U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing a warning about wildfires

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY, Miss. (WCBI) – When we think of natural disasters in Mississippi, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes usually come to mind. But a high-ranking official in the U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing a warning about wildfires. Doctor Homer Wilkes, the Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, was at Mississippi State today talking with researchers and professors about climate…

Oxford Police have made an arrest in homicide

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Oxford Police make an arrest in an early morning homicide. Justin Maurice Morris of Oxford is in the Lafayette County Jail on a $1 million bond. Oxford Police were called to the 600 block of Saddle Creek Drive just after 1 this morning for a report of yelling and gunshots. When they got there, they found…

Columbus administrator to be Superintendent in Greenville

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus schools administrator is taking a new job in the Mississippi Delta. Dr. Glenn Joseph Dedeaux is the new superintendent for the Greenville Public School District. Dedeaux’s LinkedIn page shows he’s been with the Columbus Municipal School District for two years. Prior to that, he was a deputy superintendent in Greenville. Dedeaux starts his new…

Cross is raised in Calhoun County after a year of planning and praying

Supporters believe the 120 foot crosses provide hope during trying times

PITTSBORO, MISS. (WCBI) – It was a celebration in one Calhoun County town, as a one hundred and twenty foot cross was raised along Highway 9. As workers carefully set the 47 thousand pound cross onto its base, Mike Rozier looked on at his ninth cross project in Mississippi. “Once the community raises the money, we order the steel, to construct…

One man dead and another on the run after a shooting

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – One man is dead and another is on the run after a shooting in Calhoun County. 36-year-old Taurus Shaw is wanted for first degree murder. Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan says the gunfire happened about 8 o’clock Wednesday night in Derma. A homeowner on Terry Drive tells WCBI the shooting happened on the street over…

Louisville citizens remember deadly EF-4 tornado

The devastation left dozens of families without a place to call home.

LOUISVILLE,Miss. (WCBI)-Today marks eight years since an EF-4 tornado touched down in Louisville. The devastation left dozens of families without a place to call home. Coming together through a time of uncertainty. Eight years ago, the city of Louisville was nearly unrecognizable. Trees covered roads, cars lay in ditches, homes were damaged and people were mourning lost family members. “I…

West Lowndes school bus driver charged with felony child abuse

WEST LOWNDES, Miss. (WCBI) – A fight and chaotic scene on a West Lowndes school bus leads to the arrest of the bus driver. 71-year-old William McBride is charged with felony child abuse. His bond has not been set. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says deputies were called about the ruckus last Friday at West Lowndes High School and soon…

Camgian hosted 5th annual walk at lunch event

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Camgian hosted their 5th annual walk at lunch event today at the Thad Cochran Research Center at Mississippi State University. Organizers of this event encourage people around the area to take time out of their day to go outside and eat lunch as they walk. As people do their walking they are also encouraged to bring…

Local company has food bank during their annual event

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Food is a huge need in the area and people in the community make it their goal to make sure their neighbors in the Golden triangle don’t go hungry. Taking or leaving. That is what people in the community are doing with canned goods at area food banks. Rex Buffington, Co-director of the Casserole kitchen, says…

Columbus officials discussing how to utilize city amphitheater

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus officials are finally discussing plans on how to bring the city’s amphitheater to life. The outdoor facility was impacted by a flood that destroyed its electrical wiring. Today, The second meeting in just a week between community members, officials, and stakeholders took place. Some key talking points have revolved around how to improve the concession…

Official grand opening for Mississippi State Research and Teaching Apiary

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A new lab at Mississippi State University is buzzing with activity. Thursday was the official grand opening for the Mississippi State Research and Teaching Apiary. The university now has a dedicated space to house honeybees and conduct research. Bees not only produce honey, but they are also the main pollinators for many crops, and in recent…

Clay County Sheriff’s deputies put an accused drug dealer behind bars

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Clay County Sheriff’s deputies put an accused drug dealer behind bars. On Monday deputies and agents from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics got a warrant to search a home on Lone Oak Drive in West Point. During the search, they reportedly found over 50 grams of methamphetamine. Investigators arrested Joshua Fulgham of West Point. Fulgham…

Mississippi’s largest hospital no longer accepts BCBS insurance

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi’s largest hospital is no longer in network with the state’s largest insurance provider. The University of Mississippi Medical Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield have cut ties with each other after failure to negotiate on billing agreements. Representatives were not able to come to an agreement before March 31st. Mississippi insurance commissioner Mike Chaney issues…

Monroe County schools will have a new face in the superintendent seat

O'Brian started off his career in education as a 7th grade math teacher, then he was an assistant principal for six years

SMITHVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)-  Taking on a new position can be difficult for some; while others see it as a challenge. Principal Chad O’Brian is making the move from the principal’s office at Smithville High School’ to the superintendent’s office for the Monroe County School District. On July 1, 2022, O’Brian will take over as superintendent for Monroe County Schools. O’Brian…

Macon man in the Clay County Jail accused of marijuana possession

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Macon man is in the Clay County Jail accused of marijuana possession. On Monday, Clay County Deputies manning a safety checkpoint stopped Roman Grassaree. During a search, they reportedly found marijuana, including what was described as a large bag of THC edibles. Grassaree is charged with Felony Possession of Marijuana. He is in the…

Remembering the tornadoes that impacted North Mississippi 11 years ago

NORTH MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Smithville was one of the worst hit towns in the region during the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak. The EF-5 twister killed 16 people in the Monroe County town. Other areas were also hit, including Webster County. East Webster High School was destroyed early that morning. There was also a fatality in that county and others….

$50 million Hump renovation project begins

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Be on the lookout Bulldog fans, the Humphrey Coliseum will soon be getting a new look. The $50 million renovation project which started right after the 2021-22 season includes cosmetically improving the exterior, four new entrances, a walkway between the Hump and Dudy Noble Field, expansion of the indoor space, a 5,600-foot club area, and alterations…

700 people arrested in month long federal, state, and local crime crackdown

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – 700 people are arrested in a month long federal, state, and local crime crackdown. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oxford released this video and the results of “Operation MPACT” Wednesday. Law enforcement from Lowndes, Lee, Grenada, and Panola Counties participated in the arrests. More than $134,000 worth of drugs and over $50,000 in cash were seized…

Troop G of Mississippi Highway Patrol receiving new headquarters

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Troop G of the Mississippi Highway Patrol is one step closer to having a new home. The State Legislature has appropriated another $4 million for a new substation in Starkville. The funding is the last roadblock to getting the headquarters built. Lawmakers had set aside $4.5 million in an earlier session. The total price tag is…

One person is dead after shooting in Pontotoc County

PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – One person is dead after an early morning shooting in Pontotoc County. Sheriff Leo Mask says the shooting happened in the Algoma community but declined to give a specific address. Mask tells WCBI deputies are interviewing multiple people to try and figure out what sparked the shooting. The name of the victim has not been…