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…

Man indicted for capital murder returned to Mississippi

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man indicted for capital murder in Calhoun County is returned to Mississippi. Sheriff Greg Pollan says 24-year-old Ricco Simmons fled the area to Detroit, Michigan shortly after September 2020. Simmons was arrested for grand theft auto in Michigan back in 2020 and returned to Calhoun County this morning. He’s charged in connection with the…

West Point man is arrested in connection with a Tupelo shooting

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A West Point man is arrested in connection with a Tupelo shooting. 24-year-old Tyler Hannah is charged with attempted murder. The shooting happened early Sunday morning in the 1300 block of Mitchell Road. Tupelo police found a man at an apartment with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators believe Hannah and the victim knew each other before the…

A local restaurant looks to celebrate its four decades of service!

Harvey's will celebrate 40 years and will have a nice treat to show its gratitude to customers.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- A local restaurant has nearly made it to four decades of serving customers. Harvey’s will celebrate 40 years on Wednesday February 2, 2022, and will have a nice treat to show its gratitude to customers. 40 years later and Harvey’s continues to serve diners a “difference they can taste.” That’s the mantra the restaurant mixes into every…

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….