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Coronavirus Information, Local News, News Team, State News

A record month of COVID-19 cases, amidst Hurricane Ida aftermath

While Hurricane Ida impacts take effect, Mississippi recorded it highest rate of COVID-19 cases
Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI)- The Mississippi State Department of Health addressed the state of pandemic following Hurricane Ida’s arrival and the most infectious month yet. Over 85 thousand cases were recorded during the month of March which is the highest Mississippi has witnessed so far. As of Wednesday, cases and hospital numbers are stable according to health leaders from MSDH. People…

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Local News

Columbus to host two events in September to help those who have fallen behind on rent

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Help is out there. That’s the message from the Mississippi Home Corporation and the City of Columbus. The city is hosting 2 events in September to help people who have fallen behind on their rent because of issues related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Federal Government has made money available through the Rental Assistance for Mississippians…

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Local News

4-County Electric Power Association sent two crews to south Mississippi to help restore electricity

The 11 men left early this morning to assist Magnolia Electric Power Association in Summit.
Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – 4-County Electric Power Association sent two crews to south Mississippi to help restore electricity. The 11 men left early this morning to assist Magnolia Electric Power Association in Summit. Thousands of customers remain without power after Hurricane Ida broke poles and downed power lines. 4-County sent three bucket trucks, two digger trucks, and two crew…
Local News

Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting 2,900 new COVID-19 cases

The numbers were released this morning...2,900 new cases and 81 deaths are being reported.
Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Even with many Mississippi State Department of Health facilities closed on Tuesday, the agency is reporting a high number of COVID-19 cases. The numbers were released this morning…2,900 new cases and 81 deaths are being reported. Per capita, Webster County has seen the second-highest amount of cases in the state over the past two weeks. More…

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Featured, Featured Weather, Local News, Weather

Scattered afternoon storms today, then less humid end of week

Isaac Williams,

  SUMMARY: One last disturbance will bring isolated to scattered showers and storms today before some much improved, drier weather moves in to end the work week. A string of really nice days is in store! WEDNESDAY: Morning sunshine will destabilize the air into the afternoon with highs reaching well into the upper 80s. Isolated to scattered storms are likely to fire…

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Local News

Local Couple Plays Role Helping People Flee Afghanistan

Allie Martin,

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, MISS.. (WCBI) –  A Northeast Mississippi couple has helped coordinate safe passage out of Afghanistan for Americans and civilians who helped the US during the war effort. The plight of the refugees was a personal mission for the Itawamba County couple. As a Marine embedded with a training team in Afghanistan, Dr. Greg Yarbrough knew the vital role…

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Local News

Some Louisiana residents are still in Mississippi waiting for effects of Hurricane Ida to ease

For those along the coast of Mississippi and in Louisiana there are several problems after the storm that are continuing
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Hurricane Ida didn’t cause much if any damage in the Golden Triangle area however, for those along the coast of Mississippi and in Louisiana there were several problems after the storm that are continuing. Maxine and Don Friendly have prepared to make the drive back home to Slidell Louisiana. The couple had stayed at the Hampton Inn…

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Featured, Local News

Mississippi State assembles team of student Vaccine Ambassadors to help answer questions, share personal experience with COVID-19 vaccination

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State has assembled a team of students they are calling vaccine ambassadors who are tasked with helping spread information and answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine among their classmates. MSU’s Office of Student Affairs says it’s all about putting a human face on all of the facts and data behind the shots as well as…

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Local News, News Team

Eviction of Starkville residents put on hold

Chancery Court Judge Studdard granted a restraining order against Ferretti Property Services, saving low income residents from eviction -for now
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The Vollor Law Firm is stepping in to prevent some Starkville residents from being kicked out on the street. Attorney Austin Vollor says he got word from the NAACP and other organizations that Ferretti Property Services plans to evict low-income and minority tenants on Catherine street. Tuesday, the law firm filed an injunction and held an emergency…

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Local News

COVID-19 related supply chain issues still causing problems for local manufacturers

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) The economy is improving, but COVID-19 related supply chain issues are still plaguing area manufacturers. That was one of the messages from Golden Triangle Development LINK C-E-O Joe Max Higgins today in Columbus. Higgins says that while most local companies have weathered the pandemic, and the LINK has about 600 million dollars worth of projects in…

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Featured, Featured Weather, Local News, Weather

Remnants of Ida moving out, gradually improving weather in store

Isaac Williams,

SUMMARY: The remnants of Ida will be exiting Mississippi today, leaving a cloudy sky much of the day. Warm but LESS HUMID air is in store later in the week. TUESDAY: Cloudy with scattered showers with highs in the 70s to near 80 degrees toward I-55. Winds will stay breezy and shift to the northwest behind Ida’s remnants. WEDNESDAY: Expect a mix of…

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Local News

Chickasaw County officials are prepared for what Hurricane Ida could bring to the table

Hurricane Ida got residents in the area prepared for the worst
Joey Barnes,

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Hurricane Ida got residents in the area prepared for the worst. The Chickasaw County EMA director and fire chief agree that they did their best to over-prepare for what Hurricane Ida would do. While there was no damage or flooding, during the day, they still want to keep their community safe. If damage does occur around…

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Local News

Tupelo Hair Stylist Takes Top Honors At Worldwide Competition

Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi hairdresser takes top honors in a global award show that those in the business say is equivalent to winning an Oscar, Grammy, or a Heisman Trophy. Every day, Amber Moyer creates works of art at “Shear Envy” Salon, on North Gloster Street. The Tupelo salon owner began her career nearly twenty years ago…

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Featured, Local News

Choctaw County braces for possible falling trees and flooding in fallout from Ida

Joey Barnes,

ACKERMAN, Miss. (WCBI) – While not as severe as originally feared, emergency crews in Choctaw County stand at the ready for the impact from Ida. “Wind, wet ground is a bad mixture for trees to fall,” says Choctaw County Emergency Management Director Brent McKnight. “Culverts could stop up and flood the roadway and you wouldn’t even know it.” The Ackerman…
Featured, Local News

City leaders discuss a vaccination mandate for Starkville city employees

Starkville city leaders are considering the possibility of a vaccination mandate for all city employees.
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville may become the second city in Mississippi, after Jackson, to require vaccinations for all city employees. A vaccination policy will soon come before the board of aldermen in Starkville. “It is important for us to be available to the public and do our job,” Mayor Lynn Spruill said. City leaders said they are listening to…

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Featured, Featured Weather, Local News, Weather

Ida to bring heavy rain, wind to northeast Mississippi

Isaac Williams,

SUMMARY: Hurricane Ida made landfall Sunday as a category 4 storm in Louisiana, and while it continues to weaken as it moves inland, impacts are likely across north MS and west AL today and Tuesday. Conditions will improve by Wednesday. MONDAY: Conditions will gradually deteriorate as steady rain becomes heavier in the afternoon and evening hours. A spin-up tornado or two will…

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Featured, Local News

Tupelo pd investigate multiple incidents at the fair

Officers detained three teenagers in the incident, later releasing them to parents by the Lee County Youth Court with pending charges.
Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- Tupelo pd investigate multiple incidents at the Tupelo fair in August 28th. Right now, we know when police arrived at the scene, several teenagers were arguing and fighting. There is even a possibility gunshots were fired. Officers detained three teenagers in the incident, later releasing them to their parents by the Lee County Youth Court with pending…

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Hurricane Ida evacuees to seek shelter in north Mississippi

Evacuees are quickly heading north and staying in hotels to be safe from Hurricane Ida
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The impact of Ida is sending folks to the northern counties of Mississippi. As Hurricane Ida makes landfall, Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coast, more people are searching for higher ground in the northeast Mississippi region. For Econo Lodge in Columbus, the phones are ringing off the hook. Dozens of folks are checking out rooms to wait…

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Featured, Local News

Governor Tate Reeves issues state of emergency for Hurricane Ida

The storm will impact counties in southern and central Mississippi. 
Joey Barnes,

JACKSON,Miss. (WCBI)- Governor Tate Reeves issues the State of Emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Ida. The storm will impact counties in southern and central Mississippi. Reeves says 19 shelters across the state will be open for citizens. There, folks can also get sandbags and tarps. Reeves says FEMA is distributing food, water, generators, and other resources in the region to…

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A softball tournament brings Eupora citizens out to compete and remember a late city worker

People in Eupora hosted a softball tournament in honor of a city employee they lost earlier this year
Joey Barnes,

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI)- Forming relationships with neighbors and citizens is the glue that holds everyone together; especially in small towns. People in Eupora hosted a softball tournament in honor of a city employee they lost earlier this year.  As teams lined up at the plate or got ready to take the field they had a special person in mind; Rusty…

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Featured, Local News, Weather

Emergency Management teams urge residents to prepare for Hurricane Ida

As Hurricane Ida approaches, Emergency Management Agencies are hoping folks prepare days before for bad weather.
Joey Barnes,

WEBSTER/LOWNDES COUNTIES, Miss. (WCBI) – Hurricane Ida will be reaching the Mississippi gulf coast tomorrow and is predicted to be in Northeast Mississippi by Monday. “Today is a preparing day. So, start preparing now,” Emergency Management Director, Cindy Lawrence said. In most situations, folks want to be ready. As Hurricane Ida approaches Mississippi, Emergency Management Director of Webster County, Barry…

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Featured, Local News

County coroners struggle to find holding facilities for autopsies

Investigations and autopsies, state-wide it's all backlogged.
Joey Barnes,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- As the state crime lab faces a backlog in autopsies, county coroners struggle to find holding facilities. It can take several weeks to a month to get results from investigations. And the prolonged process can be costly. $80 per day. That’s the average price coroners pay for a holding facility. Yearly fees run close to $100,000….

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Featured, Local News

Webster Co. Sheriff’s Department starts Special Response Team

The Sheriff's Department hopes their trained, volunteer response team will help emergency response.
Joey Barnes,

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Webster County Sheriff’s Department is taking high-pressure training to another level. “We’ve never had nothing like this in Webster County. And really, it’s a special thing and we’re taking it serious,” Sheriff David Gore. Law enforcement officers are trained to handle difficult and dangerous situations. Webster County Sheriff David Gore started the S.R.T., the…

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Local News

Brandon Theesfeld pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on Friday

Ansley Perkins,

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – The man who killed the University of Mississippi student will spend the rest of his life in prison. 24-year-old Brandon Theesfeld pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on Friday. Theesfeld was charged with the 2019 capital murder of fellow University of Mississippi student Ally Kostial. Kostial, 21, was found dead near Sardis Lake in Mississippi in July…