Future Police Officers Learn Defensive Tactics

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Future police officers are learning what to do if they are overpowered by a suspect.  It’s part of the twelve-week police academy at the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center. Priscilla Castro and her fellow cadets of Class B 68 have spent a lot of time on the mats this week. In defensive tactics, cadets learn…

Winston Medical clinic preventing pandemic’s school nursing shortage from severely impacting Louisville School District

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Just over a month into the 2021 fall semester, COVID-19 continues to disrupt Mississippi schools. Added to that is the nationwide shortage of school nurses. However, that shortage is not having as severe an impact on the Louisville Municipal School District. “If they present with COVID symptoms…we’re able to test for those things at the school,…

Area businesses are hitting the jackpot in lottery sales

The Mississippi Lottery Corporation lists six Columbus retailers as the top 16 vendors with the most sales from April to June.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- If you’re trying to hit a lottery jackpot, Columbus may be the place to be. The city is climbing the charts with the most lottery ticket sales in Mississippi. The Mississippi Lottery Corporation lists six Columbus retailers as the top 16 vendors with the most sales from April to June. 11 of the top 100 retailers across…

Starkville Utilities is encouraging residents to call them first if they see or experience electric or water problems

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – They can’t fix them if they don’t know about them. That’s true for public works departments everywhere. Starkville Utilities is encouraging residents to call them first if they see or experience electric or water problems. On Wednesday, crews worked into the night to get a line fixed on South Montgomery Street. They were alerted by a…

Mississippi leads the nation in positive and negative COVID related catagories

The Magnolia State is the nation's leader in monoclonal antibody treatment but also leads in COVID deaths per capita.

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi is now the nation’s leader in monoclonal antibody treatment. Unfortunately, we’re also number one in Covid deaths per capita across the country, and the coronavirus dangers for pregnant women continue. As of Thursday morning, there were 37 ICU beds available with over 70 patients in need of ICU treatment. That’s due to the ongoing staff shortage….

Mississippi’s education system continues to show higher rankings in the classroom

The latest Quality Counts report the state ranks 35th in the nation for Kindergarten through 12th grade achievement.

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Mississippi’s education system continues to show higher rankings in the classroom. The latest Quality Counts report the state ranks 35th in the nation for Kindergarten through 12th grade achievement. Mississippi’s overall grade was 70, which is comparable to the nation’s overall score of 76 out of 100. Figures show Mississippi ranked first in the nation for gains…

Rain chances increase in the next few days

  SUMMARY: The remnant circulation of Nicholas continues to spin over the Lower MS Valley, and rain chances will accordingly increase across north MS and west AL in the next few days. THURSDAY: The sky stays generally cloudy today with just spotty rain expected – most places will likely stay dry. Daytime highs will reach the upper 70s to near 80 degrees….

East Mississippi Community College is looking for apprenticeship partners

A $200,000 grant at East Mississippi Community College is expected to benefit local industries

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss (WCBI)- A $200,000 grant at East Mississippi Community College is expected to benefit local industries. The school will use the money for training to improve the skills of workers already employed at manufacturing companies. An apprenticeship program at East Mississippi Community College will allow businesses to get their employees in-class training to improve or speed up their…

Columbus Police are seeing an uptick in the number of car burglaries

In just the past couple of days, officers have responded to several burglaries in neighborhoods across the city.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Police are seeing an uptick in the number of car burglaries. In just the past couple of days, officers have responded to several burglaries in neighborhoods across the city. Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton says there are simple things people can do, like hiding valuables, or better yet, taking them inside, park in well-lit areas…

The Amory School Board appoints their new interim-superintendent

When Ken Byars steps down as Amory's Superintendent September, Andy Cantrell will take over throughout the rest of the year

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI)- The Amory School Board appointed a former Mississippi administrator to fill the role of interim superintendent. Andy Cantrell will step into the position from October 1st to December 31st. Cantrell will take over for Ken Byars who is stepping down on September 30th to pursue educational consulting in the private sector, according to the Associated Press. Cantrell…

The Golden Triangle welcomes Main Street Directors from 3 states this week

Starkville is hosting this year's Destination Downtown.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Golden Triangle welcomes Main Street Directors from 3 states this week. Starkville is hosting this year’s Destination Downtown. It is the South’s premier downtown revitalization conference. Over 300 directors and members from Mississippi Main Street Association, Main Street Arkansas, and Louisiana Main Street are expected to attend the conference at The Mill. Today, participants…

Lowndes County leaders agree to house some juvenile inmates from Starkville

The board of supervisors finalized the agreement with the Starkville Board of Alderman, Wednesday, September 15th.

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County leaders agree to house some juvenile inmates from Starkville. The board of supervisors finalized the agreement with the Starkville Board of Alderman, Wednesday, September 15th. Starkville will pay 125 dollars a day to reserve two beds at the Lowndes County Juvenile Detention Center. Mayor Lynn Spruill and some alderman started looking for more…

Oktibbeha County branch of NAACP brings free COVID-19 vaccine clinic to low-income area in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday, the Oktibbeha County branch of the NAACP held a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Starkville. The clinic took place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sandhill Apartment complex where medical professionals from Point City Drugs Pharmacy had about 200 doses of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine on hand to administer….

Examining methods for ending juvenile crime ahead of Starkville’s expected deal with the Lowndes Co. Detention Center

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – On September 7th, the Starkville Board of Alderman voted to approve an interlocal agreement with the Lowndes County Juvenile Detention Center to reserve two beds to house any youth offenders from Starkville. The hope is that the partnership can be part of the solution to the area’s problems with violent crime involving young people. “Violence and…

Starkville Ward 1 Alderman is starting a Go Fund Me for unvaccinated city employees

An additional insurance fee for unvaccinated workers has one alderman taking financial matters into his own hands

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- In a week that saw more than 12,000 new Covid-19 diagnoses, last week, the city of Starkville agreed to new policies for their employees. Masks have been required for some time in city buildings, now the Board of Aldermen voted to require unvaccinated workers to use their sick leave if they test positive for Covid 19 and…

Artist Puts Finishing Touches On Nettleton Mural

NETTLETON, MISS. (WCBI) – It has taken more than two years, but a wall in Nettleton will soon feature an artistic history of the Monroe County town. To most folks, the mural on the brick wall of the Dorothy J Lowe Memorial Library looks finished,  but to the artist, there are still a few details to work on. Tony Bullard began the mural, showcasing…

Representative Trent Kelly met with constituents in Webster County

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – First District U.S. Representative Trent Kelly meets with constituents in Webster County today. The Congressman held a meet and greet with community leaders in Eupora to talk about what is going on in Washington as well as to find out what constituents back home are concerned with. We asked him about COVID vaccinations and a proposal…