West Point has received multiple bomb threats in two days

A poultry plant in West Point had to stop operation due to a bomb threat call

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- A poultry plant in West Point had to stop operation due to a bomb threat call. Police chief Avery Cook said it’s the third threat the department has received in the last 48 hours. On Tuesday, August 16, 2022,  one of the calls came to the police department saying there was a bomb in the building….

A car crash into Aberdeen home leaves family feeling grateful

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – A man is facing charges after police say he crashed his car into a home in Aberdeen.  Police arrested Deondra Fields after an unusual incident early this morning. An Aberdeen woman got an alarming wake-up call early this morning. Officers were called to Matubba Street just after midnight for a possible home invasion. When they got…

City of Columbus is beginning its search for a new Police Chief

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Columbus is beginning its search for a new Police Chief. At Tuesday night’s meeting, the City Council approved a job description, salary range, and a 10-person search committee to help select the best candidate. But another committee was also a topic of the Citizen Input portion of the meeting. Lavonne Harris asked the…

Sturgis South Rally coming back to Oktibbeha County

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – After a two-year hiatus, the rumble of motorcycle engines is returning to the streets of Sturgis. The Sturgis South Rally is back! And the bikers start rolling back into Oktibbeha County Thursday. A long weekend of music, food, vendors, and games for the kids – and the bikers starts Thursday and runs through Saturday. A…

The search is on for new police chief

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The search for a new police chief in the City of Columbus can officially begin. At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Columbus City Council approved a job description and a 10 person search committee to inform the process. Mayor Keith Gaskin, along with Councilmen Joseph Mickens, Stephen Jones, and Rusty Green are on the list, along with…

Restaurant officials are searching for employees

Some businesses are looking to replace summer workers who have headed back to school

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Labor shortages are still an issue around the country, and around the block. Some businesses are looking to replace summer workers who have headed back to school; while others still haven’t been able to get back up to pre-pandemic staffing. Zachary’s is just one of several restaurants trying to bring more people on board. Owner Doug Pellum…

CFB vote to change Nancy Carpenter’s contract

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The structure of the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau could soon look different. Through published reports and sources, WCBI has learned Nancy Carpenter’s contract to lead the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation was not renewed. The CVB board recently made that vote. Sources tell WCBI there was a contract extension offered to Carpenter to remain the executive…

Oktibbeha County Supervisors exploring options for Felix Long Hospital

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County Supervisors are exploring new options for an old county building. The old Felix Long Hospital sits near the heart of downtown Starkville, and Supervisors are considering potential uses for the property. One possibility on the table is demolition, but before they can do that they need to know what’s inside the building, including…

Columbus has a new interim police chief

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – There’s a new man in the Chief’s office at Columbus Police Department. Monday was Assistant Chief Doran Johnson’s day on the job as Interim Chief. Johnson will be running the department while the City Council and Mayor search for a permanent replacement for Chief Fred Shelton, whose last day on the job was Monday. Johnson’s long…