Health care officials encourage people to be cautious with rising covid case numbers

COVID-19 cases are trending upward again; fortunately, this round doesn't have as many hospitalizations

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- COVID-19 cases are trending upward again; fortunately, this round doesn’t have as many hospitalizations. Health care officials say they’ve adjusted to the new norm and are doing what they can to help keep numbers low. The staff at Allegro Plaza in Columbus saw numbers decline in June 2022, but in July 2022 they started to climb again,…

Famous Maroon Band training for the football season

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s day two of a week long band camp for the Famous Maroon Band. This year’s band is made up of 386 members. They spent most of the morning on the practice field getting their sets together for the show this fall. Last night’s rain members say put them a little behind. Their days start at…

New Executive Director of the MSMS brings new ideas

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The new Executive Director of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science brings a unique perspective to the job. Donnie Cook introduced himself to business and community leaders in Columbus, briefed them on the mission of MSMS, and shared his plans for the school’s future. Cook was among the first graduates of MSMS. Now he’s back…

Starkville Oktibbeha School managing mental health

STARKVILLE, Miss (WCBI) – Kids spend a lot of their time in schools. Now, some schools are stepping in to help those young people better manage their mental health. At the beginning of the school year, administration and students may not know each other; But, the Starkville Oktibbeha School district is using technology to open up lines of communication. The…

City of Columbus is speeding up the installation of speed bumps

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Columbus is speeding up the installation of speed bumps. Over the past few years, the traffic control features have been put in around town to slow speeders in residential areas. A new design and new materials are allowing public works crews to cut installation times in half. The older, one-piece concrete speed bumps…

Partnership Middle school adds a furry friend to the attendance

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – As the new academic year starts, schools are largely putting the virtual world of the last few years behind them. One area campus is adding an extra feature to make its physical presence more welcoming to students. The Partnership Middle School in Starkville is adding a furry faculty member to help ease kids into school. After…

Two area clinics will share in over a million dollars of federal money

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Two area clinics will share in over a million dollars of federal money coming to Mississippi. The US Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources and Services Administration is sending over $1 million in American Rescue Plan money to Mississippi. The extra funds are to help ensure better pandemic response and recovery in…

Staffing shortages force Moncrief Park pool to close over weekend

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Staffing shortages in the city of Starkville are putting a damper on some of the summer fun. A shortage of lifeguards forced the public pool at Moncrief Park to be closed over the weekend. Mayor Lynn Spruill says the shortages can be blamed on a number of reasons. She says some city employees decided not to…

Mississippi State’s traffic will be changing on Monday

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Traffic changes on Mississippi State’s campus will impact where vehicles can drive through. You’ll notice these new gates at Hardy Road and President’s circle. Starting Monday, traffic is limited in that area. Only faculty and staff with gated parking permits, SMART transit busses, and vendors with parking permits can access the roads and parking lots in…

MSMS hosts convocation to kick off the 2022-2023 school year

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The state’s brightest juniors and seniors are starting off the new year. Mississippi’s School for Mathematics and Sciences opened its convocation this morning at the Nissan Auditorium on the W campus. There are 233 students enrolled at MSMS this year. The school offers millions of dollars in scholarships each year to MSMS graduates. 121 graduates from…