Andrew Emerick 2
Featured, Local News

Escaped Choctaw co. inmate has been captured in Arkansas

28-year-old Andrew Emerick was captured along with Angela Brooke Tatum without incident. 
Joey Barnes,

CHOCTAW COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- An escaped inmate, who’s been on the run since December 28th, was taken into custody in West Memphis,Arkansas by the Mississippi Department of Corrections Special Response Team and the U.S Marshals Task Force. 28-year-old Andrew Emerick was captured along with Angela Brooke Tatum without incident. Tatum is being charged with Aiding escape in the incident. Both Emerick…

Stabbing 1
Featured, Local News

New Year’s eve stabbing in Pickens co. leaves 1 dead, 3 injured

Reform Police officers were called to the 700 block of 3rd Street Northeast.  
Joey Barnes,

PICKENS COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- The stabbing death of a Pickens County man on New Year’s Eve remains under investigation. Reform Police officers were called to the 700 block of 3rd Street Northeast around 9 p.m. on December 31st. Officers said 41-year-old Antonio Plott, of Carrollton, was fatally stabbed during an argument at a family gathering. Three other victims were taken to…

Cold Weather 1
Local News

Columbus organizations team up to help folks keep warm

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)-The Golden Triangle Homeless Coalition and Columbus Community outreach are making sure folks have a warm place to sleep. As temperatures drop, the organizations plan to partner with the Red Roof Inn to rent hotel rooms to the homeless population. “We don’t want any of our citizens to freeze or you know be without their needs right now…

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Local News

People are committing to their New Year’s Resolutions early

People everywhere make New Year's Resolutions each year and do their best to stick to them
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)-  People everywhere make New Year’s Resolutions each year and do their best to stick to them. 2022 is finally here and people are kicking off those New Year’s Resolutions. One common practice each year is developing fitness goals and a gym routine. “I plan to stay in the gym, continue working out, save up some money, travel…

Time
Featured, Local News

Columbus city leaders bury a time capsule, will open in 2072

Artifacts and cherished memories will be locked away for the next five decades.
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- As Columbus wraps up its bicentennial year, city leaders leave a reminder for their successors to open when the Friendly City marks its 250th anniversary. Pictures, lottery tickets, cellphones, and coupons… Artifacts and cherished memories to be locked away for the next five decades. On Friday, Columbus leaders packed the steel container with memorabilia from families around…

Wcbi Default
Local News

Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine now available over the counter

Eric Lampkin,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – After more than a decade, you will no longer need a prescription to buy decongestants that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. A law passed in this year’s legislative session will take effect tomorrow. It will allow products containing pseudoephedrine to once again be sold without prescription. In an effort to cut down on methamphetamine production, the legislature passed…

Tornado
Local News, State News

Tornado that went through Winfield, Ala. confirmed EF-1

Mary Carroll Sullivan,

WINFIELD, Ala. (WCBI) – The storm that moved through downtown Winfield, Alabama Wednesday night has been confirmed as an EF-1 tornado. There is significant damage to structures in the downtown area, including roof damage to a theater. Street lights were knocked down. Store windows were blown out and streets were covered in debris. No injuries were reported. Around 100 people…

Wayne Fraser
Local News

Bond is set for man accused of killing his wife in Caledonia

Joey Barnes,

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI) – Bond is set for the man accused of shooting and killing his wife in Caledonia. 45-year-old Wayne Fraser is charged with murder. His bond is set at $500,000. Fraser remains in the Lowndes County jail. Deputies were called to Cedar Street on Thursday morning about a possible shooting. 55-year-old Natalie Ryan-Fraser was dead when they arrived….
Local News

Columbus Police officers will be out in full force on New Years Eve

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – As you ring in the new year, you’ll also see more Columbus police officers. The agency will have extra officers working tonight and conducting safety checkpoints. Police Chief Fred Shelton is also reminding people that fireworks are illegal to shoot inside the city limits. It is also against the law to shoot a gun up in…

Andrew Emerick
Crime, Local News

Escapee from Choctaw County still on the run

Joey Barnes,

CHOCTAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man that escaped from a Choctaw County work center remains on the run. 28-year-old Andrew Emerick was last seen Wednesday morning. He is five foot – ten inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds. Emerick has red hair and brown eyes. The escapee was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, black hooded zip jacket,…

Lowndes Wanted
Crime, Local News

Lowndes County deputies searching for driver of SUV

Joey Barnes,

L OWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies are asking for help finding the driver of an SUV. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says this vehicle is involved in catalytic converters and thefts in the county. Surveillance video captured the Dodge Durango in the area of Highways 373 and 50 back on December 13th. The 2003 Durango is grey and possibly…

Cigar Pic
Featured, Local News

Spring Street Cigars lounge and brewery opens in Starkville

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) –  A local business will ring in the new year by opening up its doors in Starkville. Spring Street Cigars is opening its fifth Mississippi store in downtown Starkville on Friday. The two-story shop will feature a premium selection of cigars as well as multiple lounge areas. The location also has a craft brewery. Co-owners John Higgins…

Exec Session Preview
Featured, Local News

Golden Triangle representatives expect intense legislative session for Mississippi in 2022

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Between medical marijuana, redistricting, and a big pot of federal money to spend, the 2022 Mississippi legislative session could be one of the most intense in recent memory. “I think it’s going to be a very eventful session,” says District 41 Representative Kabir Karriem. “There’s a lot to unpack.” When the session opens on January 4th,…

Img E30661
Featured, Local News

Calhoun co. sheriff’s department adds military vehicle to fleet

Joey Barnes,

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- A veteran military vehicle is helping the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department get to people in hard-to-reach places. They got a chance to put it to the test when high water trapped residents during Wednesday’s flooding. All it takes is a few inches of rain. County Road 231 in Calhoun County was underwater in about an hour…

lowndes county sheriff
Local News

Lowndes Co. Board of Supervisors votes for new surveillance cameras

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The price tag for a camera system for the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is going to be a little higher than expected. At their December 15th meeting, Lowndes County Supervisors voted to approve the purchase of 4 portable surveillance cameras. After further communication with the supplier, it turns out that the deal was for a…

Caledonia
Crime, Featured, Local News

Lowndes County deputies are investigating a deadly shooting in Caledonia

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies are investigating a deadly shooting in Caledonia. The shooting happened about 8:20 this morning on Cedar Street. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says deputies arrived to find a 55-year-old woman dead. An unidentified 45-year-old man was detained by deputies at the duplex. Hawkins tells WCBI the investigation is in the very early stages and…

Gaskin
Local News

Columbus mayor held a “State of the City” address

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The city of Columbus has never had a “State of the City” address until now. Mayor Keith Gaskin recorded the speech in his office today. It will be posted on the Columbus Mayor Facebook page on Friday. Gaskin wants to let voters know how the city is faring. He says people in town deserve to hear…

Realtor Threat
Crime, Featured, Local News

Lowndes County realtors warned against dangerous man

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County realtors are being told to be extra cautious. The Greater Golden Triangle Realtors group posted the message on Facebook. It warns that an unidentified man is threatening to have his wife set up an appointment to view a property. The suspect also says he will show up to rape the realtor, along with…

Tupelo Nye
Local News

Tupelo holding New Years Eve celebration

Ansley Perkins,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo will be kicking off the new year with a large celebration downtown. This is the second New Year celebration held in Tupelo since 2019. Live music will begin at 8:15 p.m. and go until midnight. There are multiple stages to choose from for your entertainment. The Kids Fest portion of the event has been canceled…