FASTnet expands their broadband service to hearing impaired customers in Starkville

STARKVILLE , Miss. (WCBI)- 4 County Electric Power Association’s FASTnet branch, begins broadband installation to underserved customers outside of its CARES Act pilot project areas. The first customers to receive this service is Lori and Kelly Reed of Starkville. Lori and Kelly are hearing impaired, so FASTnet believes reliable broadband internet will improve their communication and quality of life. Lori…

Nettleton fire department looks for more people to add to team 

NETTLETON,Miss. (WCBI)- The Nettleton Fire Department is looking for more people to add to their team. The department is hosting a recruitment fair on February 7th. Candidates must be 18 years or older to attend and bring a valid driver’s license without restrictions. And here are just a few of the open positions the department is looking to fill :…

A Starkville church hosts msu singers during Sunday worship service

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

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…

A Tupelo artist has redefined his artistic ability

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

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…

Fire crews were up early battling a fire in Oktibbeha County

When crews got there, the structure was fully involved. 

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…

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

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…

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

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

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…

Dietitian gives health tips to women for National Go Red Day

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 County celebrates economic development

CEDA annual banquet looks at recent milestones in economic development

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…

Museum receives grant from Mississippi Arts Commission

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,”…

Columbus engineering firm says use federal money to dream big

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…

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

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…

Aberdeen begins its four day Mardi Gras celebration

Proceeds will help renovate historic buildings in Aberdeen

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…

Three suspects charged with capital murder in Lee County case

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

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…

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

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…