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Local News

Mississippi State University students react to optional mask wearing

The announcement was based on the school's COVID-19 task force recommendation
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi State University announced Friday, February 25, 2022 that the university will now make masks optional for folks on campus. The announcement was based on the school’s COVID-19 task force recommendation. The Mississippi State campus was filled with students earlier, some were still erring on the side of the caution; while others were welcoming the opportunity to…

Rhonda Pic For Web
Local News

Law officer made history and continues to make an impact

MorrisAdmin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Rhonda Sanders has devoted almost three decades to law enforcement. Sanders says she did not know she was making history as the first Black female officer for the Columbus Police Department when she was hired 27 years ago. She says two city council members and the mayor at the time were the driving forces behind…

Okt Fire
Local News

Oktibbeha County home goes up in flames on Kincaid Road

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An Oktibbeha County home goes up in flames Monday morning. The fire happened about 7 A.M. on Kincaid Road after neighbors saw smoke. East Oktibbeha Volunteer Firefighters found the house engulfed in flames when they arrived. Oktibbeha County Fire Coordinator Patrick Warren says no one was at home at the time of the blaze and…

Tate Reeves
Local News

Gov. Reeves takes on Chairman position for Tenn Tom Waterway Development Auth.

Eric Lampkin,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves will be taking on a new role this year. The Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority has elected Governor Reeves to serve as Chairman for 2022. The Development Authority promotes the development of the waterway and its economic and trade potential. It helps attract business development along the waterway. The Authority is made…

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Local News, News Team

Eupora PD’s fundraiser campaign leads to long term safety investments

Joey Barnes,

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI)- Eupora Police Department’s donation campaign paid off in a big way that will help officers protect themselves and the people they serve. Police Chief Lawrence Caradine began the fundraising campaign to raise about $7,000 in order to purchase new bullet-proof vests for the department. Local businesses and individual citizens in Eupora made charitable donations, providing over $15,000…
Local News, State News

State Auditor Shad White starts “Stay in the ‘Sip Fellowship”

Eric Lampkin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) –   For years Mississippi leaders have been complaining about the state’s best and brightest moving away for better opportunities. State Auditor Shad White decided to do something about that “brain drain”. White’s office is establishing the “Stay in the ‘Sip Fellowship” to attract that talent to the Auditor’s office. The fellowship pays for tuition, books, and fees…

Board Of Sups
Local News

Lowndes County road manager announcement will wait

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A new Lowndes County road manager announcement will wait. The board of supervisors tabled the decision until its next meeting. Three people who already work for the county did apply for the job. The position must also be advertised to the public. Ronnie Burns will retire in May. He has been with the road department…

Fires And Flames
Featured, Local News

Fire crews were up early battling a fire in Tupelo

No injuries are being reported at this time. 
Joey Barnes,

TUPELO,Miss. (WCBI)- A Tupelo family makes it out just in time after their home catches on fire early this morning. Tupelo firefighters were on scene for five hours before they were able to extinguish the blaze. No injuries are reported at this time. Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the blaze. Categories: Featured, Local News Tags: fire investigation, house…

Cheer Leading
Featured, Local News

Nearly 500 gymnasts enter in Tupelo cheerleading competition

The Bancorp South Arena is the sight of two competitions.
Joey Barnes,

TUPELO,Miss. (WCBI)- The Tupelo hotel and restaurant had a boost in revenue. The Bancorp South Arena is the sight of two competitions. Victory Athletics hosted a cheer leading competition featuring participants from all over Mississippi as well as Alabama, Tennessee and even Louisiana. Nearly 500 gymnasts are involved in a meet. The owner says with parents and other spectators there…

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Featured, Local News

Investigation underway after car crashes inside Jalisco mexican grill

Debris and broken glass covers the floor after a vehicle drove into the restaurant.
MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS,Miss. (WCBI) – Clean-up is underway at Jalisco Mexican Grill after a car crashes into the building. Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton says the driver allegedly lost control of their vehicle and drove into the restaurant just before 10 p.m. on Saturday night. “That’s just something we don’t think of really,” said Jennifer Morales. It’s like waking up from a…

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Featured, Local News

Fulton theatre named in honor of local couple

Victoria and Robert Blake devote countless hours to the arts and students
Allie Martin,

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – A historic auditorium in Itawamba County has been renamed in honor of a couple who have devoted countless hours to the arts and young people. Earlier this month, Vicky Blake was busy helping the IAHS Indian Players with final dress rehearsals for their production of “High School Musical 2.” The musical was held in the…

Car Crash
Featured, Local News

An Aberdeen woman is dead following a two-car collision

Joey Barnes,

ABERDEEN, Miss, (WCBI)- An Aberdeen woman is dead following a two-car collision. Aberdeen Police say 58-year-old Denise Miller was driving a 2019 KIA Forte. Miller was heading west on Old Highway 8 when she collided with a 2006 Nissan Armada that was traveling north on US-45. The accident happened around 1 p.m. on Friday. Miller died at the scene due…

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Featured, Local News

A Columbus man shares his journey to recovery after EF-3 tornado

It's a day many people in Columbus won't forget; the moment an EF-3 tornado made landfall in the friendly city
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s a day many people in Columbus won’t forget; the moment an EF-3 tornado made landfall in the friendly city, destruction left residents without a home. The Community Recovery of Lowndes County has assisted dozens of homeowners with repairs over the years. Repairs have been completed in areas like Shady Street, Waterworks Road, and Tuscaloosa Road, but…

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Featured, Local News

Starkville police department responds to controversial photo

All it takes is one push of a button for a photo to be shared dozens of times online.
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE,Miss. (WCBI)- Starkville Police spent much of the day trying to clean up after a social media post. A group photograph, posted across social platforms by the department, showed a uniformed officer making a gesture that some people view as a signal of white supremacy. And she finds city officials are urging folks to think before they post. ” Certain…

Chris
Local News

The Magnolia Independent Film Festival celebrates 25 years.

MorrisAdmin,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE (WCBI) – Mississippi’s premiere film festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The Magnolia Film Festival includes works in several different genres. “This is the first and longest film festival in the state of Mississippi and this is just a huge thing for us to be celebrating our 25th,” said Misun. 25 years of lights and cameras in action….

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Local News

Mississippi Community College Board oversees future business leaders

It was awards day for Phi Beta Lambda students on Friday
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- There is an old saying; “the youth are the hope of our future”. The Mississippi Community College Board knows that and is doing its part to start those young people down a successful path. It was awards day for Phi Beta Lambda students on Friday; that was the pay-off for three days of hard work and intense competition….