

Starkville man accused of a child sex crime has been arrested

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Starkville man is accused of trying to lure an 11-year-old girl in a child sex crime arrest. 23-year-old Shykel Spruell is charged with enticement of a child to produce visual depiction. Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton says Spruell was allegedly sending messages to the child on the internet. The victim’s mother saw the messages and…

Young Elvis fans showcase their talents during youth contest

Aspirng Elvis Tribute Artists rock it out for the judges

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A festival honoring the king of rock and roll attracts fans and tribute artists of all ages. One by one,  contestants in the Youth Day competition took the stage at the Elvis Presley Event Center. And although they were competing against each other, much like the adult ETAs, backstage, they are friends, jamming together to songs…

Triple murder suspect found guilty

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- A Clay County jury has found Clark Allen Jr. guilty of capital murder. Allen was accused of killing Demario Snell, Mauricio Nance, and Tyshun Fields in Artesia in January 2018. The verdict follows a busy day in court that saw Allen take the stand in his own defense. Both cases presented closing arguments, and the jury…