Hosemann 110521
Featured, Local News

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann says action needed to expedite autopsies at state crime lab

The lieutenant governor says he is working on a solution to the backlog at state crime lab
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann says action needs to be taken now to free up the backlog of autopsies at the state crime lab. The lieutenant governor said he talked this week with Commissioner of Public Safety Sean Tindell, offering to get more private practices to be able to do autopsies. Hosemann says the backlog means criminal…

Pierre Beard
Crime, Featured, Local News

Columbus city councilman turns himself in on a domestic violence charge

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus city councilman turns himself in on a domestic violence charge. Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton Ward 4 Councilman Pierre Beard was booked this afternoon. Beard is charged with a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. Officers were called to Beard’s Byrnes Circle home about 6 PM on Thursday night. Shelton tells WCBI that Beard and his…

Crash
Local News

Traffic caused a mid-afternoon crash in West Point

Eric Lampkin,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Rush hour traffic comes to a near standstill in Clay County this afternoon. Multiple vehicles were involved in a mid-afternoon crash in the southbound lane of Highway 45 Alternate south of West Point. There is no official word on how many cars were involved or any injuries, but at least 1 ambulance was seen leaving…

Michael Jones
Crime, Local News

Man found guilty in Winston County murder trial

Joey Barnes,

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A guilty verdict is handed down in a Winston County murder trial. Michael Jones was found guilty of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Jones shot and killed 23-year-old Malik Hudson in April 2020. Hudson was shot at Ivy Apartments and later died at a Jackson hospital. Jones, who is from…

Arnold
Local News

Arnold to spend more than half a century in prison

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A man accused of trying to kidnap a child will spend more than half a century in prison. The jury found John Arnold Jr. guilty of two counts of attempted kidnapping, one count of simple assault on a law enforcement officer, and one count of attempted escape. In February 2018 Arnold went to two Starkville schools…

Nurse Pic
Featured, Local News

Pontotoc furniture company opens health clinic to provide employees and their families with affordable medical care

Joey Barnes,

PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) – Southern Furniture Industries has opened a new health and wellness clinic in Pontotoc to provide quality healthcare for employees and their families, without the high cost. “I get to practice medicine the way medicine needs to be practiced,” says Jessica Maffett, the nurse practitioner at the clinic. “Without having to worry about the money, the insurance.”…

Homicide
Crime, Local News

Columbus police have released new information on recent homicide

Joey Barnes,

  COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police have released new information about a homicide from earlier this week. These are still images from a surveillance camera that police released today. Police Chief Fred Shelton says this is the person they want to talk to about the shooting death of 23-year-old Shad Reese. The shooting happened early Monday morning in the…

Guyton Retires 110421
Featured, Local News

Dick Guyton to retire as executive director of Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation

Guyton says it's time to let someone else oversee the foundation, birthplace and museum
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The longtime executive director of the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation is retiring. Dick Guyton announced that he will retire on January 8th, which would have been Elvis’ 87th birthday. Guyton has served as executive director of the Memorial Foundation and the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum since 2002. Guyton is 82 and says it’s time to…

Hosemann Speaks 110421
Featured, Local News

Lt. Gov. Hosemann says lawmakers will have a medical marijuana bill in regular session

The lieutenant governor said the bill is complete
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann says he believes lawmakers will deal with medical marijuana during the regular legislative session. Hosemann says lawmakers have completed most of the work on a medical marijuana bill. The lieutenant governor says the bill will allow medical marijuana and not the recreational use of the drug. “I think it’s one of…

Bridge
Local News

Riverwalk Pedestrian Bridge will stay closed for foreseeable future

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A popular Columbus landmark will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Repairs to the Riverwalk Pedestrian Bridge aren’t likely to begin anytime soon, and when they do they’re going to be expensive. The “Old River Bridge” as it’s sometimes known was severely damaged in February 2020 when it was struck by a runaway barge filled with…

Kenya Curry
Crime, Local News

Tip leads to a pursuit that ended in a drug bust in Pickens County

Joey Barnes,

PICKENS COUNTY, Ala. (WCBI) – A tip leads to a Pickens County pursuit that ends in a drug bust. Kenya Curry is facing several charges, including the attempt to elude, reckless endangerment, and possession of marijuana. Sheriff Todd Hall says the 24th Judicial Drug Task Force alerted law enforcement about drugs being brought into the county. An Aliceville officer and…

Women Manufacture
Local News

30 percent of workers in the manufacturing sector are women

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – According to the latest census, 30 percent of workers in the manufacturing sector are women. Some local workforce development leaders think that number should be higher. And they’re saying now is a good time for them to get a foot in the door. There’s a nationwide shortage of qualified workers – manufacturers are hiring –…

Okt Wanted
Crime, Local News

Oktibbeha County deputies are searching for two supects after alleged robbery

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County deputies are searching for two men after an alleged robbery ends in a shooting. 18-year-old Ian Bradford and 21-year-old Marquez Williams are both wanted for aggravated assault and armed robbery. Investigators say the shooting happened on October 28th on County Lake Road. This information was released today. The victim had non-life-threatening injuries. Deputies…

Stallion Street Festival
Special Guests

Stallion Street Festival

Eric Crosswhite,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Edna Cole from the South Lamar Chamber of Commerce gives details on the Stallion Street Festival in Millport, Alabama. Categories: Special Guests Tags: family fun, festival, shopping

Child Abuse Tish
Crime, Local News

Tishomingo County couple facing child abuse charges

Joey Barnes,

TISHOMINGO COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tishomingo County couple is facing child abuse charges. Bond for 30-year-old Charles Ewing is 50,000 dollars. 27-year-old Kayla Owens has a 20,000 dollar bond. Tishomingo County deputies say the child abuse allegedly involves a five-year-old. No other information about the case has been released. Other charges are possible against the couple. Categories: Crime, Local…

Winston Medical Center
Featured, Local News

Winston Medical Center CEO fears even more healthcare workers could quit over Medicare & Medicaid vaccine rule

Joey Barnes,

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – November 1st was the deadline for staff at Baptist Memorial Healthcare and University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson to get the COVID-19 vaccine. However, smaller hospitals like Winston Medical Center are still bracing for a decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “I do anticipate we will have some people that will leave…

Hunt
Crime, Local News

One person still missing after burglary of Hunt Middle School

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The old Hunt Middle School in Columbus has seen its share of bad luck recently. It was damaged in a tornado two years ago and it’s also been hit by accused thieves. Now, David Ashmore is charged with burglary. Janet Price and Latasha Terry are both charged with accessory after the fact of burglary. Columbus Police…