1 Dead in Lowndes County shooting

Sheriff's investigators working a fatal shooting in Columbus Heights neighborhood

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Investigators with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a fatal shooting in the Columbus Heights Neighborhood. Deputies responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Kaye Drive in eastern Lowndes County, just off of South Lehmberg Road. Lowndes County Sheriif Eddie Hawkins tells WCBI when they got there, they found a…

Law enforcement agencies want to connect with their community

An increase in crime has local law enforcement examining their tactics

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- An increase in crime has local law enforcement examining their tactics. Members of the district attorney’s office met with agencies in Noxubee County to share information and brush up on procedures. “A lot of officers don’t get to testify in trial often but when they do it’s good to have that training on what to expect…

Tupelo Police Chief to retire after more than four decades of service

Chief Jackie Clayton has seen many changes during his time as a law officer

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A well-known face in law enforcement will retire at the end of this year. “I wasn’t the type of person who wanted to be a cop, or anything like that when I was a kid,” said Tupelo Police Chief Jackie Clayton. It wasn’t until Jackie Clayton went to Northeast Mississippi Community College and took law enforcement…

Partnership Middle School students greeted with Christmas favorites

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Students at Partnership Middle School were greeted with sounds of season this morning. As they rode through the carpool lane, members of the 7th grade and their teacher, Kathy Baker, played several Christmas favorites. There was even a dancing Christmas tree. She had some fancy footwork to accompany “Joy to the World”, “Oh Come All Ye…

SPD hosted an Angel Tree at department headquarters

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – “Protect and Serve”, it’s a common motto among Police Departments. Today, Starkville Police were emphasizing the “serve”. This Christmas season, the department has been helping Child Protection Services play Santa to some children in need. SPD hosted an Angel Tree at department headquarters. Residents were able to adopt “angels” from the tree, and buy gifts for…

Columbus High and Middle School Choir sang for first responders

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus High School Choir, with backing vocals from Columbus Middle Schoolers, wishes a musical Merry Christmas to Columbus’s first responders. The choir stopped by Fire Station One on 7th Street to serenade firefighters with Christmas Carols. The students wanted to do something special for the folks that help keep their city safe. Categories: Local News

Lee County man is facing several child abuse charges

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lee County man is facing several child abuse charges. One of those is considered torture. 29-year-old Jeremy Lane Williams is charged with four counts of felony child abuse and one count aggravated assault domestic violence. Lee County deputies were called to a home on County Road 506 in Shannon this past Tuesday. Williams was…

Calhoun County couple facing child neglect charges

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Calhoun County couple is facing child neglect charges. Kristan Malone and Darell Smallwood were both arrested by Calhoun County deputies. Sheriff Greg Pollan says the arrests came after a Child Protective Services investigation and drug test. The investigation is continuing. Categories: Crime, Local News

Local officials want to see youth crime rates decrease

School shootings and crime have been on the rise nationwide

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The children are the future, and to keep that future bright; kids have to be safe. School shootings and crime have been on the rise nationwide; at. Local school officials and law enforcement want to see the kids in the community succeed in all aspects of life; doing that starts with keeping youth away from violence. “Children…

Local businesses are working to prevent shoplifting incidents

People may not see them, but shoplifters are waiting to make their next move

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Grocery stores in our area are seeing an uptick in shoplifting. People may not see them, but shoplifters are waiting to make their next move. Over at Sunflower Food Store on Alabama Street in Columbus; store manager Kendrix Morris said theft is becoming a re-occurring issue for grocery markets in the community. Morris and his team are…

Revive church in Columbus gives toys to the community

The church collected money for a year to give back around Christmas to people that make positive impacts in their hometown

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- One local church had different, but meaningful Sunday service. Revive Church in Columbus held a Giving Hope service for people and families in the area. The congregation collected funds for nearly a year to buy gifts for families who have impacted the community. And the church gave away items you usually don’t find under the Christmas tree….

Columbus city leaders teamed up to buy Christmas gifts

Participants were selected from different schools in the area.

LOWNDES COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- Columbus city leaders teamed up to buy Christmas gifts. The Lowndes County Benefit Committee, Lowndes County Sheriffs Department, the city of Columbus, and Walmart partnered to host a first ever Shop with a Cop. Lieutenant Rhonda Sanders says the decision comes after there was a shipping delay for the annual bike drive. Up to 30 families were…

Weather Whys- Dew point

COLUMBUS, MISS (WCBI): Mississippi is one of the most humid places in the United States. When talking about hot summer days or severe weather, you’ll often hear a meteorologist mention ‘dew point’. But what exactly is dew point, and what is the significance of it? Meteorologist Christian Bridges breaks it down in this week’s weather whys.   Categories: Featured, Local…

Starkville store owner delivers gifts to families in the community

Dozens lined the room to receive a present.

STARKVILLE,Miss. (WCBI)- Kids in Starkville crossed a few items off their Christmas wish list. One store owner got into the giving spirit and handed out gifts to the community. ” Thank y’all have a merry Christmas,” said Ora Nickels. Giving gifts…with a smile. Nickles is the owner of Ora’s tax service. On Saturday, Nickels filled Santa’s shoes during her second…

Santa’s helpers give shoppers extra time to buy Christmas gifts

COLUMBUS,Miss. (WCBI)- Santa’s helpers are giving folks extra time to buy Christmas gifts. Businesses in downtown Columbus are keeping their doors open from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m. on Saturday. It’s apart of Moonlight Madness. Participating stores on Main Street encourage folks to come out and get those last minute deals. Categories: Featured, Local News Tags: Christmas, Columbus, columbus main…

Grant Me Hope: Dylan

December 18, 2021

Today we are meeting Dylan. The 10-year-old loves playing outside, swimming and enjoys school. He’s hoping to one day get adopted by a loving and caring family. Here’s this week’s Grant Me Hope.   Categories: Featured, MS News Tags: grantmehope

Cool to start the week, toasty by Christmas Day

SUMMARY: A cold front moving through tonight drops our high temperatures more than 20 degrees in some cases. Rain will end tonight, leaving us with clearing skies for Sunday. Clouds return for Monday, as an area of low pressure passes by to our south. We may see a few showers Monday night or Tuesday morning. We’ll finally clear out late Tuesday…

Much cooler weather on the way

SUMMARY: One more very warm December day for Saturday, before a cold front moving through tonight drops our high temperatures more than 20 degrees in some cases. Rain will end tonight, leaving us with clearing skies for Sunday. Clouds return for Monday, as an area of low pressure moves to our south. We may see a few showers Monday night…

Columbus Falcons and Sale Elementary students conclude can competition

Fledgling Falcons from Sale Elementary take on the "big guys" in a canned food drive

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) -A little friendly competition between the Columbus High School Football team and the kids at Sale Elementary School is paying off for area food banks. The kids from Sale and the Falcons had a contest to see who could collect the most canned food during the holiday season. The football team came back with 1,200. Not to…

Angels come out to make Christmas brighter in Aberdeen

Aberdeen City Hall resembled Santa's Toy Factory on Friday

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – Santa temporarily moved some of his operation South on Friday. Aberdeen City Hall looked like the North Pole toy factory, as city employees and volunteers distributed gifts from the city’s Angel Tree drive. Area residents were able to choose angels from the tree set up in City Hall. Each angel had the name of a child…

The search is underway for burglary suspect Richard Rash

Rash reportedly burglarized the 4D Grocery and Car Wash in Stewart.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- You may have seen a familiar face at your local car wash. But this customer is leaving with more than a clean vehicle. He’s helping himself to what’s behind payment boxes. The search is underway for suspected carwash bandit Richard DeWayne Rash. Sheriff Tompkins said the suspect allegedly stole a gun from a casino on December…