City official working to get storm shelters in West Lowndes

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Flash Flood, Thunderstorms, or even tornadoes. Weather in Mississippi can be unpredictable and you never know what will strike. The Lowndes County Board of supervisors wants to make sure that all parts of the county have a safe place to go during severe weather. “My plan is a plan that is badly needed through the…

Foundation established to honor memory of Amiya Braxton

Amiya Braxton's older sister wanted to do something to honor her memory

FULTON, MISS. (WCBI) – The older sister of a Pontotoc County girl, killed when she was hit by a car as she got off her school bus, is starting a foundation to honor her sister’s memory. “Amiya was one of the sweetest little girls ever, she loved school, she loved going to church, she loved to sing, she loved to…

Columbus let Medical Marijuana deadline pass, automatically enrolled

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday was the deadline for city and county governments to opt-out of Mississippi’s Medical Marijuana program. And Columbus is one of the cities that let that deadline pass without taking action. That means Columbus is automatically enrolled and can allow dispensaries and growing operations within the city limits. At a press conference this morning, Mayor Keith…

4 West Point teens facing Capital Murder charges in March homicide

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – 4 West Point teens now face Capital Murder charges in a March homicide. 17-year-old William Austin Hill and 19-year-old Emerson Houston were arrested on Friday. 17-year-old Greyson Klutts and 15-year-old Jeremy Klutts, Junior were arrested earlier this week. All 4 have been charged with Capital Murder in the death of 41-year-old Mikel Craven. Craven was…

Major power outage in scheduled in Aberdeen

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI)- Small fire leads to a major power outage that will take place Wednesday evening in Aberdeen. The Aberdeen electric department will schedule a two-hour power outage starting at 5:30 Wednesday evening, May 11th. Over 20 areas in Aberdeen will not have power during this time. The electric department says a small fire took place at the District…

MidMorning with Aundrea: Banana Pudding Cupcakes

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Jerry Washington is a student at the MUW Culinary school. He shows us how to make Banana Pudding Cupcakes. Banana Pudding Cupcakes  Jerry Washington One box of Duncan Hines white cake mix  Two bananas  1 banana pudding mix  Vanilla Wafers One box of banana cream pudding mix  3 eggs 1 cup of milk  ½ cup of…

MidMorning with Aundrea: Sea Salt Caramel Bars

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Rachel Harris is a student at the MUW culinary school. She shows us how to make Sea Salt Caramel Bars. Watch the video for full details. Sea Salt Caramel Bars Ingredients: 2 c. + 2 T. all-purpose flour  1/2 tsp. kosher salt  1/2 tsp. baking soda  ½ tsp. baking powder 12 T. unsalted butter, gently melted…

Mid-Morning with Audrea: Parmesan Crusted Chicken

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Karen Heintze is a culinary student at MUW. She showed us how to make Parmesan Crusted Chicken Tenders. PARMESAN–CRUSTED CHICKEN TENDERS by Karen Heintze 3 boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts 1/2 cup Panko Crumbs 1/2 cup Italian Breadcrumbs 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese 1 tsp Garlic Powder 1/2 cup Butter Salt & Pepper, to taste Cut the…

Eupora opted in to the state’s medical marijuana program just in time

The Eupora board of alderman approved the move on a 3 - 2 vote

EUPORA, Miss (WCBI)- Cities across Mississippi are deciding if and how they will participate in the state’s medical marijuana program. Some have opted out, but others, like Eupora, are joining in. Mayor Blake McMullan has been in office less than a year, but he has played a big role in bringing new life to the small town of Eupora. McMullan…

Baldwyn businessman directs movie about the death of Meriwether Lewis

Clark Richey hopes to make North Mississippi a hub for the arts

BALDWYN, MISS. (WCBI) – A North Mississippi businessman is bringing the story of a well known explorer’s death, and the mystery surrounding it, to the big screen. For years, Clark Richey has researched and read everything he could about the death of Meriwether Lewis, along the Old Natchez Trace. “It was very much wilderness, very remote, you had this national…

Southwest Mississippi murder trial moved to Monroe County

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A southwest Mississippi murder trial is moved to Monroe County. T’Kia Bevily is charged with capital murder in the death of her 14-month-old stepdaughter, Jurayah Smith. Jury selection started yesterday in Aberdeen. The child died in October 2017 in Claiborne County. WLBT reports Bevily was convicted in January 2021 but the conviction was overturned. That’s…

Tupelo man sentenced to over 21 years for drugs and firearms conviction

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- A Tupelo man is sentenced to over 21 years in prison for drug and gun-related charges. Samuel Wilson III’s conviction is followed after a trial in December of conspiring with members of a drug trafficking organization led by Jeremy Mairidith to sell and distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern Mississippi…

Tupelo Police searching for tire thieves

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo Police are looking for a pair of tire thieves, and they need your help. On April 16th, a burglary was reported at a business on Airpark Road. When Police got there, they found a large hole in the side of the building that the suspects had used to get inside. Over one hundred tires had…

Lowndes Young Leaders recognized in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The potential leaders of tomorrow were recognized today in Columbus. Tuesday was graduation day for the 2021 – 2022 class of Lowndes Young Leaders. The group of 40 high school sophomores from Columbus and Lowndes County was recognized at the Rotary Club meeting at Lion Hills. For the past 10 months, the students have been touring…

Calhoun County murder suspect caught in Tupelo

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Calhoun County murder suspect was caught in Tupelo. Taurus Shaw was caught Tuesday morning at a motel. Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan says U.S. Marshals made the arrest. Bond has not been set. Shaw is being charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Anthony Armstrong. The shooting happened last Wednesday on…

School to work pipeline at Mississippi State University

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY, Miss. (WCBI)-If you’re graduating from Mississippi State University chances are you probably have a job lined up. That’s according to research conducted by the university. Mya Dixon is an aspiring veterinarian. She credits Mississippi State for preparing her for vet school and to one day open her own practice. “Last summer I got to participate in an…

Mental health professionals encourage people to spread awareness

May is mental health awareness month and mental health professionals want to help people gain more knowledge

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- May is mental health awareness month and mental health professionals want to help people gain more knowledge of how serious it actually is. Oktibbeha County Community Counseling administrator Ray Evins Jr. has been with C.C.S for 30 years and has seen many changes, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the lack of spreading the word of…

Mississippi district attorney’s office explains what happens to court cases put on hold due to autopsy backlog

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A new report from the Associated Press says the ongoing backlog of autopsies at the Mississippi State Medical Examiners Office is the worst in the United States. According to the AP’s records, the state medical examiner’s office was waiting for over one thousand reports earlier in April. The District Attorney’s Office for the 16th Judicial District…

Columbus police investigating a retaliation shooting

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police are investigating a retaliation shooting at the same home where a homicide happened last week. The shooting happened in the 100 block of Poplar Street just after 11:30 Sunday night. Police Chief Fred Shelton says this is the same home where 16-year-old Harvey Montrell Johnson Jr. was shot while driving away from a shooting…

Some Lowndes County voters may be switching polling places

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Some Lowndes County voters may be switching polling places in the near future. Supervisors take the first steps to redraw district lines today. The Board unanimously approved recommending a redistricting plan drawn up by Slaughter ad Associates. The next step will be a public hearing, which is scheduled for the Board’s first meeting in June….