Tornado leaves Clay County with downed trees, broken telephone poles, other major damage

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Clay County Emergency Management and members of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency are in the midst of assessing the damage left by Tuesday’s tornado. Clay County was one of the 12 counties across Mississippi where homes suffered storm damage, according to MEMA. The areas around Barton Ferry Road and Concord Road took the worst of…

Franchise that keeps people clean opens in Tupelo

Buff City Soap changes the way people look at purchasing soap products

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) -A franchise that keeps customers clean has opened its doors in Tupelo. Krista Scott was a customer of “Buff City Soap” for years, and when the Bartlett, Tennessee-based company began franchising, she opened a store in Southaven and opened a Tupelo store on St. Patrick’s Day. Buff City Soap uses no harsh chemicals, detergents, or animal products….

Lowndes County firefighters spend hours battling scrapyard fire through high winds and black smoke

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday’s high winds made things difficult for firefighters working to put out a large fire in a Columbus scrapyard. Lowndes County Fire Coordinator Neal Austin says they were actually counting on the day’s heavy rain to put the fire out completely. The black smoke from the fire was thick enough to cover up the sun and…

Dr. Thomas Dobbs is calling his experience a positive one

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two weeks after announcing his resignation as State Health Officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs is calling his experience a positive one. Dobbs was the speaker today at the Columbus Rotary Club. As the state’s top doctor, he led Mississippi through the coronavirus pandemic, appearing with the governor for daily press conferences and updates for the public. Dobbs…

College research teams deployed to Central Mississippi to study tornado genesis

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – Multiple research teams from the University of Alabama Huntsville and other colleges from across the country, were out collecting data ahead of Tuesday’s storms. The teams were spread across Central Mississippi using radar and profiling instruments to collect data based on elements like the wind, the atmosphere and precipitation. Joshua Huggins, Adam Weiner and Melissa Gonzalez-Fuentes…

Safety protocols for East Webster High School storm shelter

MABEN, Miss. (WBCI) – East Webster High School says they plan on letting students out of class early Tuesday due to the expected severe weather. Principal Corey Stidham says they are continuing to monitor the weather situation and have several plans in place to make sure their students stay safe. As schools around Mississippi prepare for the threat of severe…

Wings Over Columbus happening this weekend, here’s what you need to know

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Wings Over Columbus is back and ready to soar. The 2022 Air Show and STEM Expo are this Saturday and Sunday at the Columbus Air Force Base. The show will feature the US Air Force Thunderbirds, showcasing the elite skills all pilots must-have. Their performances demonstrate the pride, precision, and professionalism of the pilots. This year…

Gas prices lower this week according to AAA

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – It may not feel like much difference in your bank account but gas prices are lower this week. Right now, Triple A says the average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.93 in Mississippi. In Alabama, it’s $4.04. You can see those prices are lower compared to last week’s numbers. Triple A reports the current…

Construction of Amory park is in progress

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Construction of an Amory park is on the move. Panther Park will have a basketball court, exercise equipment, swings, and a playground. Work first started to secure grants in 2019. Money from state and private organizations, along with donations from community groups are making it possible to complete. Prep work will soon begin, and the equipment…

Cottrell street music and heritage festival returns to West Point

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- The Cottrell Street Music and Heritage Festival returns to West Point. “It was the hub of activity in the African American community from the late 1940’s to early 1980’s it had restaurants, entertainment centers, it had barbershops and a hotel at one time,” said West Point resident James Hull. Hull and West Point Mayor Rod Bobo…

Starkville is bringing more job opportunities to the city

An Oregon-based company will move into the old Gulf States building on Airport

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Dozens of new jobs are coming to Starkville. An Oregon-based company will move into the old Gulf States building on Airport. City leaders held a special meeting this morning to sign an agreement to sell property. Columbia Industries is ready to get to work in Starkville. The city came to an agreement to sell the land today and…

Saltillo voters to decide fate of tourism tax later this year

Tax would be used for infrastructure and park and rec improvements

SALTILLO, MISS. (WCBI) – The two percent tourism tax would be added to all prepared food sales. Money generated from the tourism tax would only be used for infrastructure and for the city’s park and rec department. Johnette Bramlett owns the Skybox Sports Bar and Grill and says the tourism tax would not only be good for the city, but…

The Boys and Girls Club in the GTR receive a generous donation

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss, (WCBI) – There is cause for celebration at the Boys and Girls Clubs of The Golden Triangle. The organization recently received a donation of over $870,000 from Mackenzie Scott. The Golden Triangle clubs join 61 others across the country receiving money from Scott. President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Golden Triangle, Ron…