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Featured, Local News

Motivational speaker helps Houston Middle School FCA club kick off new school year

Willie Spears brought a message of true hope to the student led huddle group
Allie Martin,

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – As students return to school, they are also returning to extracurricular clubs.  The Fellowship of Christian Athletes group at Houston Middle School started back with regular meetings and they brought in a special guest to kick it all off. For twenty minutes, Willie Spears, a former coach, teacher, and administrator talked to Houston Middle School FCA…

Truck Caught On Fire Due To Electrical Issue, No Injuries Reported
Local News

Truck caught on fire due to electrical issues, no injuries reported

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A vehicle fire on Highway 82 near the Communiversity and the GTR airport exit could have been worst for a truck driver hauling a load. A man headed east attempted to extinguish this truck when black smoke erupted. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department says it was an electrical issue. The truck looks were heavily damaged…

International Paper Is Celebrating Forty Years In Lowndes County
Local News

International Paper is celebrating forty years in Lowndes County

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It was a celebration forty years in the making. The staff of International Paper is celebrating forty years in Lowndes County. International’s Columbus Mill opened in 1982. It was originally operated by Weyerhaeuser and joined the International family in 2016. The mill produces fluff, paper grade, and specialty products that are shipped to manufacturers around the…

Msu Entrance Pic
Crime, Featured, Local News

Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Dept. and Highway Patrol brace for more drunk drivers leading up to Labor Day

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department and Mississippi Highway Patrol are among the local law enforcement agencies taking part in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over initiative. Running from August 17 to September 5, the annual campaign gives law enforcement the money to put more officers on the roads to curtail the historically high drunk driving…

4 County
Local News

Getting connected to internet with FASTnet in rural areas

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) –After nearly two years of providing broadband internet, 4 County FASTnet is expanding its service area. During the pandemic, virtual forms of communication became the country’s lifeline and fast, reliable internet moved from being a luxury to a necessity for many. 4 County, with help from the Cares Act, began running broadband internet to rural parts…

Pontotoc Suspects
Crime, Local News

Pontotoc police are looking for two men allegedly cashing fake checks

MorrisAdmin,

PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) – Pontotoc police are looking for two men they say were cashing fake payroll checks. Pontotoc police say on August 11th the two suspects were using another business’s name to try and cash counterfeit payroll checks. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers. Crimestoppers is offering up to $1,000 in tips that leads to an arrest….

Jatavis
Crime, Local News

Prosecution continues its case in a Columbus murder trial

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The prosecution continues its case in a Columbus murder trial. Retired Columbus Police Department Investigator Eric Lewis took the stand this morning in the trial of Jatavis Williams. Williams is accused of shooting and killing Tarcari Walker in November of 2020. Lewis was one of the investigators who worked that shooting. Tarcari Walker was shot…

Cpd Chief
Featured, Local News

City leaders want next police chief to bring stability and staying power to Columbus Police Department

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin says the city has received over 20 applications so far for the city’s open position of chief of police. The mayor says they published the job opening Friday, just a few days after finalizing the 10-person search committee in charge of finding the best possible candidate. Mayor Gaskin says he believes there…

Img 7569
Featured, Local News

Calhoun County schools will soon have armed, School Resource Officers

The district and sheriff's department will split the cost of the three deputies
Allie Martin,

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Calhoun County schools will soon have armed, school resource officers patrolling the hallways.  It’s part of a partnership between the school district and the sheriff’s department, to make sure students and teachers are protected from any threat. Three School Resource Officers will be assigned to schools in Bruce, Vardaman, and Calhoun City.  It’s the result…

Jatavis
Crime, Local News

Murder trial continues in Columbus

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Testimony begins today in a Columbus murder trial. Prosecutors called experts and investigators to the stand Tuesday. Jatavis Williams is charged with murder. He’s accused of shooting and killing 24-year-old Tarcari Walker in November 2020. The gunfire happened near the intersection of 22nd Street and 7th Avenue. Investigators believe Walker was shot in the street and…

Trip Hairston
Local News

Lowndes County Board of Supervisor President discusses county projects

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Even with rising prices and inflation, Lowndes County is in pretty good shape. Trip Hairston, President of the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors, briefed area business and community leaders on county projects and finances. Overall, the county’s financial health is good. The debt level is around 3 percent, which is well below the 15 percent…

Jamarcus Lewis
Crime, Local News

Police chase leads to multiple charges for Louisville man

Joey Barnes,

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A police chase leads to a slew of charges for a man in Lousiville. Jamarcus Lewis bond is set at $30,000 following an arrest from Louisville Police. Lewis is charged with Felony Fleeing, Resisting Arrest, DUI Refusal, Open Container, Driving While License Suspended, No Insurance, Speeding, Reckless Driving, No Seatbelt, and Disobeying a Traffic Device. Categories:…

Maroon Band
Local News

Famous Maroon Band prepares to entertain fans

Famous Maroon Band prepares to entertain fans
MorrisAdmin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The Famous Maroon Band is gearing up for game days with up to five different shows they’ll showcase on the field. “I think that first game day is going to be electrifying,” said senior drum major, Kaz Shumpert. It’s Kaz Shumpert’s fourth year as part of the Famous Maroon Band. “I came in as a transfer from…

Rape Charges
Crime, Featured, Local News

West Point man accused of serial rape after police charge him in second 2003 cold case

Joey Barnes,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – West Point Police have charged a suspect with a second rape connected with another cold case from 2003. During a press conference Wednesday at 12 p.m., Detective Ramirez Ivy and Assistant District Attorney Trina Davidson Brooks announced that 55-year-old Frederick Gandy is charged with another count of rape. “We didn’t make this discovery until we…

Drug Bust
Crime, Local News

Clay County Sheriff’s Department makes drug arrest in unrelated cases

Eric Lampkin,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office makes a pair of drug arrests in unrelated cases. Sheriff Eddie Scott says narcotics agents in his department found about 15 grams of Methamphetamine when they arrested 60 year old David Dewayne Poss of Prairie. Poss is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia. He has been released…

Alan Young
Crime, Local News

Itawamba Co. deputies made a arrest in a child sex crime investigation

Joey Barnes,

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Itawamba County deputies made an arrest in a child sex crime investigation. 31-year-old Alan Young is charged with molestation. Investigators say his arrest happened on August 9th but the information was released this morning. Itawamba County deputies and child protective services made the arrest. No details were released by the sheriff’s department about the case….

Jatavis
Crime, Local News

Jury selection began Monday in a Columbus murder trial

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Jury selection began Monday morning in a Columbus murder trial. Jatavis Williams was indicted for murder. He’s accused of shooting and killing 24-year-old Tarcari Walker. The gunfire happened near the intersection of 22nd Street and 7th Avenue North on November 9, 2020. Investigators believe Walker was shot in the street and ran onto the front porch…

Doctors
Featured, Local News

Louisville is kicking off the school semester with a celebration

MorrisAdmin,

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) -Classes are back in session and one group in Louisville is kicking off the semester with a celebration. On Saturday, The Friends of Dean Park and Louisville High School partnered to host a Back School Celebration. One important message for students is —You can do whatever you put your mind to no matter where you are from….

Img 7108
Featured, Local News

Local evangelist takes part in mission trip to bring hope to Uvalde, Texas

USA Youth Outreach conducted sports camps for youngsters in the town, shattered by a mass murder at an elementary school in May
Allie Martin,

MONROE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – It has been nearly three months since the tragic mass murder at a public school in Uvalde , Texas that left 19 children and two adults dead. Recently, a local evangelist spent a week in the tiny Texas town as part of a mission trip to bring a listening ear, and hope to the grieving…