Darin Scott Stanphill
Featured, Local News

A traffic stop in Itawamba leads to a drug charge

Apparently, deputies found a large quantity of methamphetamine while searching the vehicle. 
Joey Barnes,

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- A traffic stop in Itawamba leads to an drug charge. Itawamba County Sheriff Chris Dickinson pulled over Darin Scott Stanphill for careless driving in the Banner Community. Apparently, deputies found a large quantity of methamphetamine while searching the vehicle. Stanphill was arrested and charged with trafficking methamphetamines. His bond is set at $20,000. Stanphill is custody…

Old Navy
Local News

Shoppers save a little money for school supplies during tax free holiday

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippians found some relief on their bank accounts during the tax-free weekend. Checkout lines were filled with families stocking up on clothing and school supplies–and other last-minute items. If you were out shopping in the Magnolia State on Friday or Saturday, then you probably saved a good penny on your bill. Thousands hit the store during…
Local News

A local group hosts a back-to-school drive to prepare students for school

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss (WCBI) – The countdown for Lowndes County students to return to school is approaching. And a Columbus native is extending a helping hand to prepare students for the classroom. Folks gathered at the Lowndes County Boys and Girls Club for a back-to-school giveaway. Although information about the event was posted last week on social media, many parents…

Wcbi Default
Local News

Starkville community celebrated 13th annual dancing in the park event

MorrisAdmin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – People in the Starkville Community busted a move in McKee Park. It’s a part of the 13th annual Dance in the Park celebration. Kayla Gilmore, the creator of the event says she couldn’t do it without the help of the community. ” We’re here today for 13 years we are growing strong bigger and better,” said…

Early Morning Car Crash Turns Into Homicide Investigation
Local News

BREAKING: New development in Columbus homicide case

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – There are new developments  in a  Friday Homicide investigation in Columbus. Investigators now believe 55 year- old Willie Jennings was stabbed, not shot as earlier reported. The investigation into Jennings death began as an accident investigation after reports of a vehicle crash on Shannon Drive just off of Lehmberg Road around 5:45 A.M. Friday. It appeared…

Img 5739
Featured, Local News

Houston FD hosts annual Fire Academy for kids

Students are taught about fire safety and what it takes to be a firefighter
Allie Martin,

HOUSTON, MISS. (WCBI) – Kids from across Chickasaw County have spent part of their week learning about fire safety, and what it takes to be a firefighter. The Houston Fire Department hosted its annual “Fire Academy for Kids.”   The three night academy lets students learn valuable information, such as what to do in case of a house fire,  the…

0206400 00 32 06still001
Local News

Lamar County residents have a new way of getting weather alerts

Having multiple ways to get information is what WCBI's weather team always encourages
Joey Barnes,

MILLPORT, Ala. (WCBI)-  Having multiple ways to get information is what WCBI’s weather team always encourages. In Lamar County, Alabama they are doing just that. They’ve upgraded their way of warning residents because their tornado sirens were a hit and miss. “Sometimes they work sometimes they don’t and I wanted to get a system in place where everybody that wanted…

Img 32611
Local News

Attorneys in golden triangle offer services for family law matters

If applicants met qualifications, they could receive free legal advice and guidance.
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)-The 14TH Chancery Court District is helping people navigate the legal system. Attorneys from across the Golden Triangle offered services for family law matters. Dozens showed up to the in-person clinic at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse to get assistance with upcoming cases. 14th Chancery Court District Judge Paula Drungnole-Ellis said many families in North Mississippi face the same…

Idkea
Local News

FEMA plans to help fix damages after tornado hits Columbus School

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – In February 2019 a tornado came through Columbus. It destroyed homes and buildings along 20th street North and left the former Hunt School with substantial damage. The Columbus Municipal School District is working with FEMA to find ways to pay for the repairs. Years ago Hunt Intermediate School was a place for kids to learn. But…

Img 5773
Featured, Local News

Nurse practitioner juggles family, work and ‘Dancing Like the Stars’

Meagan Cherry is one of the local celebrities in this year's fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Mississippi
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Local personalities from across North Mississippi are showing off their ballroom dancing skills as part of an annual event that helps kids across the area. For more than two months now, Megan Cherry has been coming from her job as a nurse practitioner in Pontotoc to the Dance Studio of Tupelo for lessons. She is one…

Img 5596
Featured, Local News

Donations being taken for teacher appreciation event in Houston

Annual teacher appreciation breakfast will provide door prizes to educators
Allie Martin,

HOUSTON, MISS. (WCBI) – School is about to start and residents in Houston have a chance to show their appreciation for teachers. The annual Teacher Appreciation Breakfast for Houston educators takes place Monday morning.  But the community is being asked to donate door prizes that will be given out during the event. The gifts can be dropped off at the…

Wcbi Default
Local News

EMCC practical nursing program received pin and graduate

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A pin and a promise to take health care into the community. Students with the practical nursing program at EMCC graduated this afternoon. The pinning ceremony was held at Lyceum AUditorium on the Golden Triangle campus. For licensed practical nursing or lpns, the pinning ceremony is a symbol of 12 months of study and work. The…

Operation Catfish
Crime, Local News

Area law enforcement and state AG’s office team for child sex crime operation

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Area law enforcement and the state Attorney General’s office team for a child sex crime operation. Thomas Shaw of Starkville is charged with possession of child sexual abuse materials. William Hill of Oakland, California is charged enticement of a minor to meet for sexual purposes. Starkville police say Shaw and Hill were both arrested in Starkville,…

Muw Graduation
Local News

MUW Summer graduates celebrate commencement

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Summer graduates at MUW wore the cap and gown Friday. There were several in-person ceremonies at Rent Auditorium and at Whitfield Hall. Graduates Friday included those in the RN program, students in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Professional Studies, and School of Education. Graduate students also received degrees at Friday’s commencement….

Richard Devin Lewis
Crime, Local News

Lamar County man accused of assaulting a senior citizen

Eric Lampkin,

SULLIGENT, Ala. (WCBI) – A Lamar County man is behind bars, accused of assaulting a senior citizen. Richard Devin Lewis is charged with felony elderly abuse and misdemeanor assault in the third degree. The charges stem from an incident last Saturday in the 4 thousand block of Highway 278 in Sulligent. According to Sulligent Police, 2 elderly males drove onto…

Columbus Homicide
Crime, Local News

Early morning car crash turns into homicide investigation

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An early morning car crash turns into a homicide investigation in east Columbus. The vehicle crashed on Shannon Avenue, just off Lehmberg Road, at about 5:45 AM. It appears the driver hit a parked car and flipped over. When emergency responders got 55-year-old Willie Jennings out of the vehicle they found he had been injured. He…

Carl Travis Jr
Crime, Local News

Man arrested for allegedly killing several kittens

Joey Barnes,

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – A gruesome video of a man allegedly killing several kittens leads to an arrest. Now, 18-year-old Carl Travis Jr. of Grenada is charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty. Oxford police received a report about the video on July 25th. Travis is accused of making a video of himself killing the kittens near an apartment complex on…

Mema
Local News, State News

MEMA Launches Individual Safe Room Program Beginning August 1, 2022

MorrisAdmin,

PEARL, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is launching the Individual Safe Room Program to help residents in disaster-prone areas build a safe room/ storm shelter from severe weather. The application process is open from August 1, 2022 – October 31, 2022. Mitigation funds from the Backwater Flooding/ Tornado Disaster (FEMA-MS-4429) will provide reimbursements to residents who build a safe room/storm shelter during…

Medical Marijuana
Local News

Local store owner plans to open medical marijuana dispensary

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s been five months since Governor Tate Reeves signed the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act into law. Hundreds of business owners and growers across the state now search for locations to start their operations. But before any sale can be made, distributors must complete a request form. The Mississippi Department of Revenue is accepting applications for Medical Cannabis…

02035mts00 00 06 11still001
Local News

More people are going in convenience stores buying lottery tickets

The Mississippi Mega Millions lottery is set at the second highest amount ever
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s not too late to go out and get yourself some lottery tickets. The Mississippi Mega Millions lottery is set at the second highest amount ever. $1.1 billion according to the website. Convenience store managers and cashiers at places like Sprint Mart are seeing an uptick in lottery ticket sales; for the people that are coming in…

Img 5272
Featured, Local News

Female auto mechanics student is breaking barriers

Allie Martin,

BOONEVILLE, MISS. (WCBI) – A female student at Northeast Mississippi Community College is proof that neither gender nor a physical handicap can stand in the way of a dream. Lillie Austin has always had an interest in anything mechanical, especially when it came to automobiles. “I love old cars, so I wanted to learn about it,” Austin said. And that’s…

Tax Free Weekend
Local News, State News

Mississippi Tax Free Weekend will include school supplies

MorrisAdmin,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – You can do your back-to-school shopping this weekend – and save some money. Mississippi’s sales tax holiday begins Friday. Items that will be exempt from the 7% sales tax include clothing, shoes, and school supplies under $100 per item. Items like jewelry, handbags, and electronics are not a part of the tax-free deal. The state’s sales tax…