A regional organization searching for families to host international students
GOLDEN TRIANGLE, MISS. (WCBI) – The Council for Educational Travel is searching for Mississippi and Alabama families who are interested in hosting international high school students. Regional Director Jenny Memmott said there are dozens of students ready to start the program. “All of the students that we have that are ready to come over are incredibly passionate about studying in the…
Pickens co. correctional officer charged with 16 counts of sexual abuse
PICKENS COUNTY,Ala. (WCBI)- A Pickens County correctional officer has been charged with 16 counts of custodial sexual abuse. In Alabama, WUVA 23 reported that the investigation found evidence of sexual conduct between a 28-year-old Pickens County Jail employee Marquita Booker, of Pickensville, and an inmate being housed at the jail. Booker was charged Friday afternoon and is being held at…
A Maben man is accused of stabbing and killing a man Friday night.
MABEN, Miss. (WCBI)- A Maben man is accused of stabbing and killing a man Friday night. 49-year-old Charles Edward Bell is arrested on first-degree murder charges. A call came in around 7 p.m. for reports of a disturbance on 4015 Hwy 15 in Maben . When deputies got there, they found a man suffering from apparent stab wounds, he later…
Senior men’s basketball team scores big at recent senior games
The team combines players from Tupelo and Columbus
COLUMBUS, MISS. (WCBI) – A group of senior athletes is showing the importance of working together for a goal. Tyrone Hardy says a news story a few years ago encouraged him to get some senior guys together in Columbus to play basketball. “Initially it was because of a story you did on the Tupelo Cryptoballers in 2018,” Hardy said. Recently,…
Saltillo pd hosts Kids N Cops event to help build relationships in the community
Saltillo hosts event for sixth year
SALTILLO, MISS. (WCBI) – Kids throughout Lee County had a chance to visit with officers from different agencies. Saltillo City Park was packed for the sixth annual “Kids N Cops” event. First responders had their fire trucks, police cars and sheriff’s cars on hand for the hands on experience. There were also bouncy houses, and different organizations and businesses were…
Louisville police arrest a man who stole nearly $1600 worth of items at Walmart
Sticky fingers can get you in a world of trouble, and a man in Louisville found that out the hard way
LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Sticky fingers can get you in a world of trouble, and a man in Louisville found that out the hard way. Louisville police arrested a man who stole more than$1,500 worth of items from Walmart. On June 1, 2022, Louisville police officers received a call from Walmart about shoplifter loading items in a Uhaul truck. Officers were…
Organizations in the area offer kids multiple places to come for the summer
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – School is out and parents are looking for activities to keep their kids busy this summer. There are places to go and to learn while having fun. Ron Thornton believes it’s how you entertain children in the summer that will help them grow. “It is important so they have something positive to get in. Not just…
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…
Clay County man convicted of murder and will spend life in prison
CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man in Clay County is convicted of murder and will spend the rest of his life in prison. Jurors returned the verdict against Cameron Henderson after about 15 minutes of deliberation this afternoon. Inmates that were in the jail at the time of the March 2019 homicide testified in the trial. Henderson killed Dale…
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…
Sturgis South Bike Rally hitting the roads for first time in two years
STURGIS, Miss. (WCBI) – You’ll be able to hear the rumbling of thousands of bikes rolling into Sturgis again this year. The Sturgis South Bike Rally has been parked for the past two years. Now, organizers say it will return the Oktibbeha County town August 18th through the 20th. There will be rides, games, food, and live music. The festival…
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…
Uncorked: Summer at Harvey’s
Categories: Featured Tags: uncorked
Attorney General Lynn Fitch talks child care, equal pay, and more in West Point
WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- Attorney General Lynn Fitch was in the area Thursday night talking with a group of Republican women. She spoke on several subjects related to equal pay, access to child care, and human trafficking. On the topic of pro-life values and child care, Fitch wants child support to be enforced heavily within the state. According to the…
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…