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…

Nearly 500 gymnasts enter in Tupelo cheerleading competition

The Bancorp South Arena is the sight of two competitions.

TUPELO,Miss. (WCBI)- The Tupelo hotel and restaurant had a boost in revenue. The Bancorp South Arena is the sight of two competitions. Victory Athletics hosted a cheer leading competition featuring participants from all over Mississippi as well as Alabama, Tennessee and even Louisiana. Nearly 500 gymnasts are involved in a meet. The owner says with parents and other spectators there…

Investigation underway after car crashes inside Jalisco mexican grill

Debris and broken glass covers the floor after a vehicle drove into the restaurant.

COLUMBUS,Miss. (WCBI) – Clean-up is underway at Jalisco Mexican Grill after a car crashes into the building. Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton says the driver allegedly lost control of their vehicle and drove into the restaurant just before 10 p.m. on Saturday night. “That’s just something we don’t think of really,” said Jennifer Morales. It’s like waking up from a…

Fulton theatre named in honor of local couple

Victoria and Robert Blake devote countless hours to the arts and students

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – A historic auditorium in Itawamba County has been renamed in honor of a couple who have devoted countless hours to the arts and young people. Earlier this month, Vicky Blake was busy helping the IAHS Indian Players with final dress rehearsals for their production of “High School Musical 2.” The musical was held in the…

An Aberdeen woman is dead following a two-car collision

ABERDEEN, Miss, (WCBI)- An Aberdeen woman is dead following a two-car collision. Aberdeen Police say 58-year-old Denise Miller was driving a 2019 KIA Forte. Miller was heading west on Old Highway 8 when she collided with a 2006 Nissan Armada that was traveling north on US-45. The accident happened around 1 p.m. on Friday. Miller died at the scene due…

A Columbus man shares his journey to recovery after EF-3 tornado

It's a day many people in Columbus won't forget; the moment an EF-3 tornado made landfall in the friendly city

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s a day many people in Columbus won’t forget; the moment an EF-3 tornado made landfall in the friendly city, destruction left residents without a home. The Community Recovery of Lowndes County has assisted dozens of homeowners with repairs over the years. Repairs have been completed in areas like Shady Street, Waterworks Road, and Tuscaloosa Road, but…