Religion Christian
Featured, Local News

A Starkville church hosts msu singers during Sunday worship service

The group will be in concert at First Baptist Church on February 15th.
Aundrea Self,

STARKVILLE,Miss.(WCBI)- A Starkville church is kicking off Black History Month services with a celebration of songs. Second Baptist Church hosted the Mississippi State University Singers during its worship service Sunday morning. The choir, comprised of about 53 members, performs full length concerts both on and off campus. The MSU Singers has also performed at state and regional conferences and the…

15b33d3c 40af 4983 9069 6cce7966199b
Featured, Local News

A Tupelo artist has redefined his artistic ability

He started doing canvas and salt art in high school before branching out
Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)-  When it comes to creating art; there’s no limit for Joshua Vaughn. The 21-year-old Tupelo native is a up and coming entrepreneur. He started doing canvas and salt art in high school before branching out. “I tried going outside of my lines of typical art as people would say and pretty much just doing whatever idea that…

Fires And Flames
Featured, Local News

Fire crews were up early battling a fire in Oktibbeha County

When crews got there, the structure was fully involved. 
Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- Fire crews were up early battling a fire in Oktibbeha County. Around 4:30 Saturday morning, East Oktibbeha firefighters were called to 9158 Old West Point Road. When crews got there, the structure was fully involved. East Oktibbeha along with assistance from the Bell Schoolhouse fire department were able to put out the blaze. No injuries are reported…

Pruitt Photos Pic
Featured, Local News, Top Story

Trouble and Resilience: New photo exhibit captures the complex history of race and culture in Columbus

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Thursday, the Columbus Arts Council debuted its new exhibit, “Mr. Pruitt’s Possum Town: Photographing Trouble and Resilience in the American South.” The collection of images is meant to reflect the cultural issues like family, race and religion in Columbus from the 1920s to the 1950s. “This is part of our history and maybe it will give…

For Sale
Featured, Local News

Low inventory makes it a seller’s market in the Golden Triangle

Folks are snatching up what they can while it's available.
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Imagine shopping for a new home. You find one that you want to buy. But when you go to make an offer, the property is sold. It’s the reality for most home buyers right now. Folks are snatching up what they can while it’s available. ” We have the rates, and we have the buyers. We don’t…

Ff
Local News

Dietitian gives health tips to women for National Go Red Day

Ansley Perkins,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – February 4th is National Go Red Day for Women. Women all around the country celebrate this day in honor of their health and remember why it is important to stay healthy. A healthy heart is a happy heart. Every year women celebrate Go Red Day to remind themselves and others to focus their attention on one…

Calhoun Ecd
Featured, Local News

Calhoun County celebrates economic development

CEDA annual banquet looks at recent milestones in economic development
Allie Martin,

CALHOUN COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – Calhoun County business and industry leaders will get an update on economic development in the area, during an annual meeting. The Calhoun Economic Development Association is holding its annual membership banquet this evening, and there’s a lot of excitement about the past and the future. It has been a strong year for economic development in Calhoun…

Mue
Local News

Museum receives grant from Mississippi Arts Commission

Ansley Perkins,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – A local museum has received a grant to help keep its doors open. “This museum is all about keeping the blues alive and spreading the word of the blues it’s a rich culture here in Mississippi and so many young people don’t know where they got hip hop music that they listen to every day,”…

money
Local News

Columbus engineering firm says use federal money to dream big

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Dream big…that’s one way to describe an engineering firm’s take on how Columbus can use federal money. City leaders heard from Waggoner Engineering earlier this week about its assessment for the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds. The firm broke down the needs into stormwater improvements, water and sewer improvements, and community development. This ranged…

Marshal Debate Pic
Featured, Local News, Top Story

Columbus mayor and police chief at odds over appointing city marshal to investigate violent crimes

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday, the Columbus City Council voted in executive session to table their discussion on hiring a city marshal. This was after intense debate during the public session that saw Mayor Keith Gaskin and Police Chief Fred Shelton on opposite sides of the issue. “If we’re going to put our officers out there and expose them to…

273051850 1005106560076125 8635279000210054294 N
Featured, Local News

Aberdeen begins its four day Mardi Gras celebration

Proceeds will help renovate historic buildings in Aberdeen
Allie Martin,

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – A Monroe County town is decked out in purple, green, and gold, as Mardi Gras celebrations are underway. Shelly Bowen was putting her newest merchandise on display at “The Blue Owl.”  Bowen is expecting Mardi Gras to bring big crowds to Aberdeen, and that’s always good for business. “We are looking forward to customers coming in…

Homicide Update
Featured, Local News

Three suspects charged with capital murder in Lee County case

Sheriff Jim Johnson says suspects broke in to home to steal drugs and cash
Allie Martin,

LEE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – Three people are behind bars, charged with capital murder in connection with the December shooting death of a Lee County man. 28-year-old Gavin Jeffers of West Point, 21-year-old Christopher Clayton of Fulton, and 29-year-old Shanery Hampton of Macon are charged in connection with the murder of Justin Mayfield. On December 22nd, Lee County Sheriff’s deputies…

Street Project
Featured, Local News

Columbus approved for $1 million grant to upgrade 5th Street, improve pedestrian safety

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Friday, the City of Columbus announced that they have been approved for more than one million dollars in grant money to make upgrades along 5th Street in Downtown Columbus. The Mississippi Department of Transportation grant will go towards improving pedestrian safety from 5th Avenue to 9th Avenue by adding sidewalks and walkways. City Engineer Kevin Stafford says…

Ricco Simmons
Local News

Man indicted for capital murder returned to Mississippi

Joey Barnes,

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man indicted for capital murder in Calhoun County is returned to Mississippi. Sheriff Greg Pollan says 24-year-old Ricco Simmons fled the area to Detroit, Michigan shortly after September 2020. Simmons was arrested for grand theft auto in Michigan back in 2020 and returned to Calhoun County this morning. He’s charged in connection with the…

Tyler Hannah
Local News

West Point man is arrested in connection with a Tupelo shooting

Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A West Point man is arrested in connection with a Tupelo shooting. 24-year-old Tyler Hannah is charged with attempted murder. The shooting happened early Sunday morning in the 1300 block of Mitchell Road. Tupelo police found a man at an apartment with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators believe Hannah and the victim knew each other before the…