More women are joining the U.S military at a steady rate

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The U.S. Military has made significant strides to build a more diverse force. One focal point is recruiting more women. Leadership and courage. These are a few of the traits needed to join the military. The call to serve continues across the country. Chief Master Sergeant Melissa Bridges has served in the Air Force since 2002. ”…

Mississippi State University participating recognizing MSU veterans and service members

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University participated in their own ceremony recognizing MSU veterans and service members. Around 100 students, including the school’s ROTC program, joined President Mark Keenum and MSU’s Center for America’s veterans at the Foster Ballroom this afternoon. The event was led by President Keenum who made remarks to remember and honor those who have served….

West Point community came together to honor veterans and active military

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – The West Point community came together today to honor our nation’s veterans and active military. An honorary ceremony took place at City Hall this morning. Chaplain Terry Partin led the key address at today’s event. Partin tells WCBI the importance of holding events like this each year. “It is very important. If we forget those…

4-County Electric Power Association’s now has 2,000 Fastnet customers

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Rural internet continues to grow rapidly in the region. 4-County Electric Power Association’s Fastnet internet service now has 2,000 customers. The utility started connecting its first customers in December 2020. Six million dollars from the state and seven million from the electric cooperative laid the infrastructure needed for the new company to move forward. Service…

Second arrest made in Oktibbeha Co. armed robbery and shooting investigation

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A second arrest is made in an Oktibbeha County armed robbery and shooting investigation. Marquez Williams turned himself in on Wednesday. Williams is charged with accessory after the fact to armed robbery and accessory after the fact to aggravated assault. The shooting happened on October 28th on County Lake Road. The victim had non-life-threatening injuries….

Kemper County head football coach charged with sexual battery

KEMPER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Kemper County head football coach is charged with sexual battery. 33-year-old Ray Westerfield was arrested yesterday. Kemper County Sheriff James Moore tells our state-wide media partner WTOK that the alleged actions involve a student. Bond was set at 25 thousand dollars. Westerfield was hired in 2020.

Investigators released the name of man killed in Macon accident

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – Investigators have released the name of the man killed in a Macon hit-and-run accident. Tommie James Shelton was found lying on the side of Highway 45, near Trailboss Trailers, about 7 AM. Macon Police Chief Davine Beck tells WCBI he believes a southbound 18-wheeler hit the man and kept driving. No information is available about what…

Three people have been arrested after an east Columbus shootout

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Three people have been arrested after an east Columbus shootout that left two people injured. 17-year-old Antonio Roland, 19-year-old Christopher Denman, and 21-year-old Jessie Walker are all charged with aggravated assault. The three young men remain in the Lowndes County jail. Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton says a car, with several people inside, drove up to…

East Columbus shooting sends 2 to the hospital

Columbus Police investigating Wednesday night shooting that left 2 injured

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Gunfire erupted in an East Columbus neighborhood Wednesday night. Columbus Police were called to a reported shooting in the area of the intersection of Cypress and Beech Streets in East Columbus around 7:40 PM. Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton tells WCBI that 2 people were injured in a shooting in that area. The victims were taken…

Noxubee County Circuit Clerk responds to landlord’s lawsuit

Circuit Clerk Freda Phillips issues statement regarding L.C. Box's lawsuit

MACON, Miss. : Nov 10, 2021 STATEMENT OF FREDA PHILLIPS IN RESPONSE TO CLAIMS MADE BY LC BOX First let me say that my role as Noxubee County Circuit Clerk is one that I greatly value, respect and honor. A high level of trust is placed in me by the citizens, the court and electoral systems, the State of Mississippi…

New Starkville Oktibbeha school calendar has more breaks for students and teachers, more options for different learning needs

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday, the board for the Starkville Oktibbeha County School District voted to adopt a new non-traditional calendar for the 2022-23 school year and beyond. Starting July 26, 2022 and ending June 1, 2023 during the first run, the new academic calendar is designed to provide more breaks for students and teachers as well as help address…

A popular arts festival will return to Tupelo this spring

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A popular arts festival will return to Tupelo this spring, with some new twists. The Gumtree Art and Wine Festival will take place on Mother’s Day weekend. Along with the usual attractions, like artists selling their work, there will be many new attractions. Those new attractions include a chalk art contest, a free block party that…

A popular Disney movie is coming to life in North Mississippi

New Albany Middle School students present 'Frozen Jr.'

NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WCBI) – A popular Disney movie comes to life in North Mississippi. It has taken four weeks and a lot of hard work, but the auditorium of New Albany High School has been transformed into the kingdom of Arendelle. Matthew Darling is choir director and theatre director at the School. He is also directing this production of…

A federal lawsuit against the city of Columbus has been dismissed

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A federal lawsuit against the city of Columbus has been dismissed. “Golden Glow Tanning Salon” sued the city after councilmen approved an ordinance shutting down tanning salons because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance went into effect on March 21, 2020, and ended a few weeks later on May 9th. The lawsuit claimed the ordinance caused…

1,000 turkeys needed for the 2021 ‘Turkey Drive’ in Lowndes County

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Local law enforcement is rounding up turkeys ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Columbus Police Department and the Lowndes Sheriff’s department plan to give away about one thousand turkeys on November 20th at the soccer complex here in Columbus. The upcoming turkey drive is especially important for senior citizens. “We have a lot of elderly that…

Webster County Health Dept. open despite Google saying it’s closed

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – You can’t believe everything you read online. That’s the message from some healthcare professionals in Webster County. If you Google the Webster County Health Department, the information shows the Health Department as “permanently closed.” The staff in Eupora wants everyone to know that that is *not* the case. The Health Department is still in business…

Lamar County man in jail facing Sexual Abuse charges

LAMAR COUNTY, Ala. (WCBI) – A Lamar County man is in jail facing Sexual Abuse charges. Kyle Wesley Williams is charged with First Degree Sexual Abuse and Production of Obscene Matter involving a person younger than 17. Williams was arrested by the 24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit. He is accused of forcibly subjecting a minor to…