Attorney Richard Schwartz opens new office in Tupelo

Well known personal injury lawyer says it will take some time to clear backlog of court cases

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A well-known Mississippi attorney says it will take some time to clear a backlog of cases in the court system statewide. Richard Schwartz and Associates cut the ribbon on their new offices in Tupelo.  The offices are located in Fairpark West, a new office building developed in the Fairpark District. Schwartz, whose firm handles personal injury…

Charges upgraded in Columbus homicide investigation

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Charges are upgraded in a Columbus homicide investigation and the suspect is denied bond. 45-year-old James Overstreet is now charged with murder and aggravated assault. He was denied bond this morning in court. Overstreet remains in the Lowndes County jail. Investigators say there was a fight outside of Legends bar on Sunday night. Officers were called…

EMCC host Black History Month celebration program

EMCC, Miss. (WCBI) – East Mississippi Community College is carrying the tradition of building brighter futures by recognizing the heroic efforts of years past. Wednesday EMCC hosted a Black History Month celebration program. The event featured musical performances and guest speakers. Dr. Dantwan Smith, a cardiology fellow at the University of Mississippi Medical Center was a guest speaker and talks…

Columbus City Council approves money for new street signs

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Those purchases you’ve been making online could soon be a sign. The Columbus city council approves using internet sales tax money to buy new street signs. 20,000 dollars worth of damaged and worn signs will be replaced. Internet sales tax can be used for street improvements. No word on when the replacement will begin.   Categories:…

Florists say they stay busy even after Valentine’s Day

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Valentine’s Day is over but a florist’s job is never done In the days after Valentine’s Day, it’s not unusual to see bare shelves at your local florist. Even though the rush is over, Wanda Baldwin at Noweta’s Green Thumb in Columbus says there’s still plenty of work to do. “We have a steady business always…

West Point teen arrested for brandishing gun during high school fight

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A 19-year-old is facing a felony charge after pulling out a gun during a fight outside New Hope High School. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins acknowledges that things could’ve gone from bad to so much worse when 19-year-old Perry Marrow allegedly reached for his weapon during an incident after a high school basketball game on February…

Bruce residents to decide fate of beer and light wine referendum

If approved, beer and light wine could be sold inside the town limits

BRUCE, MISS. (WCBI) – Voters in one Calhoun County town will soon get to decide whether or not beer and light wine will be sold in convenience stores and restaurants. Bruce is known as the town where money grows in trees, because of the Weyerhaeuser Lumber Mill.  But Mayor Rudy Pope says the town is losing out on potential tax money…

The State of Mississippi is under a Red Flag Notice

Chickasaw County, Miss (WCBI) – The National Weather Service put Mississippi under a Red Flag Notice as of this morning. Outdoor burning is discouraged due to the extremely dry conditions. Firefighters, especially in rural areas have been busy putting out blazes that have gotten out of control “It was just something that turned into a simple gonna burn some leaves…

Experts want to see two realms improve during Black History Month

NORTH, Miss. (WCBI)- We’re halfway through Black History Month and so far plenty of light has been shed on many folks in communities; however these days Black History month isn’t only about history. People are trying to spread awareness and information to help the African American community today. Mental health and financial literacy are just two areas that experts and community…

Lowndes County supervisors honor a long-time firefighter

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County supervisors honor a long-time firefighter that passed away. County leaders passed a resolution this morning to remember Wayne Doyle. He was a volunteer firefighter for 40 years. The Lowndes County native was also the District 3 Fire Chief. Doyle recently passed away after a battle with COVID-19. Categories: Local News

County Road Manager Ronnie Burns retiring after 27 years of service

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County Supervisors have just a few months to replace a department head with decades of experience. After 27 years with the Road Department and over a decade as County Road Manager, Ronnie Burns is retiring. Supervisors accepted his letter of retirement at today’s meeting. Board President Trip Hairston praised Burns’ dedication to the job…

Main Street in Starkville could be in for a makeover

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Main Street in Starkville could be in for a makeover. The Board of Aldermen is considering a proposal for a redesign and redevelopment plan for the busy thoroughfare. The design firm Kimley-Horn Associates is presenting a proposal tonight for the changes. The redesign would include adding shade structures and extra lighting. It would also include widening…

City Councilman Pierre Beard charges dismissed

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Charges against Ward 4 City Councilman Pierre Beard are dismissed. Beard had an appearance in Lowndes County Justice Court Tuesday afternoon. He was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. The alleged victim and the officer that wrote the report did not show up at court today. That’s when Judge Ron Cooke dismissed the charges with prejudice. You…

Turf going down on Cornerstone Sports Complex fields

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday or Wednesday, construction crews will begin laying down the turf for the fields at the Cornerstone Sports Complex. Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill says this has been a long time coming, and the new synthetic turf is one of the key elements included in the plan for the Cornerstone Sports Complex. The complex is set to…

Florists Valentines Day success coupled with supply chain issues

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- The NFL’s Super Bowl Sunday matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals was just one day before Valentines’ Day. That Makes Monday the Super Bowl for florists everywhere. The owner of Petal Pushers, Scott Reed says the holiday is unpredictable but business has been better than expected. However, Reed says today’s success is…

MSU professor training the next generation of music teachers

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Mississippi State University professor is making music and memories with his students. Dr. Gary Packwood has been using music to bring people together for more than three decades – as a professor in university music departments and in venues across the country and all over the world. “I go to South America a lot. So…

Local chiropractors office taking donations for the Bedz 4 Kidz program

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An area healthcare provider is giving a little extra relief to their patients who show a little love for the community this Valentine’s Day. Flexx Chiropractic in Columbus uses its Patient Appreciation Day to help The Dream Center Golden Triangle’s Bedz 4 Kidz program. Flexx patients who brought in donations of pillows, blankets, or diapers today,…

Longtime Columbus business owner and SEC Official died Sunday night

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – If you’re of a certain age and lived around Columbus, you might remember Caldwell Furniture Company, and its commercials here on WCBI that always opened with a hearty “Hi, Friends I’m Bobby Caldwell”. Longtime Columbus business owner and SEC Official Bobby Caldwell died last night after an extended illness. Caldwell was raised in Columbus, graduated from…