Homicide Update
Featured, Local News

Three suspects charged with capital murder in Lee County case

Sheriff Jim Johnson says suspects broke in to home to steal drugs and cash
Allie Martin,

LEE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – Three people are behind bars, charged with capital murder in connection with the December shooting death of a Lee County man. 28-year-old Gavin Jeffers of West Point, 21-year-old Christopher Clayton of Fulton, and 29-year-old Shanery Hampton of Macon are charged in connection with the murder of Justin Mayfield. On December 22nd, Lee County Sheriff’s deputies…

Street Project
Featured, Local News

Columbus approved for $1 million grant to upgrade 5th Street, improve pedestrian safety

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Friday, the City of Columbus announced that they have been approved for more than one million dollars in grant money to make upgrades along 5th Street in Downtown Columbus. The Mississippi Department of Transportation grant will go towards improving pedestrian safety from 5th Avenue to 9th Avenue by adding sidewalks and walkways. City Engineer Kevin Stafford says…

Ricco Simmons
Local News

Man indicted for capital murder returned to Mississippi

Joey Barnes,

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man indicted for capital murder in Calhoun County is returned to Mississippi. Sheriff Greg Pollan says 24-year-old Ricco Simmons fled the area to Detroit, Michigan shortly after September 2020. Simmons was arrested for grand theft auto in Michigan back in 2020 and returned to Calhoun County this morning. He’s charged in connection with the…

Tyler Hannah
Local News

West Point man is arrested in connection with a Tupelo shooting

Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A West Point man is arrested in connection with a Tupelo shooting. 24-year-old Tyler Hannah is charged with attempted murder. The shooting happened early Sunday morning in the 1300 block of Mitchell Road. Tupelo police found a man at an apartment with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators believe Hannah and the victim knew each other before the…

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Local News

A local restaurant looks to celebrate its four decades of service!

Harvey's will celebrate 40 years and will have a nice treat to show its gratitude to customers.
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- A local restaurant has nearly made it to four decades of serving customers. Harvey’s will celebrate 40 years on Wednesday February 2, 2022, and will have a nice treat to show its gratitude to customers. 40 years later and Harvey’s continues to serve diners a “difference they can taste.” That’s the mantra the restaurant mixes into every…

Msu Students React Pic
Featured, Local News

Mississippi State students speak out after social media post about shooting black person

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Several Mississippi State students were upset to learn that someone claiming to be from one of the school’s fraternities made a social media post about shooting an African American male. “I don’t want to look back years from now and see my degree from Mississippi State and be like, ‘Yeah, that’s the school that had the…

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Local News

Kona Ice is serving sweet treats to the Golden Triangle

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Today’s spring-like temperatures have given us spring fever. The staff here at WCBI and some of our downtown neighbors enjoyed some cool, refreshing treats from Kona Ice. The truck was parked outside our studios for several hours today, serving its popular fruity mixes – and a few new flavors. The owner says they load up and…

Amory
Local News

Amory Railroad Festival is back on track

Eric Lampkin,

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Apple Fritter Lovers rejoice! After being derailed by COVID for the past 2 years, the Amory Railroad Festival is back on track. Mark your calendars for April 7th through the 10th. Amory Aldermen approved the plans for the 2022 Railroad Festival at their last meeting. COVID-19 forced the cancellation of both the 2020 and 2021 editions…

Mask
Local News

Mississippi State University mask requirement in effect until further notice

Eric Lampkin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – If you’re planning a visit to the MSU campus, be sure to take your mask. Mississippi State’s COVID-19 Task Force met Monday to reevaluate the University’s mask requirement. The group decided that given the continuing Omicron surge, masks will be still be required in all University buildings. The mask requirement applies to all students, faculty, staff,…

Sammie Crumble
Crime, Featured, Local News

Sex offender accused of multiple sexual offenses against a minor arrested, wanted in Lee and Webster counties

Joey Barnes,

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – Wednesday, the U.S. Marshal Service arrested a registered sex offender wanted on multiple charges in both Webster and Lee counties. Keeping tabs on registered sex offenders living in their jurisdiction is something the Webster County Sheriff’s Department takes very seriously. “When Sheriff (David) Gore took office, he pulled me in his office and he told me…

Columbus City Hall 1
Featured, Local News

Columbus leaders asked to consider city marshal position

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus leaders are being asked to consider a new position, city marshal. Multiple sources tell WCBI that a letter was drafted by the city attorney on behalf of Mayor Keith Gaskin. The letter reportedly tells the city council it will consider a city marshal position during tomorrow night’s city council meeting. That discussion is expected to…

Blessing Box Thumbnail
Local News

‘Blessing Box’ donations in West Point serves a variety of people in need

Joey Barnes,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- “Take what you need; Leave what you can,” that’s the message behind the blessing box located at the First United Methodist Church in West Point. Kicked off in December and designed by church members, the donation box is stocked with everyday needs from food, hygiene, diapers, cleaning supplies, and more. Director of Family Ministries, Stacy Hays,…

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Local News

Social media message investigated by Mississippi State University

MorrisAdmin,

  STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A social media message attributed to a member of a Mississippi State fraternity was investigated by the university. The post referred to fraternity members, who were posing with guns, shooting at an African American male. The social platform is called YikYak. It is an anonymous space where people within 5 miles of each other can…

Board Of Sups
Local News

Lowndes Co. Supervisors hear a progress report from the Horne Group

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County leaders are moving ahead on spending plans for the county’s share of American Rescue Plan Act money. Supervisors hear a progress report from the Horne Group today. The Board contracted with the firm to help the county determine what projects will qualify for ARPA funding and how best to get those projects done….

Nursing Shortage
Local News

Mississippi hospitals need more nurses to fill multiple vacancies

Eric Lampkin,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi hospitals have faced all sorts of shortages during the COVID Pandemic, but this could be the worst. The state’s hospitals need more nurses. According to a report in the Clarion Ledger, there are nearly 3,000 registered nurse vacancies statewide. And that is straining hospital staff already stressed under the pressure of the continuing pandemic. Earlier…

Shooting 1
Featured, Local News

One man is in the hospital following a Tupelo shooting

The shooting remains under investigation. 
Joey Barnes,

TUPELO,Miss. (WCBI)- Tupelo Police are investigating an early morning shooting that left one person hurt. Around 4:30 Sunday morning, Tupelo Police were called to an apartment complex at the 1300 block of Mitchell Road. Officers found a man with gunshots wounds. He was taken to the North Mississippi Medical Center ER. He’s in critical condition. The shooting remains under investigation….

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Featured, Local News

Crime Stoppers provides a valuable tool for the police

Impact of Crime Stoppers seen during recent awards luncheon
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A non profit that allows citizens to provide valuable information to law enforcement agencies to fight crime is having a big impact. Every week, Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi asks the public to provide information on a felony crime. Since Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi began in the early 1990s, it has received 1,018 , resulting in…

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Local News

Columbus police are looking for more officers to join their staff

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Columbus police are looking for more officers to join their staff. On Saturday they held a career day for folks that want to help their city. Columbus police do all they can to protect and serve the city, but there’s strength in numbers when it comes to doing the job and right now those numbers aren’t sufficient….

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Featured, Local News

Floral shops are feeling the pinch as their busiest season approaches

If you haven't put in an order for your Valentine, now is the time
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Count Valentine’s Day as another victim of nationwide supply chain issues. Floral shops are feeling the pinch as their busiest season approaches. And that could mean trouble for the last-minute shoppers. If you haven’t put in an order for your Valentine, now is the time. Options for your sweetheart may be slim. “We have been receiving some…

Firee
Local News

Fire officials give tips to avoid house fires

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – While the weather gets colder it is important that homeowners are staying safe while staying warm. It’s cold outside. And that has people looking for ways to stay warm inside. In that search for warmth, some people are forgetting about safety. This January alone, there have already been 2 deaths related to fires caused by space…

Control Burn
Local News

West Point house burned to the ground for control burn

Eric Lampkin,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – A house in West Point burns to the ground today, but this was no disaster. This was an opportunity for West Point firefighters to get real, hands-on practice at battling a blaze. The controlled burn was at an empty house on fifth street. Crews were able to put their equipment and strategies to the test….