Teacher Pay Pic
Featured, Local News

Columbus Municipal School District: House bill for teacher pay is major step for the future of Mississippi education

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Municipal School District administrators are praising the passage of the Mississippi House of Representatives bill that would increase teacher pay. House Bill 530 would create the “Strategically Accelerating the Recruitment and Retention of Teachers (START) Act” designed to raise teacher salaries statewide. Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent Dr. Cherie Labat calls it a much-needed step…

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Local News

Deputies test breathalyzing at local bar happy hour

The two entities got deputies trained with the breathalyzers over at Zachary's
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Lowndes County officials and residents are taking a step in trying to keep the community safer. Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department received a grant through 4- County Electric Power Association to get more breathalyzer tests for deputies. The two entities got deputies trained with the breathalyzers over at Zachary’s; for people to know how much alcohol is too much…

Msu Covid Test
Local News

MSU gives students and employees free COVID-19 tests

Ansley Perkins,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University held a testing site on campus for their students and employees. MSU’s classes start back on January 18th and they are trying to avoid the spread of COVID-19. The testing site is available on January 13 and 14th outside of the Newell-Grissom building on MSU’s campus. Medical officials on campus say they are…

crime
Crime, Local News

Cason Water and Monroe Co. Sheriff’s Dept. searching for theft

Ansley Perkins,

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Cason Water and the Monroe County Sheriff’s office are searching for the suspect involved in stealing equipment. The Clay Hill facility was broken into last night. The theft got away with a catalytic converter, and all tools and equipment were taken from there shop. Cason Water wants customers to know that the water was not…

Muw Construction
Local News

MUW cooking up construction on new culinary department

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Almost three decades after being the first school in Mississippi with a bachelor of science degree program in culinary, Mississippi University of Women expands its kitchen. The W will relocate its culinary department from Shattuck Hall to a new 40,000 square foot facility. The department will have multiple kitchens and state-of-the-art equipment. The new site will…

Mlk
Local News

Noxubee County Martin Luther King Jr. ceremony cancelled

Joey Barnes,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Noxubee County will not have a Martin Luther King Jr. ceremony this year. As the number of COVID-19 cases climbed, the Noxubee County branch of the NAACP decided to cancel the annual memorial service. The parade was also canceled this year. The group says these decisions were made to help keep the community safe and…

Cajmion Johnson
Crime, Local News

Tupelo beauty supply robbery suspect denied bond

Eric Lampkin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A robbery suspect in Tupelo won’t be going anywhere any time soon. A Tupelo Municipal Court Judge has denied bond for 18-year-old Cajmion Johnson. Johnson is accused of robbing Nabor Beauty Supply on South Gloster Street in Tupelo Wednesday night. Working on a tip from an area resident Police located Johnson at the Town House Motel…

Eupora Fire
Local News

Firefighters investigating morning house fire in Eupora

Joey Barnes,

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – Firefighters are still investigating a morning house fire in Eupora. The blaze happened about 8 AM in the 1,300 block of Adams Avenue. Firemen saw smoke coming from the roof when they arrived. They say the unique brick structure of the house home held in heat, making it hard to extinguish. The owner was not home…

Winteralert
Featured, Local News, Weather

Winter storm on the way

Isaac Williams,

SUMMARY: After a mild and dry Friday, rain will begin to move by Saturday afternoon. A powerful area of low pressure will move through the south Saturday night and Sunday, drawing in cold air and changing the rain to snow for many locations during the day Sunday. Accumulating snow looks likely for much of the area! Any snow will melt…

Harveys Story Pic
Featured, Local News

Some Golden Triangle restaurants using temporary shutdowns to relieve overworked employees during Omicron surge

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – While tables are full at restaurants like Harvey’s in Columbus, it’s a different story in the kitchen. “We’ve definitely felt staffing shortages,” Eat With Us Group Sales and Marketing Director Jordan Tarter says. “We’ve had to shut down a couple of stores every once in a while just so we could give our team a break,…

Img 3109
Featured, Local News

Professionals “ignite” their leadership skills during conference

The Ignite Conference featured a former Navy Seal and an Olympic Gold Medalist
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – An Olympic gold medalist, a former Navy Seal commander, and a best selling author shared the stage during a leadership conference in Tupelo. It didn’t take long before former Navy Seal Commander Rorke Denver had some audience participation in his presentation. Denver was one of three speakers at this year’s “IGNITE” conference, organized by   Tupelo’s Community…

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Featured, Local News

Rural hospitals face pandemic woes as Covid-19 cases surge

Joey Barnes,

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s still unknown of the long-term effects of the Omicron surge towards healthcare are. But the short-term prognosis is bleak. COVID-19 cases are once again slamming rural medical facilities, leaving many with stretched resources for treating severely ill patients. People are becoming infected at staggering rates. And the availability of critical care is narrowing. Health professionals…

Fire
Local News

United Way asks donors to give clothes in good condition

Ansley Perkins,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An apartment complex in Columbus caught on fire last week across from Lee park. Members of the United Way are welcoming the community to donate clothes to the fire victims. Members ask that anyone who plans on donating to please make sure the clothes are washed and also be sure that the clothes are the appropriate…

Virtual Learning
Local News

School decides to learn remotely after rise in COVID numbers

Ansley Perkins,

LAMAR COUNTY, Ala. (WCBI) -Lamar county schools have decided to switch to at home learning starting from last Thursday until Tuesday the 18th. They decided that this was the safest plan after there was a surge of COVID-19 numbers in the area last Monday and Tuesday. Teachers prepared their students with pencil and paper packets with previous learning material that…

Loft Reno
Local News

Renovation project breathing new life into Downtown Columbus

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A project that’s breathing new life into an old hotel in Downtown Columbus is about 75% complete. The years-long renovation kicked into high gear last year and will be a mixed-use space featuring 9 retail spaces on the ground floor and 18 apartments on the upper level. With most of the structural work done, Chris Chain,…

Bw Otk
Local News

Oktibbeha Co. Humane Society honoring legendary Betty White

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Oktibbeha County Humane Society is giving you the chance to be a pet owner while honoring the legendary Betty White. The “Betty White Challenge” is viral across the internet and the U-S and now Oktibehha County Humane Society is joining in. OCHS is hosting a Betty White Challenge adoption event now through Saturday. All…

Jr Edwards
Crime, Local News

Columbus bank robbery suspect remains in jail

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus bank robbery suspect remains in jail. Police Chief Fred Shelton says J.R. Edwards was out on bond when he was arrested earlier this week. This means Edwards will stay at the Lowndes County Adult Detection Center. The attached video is from Monday morning just after the hold-up at Trustmark Bank. Shelton says Edwards was…