Featured, Local News

Louisville citizens remember deadly EF-4 tornado

The devastation left dozens of families without a place to call home.
Joey Barnes,

LOUISVILLE,Miss. (WCBI)-Today marks eight years since an EF-4 tornado touched down in Louisville. The devastation left dozens of families without a place to call home. Coming together through a time of uncertainty. Eight years ago, the city of Louisville was nearly unrecognizable. Trees covered roads, cars lay in ditches, homes were damaged and people were mourning lost family members. “I…

William Mcbride
Local News

West Lowndes school bus driver charged with felony child abuse

Joey Barnes,

WEST LOWNDES, Miss. (WCBI) – A fight and chaotic scene on a West Lowndes school bus leads to the arrest of the bus driver. 71-year-old William McBride is charged with felony child abuse. His bond has not been set. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says deputies were called about the ruckus last Friday at West Lowndes High School and soon…

Camgian
Local News

Camgian hosted 5th annual walk at lunch event

Ansley Perkins,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Camgian hosted their 5th annual walk at lunch event today at the Thad Cochran Research Center at Mississippi State University. Organizers of this event encourage people around the area to take time out of their day to go outside and eat lunch as they walk. As people do their walking they are also encouraged to bring…

Pantry
Local News

Local company has food bank during their annual event

Ansley Perkins,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Food is a huge need in the area and people in the community make it their goal to make sure their neighbors in the Golden triangle don’t go hungry. Taking or leaving. That is what people in the community are doing with canned goods at area food banks. Rex Buffington, Co-director of the Casserole kitchen, says…

Ampitheater
Local News

Columbus officials discussing how to utilize city amphitheater

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus officials are finally discussing plans on how to bring the city’s amphitheater to life. The outdoor facility was impacted by a flood that destroyed its electrical wiring. Today, The second meeting in just a week between community members, officials, and stakeholders took place. Some key talking points have revolved around how to improve the concession…

Bee Thing
Local News

Official grand opening for Mississippi State Research and Teaching Apiary

Eric Lampkin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A new lab at Mississippi State University is buzzing with activity. Thursday was the official grand opening for the Mississippi State Research and Teaching Apiary. The university now has a dedicated space to house honeybees and conduct research. Bees not only produce honey, but they are also the main pollinators for many crops, and in recent…

Joshua Fulgham
Crime, Local News

Clay County Sheriff’s deputies put an accused drug dealer behind bars

Eric Lampkin,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Clay County Sheriff’s deputies put an accused drug dealer behind bars. On Monday deputies and agents from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics got a warrant to search a home on Lone Oak Drive in West Point. During the search, they reportedly found over 50 grams of methamphetamine. Investigators arrested Joshua Fulgham of West Point. Fulgham…

71010e00 Pmmpd
Local News, State News

Mississippi’s largest hospital no longer accepts BCBS insurance

Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi’s largest hospital is no longer in network with the state’s largest insurance provider. The University of Mississippi Medical Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield have cut ties with each other after failure to negotiate on billing agreements. Representatives were not able to come to an agreement before March 31st. Mississippi insurance commissioner Mike Chaney issues…

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Local News

Monroe County schools will have a new face in the superintendent seat

O'Brian started off his career in education as a 7th grade math teacher, then he was an assistant principal for six years
Joey Barnes,

SMITHVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)-  Taking on a new position can be difficult for some; while others see it as a challenge. Principal Chad O’Brian is making the move from the principal’s office at Smithville High School’ to the superintendent’s office for the Monroe County School District. On July 1, 2022, O’Brian will take over as superintendent for Monroe County Schools. O’Brian…

Roman Grassaree
Crime, Local News

Macon man in the Clay County Jail accused of marijuana possession

Eric Lampkin,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Macon man is in the Clay County Jail accused of marijuana possession. On Monday, Clay County Deputies manning a safety checkpoint stopped Roman Grassaree. During a search, they reportedly found marijuana, including what was described as a large bag of THC edibles. Grassaree is charged with Felony Possession of Marijuana. He is in the…

Hump Thumbnail
Local News

$50 million Hump renovation project begins

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Be on the lookout Bulldog fans, the Humphrey Coliseum will soon be getting a new look. The $50 million renovation project which started right after the 2021-22 season includes cosmetically improving the exterior, four new entrances, a walkway between the Hump and Dudy Noble Field, expansion of the indoor space, a 5,600-foot club area, and alterations…

Outreach

700 people arrested in month long federal, state, and local crime crackdown

Joey Barnes,

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – 700 people are arrested in a month long federal, state, and local crime crackdown. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oxford released this video and the results of “Operation MPACT” Wednesday. Law enforcement from Lowndes, Lee, Grenada, and Panola Counties participated in the arrests. More than $134,000 worth of drugs and over $50,000 in cash were seized…

Mhp
Local News

Troop G of Mississippi Highway Patrol receiving new headquarters

Eric Lampkin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Troop G of the Mississippi Highway Patrol is one step closer to having a new home. The State Legislature has appropriated another $4 million for a new substation in Starkville. The funding is the last roadblock to getting the headquarters built. Lawmakers had set aside $4.5 million in an earlier session. The total price tag is…

Crime
Crime, Local News

One person is dead after shooting in Pontotoc County

Joey Barnes,

PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – One person is dead after an early morning shooting in Pontotoc County. Sheriff Leo Mask says the shooting happened in the Algoma community but declined to give a specific address. Mask tells WCBI deputies are interviewing multiple people to try and figure out what sparked the shooting. The name of the victim has not been…

Robot Dog 2
Featured, Local News

TVA’s robot dog gives Golden Triangle students a look at the future of robotics and engineering

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday morning, the Tennessee Valley Authority put on a demonstration featuring one of its new Boston Dynamics robot dogs for students at East Mississippi Community College. EMCC joined Heritage Academy and Caledonia as the latest school to get a visit from “Spot.” Spot is one of the six state-of-the-art robot dogs TVA bought in 2021. TVA…

Ministry
Featured, Local News

Rising food and fuel prices impact a local ministry

Transformation Ranch looks at ways to cut costs as inflation climbs
Allie Martin,

LEE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – Rising fuel and food prices are hitting everyone hard, and that includes nonprofits. Every day, 30 men who live at the Transformation Ranch are driven to their jobs and picked up in the afternoon. The sharp spike in fuel prices is making the daily commutes much more expensive. “There are six different locations our guys…

Tommie Flowers
Crime, Local News

Man arrested in Columbus shooting charged with capital murder

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A man arrested in connection to a Columbus homicide has his charges upgraded to capital murder. We first told you 27-year-old Tommy Flowers was charged with possession of a stolen firearm. Now he’s also charged with second-degree murder or felony murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling, and directing a youth to commit a felony. Columbus Police…

Dollar General Robbery
Crime, Local News

Lowndes County deputies make two arrest in Dollar General robberies

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies make two more arrests in the recent Dollar General armed robberies. 20-year-old Dorium Davis is charged with accessory to armed robbery. 18-year-old Brandon Baker is charged with one count of armed robbery and two counts of kidnapping. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says bond has not been set for Davis. Baker’s bond is set…

Ammo Guy
Local News

Apex Ammunition co-founder spoke to Columbus Rotary

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County ammunition maker talks about supply and demand. Apex Ammunition co-founder Jared Lewis spoke to the Columbus Rotary Club Tuesday. The company launched in 2017 after a hunting trip. As the world tried to figure out a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lewis believes many turned to the outdoors. That is one…

Sean Harrison
Local News

Sean Harrison named Heritage Academy Head of School

Ansley Perkins,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Heritage Academy’s new Head of School is a familiar face. Sean Harrison has accepted the position.  Harrison has served at Heritage for six years as Principal, Head Football Coach, and Athletic Director.  He led the Patriots to two Football State Championships and won the AAA All Sports award for the first time in school history.  He…