Midday Guests 03-04-22

Pastor Marcus Richmond and Administrator Erika Hendricks joins us live in the studio to tell us all about a special program going on.

Pastor Marcus Richmond and Administrator Erika Hendricks joins us live in the studio to tell us all about a special program going on. Categories: Local News

Homeowners voice concerns about the increase in street racing

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s something you’ve probably seen many times–cars speeding down residential roadways. Homeowners in East Columbus are concerned street racing in their neighborhood will leave someone hurt. James and Gloria Rice follow a simple routine each morning. Wake up, drink coffee and listen to cars speeding down the road. “The loud music is playing, the cars racing,…

‘Winter Jam’ makes big return to the BancorpSouth Arena

The popular Christian music tour features a diverse mix of artists

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – One of the biggest events has returned to the Bancorpsouth Arena. After two years, Winter Jam returned to the Bancorpsouth Arena, bigger than ever. Fans paid ten dollars at the door to see and hear some of the top acts in contemporary Christian music. Bentley Bailey is youth pastor at Fig Hill Church of God in…

An Oxford man is charged with aggravated assault

The victim was airlifted to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis. 

OXFORD,Miss. (WCBI)- Oxford Police are investigating a shooting incident. Officers got a 911 call around 11:42 p.m. on Friday night for gunshots on the 400 block of  Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. When officers got to the scene, they began treating a victim. The victim was airlifted to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis. 34-year-old James Coleman Williamson was taken…

A Tupelo man is arrested for allegedly forging a check

Tupelo Police were advised on a False Pretense case on February 9th. 

TUPELO,Miss. (WCBI)- A Tupelo man is arrested for allegedly forging a check. Tupelo Police were advised on a False Pretense case on February 9. A victim told officers that 48-year-old Michael Chad May reportedly forged a check and attempted to cash it at a bank. The bank refused the process and reported it to Tupelo Police. A warrant was later…

A local college kicks off Women’s History Month on the right note

The Mississippi University for Women started Women's History Month with a little bit of music

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The Mississippi University for Women started Women’s History Month with music. MUW, the first public college for women in Mississippi, held its’ 6th annual Music by Women’s Festival. Fifteen concerts were presented to the public; performers from eight universities showcased vocal or instrumental tunes composed by women over the years. “The enthusiasm is overwhelming just to network…

Columbus mayor plans to help make improvements within the city’s police department

Columbus Police Department employees received invitations to complete a survey from the mayor

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Columbus Police Department employees received invitations to complete a survey from the mayor. Mayor Keith Gaskin said his plan for the information is to help make the police department stronger to serve the community. He felt the best way to start that process was to get feedback from officers, then take that input to the chief. Gaskin…

Columbus municipal school district launches pastors on patrol

The program is designed to prevent violence and increase student retention.

COLUMBUS,Miss. (WCBI)- Columbus city and school leaders are working to bridge the gap in the community. The program is designed to prevent violence and increase student retention. That’s right, it’s all apart of their new initiative, Pastors on Patrol. Council members with the Columbus Municipal School District says this is one way to connect with families. ” Any identifying needs…

Laundry love ladies help community members one load at a time

STARKVILLE,Miss. (WCBI)- Loving people, one load at a time. That’s the mission of a group in Starkville. It’s called Laundry Love Ladies. The group’s organizers say it’s become a safe place to learn, grow, and find a little help along the way. A load of laundry…bible study…and a group of women sharing their journey. ” You have to do it,…

Doctor and Webster Co. Sheriff’s Department provide trauma kits, crisis response training for local schools

MABEN, Miss. (WCBI) – Dr. Craig Moffett of the Maben Medical Clinic and the Webster County Sheriff’s Department delivered trauma medical kits to East Webster High School and East Webster Elementary School on February 21. The kits included a tourniquet, compression bandages, medical gloves and gauze and are intended to help keep someone from bleeding to death. “This small, inexpensive…

Calhoun company gets grant to connect customers with high speed internet

Grant is part of an effort by the U.S. government to close the digital divide

CALHOUN COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – As general manager of Bruce Telephone Company, Jay Vanlandingham knows the importance of making the latest technology available to customers.  Last spring, BTC was given the go ahead to offer high speed internet service.  But building the infrastructure for broadband service can be costly. A government grant will help offset much of that cost. “It’s…

Lafayette Co. man accused of recording people using the restroom

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lafayette County man is accused of dumb use of his smartphone. Oxford Police were called to a business on University Avenue for a report of a man attempting to use his phone to record people in a restroom. An investigation led officers to Jaxon Parker. Parker is charged with Secretly Photographing for Lewd Purposes. His…

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…