Two Lowndes Co. deputies honored as they retire from sheriff’s dept.

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Two Lowndes County deputies are honored, as they retire from the sheriff’s department. Lieutenants Kevin Forrester and Ryan Rickert are leaving the agency. Today’s reception was to honor their years serving and protecting. Both men served in various roles from investigations to narcotics. Categories: Local News

Veterans on MSU campus attend networking fair

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Veterans on the Mississippi State Campus and from around the area get a chance to make connections they need to put their military experience to work. The MSU Career Center and the G.V. Sonny Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans teamed up to host the Veterans Networking Fair. The event brings in industry professionals and hiring managers,…

Columbus Public Works in desperate need of replacing outdated vehicles and equipment

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday night’s Columbus City Council meeting wrapped up with a presentation from Public Works Director Casey Bush about his department’s dire need for new equipment. “The fact that the public works department is underfunded, understaffed, and has equipment that is outdated and needs repairs is not a surprise,” says Mayor Keith Gaskin. Bush went before the…

‘Empty Bowls’ draws big crowd after two year hiatus

Fundraiser raises money for Salvation Army's feeding program

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A popular fundraiser for the Tupelo Salvation Army is back in person and is more popular than ever. Donna Wise and a group of ladies from Okolona Baptist Church spent their lunch hour at the Empty Bowls Fundraiser. “I love the fellowship, coming to see what’s available, donating to a worthy cause, I’ve known several people…

Columbus Light and Water read to Stokes Beard Elementary

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Light and Water put down the bills and picked up a book to read to the students over at Stokes Beard Elementary on Wednesday. A team member from the utility company dressed up one of Doctor Suess’ most iconic characters, Cat in the Hat during the reading. CLW says this was an opportunity to encourage…

Ole Miss latest Mississippi school to drop mask mandate

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – The University of Mississippi is the latest Mississippi school to drop its mask mandate. Face coverings are now optional in almost all indoor spaces, including classrooms, labs, libraries, residence halls, conference rooms, and dining facilities. Masks will only be required on University transportation and in health care settings. Administrators made the decision after reviewing falling numbers…

Commissioner Presley took to social media for next step with TVA

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The back and forth between Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley and the Tennessee Valley Authority continues. So, Presley took to social media to let the utility know his next step. The controversy surrounds whether TVA will allow cooperatives and local utilities to provide electricity to medical marijuana facilities. TVA has said there would be no interruption in…

Columbus School District launches community meeting series to listen to public’s education concerns

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday night, the Columbus Municipal School District launched its new Ward Tour, where education and city leaders will hold a series of community meetings throughout the month of March. “There weren’t any questions that I felt there were out of the box of things that we weren’t addressing,” says school district superintendent Dr. Cherie Labat. “It…

Future police officers get a unique look at youth court

Judge Staci Bevill invited cadets to sit in on proceedings, meet personnel

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Cadets in Class B-69 of the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center spent their day in front of Judge Staci Bevill and got a rare look at youth court. Youth court proceedings are closed to the public, but each cadet signed a confidentiality agreement, which allowed them to observe cases on the docket. This is the…

Gas prices are on a steady rise in our area

Gas is over three dollars a gallon in all of the surrounding cities and expected to go even higher

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Drivers have probably seen it, and felt it. The price of gas is steadily going up. Gas is over three dollars a gallon in all of the surrounding cities and expected to go even higher. Rising gas prices are nothing new, but even the experts weren’t expecting to see them go up this quickly. “Two or three…

100 Women Who Care in Starkville awards grants

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) –  More than 200 women in Starkville are putting their money where their mouth is. The group is called 100 Women Who Care – Starkville, but dozens more have joined the mission to help community organizations carry out their special projects. Tuesday morning the group awarded more than $21,000 dollars in grants to local organizations. The members…

Mississippi State University students react to optional mask wearing

The announcement was based on the school's COVID-19 task force recommendation

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi State University announced Friday, February 25, 2022 that the university will now make masks optional for folks on campus. The announcement was based on the school’s COVID-19 task force recommendation. The Mississippi State campus was filled with students earlier, some were still erring on the side of the caution; while others were welcoming the opportunity to…

Law officer made history and continues to make an impact

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Rhonda Sanders has devoted almost three decades to law enforcement. Sanders says she did not know she was making history as the first Black female officer for the Columbus Police Department when she was hired 27 years ago. She says two city council members and the mayor at the time were the driving forces behind…

Oktibbeha County home goes up in flames on Kincaid Road

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An Oktibbeha County home goes up in flames Monday morning. The fire happened about 7 A.M. on Kincaid Road after neighbors saw smoke. East Oktibbeha Volunteer Firefighters found the house engulfed in flames when they arrived. Oktibbeha County Fire Coordinator Patrick Warren says no one was at home at the time of the blaze and…

Gov. Reeves takes on Chairman position for Tenn Tom Waterway Development Auth.

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves will be taking on a new role this year. The Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority has elected Governor Reeves to serve as Chairman for 2022. The Development Authority promotes the development of the waterway and its economic and trade potential. It helps attract business development along the waterway. The Authority is made…

Eupora PD’s fundraiser campaign leads to long term safety investments

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI)- Eupora Police Department’s donation campaign paid off in a big way that will help officers protect themselves and the people they serve. Police Chief Lawrence Caradine began the fundraising campaign to raise about $7,000 in order to purchase new bullet-proof vests for the department. Local businesses and individual citizens in Eupora made charitable donations, providing over $15,000…

State Auditor Shad White starts “Stay in the ‘Sip Fellowship”

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) –   For years Mississippi leaders have been complaining about the state’s best and brightest moving away for better opportunities. State Auditor Shad White decided to do something about that “brain drain”. White’s office is establishing the “Stay in the ‘Sip Fellowship” to attract that talent to the Auditor’s office. The fellowship pays for tuition, books, and fees…

Lowndes County road manager announcement will wait

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A new Lowndes County road manager announcement will wait. The board of supervisors tabled the decision until its next meeting. Three people who already work for the county did apply for the job. The position must also be advertised to the public. Ronnie Burns will retire in May. He has been with the road department…

Fire crews were up early battling a fire in Tupelo

No injuries are being reported at this time. 

TUPELO,Miss. (WCBI)- A Tupelo family makes it out just in time after their home catches on fire early this morning. Tupelo firefighters were on scene for five hours before they were able to extinguish the blaze. No injuries are reported at this time. Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the blaze. Categories: Featured, Local News Tags: fire investigation, house…