Create
Featured, Local News

Roadways, education topics at State of the Region

CREATE Foundation's Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi hosted the event
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Business, government, and community leaders had a chance to get a view of the state of the region’s educational, economic, and business achievements. It was part of the annual “State of the Region” meeting, hosted by the CREATE Foundation’s Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi. Transportation Commissioner John Caldwell spoke about the need for improvements in…

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Local News

A local family remembers their loved one after a weekend homicide

An area community is coming together after a deadly weekend shooting
Joey Barnes,

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI)- An area community is coming together after a deadly weekend shooting. Family members of the victim set up a small memorial to remember their loved one. Saturday night Eupora police responded to a shots fired call at a gas station; when officers arrived, they found 29- year- old Jordan Gaston dead on the floor. The accused shooter,…

Dinosaurs
Featured, Local News

Set up underway for “Jurassic Quest”

Models of life size dinosaurs are being assembled at the Bancorpsouth Arena
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – It is not every day you see life-size dinosaurs being carted into the Bancorpsouth Arena, but it’s happening. It is part of the setup for “Jurassic Quest.”  The show hits Tupelo this weekend and features life-size dinosaurs, painted and animated. There is a Spinosaurus, T Rex, and a 50-foot-long Megalodon.  There are also opportunities to ride…

Train
Featured, Local News

Work to start soon on training center for MCSO

Facility will train part time officers and corrections officers
Allie Martin,

MONROE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will soon have a training center for part-time officers and jailers. “I used to walk out there on the concrete on that place and think about how this would be a good place to train law enforcement officers one day,” said Monroe County Sheriff Kevin Crook. Now, that vision of …

Tyshon Morris
Crime, Local News

Lowndes County deputies make an arrest in a shooting

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies make an arrest in a shooting. Tyshon Morris is charged with shooting into a dwelling. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says deputies were called to Shaws Mobile Home Park, on Highway 373, about gunfire. On the way to the scene, a deputy spotted Morris and pulled him over. One mobile home was damaged and…

Primary Election
Local News, State News

Primary Elections end with multiple runoffs in Alabama

Eric Lampkin,

ALABAMA (WCBI) – Alabama voters will head back to the polls in a little less than a month. A number of primaries ended without a candidate getting the necessary majority to win outright, forcing run-offs in some statewide races. One key race that many pundits thought would end in a run-off – didn’t. Incumbent Governor Kay Ivey faced a crowded…

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Local News, News Team

Business boom expected for Super Regionals

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi State is no stranger to great post-season runs and Starkville is getting accustomed to businesses booming during the playoffs. In preparation for its first Softball Super Regional, city businesses are stocking up shelves with Bulldog gear, and hotels are booked and busy. Business owners hope newcomers have a wonderful experience this weekend. “Starkville is always ready,”…

Sim Scott
Crime, Local News

Police investigating another shooting at Sim Scott Park

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police are investigating another shooting at Sim Scott Park. Police Chief Fred Shelton says the gunfire started about 6:48 Tuesday night in the 1900 block of 8th Avenue North. One man was shot in the leg. He was later treated and released from the hospital. Shelton says the victim is not cooperating with the investigation….

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Featured, Local News

Graffiti reading ‘rape’ and ‘incest’ written on small church vandalized in Lowndes County

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a case of vandalism at Mt. Avery Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus. All was well when the members of the church left their place of worship on Nashville Ferry Road on Sunday. But Monday morning, it was covered with graffiti. “Dismayed,” said church deacon St. Armistad, describing his reaction….

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Featured, Local News

Chickasaw County closer to getting an Emergency Room

Bill signed by Gov. Tate Reeves allows a freestanding ER in up to five counties
Allie Martin,

CHICKASAW COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi county that has been without an Emergency Room since 2014 may soon get one. “To be honest with you, I don’t care who it is that comes in the county, I want someone who takes a vested interest in Chickasaw County and wants to open an emergency room and provide for our…

Hunt Middle School
Local News

CMSD Superintendent met with FEMA and MEMA for Hunt repair plans

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday night during the Columbus Municipal School District’s board meeting, there was an update on the renovation process for the Hunt Building. School District Superintendant Dr. Cherie Labat says they met with members of FEMA, MEMA, and their architect Thursday to recalibrate their plans for repairing and upgrading the Hunt Intermediate School building in North Columbus….

Jack Wallace Blvd
Local News

Celebrating the life and legacy of Jack Wallace with local boulevard

Eric Lampkin,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – During his lifetime, Jack Wallace was known as a champion for Starkville and Oktibbeha County. Tuesday, the County and City make sure that his legacy lives on for years to come. The Greater Starkville Development Partnership and the Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority dedicated Jack Wallace Boulevard. The street runs through the heart of the…

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Local News, News Team

Kids in Macon have a new place to play

Joey Barnes,

MACON, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s been years in the making but kids in Macon have a brand new playground. Tuesday morning, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place for the new playground by the walking track at Noxubee General. The pandemic caused significant delays to the project. The Rotary Club of Macon started the project and went to community partners for help. “The Rotary…

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Crime, Local News

Lowndes Co. Board of Supervisors asking for lawsuit to be thrown out

MorrisAdmin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors is asking a federal judge to grant a summary judgment in a lawsuit filed against them by former County Administrator Ralph Billingsley. Billingsley sued the board and supervisors Harry Sanders and John Holliman for age discrimination, defamation, and interference in employment. Attorneys for the supervisors want the federal court…

Youth Crime
Crime, Local News

Columbus community members work together to eliminate youth crime during summer

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Municipal School District is holding a community meeting about efforts to reduce violence among the city’s youth., especially gun violence. The meeting got underway at 5:30. The School Board is bringing parents and the community together to discuss ways to get children engaged in positive activities over the Summer Break. We also talked to…

Yvett Roby
Featured, Local News

Mississippi State’s Office of Survivor Support working to help more victims of sexual assault

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office recently honored the director of Mississippi State’s Office of Survivor Support for her work providing help for victims of sexual assault. Dr. Yvett Roby received the Outstanding Service to Crime Victims Award in April. The school made her the director of the Office of Survivor Support in 2020 after she spent…

Quadrecius Gandy
Crime, Local News

Lowndes County murder trial is continued until August

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County murder trial is continued until August after investigators make another arrest in the case. 18-year-old Qadrecius Gandy is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. He was given a $50,000 bond on that charge. Gandy was arrested late last week and could face more charges. Curtis Lathan was scheduled to go to…

Douglas Tripplett
Local News

Former Macon police officer settles a federal lawsuit

Joey Barnes,

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Macon police officer settles a federal lawsuit, claiming age discrimination. In his lawsuit, Douglas Tripplett claimed he was forced to resign and the city discriminated against him because of his age. He also said there was audio evidence of an illegal meeting between members of the board of aldermen. The original lawsuit was filed…

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Local News

Part of highway 12 will be closed for construction Tuesday

Eric Lampkin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – If your travel plans include driving east on Highway 12 in Starkville on Tuesday, you may want to figure in a little extra time. The southernmost, eastbound lane – if you’re traveling East toward campus, that’s the right lane – will be closed from Industrial Park Road to just past the new Triangle Crossing Shopping Center….

Joshua Oats
Crime, Local News

Bond set for man charged in Eupora homicide investigation

Joey Barnes,

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – Bond is set for a man charged in a Eupora homicide investigation, as we learn new information about the shooting. 26-year-old Joshua Oats is charged with second-degree murder. Chief Lawrence Caradine says the shooting happened Saturday on West Roane Avenue. 29-year-old Jordan Gaston died after being shot. Caradine says the incident started over a cell phone…

Justin Robert Coggins
Crime, Local News

Caledonia teen accused of killing mothers fiance has bond set

Joey Barnes,

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI) –  A Caledonia teen accused of killing his mother’s fiancee has his bond set today. 18-year-old Justin Robert Coggins has been charged with murder. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says the shooting happened at 136 Richards Lane, just hours after Coggins graduated from Caledonia High. 33-year-old Dustin Hoffpauir died at the scene of the shooting. Lowndes County Coroner Greg…
Featured, Local News

Caledonia teen charged with murder just hours after graduating high school

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- A Caledonia teen is charged with murder just hours after graduating high school. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said 18-year-old Justin Robert Coggins allegedly shot 33-year-old Dustin Hoffpauir during a domestic dispute Saturday morning. The gunfire happened on 136 Richard’s Lane in Caledonia. Hawkins said Coggins graduated from Caledonia High School earlier in the day. Coggins is now…