Mississippi State students speak out after social media post about shooting black person

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Several Mississippi State students were upset to learn that someone claiming to be from one of the school’s fraternities made a social media post about shooting an African American male. “I don’t want to look back years from now and see my degree from Mississippi State and be like, ‘Yeah, that’s the school that had the…

Kona Ice is serving sweet treats to the Golden Triangle

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Today’s spring-like temperatures have given us spring fever. The staff here at WCBI and some of our downtown neighbors enjoyed some cool, refreshing treats from Kona Ice. The truck was parked outside our studios for several hours today, serving its popular fruity mixes – and a few new flavors. The owner says they load up and…

Amory Railroad Festival is back on track

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Apple Fritter Lovers rejoice! After being derailed by COVID for the past 2 years, the Amory Railroad Festival is back on track. Mark your calendars for April 7th through the 10th. Amory Aldermen approved the plans for the 2022 Railroad Festival at their last meeting. COVID-19 forced the cancellation of both the 2020 and 2021 editions…

Mississippi State University mask requirement in effect until further notice

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – If you’re planning a visit to the MSU campus, be sure to take your mask. Mississippi State’s COVID-19 Task Force met Monday to reevaluate the University’s mask requirement. The group decided that given the continuing Omicron surge, masks will be still be required in all University buildings. The mask requirement applies to all students, faculty, staff,…

Sex offender accused of multiple sexual offenses against a minor arrested, wanted in Lee and Webster counties

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – Wednesday, the U.S. Marshal Service arrested a registered sex offender wanted on multiple charges in both Webster and Lee counties. Keeping tabs on registered sex offenders living in their jurisdiction is something the Webster County Sheriff’s Department takes very seriously. “When Sheriff (David) Gore took office, he pulled me in his office and he told me…

Columbus leaders asked to consider city marshal position

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus leaders are being asked to consider a new position, city marshal. Multiple sources tell WCBI that a letter was drafted by the city attorney on behalf of Mayor Keith Gaskin. The letter reportedly tells the city council it will consider a city marshal position during tomorrow night’s city council meeting. That discussion is expected to…

‘Blessing Box’ donations in West Point serves a variety of people in need

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- “Take what you need; Leave what you can,” that’s the message behind the blessing box located at the First United Methodist Church in West Point. Kicked off in December and designed by church members, the donation box is stocked with everyday needs from food, hygiene, diapers, cleaning supplies, and more. Director of Family Ministries, Stacy Hays,…

Lowndes Co. Supervisors hear a progress report from the Horne Group

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County leaders are moving ahead on spending plans for the county’s share of American Rescue Plan Act money. Supervisors hear a progress report from the Horne Group today. The Board contracted with the firm to help the county determine what projects will qualify for ARPA funding and how best to get those projects done….

Mississippi hospitals need more nurses to fill multiple vacancies

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi hospitals have faced all sorts of shortages during the COVID Pandemic, but this could be the worst. The state’s hospitals need more nurses. According to a report in the Clarion Ledger, there are nearly 3,000 registered nurse vacancies statewide. And that is straining hospital staff already stressed under the pressure of the continuing pandemic. Earlier…

One man is in the hospital following a Tupelo shooting

The shooting remains under investigation. 

TUPELO,Miss. (WCBI)- Tupelo Police are investigating an early morning shooting that left one person hurt. Around 4:30 Sunday morning, Tupelo Police were called to an apartment complex at the 1300 block of Mitchell Road. Officers found a man with gunshots wounds. He was taken to the North Mississippi Medical Center ER. He’s in critical condition. The shooting remains under investigation….

Crime Stoppers provides a valuable tool for the police

Impact of Crime Stoppers seen during recent awards luncheon

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A non profit that allows citizens to provide valuable information to law enforcement agencies to fight crime is having a big impact. Every week, Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi asks the public to provide information on a felony crime. Since Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi began in the early 1990s, it has received 1,018 , resulting in…

Columbus police are looking for more officers to join their staff

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Columbus police are looking for more officers to join their staff. On Saturday they held a career day for folks that want to help their city. Columbus police do all they can to protect and serve the city, but there’s strength in numbers when it comes to doing the job and right now those numbers aren’t sufficient….

Floral shops are feeling the pinch as their busiest season approaches

If you haven't put in an order for your Valentine, now is the time

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Count Valentine’s Day as another victim of nationwide supply chain issues. Floral shops are feeling the pinch as their busiest season approaches. And that could mean trouble for the last-minute shoppers. If you haven’t put in an order for your Valentine, now is the time. Options for your sweetheart may be slim. “We have been receiving some…

Fire officials give tips to avoid house fires

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – While the weather gets colder it is important that homeowners are staying safe while staying warm. It’s cold outside. And that has people looking for ways to stay warm inside. In that search for warmth, some people are forgetting about safety. This January alone, there have already been 2 deaths related to fires caused by space…

West Point house burned to the ground for control burn

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – A house in West Point burns to the ground today, but this was no disaster. This was an opportunity for West Point firefighters to get real, hands-on practice at battling a blaze. The controlled burn was at an empty house on fifth street. Crews were able to put their equipment and strategies to the test….

VFW POST 4490 on mission to attract young veterans

Leaders of Monroe County VFW post say attracting younger members is vital to the mission

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) –  A Monroe County Veterans of Foreign Wars post is doing what it can to attract younger members. Members of VFW Post 4490 are on a mission, with two main objectives;  to recruit new members and get more younger veterans on the membership rolls. “We’ve lost our Korean War vets, there’s only a few of them left, we’ve…

Heritage Academy host Q and U wedding

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – “Q” and “U” – you always see them together. It’s like they were made for each other. Well, today at Heritage Academy, they made it official. Elementary students were cordially invited to the Wedding of Miss “Q” and Mister “U”. The wedding party and guests dressed their best as they celebrated the union of the two…

Golden Triangle churches offer donations to Mayfield, Kentucky

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Local churches in the Golden Triangle have joined together to continue the support for the residents in Mayfield, Kentucky. In December an E-F-4 tornado ripped through the town of Mayfield, taking dozens of lives and causing significant damage to the area. Those people still need help. So local churches in our area are donating supplies from…

Man found guilty in Oktibbeha County for attempted murder

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man is found guilty in Oktibbeha County for attempted murder. Jurors also found Jessie Carpenter guilty of the possession of a weapon by a convicted felon charge. Judge Lee Coleman sentenced Carpenter to 30 years in prison. Carpenter shot someone in December 2019 on Carver Drive, in Starkville. Prosecutors say the victim was shot…