Lowndes County murder trial is continued until August

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County murder trial is continued until August after investigators make another arrest in the case. 18-year-old Qadrecius Gandy is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. He was given a $50,000 bond on that charge. Gandy was arrested late last week and could face more charges. Curtis Lathan was scheduled to go to…

Former Macon police officer settles a federal lawsuit

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Macon police officer settles a federal lawsuit, claiming age discrimination. In his lawsuit, Douglas Tripplett claimed he was forced to resign and the city discriminated against him because of his age. He also said there was audio evidence of an illegal meeting between members of the board of aldermen. The original lawsuit was filed…

Part of highway 12 will be closed for construction Tuesday

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – If your travel plans include driving east on Highway 12 in Starkville on Tuesday, you may want to figure in a little extra time. The southernmost, eastbound lane – if you’re traveling East toward campus, that’s the right lane – will be closed from Industrial Park Road to just past the new Triangle Crossing Shopping Center….

Bond set for man charged in Eupora homicide investigation

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – Bond is set for a man charged in a Eupora homicide investigation, as we learn new information about the shooting. 26-year-old Joshua Oats is charged with second-degree murder. Chief Lawrence Caradine says the shooting happened Saturday on West Roane Avenue. 29-year-old Jordan Gaston died after being shot. Caradine says the incident started over a cell phone…

Caledonia teen accused of killing mothers fiance has bond set

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI) –  A Caledonia teen accused of killing his mother’s fiancee has his bond set today. 18-year-old Justin Robert Coggins has been charged with murder. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says the shooting happened at 136 Richards Lane, just hours after Coggins graduated from Caledonia High. 33-year-old Dustin Hoffpauir died at the scene of the shooting. Lowndes County Coroner Greg…

Caledonia teen charged with murder just hours after graduating high school

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- A Caledonia teen is charged with murder just hours after graduating high school. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said 18-year-old Justin Robert Coggins allegedly shot 33-year-old Dustin Hoffpauir during a domestic dispute Saturday morning. The gunfire happened on 136 Richard’s Lane in Caledonia. Hawkins said Coggins graduated from Caledonia High School earlier in the day. Coggins is now…

Blessed are the Peacemakers 5 K raises money to help officers

Annual event raises money to buy body armor for law officers

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Hundreds turned out in downtown Tupelo for a 5 K that helps those who protect and serve. Law officers across the region started the event with a procession honoring those who died in the line of duty. And as the race started, runners pass officers holding photos of the real life heroes.  The annual Blessed are…

Millport family raises awareness for Dandy Walker Syndrome

MILLPORT, Ala. (WCBI) – Folks in Millport Alabama, and surrounding towns had an opportunity to take part in a pop-up shop sale downtown. And some vendors were new to the business scene since the pandemic five businesses have opened in Millport. In Millport Alabama, community members and folks around the neighboring areas went downtown to purchase goods from vendors. While…

Possible human remains found, Tupelo investigators to confirm identity

Tupelo Investigators are working to recovery the possible remains. 

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)-  Tupelo Police were notified possible human remains were located in the Old Belden Circle area. Union County Mississippi Search and Rescue are conducting following up searches for a missing person, Lori Ann Cockrell. Cockrell was last seen on August 10th in 2021. Tupelo Investigators are coordinating the recovery the possible remains. TPD said it’s a lengthy process…

SOCSD to host summer feeding program in June

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District is helping you save a little on your grocery budget this summer. Here’s one reason you should go back to school this summer. The program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. That means meals will be delicious and meet daily nutritional guidelines. And, for the kids, it’s free. The Henderson-Ward…

Mississippi State University Staff Appreciation Day held Friday

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Staff and support personnel at Mississippi State University finish the school year on a high note. MSU Staff Appreciation Day was held Friday at The Junction. MSU employees got a chance to unwind and enjoy the free food, including MSU Ice Cream, live music, games, activities, even a chance to win a few door prizes. University…

Alabama sets new unemployment record at 2.8%

ALABAMA (WCBI) – Alabama sets a new unemployment record, as the seasonally adjusted rate drops to 2.8%. Governor Kay Ivey confirmed April’s numbers this morning. This was a drop from 2.9% in March. The state has also seen rises in wages. Average weekly pay for workers in Alabama has gone up $21 over-the-year. Lamar and Pickens Counties both saw drops…

Milwaukee Tool plant bringing over 800 jobs to Grenada as they expand manufacturing across Mississippi

GRENADA, Miss. (WCBI) – Thursday was the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Milwaukee Tool facility being built in Grenada. Mississippi Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann, Speaker of the House Philip Gunn and several other state officials were in attendance to celebrate the plant and the 800-plus jobs it is expected to bring. While the ceremonial shovels went in the dirt…

Families search for substitutes to baby formula amid national shortage

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- You can check the shelves at the supermarket for infant baby formula, but you may be out of luck. Shortage woes continue across the U.S. Some parents face desperate attempts to feed their hungry babies, like finding formula alternatives. Health professionals say some families are giving their babies whole milk and goat’s milk as substitutes for their…

Employers are looking to get and retain good employees

Local businesses and industries are hiring; however finding and keeping employees can be a challenge in a competitive workforce

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Local businesses and industries are hiring; however, finding and keeping employees can be a challenge in a competitive workforce. Companies and businesses are doing what they can to recruit and retain workers. Labor shortages have and are hitting all sectors of work. On Thursday WCBI held a job fair from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the…

Annual field day is a popular end of year event for elementary students

Students take part in field day at Tupelo's Rankin Elementary

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – It was the annual Field Day at the elementary school.  Students could take their shot at dunking a teacher in the dunking booth, there was corn hole, face painting, tug of war, potato sack races, and other games. It’s an opportunity for students to have fun as they close out a school year, and also learn…

Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department honoring fallen officers

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department honored the fallen officers of years past and now they have something to show for it. Agencies across the country have participated in ceremonies for law enforcement officers week. Today, multiple local agencies gathered at the Lowndes County Sheriff’s office for a moment of silence, a song of tribute to…

Local residents come to WCBI job fair searching for new opportunity

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI ) – WCBI’s job fair had over two dozen companies and roughly 200 people coming in looking for a job. The gym floor at the Starkville sportsplex had constant foot traffic from potential employees looking for their best fit. For some, they felt the job fair was the best spot for them to sell themselves to their…