Ole Miss Captain Tim Elko Defies Injury Odds

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) — On April 5th, in a midweek match-up against North Alabama, Ole Miss senior captain Tim Elko tore his ACL. Usually, that injury would bench any athlete for the remainder of the season. However, Elko isn’t just any athlete. “You hate to kind of start putting timelines on it,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said following…

A fatal shooting leaves one dead, four people critically injured

ALICEVILLE, Ala. (WCBI)- A fatal shooting in Aliceville leaves one person dead and four others critically injured. An early morning shooting left the community and family members in tears. Uncertainty and sadness were some emotions that ran through Lessie Clark’s mind as she found out her brother was one of the victims of the early morning shooting in Aliceville. Clark…

Army veterans complete ruck in honor of fallen comrade

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – Each year, graves of fallen soldiers are decorated on memorial day weekend. However, not many can say that they completed a ruck in honor of a fallen comrade. “The only bad thing about it is, forgetting someone that has died, especially in combat,” Army veteran, Sergeant Melvin Gatewood, said. Comrades of fallen Army national guard soldier…

Community members want to stop youth violence in West Point

WEST POINT, MISS. (WCBI)- Several towns in our area have seen a spike in crimes involving young people, and many of those crimes have been violent. A group in West Point gathered Saturday to talk about the problem and solutions. The group known as the Interdenominational Minister Alliance believes curving youth violence starts at home. Members said parents have to…

Gorgeous holiday weekend, Storms coming back late week

SUMMARY: A downright chilly night tonight across the area, 40s possible in the region. A beautiful and dry Sunday and Monday with temperatures rebounding. Humidity returns by Tuesday, with a slight chance of showers and storms Wednesday. Widespread showers and storms more likely Thursday and Friday. SATURDAY NIGHT: A very unusual forecast for a late May night. Lows in the…

One decision on the table: whether to mandate masks for students

LOWNDES COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- School is out for the summer, but work continues for administrators who are already preparing for the next school year. One decision on the table; whether to mandate masks for students and staff. Masks or no masks? With more people vaccinated and lower COVID-19 case numbers, administrators are deciding what will best serve students when they return…

Tupelo Elvis Fan Club Raises Money From Brick Statue Sales

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – The Tupelo Elvis Fan Club has added more bricks around a statue of the King of Rock and Roll that is a favorite photo opp for locals and tourists. The Elvis Fairpark Statue brick program allows fans to purchase bricks, and have them inscribed in honor or memory of someone. Those bricks are placed around the…

Brooksville residents will soon have access to WIFI through FastNet

BROOKSVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Brooksville residents will soon have access to wireless internet 4-County’s new broadband service FastNet is in the first phase of its rollout plan. The Brooksville Library is now the host of a free FastNet wifi hot spot and homes will soon have access. Those interested in the service for their homes can find more information on…

Continuance denied in Starkville capital murder trial

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A continuance is denied in a Starkville capital murder trial that involved a shooting inside of Walmart. Judge Lee Howard made the ruling in Lowndes County Circuit Court this morning. William Thomas Chisholm is accused of shooting and killing Shauna Witt in January 2018. Witt was shot at her optometry clinic at Starkville’s Walmart. Chisholm was…

Prairie Opportunity hosted their annual “Action Day” on Friday

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Knowing the resources in your community can be a saving grace. This is why Prairie Opportunity hosts its “Action Day” each year. The event allows agencies in the community to set up booths to let folks know about the services they provide. Prairie Opportunity provides case management to low-income families, elderly, and disabled populations. Organizers hope…

Columbus locals on high alert after string of purse snatchings

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Over the past week, four purse snatchings have occurred in the city of Columbus. “Probably going to just wait to go to town if I need, you know, groceries or whatever. I’ll just wait for my boyfriend to come with me cause I’m not going to risk anything, you know,” Columbus resident Addie Powell said. Addie…

Local cooking legend has a street named after her in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus cooking legend is getting her own street. The coroner of 7th Avenue and 15th Street North was the site of this morning’s street dedication ceremony. Helen Karriem has operated “Helen’s Kitchen” for decades. The Southern soul food restaurant has been a staple in that north Columbus neighborhood. Today, the lady behind the dishes is…

Refreshing Memorial day weekend, storms return next week

SUMMARY: The cold front that brought some of us some showers and storms today will sweep through the area into the evening, bringing in much cooler and drier air, setting up a very refreshing Memorial day weekend! Highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s through Sunday. Next week, the heat and humidity makes a return, and we are…

Cold front for our Friday; cool & nice holiday weekend ahead

SUMMARY: A cold front will push through our area this Friday. Not expecting a complete washout, but chances of showers and storms will remain through the afternoon. The front will bring in unseasonably cool air and less humid conditions for the long Memorial Day holiday weekend. Enjoy the amazing weather because we will warm back up next week, with an…

Columbus church asking for help buying chairs for new sanctuary as they continue rebuilding after 2019 tornado

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – First Pentecostal Church of Columbus is almost ready to open its doors again in the wake of 2019’s tornado. It has been over two years since the EF-3 tornado leveled the church. Senior Pastor Steve Blaylock says they expect construction to finish by June and hopes they can move in sometime during July. Pastor Blaylock says…

Lowndes County prosecutor, Steve Wallace, passed away Thursday afternoon

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County Prosecutor and long-time attorney Steve Wallace has passed away. He wore many hats in the community over the years. Wallace was also chairman of the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau board. He graduated from Lee High and went on to study at Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Wallace was also a former public…

New and improved Sim Scott Community Center reopens in Columbus 2 years after being destroyed in EF-3 tornado

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Thursday, the Sim Scott Community Center officially reopened after it was destroyed during the 2019 tornado. Columbus city leadership believes the new building has the potential to change the dynamic of Columbus’s Northside. “It’s been a long time coming,” says Mayor Robert Smith. “But as the old saying goes, for every bad thing that happens, something…

To protect and serve, more female officers are joining the force

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- To protect and serve–more officers are joining the force. In Columbus, most of those new recruits are women; giving the department the highest number of female officers they’ve seen in years. More women are signing up to serve and protect. Here at the Columbus Police Department, the list of active female officers almost doubles compared to 2020….

Longtime Arena Director Of Operations Is Retiring

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Imagine a job where you get to work with country and western acts, rock and roll legends, and Disney on Ice performers. For a longtime employee at the Bancorpsouth Arena, that job has been part of his life, but now he says it’s time to retire. Whether it’s a Disney on Ice performance, or a sold-out…

Warm & humid Thursday followed by some storms for Friday

SUMMARY: We are waking up to some foggy & misty conditions this Thursday morning, but expecting another warm day ahead with a mix of sun & clouds. We’ll have a better chance of showers & storms on Friday, but a nice holiday weekend is ahead. THURSDAY: After dealing with some dense fog in the morning, we’re in for a warm…

Monroe Co. Sheriff’s Dept. makes record-breaking meth bust after joint investigation with North Mississippi Narcotics & several local law enforcement agencies

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department announced the details of an arrest in a major drug bust they say is the result of a joint investigation over the last few months. “Methamphetamine is the go-to drug here that we have to deal with in Monroe County,” says Sheriff Kevin Crook. “It’s wrecked the most lives anyway.”…

Aberdeen Head Start In Enrollment Drive

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – A free program that provides a wide variety of services in education and early childhood development is having an enrollment drive. Aberdeen Head Start is looking to enroll students for its upcoming programs.  Head Start centers provide pre-K educational services, mental health, and developmental screenings, and other services for children ages one through five. Typically, the…