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Local News

Super bulldog weekend is back in Starkville

A nearly empty cotton district during super bulldog weekend in Starkville isn't the scene that most folks are used to
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)-  A nearly empty cotton district during Super Bulldog Weekend in Starkville isn’t the scene that most folks are used to. Tyler Klaas, owner of Boardtown Pizza and Pints, said crowds are usually shoulder to shoulder. “Got the cotton district arts festival kind of plays into it, great weather and it’s just more people in town than you…

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Featured, Local News

Retired banker is proof that honesty is the best policy

One decision as a teenager changed the trajectory of a man's life and his family's future
Allie Martin,

FULTON , MISS. (WCBI) – We have all heard the saying, ‘Honesty is the best policy.”  For one retired banker, that saying proved to be pivotal when he did the right thing as a teenager. As Billy Bolton was at the ribbon cutting for Community Spirit Bank of Fulton, he couldn’t help but think back to a time, when as…

E 911
Featured, Local News

Oktibbeha coounty 911 telecommunicators awarded at banquet

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s the first voice you hear during an emergency call: the 911 operator. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week highlights the critical work of dispatchers and operators. And their efforts don’t go unnoticed. When you dial 911, you’re connected to an emergency dispatcher within seconds. From start to finish,they’re the ones to assist in a time of…

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Local News

Egg prices are cracking nearly four dollars at some stores

Although prices have risen, shoppers are still buying
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- People may be paying a little more for those Easter eggs this year, and it seems to be a supply and demand problem. Sunflower store manager John Kemp has dealt with shortages and price increases throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic. Kemp said the price of eggs is up nearly 40%, meaning customers will be paying about two…

Fields
Local News

Recent storms keeping farmers from preparing for planting

Eric Lampkin,

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI ) – They say April showers bring May flowers, but that’s not the case for Fall soybeans and cotton. Those weekly storms that have been blowing across North Mississippi are keeping farmers from preparing their fields for planting. The soggy conditions make it difficult to get machinery in the fields, and they damage the soil structure….

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Featured, Local News

Church members counting their blessings after lightning strike sparks fire

Church would have been full, but services cancelled due to threat of severe weather
Allie Martin,

AMORY, MISS. (WCBI) – A lightning strike during Wednesday night’s storms is being blamed for a fire at a Monroe County Church. The fire caused some damage to the church building, but the pastor and congregation are counting their blessings and preparing for Easter Sunday. Lightning struck Amory’s First Assembly of God around 7 20 Wednesday evening. “One of the…

Golden Deeds
Local News

Columbus Exchange Club recognized winner of Golden Deeds Awards

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Exchange Club recognizes this year’s winner of the Book of Golden Deeds Award. Doctor Josie Shumake is the 49th recipient of the award that showcases a person’s ability to selflessly serve his or her community. Doctor Shumake is a Lee High School graduate, a Mississippi State University, and a PHD graduate from the University…

4 County Poles
Local News

4-County fixed 20 poles broken between Lowndes and Noxubee Counties

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) ) – Work started early this morning to repair a number of broken poles in the 4-County Electric Power Association territory. The utility believes about 20 poles were broken in Lowndes and Noxubee Counties, from Artesia to Brooksville. There were also some broken poles in the Mashulaville area. It took most of the day to make…

Safety Day
Local News

Chickasaw County students meet first responders and community members

Joey Barnes,

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – First responders play a vital role in our community. Thursday, students in Chickasaw County meet those people with life-saving missions. The annual Chickasaw Safety Day was held at the Chickasaw Agri-Center Thursday. 250 Fifth graders talked to law enforcement, firefighters, and others about their jobs. 11 different speakers gave lessons on various topics, including electric…

Al Damage
Local News

Alabama experienced damage during Wednesday’s storm

Joey Barnes,

GREENE COUNTY, Ala.  (WCBI) – Just to the south of Aliceville in Greene County, Alabama storms damage several homes. Trees and powerlines came down in Eutaw. People took shelter in their homes as the high winds went overhead. Five or six homes and cars were damaged in the storm. Categories: Local News

Mema
Local News, State News

MEMA has released preliminary report from Wednesday’s storms

Mary Carroll Sullivan,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency releases some very preliminary numbers from Wednesday night’s storms. So far, 12 counties in the state are reporting damage. Three injuries were reported in Tippah County. These are very preliminary numbers and they will grow over the coming days. MEMA encourages people with home damage to use the agency’s self-report tool. The…

Pup Trees
Featured, Local News

Storms bring down trees across Winston County, blocking roads, crashing onto homes

Joey Barnes,

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Wednesday night’s storms caused extensive damage throughout Winston County, with first responders working through the night to cut a path through all the trees that were blocking roads or on top of houses. “We could see there was a lot of damage,” says Louisville resident Renee Jones. “And I never dreamed about us coming home and…

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Local News, News Team

Winston Plywood hosts a community food drive

Joey Barnes,

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Winston Plywood stepped away from the factory and into the community for a food drive Wednesday. The rotary club and Vowels grocery partnered with Winston Plywood to supply food to people in need. Winston Plywood is no stranger to giving back to its community. At the beginning of the pandemic, the company created a “giving box” where…

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Featured, Local News

Itawamba Community College gets top honors in the state

WalletHub names ICC best two year school in the state, four years in a row
Allie Martin,

FULTON, MISS. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi-based community college has been named the best in the state, for the fourth year in a row. “We are blessed with a great set of faculty that really pride themselves on quality instruction in the classroom,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. Dr. Allen says being named the top community college in Mississippi…

Swear
Local News

Brooksville welcomes first police chief in 8 years

Ansley Perkins,

BROOKSVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – After 8 years without a police chief, the town of Brooksville has filled the post. Virginia Rich has had high-profile positions in a few area departments. Now, she’ll be leading one of her own. I went to Brooksville today to talk with Chief Virginia Rich and she says that moving to a small town will be…

Tupelo Award
Local News

Local business leader honored with Red Raspberry Humanitarian Award

Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A longtime business and civic leader and his wife are recognized for their efforts in promoting and supporting a nonprofit that provides a variety of services to thousands every year, free of charge. Ted and Lynn Moll were named recipients of this year’s “Red Raspberry Humanitarian Award.” That honor was given at the eighth annual awards…

Msu Reasearch
Local News

MSU host first Research Week showcasing student, faculty, and staff work

Eric Lampkin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University is showing off the work being done by its students, faculty, and staff. The university is hosting its first Research Week. All this week, exhibits from MSU research centers, institutes, support units, and academic departments are on display on the first floor of the Old Main Academic Center. Select research centers are also…

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Local News, News Team

EMCC offering summer tuition assistance of $500

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Some students at EMCC can earn up to $500 in tuition assistance this summer. Students living in Mississippi and enrolled in at least six credit hours this summer will be eligible for the assistance, including the Maymester. An additional $100 discount will be offered for the June term and another $100 for Sooba Residence Hall expenses…

Umpire Concern2
Featured, Local News

How violent parents are driving away youth umpires across Mississippi

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An incident Saturday night is getting national attention after an angry parent was arrested for punching an umpire at a Mississippi 12-year-old softball game. According to WLBT, umpire Kristi Moore was left with a black eye and bruises after 32-year-old Kiara Thomas allegedly punched her in the face. Moore says Thomas was removed from the game…

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Featured, Local News

Tupelo’s new fire chief talks about goals going forward

Chief Kelly Elliott is no stranger to the area
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Tupelo’s new fire chief is settling into his new role and visiting with firefighters, city leaders, and senior staff. Tupelo Fire Chief Kelly Elliott spent part of his Tuesday morning, talking with firefighters and checking the trucks at Station One. Chief Elliott has been on the job one week, but he worked at the Tupelo Fire…