Sal Army 1
Featured, Local News

Tupelo Salvation Army helps find warm beds for anyone who needs shelter

The area's only homeless shelter puts extra beds out and opens its Community Center during the day when the temperatures drop
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The Tupelo area’s only homeless shelter is making sure no one has to sleep outside. Isaac Smith was in the news earlier this week when he signed his letter of intent to play football at MSU. This morning, the IAHS senior was handing out blankets at the Tupelo Salvation Army. “As a child, I would always…

Frozen Sprinklers
Local News

Single-digit temperatures freeze sprinklers in downtown Columbus

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – This is what happens when the sprinklers keep going in single-digit temperatures. This area is along Main Street in downtown Columbus. The sprinklers were left on overnight and all that water froze. Most drivers took it slow through that area which was a sheet of solid ice most of the day. And the shrubs that benefit…

Power Savings
Featured, Local News

Local power company encourages customers to save energy

TVA Rolling Blackouts
Joey Barnes,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Last night 4-County electric consumers experienced power outages due to heavy wind and cold temperatures. But according to the power provider’s CEO, this morning’s outages were part of a bigger plan with the Tennessee Valley Authority to converse energy. “This has never happened in the history of 4-County, TVA needed our help. We needed to…

Senior Presents
Local News

Volunteers surprise senior citizens with Christmas gifts

Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – 300 senior citizens had a Christmas surprise, thanks to a group of Guardian Angels. The “Guardian Angels” is a ministry that provides care for the elderly population. Founder Heather Sartin enlisted the help of students from local public and private schools. The children collected items for gift baskets, such as shampoo, mouthwash, gifts, and other items….
Featured, Local News

How to keep your pets protected in cold weather

Kealy Shields,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The cold temperatures can require people to winterize their homes and find ways to keep warm. However, on cold days like these, it’s important to remember our four-legged friends and take the right steps to keep them out of the cold. It’s freezing outside, so of course, you are not going to risk your health…

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Local News

Local store owner notices new trend for family holiday menus

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Today is the Eve before Christmas Eve. And Holiday shoppers are still getting gifts under the tree and food for holiday meals. And local store owner Clint Townsend of the Columbus Sunflower Grocery Store said he noticed a few trends this holiday season. While turkey and ham are usually holiday staples, ribeye has become popular. For…

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Local News

Local plumbing company helps deal with frozen, burst pipes

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Local plumbers have had their work cut out for them today due to the low temperatures. Klutts plumbing owner Justin Klutts made a social media post telling the public to get in contact with him and his crew for helpful tips on how to manage if pipes are frozen. Several people did get frozen or burst…

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Featured, Local News

Tennessee Valley Authority institutes rolling blackouts

Joey Barnes,

NORTH MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Unprecedented cold brings unprecedented changes to the region’s power grid. The Tennessee Valley Authority ordered rolling blackouts throughout the area to reduce stress and power on its grid. This meant customers were asked to reduce power as much as possible until further notice. Postpone using large appliances, such as dishwashers and stoves. Turn down your thermostat….

Capture
Featured, Local News

Santa Claus made his stop early in Aberdeen on Thursday

Joey Barnes,

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – Santa Claus made his stop early in Aberdeen. Aberdeen native and founder of Holliday Helping Hands Katina Holliday-Wiseman flew Santa’s Sleigh in from California to bring smiles to her hometown. The husband and wife Duo started this trend of helping others in 2020. And executive director Rori Eddi Hebison said she is happy to witness the…

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Featured, Local News

Last minute shoppers are welcome sight for retailers at area’s regional mall

The Mall at Barnes Crossing sees increase in shoppers the week of Christmas
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The area’s largest mall was full of shoppers looking for those Christmas sales. At M & K Suits, Souleymeme Dia was making sure the latest dress coats, shoes, shirts, and accessories were in place for those last-minute Christmas shoppers.  He even brought in his sister from Memphis to help out. He said it’s been a busy…

Webster County Sheriff’s Office Hosts Annual Toy Drive
Local News

Webster County Sheriff’s Office hosts annual toy drive

Kealy Shields,

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. ( WCBI) – The Webster County Sheriff’s Office spread Christmas cheer Thursday with their annual toy drive. Members of the community collected and donated toys throughout the month to give out to area families. Kids were able to come by and pick out a toy and some were even able to get a new bike. Sheriff David…

Pipe Wrap Pkg
Featured, Local News

Local hardware store comes up with plan to make faucet covers

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Temperatures will dip well below freezing over the next several hours and people across the area are taking precautions to make sure their homes are protected. In particular, homeowners will want to keep their pipes from bursting. Our Desmone Mathews talked to a local hardware store that sold out of faucet covers. When he got to…

Elderly Residents Receive Goodie Baskets Through "happy Irby Fund"
Local News

Elderly residents receive goodie baskets through “Happy Irby Fund”

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Thanks to a tradition started at the Columbus Air Force Base, dozens of elderly residents are enjoying baskets full of goodies and fresh fruit. The Honor Guard delivered over 80 baskets this morning. The baskets were provided by volunteers for the “Happy Irby Fund”, named after George “Happy” Irby. He was a longtime employee of CAFB…

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Featured, Local News

Oktibbeha County EMA opens warming shelter on Lynn Lane

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A warming shelter is being opened in Starkville and volunteers are needed. The Oktibbeha County Emergency Management Agency is opening the Safe Room on Lynn Lane. It will open tonight at 8 p.m. and will stay open until 8 a.m. Friday morning. The warming shelter will reopen Friday night at 8 p.m. and close Saturday morning….

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Crime, Local News

Noxubee County deputies arrest wanted man west of Brooksville

Joey Barnes,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Noxubee County deputies capture a wanted man. Clint Earvin Sr. was arrested Wednesday evening west of Brooksville. Noxubee County Sheriff Tommy Roby said Earvin was wanted on two counts of grand larceny. The Mississippi Department of Corrections and Brooksville police were also searching for Earvin. Law enforcement had been looking for him for about two…

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Crime, State News

Suspect dies after police respond to call at Walmart in Richland

MorrisAdmin,

RICHLAND, Miss. (WLBT) – A suspect is dead after police responded to a Walmart in Richland where investigators say a customer pulled a gun on an employee late Wednesday evening. Officers arrived, shooting and killing the armed suspect. Police said the store was filled with people doing their Christmas and grocery shopping. There are many details we don’t know, but…

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Featured, Local News

A family comes together to renovate area in Lowndes County

MorrisAdmin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A family is coming together to revitalize a mobile home park that some say has seen better days. If you are driving up Highway 373 near Columbus Air Force Base, you may notice renovations taking place. One family has traveled from many cities to come together and restore an area of Lowndes County. Ron Luce…

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Featured, Local News

Local Baptist Student Union leader to take over statewide role

Sam Ivy will take over as collegiate director for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board in January
Allie Martin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County pastor well known for his leadership with the Baptist Student Union will soon be over collegiate ministries for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. Sam Ivy remembered his first meeting as director of the Baptist Student Union at East Mississippi Community College. “Started with three students and the journey began, showed up to EMCC…