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Local News, State News

Governor Kay Ivey calls special session to address prison infrastructure and the justice system

Health care treatment, educational services, and prison re-sentencing are on the agenda for the next Special Session
Joey Barnes,

MONGOMERY, Ala. (WCBI)- Health care treatment, educational services, and prison re-sentencing are on the agenda for the upcoming special session called by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. The main items on the agenda are a bond bill and sentencing standards. The Alabama governor released a statement saying, “I am pleased and extremely hopeful that we are finally positioned to address our…

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Local News

Sweet potato farmers taking advantage of fall weather for harvesting

Demand is still good for the crop, which has long been the root of Calhoun County's farm economy.
Eric Lampkin,

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Some folks think of this as Pumpkin Spice Season, but in Mississippi, it’s Sweet Potato Season. Sweet potato farmers across North Mississippi are taking advantage of the Fall-like weather to begin this year’s harvest. Demand is still good for the crop, which has long been the root of Calhoun County’s farm economy. But this year’s…

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Crime, Featured, Local News, Top Story

Long-time Louisville Police Officer fired after 2-month investigation into reports he was improperly giving people rides in his patrol car

Joey Barnes,

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday night, the Louisville Board of Aldermen voted to fire Officer Ty Hardin of the Louisville Police Department for multiple violations of city and police department rules. “The accusations are still under investigation and most likely, we’re going to pass this on to an outside agency,” says Louisville Police Chief Sean Holdiness. That’s where Chief Holdiness…

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Local News

Lowndes County officials received $11.4 million to help make improvements to the county

Counties across the United States are receiving money from the Federal Government
Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Counties across the United States are receiving money from the Federal Government through the American Rescue Plan Act. For Lowndes County, the goal is to use the money wisely and make improvements where county leaders see fit. A pot of roughly $65 billion dollars was distributed in different chunks to each county in the United States….

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Local News

Toyota Team Members Give Back To Community During Production Shutdown

Allie Martin,

BLUE SPRINGS, MISS. (WCBI) – Many of the team members at Toyota Mississippi have spent the past three weeks giving back to the community. During the production shutdown, team members were given three options;  they could take paid time off,  take days with no pay, or come to the plant where volunteer opportunities would be provided for them. On Wednesday afternoon, …

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Local News

Toyota Mississippi To Resume Production After Three Week Shutdown

Allie Martin,

BLUE SPRINGS, MISS. (WCBI) – A three-week production shutdown at Toyota Mississippi will soon be coming to an end. On a regular workday, the track on the west side of the Blue Springs plant would be busy, as Corollas are test-driven. But for the past three weeks, there has been no activity on the track. Toyota announced a temporary production…

Dmarcus
Crime, Local News

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of an Okolona man

27-year-old D'Marcus Darden has been charged with the murder of 43-year-old Tavares Williams.
Allie Martin,

OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI) – A suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of an Okolona man earlier this week. 27-year-old D’Marcus Darden has been charged with the murder of 43-year-old Tavares Williams. Assistant Police Chief Sherry Hardin says the shooting happened Monday afternoon at the Okolona Terrace Apartments. Chief Hardin said Williams drove onto Fleming Street, where he…

Johnny Carter
Crime, Local News

Car theft ring investigation could span across two states

Choctaw Regional Medical Center employees called the sheriff's department about four suspicious vehicles that pulled into the hospital parking lot.
Joey Barnes,

ATTALLA/CHOCTAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – We are learning new details about a car theft ring investigation that could span across two states. Now, the FBI is also investigating the case. The second suspect arrested in the case is Johnny Carter. He’s charged with burglary and felony taking of a motor vehicle in Kosciusko. Carter is charged with burglary and receiving…

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Local News

City Council to have a forensic audit done of Columbus’ finances

They interviewed representatives from a firm that is being considered to conduct a forensic audit of Columbus' books.
Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It was a key theme in Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin’s campaign, getting a full understanding of the city’s finances. City leaders take one step closer to that today. They interviewed representatives from a firm that is being considered to conduct a forensic audit of Columbus’ books. Gaskin’s goal is to have 2 firms make their pitches…

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Crime, Local News

Four people have been arrested after several burglaries in Pickens County

Joey Barnes,

PICKENS COUNTY, Ala. (WCBI) – Four people have been arrested after several burglaries in Pickens County. Marty Moore, Thomas Lawson, Angela Chappelle, and Jaime Pierce are all facing charges. Sheriff Todd Hall says deputies made the arrests at a Liberty Road home after a month-long investigation. Investigators found a large amount of drugs, drug paraphernalia, and some stolen items were…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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….

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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…

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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…

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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…