Jessika Hayes Pic
Featured, Local News

Mississippi Coding Academies training up programmers and software developers in the Golden Triangle

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Friday, the Mississippi Coding Academies Golden Triangle campus celebrated the graduation of their 2021-2022 class of coders. The 11-month tuition-free program teaches students the programming skills to create a website, app or even a video game from scratch. “There are always going to be positions opening up for coders, programmers, developers,” says coding instructor Jessika Hayes. This…

Altex Tube Pic
Featured, Local News

Altex Tube spending over $100 million to build headquarters & manufacturing plant in Lowndes County

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Governor Tate Reeves and other local leaders gathered to toss the ceremonial shovels of dirt at the site of the new Altex Tube manufacturing plant Thursday morning. Between this move, Milwaukee Tool coming to Grenada and Columbia Industries on the way to Starkville, more and more companies are moving to Mississippi, investing millions of dollars in…

Tate Reeves Pic2
Featured, Local News

Governor Reeves on plans for supporting Mississippi women and children in wake of Roe v. Wade

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves fielded questions from local reporters Thursday on his plans for the state following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The governor praised Mississippi’s role in ending the Constitutional right to an abortion but now, Governor Reeves says he wants to focus on creating a “culture of life.” “When we…

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Local News

A local newspaper celebrates 150 years staying in business

The Okolona Messenger has been delivering the news for 15 decades
Joey Barnes,

OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI)- Local newspapers are the lifeblood of their communities; the editors, reporters and printers are often one and the same. Many community papers have fallen victim to the times. Social media and a 24 hour news cycle have made it challenging to report the local news, but, one family has found a way to keep their business afloat,…

Missing Student
Featured, Local News

Father of missing Ole Miss student pleads for help from the public

MorrisAdmin,

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Investigators in Oxford continue to search for an Ole Miss student missing for almost a week. And his family is pleading for help from the public. Jimmie “Jay” Lee was last seen leaving Campus Walk Apartments around 6:00 last Friday morning. The case is being investigated by Oxford Police and the University Police Department. In an update…

Meal Delivery Pics
Featured, Local News

Need for free meal deliveries to the homebound facing food insecurity grows in Golden Triangle

Joey Barnes,

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Department of Human Services sent out a reminder Wednesday about the options available for elderly Mississippians dealing with food scarcity. The Area Agencies on Aging operate free meal delivery programs in all 82 Mississippi counties. “(I’ll drive as far as) 90 to 100 miles,” says Kristy Whitaker. “It’s in and out of different roads…

Disability Camp 071322
Local News

YMCA all inclusive day camp going strong in Columbus

Everyone is Differently and Wonderfully Made
Joey Barnes,

Columbus, Miss. (WCBI) – For many kids, Summer means heading off to camp. And at the Columbus YMCA, want to make sure everyone is able to get in on the experience. “No person left behind; everyone is differently and wonderfully made” is this camp’s motto. “Camp With a Mission” is an inclusive four-day camp for those who are intellectual and…

Phil Bryant
Local News, State News

Primary defendant in the Mississippi welfare fraud scandal blaming former governor

Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – For the first time, the primary defendant in the Mississippi welfare fraud scandal is publicly pointing the finger at former governor Phil Bryant. Nancy New’s attorneys filed a court brief on her behalf, saying Phil Bryant directed her to provide funds to Brett Favre. Following that direction, New had the Mississippi Community Education Center contract with…

Chickasaw O
Crime, Local News

Chickasaw Regional Correctional Facility is cancelling visitation

Joey Barnes,

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A rise in COVID cases is causing one jail to shut its doors to visitors. The Chickasaw Regional Correctional Facility is cancelling visitation until further notice. Sheriff James Meyers says there has been an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and jail administrators are trying to keep the numbers low. Meyers tells WCBI there…

Sdi
Local News

New plant, Altex Tube, coming to the Steel Dynamics campus

Joey Barnes,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The steel industry is being reinforced in the Golden Triangle. A new plant coming to the Steel Dynamics campus is expanding the area’s footprint in the steel business. Altex Tube is breaking ground on its new manufacturing facility Thursday. Altex will make black and pre-galvanized steel tubing for various uses. The addition of Altex means…

Roger Moore
Crime, Local News

Columbus police released new details about wanted kiosk theft

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police released new details about the man they believe stole money from a kiosk. Roger Moore of West Point is wanted by CPD. They believe he went into a store posing as a contractor that was there to fix the kiosk. Surveillance video shows a man walking into a Sprint Mart. The Pay Site kiosk…

Wayco Campbell
Crime, Local News

West Point police make an arrest in a stabbing investigation

Joey Barnes,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – West Point police make an arrest in a stabbing investigation. 41-year-old Wayco Campbell is charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest. Police Chief Avery Cook says the incident happened at Ridgewood Apartments last week. The victim was treated and released from the hospital. Campbell was arrested Monday. He remains in the Clay County jail. Categories:…

Inmate Work Pgm Pic
Featured, Local News

Chickasaw County Jail’s joint work program helps inmates learn skills that could lead to future employment

Joey Barnes,

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – While the nationwide labor shortage continues, it’s creating more opportunities for those with criminal records to find steady employment. One of the ways that Mississippi inmates can prepare themselves to re-enter the job market is through a joint county state work program. The program allows qualifying state inmates to be placed in county jails and work…

Buying Online 071222
Local News

Three people arrested in Starkville after Facebook sale went bad

Joey Barnes,

  STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) -Three people were arrested in Starkville after a Facebook Marketplace deal gone bad. Social Media buyers, where you complete your transaction, could make the difference between a good deal and a dangerous, even deadly, experience. A resident of Starkville was a victim of a targeted armed robbery in the Kroger parking lot this past Sunday. Now,…

Fan Drive
Local News

Lowndes County Helping Hands host annual fan drive

Written by Victoria Bailey
MorrisAdmin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – For many people, as the temperature cranks up, in the magnolia state, we dial down our cooling units. For others, cooling off can be a challenge. “I’m very very blessed by God for people to help others,” said Carlos Smith. Columbus resident Carlos Smith is talking about the Lowndes County Helping Hands Annual Fan Drive….

Clay Shooting
Crime, Local News

Clay County deputies make two arrest after weekend shooting

Joey Barnes,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Clay County deputies make two arrests after a weekend shooting at a county-line night spot. 23-year-old Cantron Davidson is charged with accessory after the face and 21-year-old Antavious Gates is charged with shooting into a nightclub. The shooting happened early Saturday morning at C’s Place in the Una community this past Saturday. Sheriff Eddie Scott…

Kiosk Theft
Crime, Local News

Columbus police searching for man who drilled into money kiosk

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police are looking for a man who drilled into a money kiosk. Surveillance video shows a man walking into a Sprint Mart. He claims to be there repair a Pay Site kiosk, where you can make payments. Investigators tell WCBI the man drilled a hole in the kiosk, opened it, and stole money from inside….

Missing Student
Featured, Local News

Police offering reward in case of missing Ole Miss student

MorrisAdmin,

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Police now have reward money for any information in the case of a missing Ole Miss student. Crimes Stoppers is offering $1,000 to anyone with tips that lead to Jimmie “Jay” Lee. Investigators with the Oxford Police Department and University Police are working on the case. They say they’re tracking tips, talking to friends, and canvassing…

Sdi
Featured, Local News

New company coming to the Steel Dynamics property

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A new company is coming to the campus of a Lowndes County steel mill. Altex Tube will create 58 jobs and invest nearly $110 million in new construction and equipment. Altex will be on the Steel Dynamics property in the Golden Triangle Industrial Park. The company makes black and pre-galvanized steel tubing in various sizes….

Stk Robbery Mugs
Crime, Local News

Three people arrested in Starkville after armed robbery

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Three people are arrested in Starkville after an armed robbery in a grocery store parking lot. 23-year-old Marquavious Turnipseed and 24-year-old Aliza Cox are both charged with armed robbery. Starkville police say are calling the hold-up a targeted armed robbery that happened in the Kroger parking lot this past Sunday. Investigators say a transaction on Facebook…