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…

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Local News

Aberdeen residents can take part in a citywide cleanup day

Allie Martin,

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – Residents of Aberdeen can take part in a city-wide clean-up day this weekend. On Saturday, residents can take part in a citywide initiative called “Let’s Get Clean Aberdeen.” Volunteers will be working in the cemetery, picking up trash, homeowners are asked to get litter out of their yards, and Alderwoman Lady B Garth is coordinating clean-up…

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Local News

Tupelo Community Theatre Stages ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’

Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) -The newest production from the Tupelo Community Theatre takes the audience back to the 1920s, as part of a murder mystery, with lots of surprises. TCT is presenting “The Play That Goes Wrong” this weekend.  The storyline is set at a University drama society’s play about a murder mystery, and things take a lot of twists and…

Flashpoint
Crime, Featured, Local News

Homeland Security inspectors show Golden Triangle businesses how to spot suspicious purchases for homemade bombs

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Throughout the week, members of the Department of Homeland Security have been visiting businesses in Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Noxubee counties to spread awareness about improvised explosive devices. Operation Flashpoint is a joint effort between DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI to help businesses spot suspicious purchases that could end up as homemade bombs….

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Featured, Local News

Baptist memorial hospital donates medical supplies to the humane society

Spay and neuter operations are considered major but common surgeries.
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- A little can go a long way. It’s what employees at the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society are saying as medical supplies are donated for operations. Spay and neuter operations are considered major but common surgeries. Clinics require trained professionals and reliable equipment. When it comes to needing a quick fix, the Columbus-Lowndes  Humane Society struggled to get pets…

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Local News

Aberdeen Gets USDA Grant To Improve Quality Of Life

Allie Martin,

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – A Monroe County town is looking to improve its quality of life with a USDA rural development grant. Aberdeen is one of five communities that will benefit from a USDA Rural Development Grant.  That grant will help Aberdeen plan for improvements, such as streetscape enhancements and other projects to spur community development. “One of the main…

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Local News

August 26th celebrates 50 years of Women’s Equality across the United States

Columbus Air Force Base marked the occasion with a luncheon celebrating women in leadership roles in government and public service.
Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (WCBI) – August 26th is Women’s Equality Day across the United States. The day commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote, and the struggles and advances of women since then. Columbus Air Force Base marked the occasion with a luncheon celebrating women in leadership roles in…

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Local News, News Team

Columbus Main Street makes changes due to COVID-19

Organizers of the Market Street Festival met at the Columbus Exchange Club Thursday discussing changes during this year's event
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Organizers of the Market Street Festival met at the Columbus Exchange Club Thursday discussing changes during this year’s event. Everyone in attendance is asked to wear masks and socially distance themselves. Several hand-sanitizing stations will be set up through the festival grounds. The bleachers at the stages will not be included to avoid large crowds. The Main…

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Crime, Featured, Local News, Top Story

Mayor Gaskin, Columbus Police hope new advanced surveillance cameras can cut down on violent crime, help people feel safe again

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Wednesday morning, city leaders debuted one of the 10 new Neighborhood Watch Camera Systems they will be installing throughout Columbus. Mayor Keith Gaskin and Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton held a press conference at city hall and had the camera unit on display. “We’re demonstrating to the citizens and to those who are committing crimes in…

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Local News

For now college football tailgating expected to make a comeback at Mississippi State

Many people can't wait to pack the stadiums; while others are ready for the pregame
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Many people can’t wait to pack the stadiums; while others are ready for the pregame. Before the first kickoff in front of a packed crowd takes place there will be people packing the grove in Oxford or the junction at Mississippi State. After a year of no tailgating at all, an area tailgating owner and restaurant have…

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Local News, News Team

A train crashed into a tractor in Lowndes County on Wednesday afternoon

The accident happened on Frisco Road at about 1:45 Thursday afternoon.
Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A scary scene today in southern Lowndes County where a train collides with a tractor. The accident happened on Frisco Road at about 1:45 Thursday afternoon. It appears the tractor was pulling a trailer when the crash happened. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says no one was injured. The accident remains under investigation. Categories: Local News, News…

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Featured, Featured Weather, Local News, Weather

Rain chances increase with near-average temperatures

Isaac Williams,

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy but not as hot with high temperatures in the low-90s. Isolated afternoon thunderstorms will also be possible. Chance of rain: 30%. THURSDAY NIGHT: Pleasant overnight with a mostly clear sky. Overnight lows in the low-70s. WEEKEND: Rain chances will increase as we move through the weekend, with scattered thunderstorms expected Sunday afternoon. Next week’s forecast will be…