Human Trafficking Website
Crime, Featured, Local News

Mississippi launches website to report suspected human trafficking to further engage the public in the fight against the sex trade

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Thursday, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation launched their new website for people to report suspected cases of human trafficking. “This is modern-day slavery,” says Assistant Police Chief Doran Johnson of the Columbus Police Department. “This does happen and it’s happening closer than where we think it’s happening. It’s happening…

Teon Garrett
Crime, Local News

The identity of one of the men arrested in a car theft ring has been released

Joey Barnes,

CHOCTAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Teon Garrett of Huntsville, Alabama is charged with felony fleeing, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest. Those are the charges in Choctaw County. In Oktibbeha County, Garrett is charged with felony fleeing and receiving stolen property. He also faces charges in Kosciusko. The investigation started after six…

Deputy Check Thumbnail
Local News, News Team

Financial support for a Lowndes County deputy’s sick child

When Adam Honsinger discovered that his 3-year-old son was diagnosed with Leukemia, the Lowndes County community quickly rallied together to offer financial support
Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- After Lowndes County deputy Adam Honsinger and his wife discovered their 3-year-old son Sawyer was diagnosed with Leukemia, the community quickly stepped in to provide support. The Honsinger family has been staying in Memphis for Sawyer’s treatment for about two months. During that time Sheriff Eddie Hawkins and president of the Community Benefit Committee Rhonda Sanders…

crime
Crime, Local News

Tow truck drivers removed two cars from a three-car collision just before noon

Mary Carroll Sullivan,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Tow truck drivers removed two cars from a three-car collision just before noon. It happened about an hour earlier, around 11 a.m. The drivers of three vehicles crashed traveling eastbound on Highway 82 in Columbus. The accident happened between the exits for Military Road and 18th Avenue. All three drivers were taken to the hospital. “There…

Stk Parking Vo 092121
Local News

You could soon be paying to park in downtown Starkville with your phone

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – You could soon be paying to park in downtown Starkville with your phone. Aldermen will consider advertising for a paid parking solution at tonight’s meeting. The areas under consideration are from Montgomery Street at University Drive to campus, and to Russell, Lampkin Streets, Maxwell, Paige, and Adkerson Way. Mayor Lynn Spruill says the city will not…

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Local News

A Starkville liquor store is offering delivery services for the town

Alcohol delivered to your door at the tip of your fingers
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Most people are familiar with services like Door Dash or Grubhub to get food delivered to their door. Mississippi passed a bill to allow liquor stores to offer that same service on July 1, 2021. The bulldog package store in Starkville started the service last weekend and anticipates more traction in the coming weeks. Store owner Ashley…

money
Local News

Federal money may soon be used to put more police officers on the streets

Aldermen are considering using American Rescue Plan Act funds to help hire two police officers.
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Some federal money could put more police on Starkville streets. Aldermen are considering using American Rescue Plan Act funds to help hire two police officers. Towns across the country are finding it increasingly difficult to find police applicants. Those same cities must also watch their budget. Starkville police say believe using this money is a win…

Police Chief
Featured, Local News

Sherman police chief leads nation in identifying drugged drivers

Allie Martin,

SHERMAN, MISS. (WCBI) – A police chief in one Northeast Mississippi town leads the nation when it comes to identifying what drugs are causing drivers to be impaired. Whenever the Highway Patrol or other agencies stop a suspected impaired driver, a standard field sobriety test is conducted.   If the driver isn’t under the influence of alcohol,  but still has signs…

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Local News

Winston County officials detail their process of finding a missing person

Missing person searches often make headlines, both nationally and locally
Joey Barnes,

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Missing person searches often make headlines, both nationally and locally. When law enforcement agencies begin a search for someone, it often involves other agencies, special units, and very specific techniques. When a loved one goes missing, one of the first calls families make is to law enforcement; making that call as soon as possible is critical….

Officer Shortage 092021
Local News

Several law enforcement agencies are experiencing a shortage of qualified officers

Eric Lampkin,

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – Some area cities are finding it tougher to keep the streets safe. Across North Mississippi, several law enforcement agencies are experiencing a shortage of qualified officers. Smaller departments have always faced challenges hiring and keeping officers, usually because forces in larger neighboring cities could offer better pay and benefits. Now, those larger departments are also having…

Fatal Crash 092021
Local News

A man is dead after a horrific crash in Lowndes County

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man is dead after a horrific crash in Lowndes County. The accident happened on Highway 45 Alternate about one o’clock Monday afternoon. State troopers say it appears the SUV collided with the back of an 18-wheeler. Traffic was backed up for at least an hour while crews cleared the scene. The Mississippi Highway Patrol…

Csu Pic
Featured, Local News

Better access to crisis stabilization units, crisis response teams are key pieces of new Mississippi mental health plan

Joey Barnes,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – On September 7th, U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves ruled that Mississippi had 120 days to come up with a proposal for a plan to cut down on the unnecessary institutionalization of those with mental illnesses. “There’s that small window of opportunity where somebody is still able to understand or hear that they’re struggling,” says Karen…

Pinwheels 092021
Local News

Annunciation Catholic School is celebrating International Day of Peace with pinwheels

Aundrea Self,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Annunciation Catholic School is celebrating International Day of Peace with pinwheels. Students created pinwheels and wrote their thoughts about war, peace, and tolerance on them. They spent Monday morning planting their creations on the school lawn. Students and staff hope the spinning pinwheels will spread thoughts and feelings about peace throughout the community and the country…

Houston Chief 092021
Local News

New Houston Police Chief has big goals for the department

Allie Martin,

HOUSTON, MISS. (WCBI) – One of Chief Adam Harmon’s top priorities when he began his new role July first, was to upgrade the police department headquarters, which hasn’t seen any renovations in 20 years. Harmon is third-generation law enforcement and served with the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Department for 23 years before applying for the chief’s job.  He is the first appointed…

Black Chevy Truck
Featured, Local News

A car heist turned high-speed chase leaves two men on the run

Six new vehicles were stolen from Frank's Chevrolet in Kosciusko and three were chased from Akerman into Lowndes County.
Joey Barnes,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Two people are in custody in two different counties after six vehicles were stolen from a car dealership in Kosciusko last night. It was late Sunday night when Chief Tim Cook said Ackerman Police got a call. There were four suspicious vehicles parked outside the Choctaw County Medical Center. “We had a report of suspicious…

Homecoming
Local News

Tupelo teacher gets a surprise as her husband returns from deployment

Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – It was a tearful reunion for a teacher at Tupelo’s Early Childhood Education Center, as her husband surprises her with an early homecoming. Navy Petty Officer Seth Dover was a guest of honor during a morning assembly at ECEC.  His wife, Talana, who is a special education teacher, thought her husband wouldn’t be home until December. Students…

Web1
Featured, Featured Weather, Local News, Weather

Storms to start the week; Fall-like temps on the way

Isaac Williams,

SUMMARY: Warm and humid conditions continue for a few more days before BIG-time changes arrive with a strong cold front Wednesday. It will usher in the coolest air we’ve seen in quite some time. MONDAY: Scattered showers and thunderstorms remain likely across the region today, and like previous days, some of the rain could be locally heavy at times. Highs will reach…

Futdew
Featured, Local News, Weather

Fall weather on the way!

Isaac Williams,

SUMMARY: We just have to get through a couple more humid days with showers and storms, and then some of the nicest weather we’ve seen since the spring will be moving into the area! Highs will be in the 80s Monday and Tuesday, with scattered showers and storms on both days. A front moves through Tuesday night, with increased storm…

Diner 3
Featured, Local News

Local diner is open less than 12 hours after car crashes into building

Diner is open for business despite 5 foot hole in the front wall after a truck crashes into the side.
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A vehicle crashed into the Ranch House Diner Saturday evening leaving damage on the side of the building. However, they were open for business the very next morning. “You have your friends then you have your family. These are family,” Owner Sammy Sullivan said. Shock and disbelief are what employees and customers felt after the news…

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Local News

The Market Street Festival in Columbus brought large crowds

The 25th Annual Market Street Festival was in full swung
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The 25th Annual Market Street Festival was in full swung as folks set up booths and prepared for a day of fun.  Fair food, handmade goods, and live music. After the event was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic and in May. Folks are eager to enjoy the festivities again. “It’s been absolutely wonderful because you…