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Local News

Food shortages are altering the way cafeterias serve lunch

Schools across the country are feeling the effects of shortages
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- From household supplies to food to manufacturing parts; businesses are dealing with shortages all across the country, and it’s trickled down into school cafeterias. Schools across the country are feeling the effects of shortages.  Columbus Municipal School District leaders knew those problems would happen at some point, so they had a plan in place. “We’re still serving…

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Local News

New changes are flying into the Columbus Air Force

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – New changes are flying into the Columbus Air Force bade as the agency is facing a 10-year pilot shortage. In December, the base will roll in new technology for students during their training. Despite the history of pilot shortages and the pandemic, CAFB had the highest number of graduates this year since 1985. “COVID affected us…

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Local News

More deer in Mississippi have become sick this year

Occurrences of an ailment known as, blue tongue, are higher in 2021
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Occurrences of an ailment known as, blue tongue, are higher in 2021; over previous years. When people think of sick animals they typically don’t want to eat them, but if a deer has what is known as hemorrhagic disease or blue tongue then the consumer doesn’t have to worry. “One big difference is that chronic wasting disease…

Drug
Featured, Local News

Heroin epidemic reaches small cities in Mississippi and Alabama

"What the rest of the nation has been seeing with an opioid crisis, we are now seeing," Lieutenant Kevin Forrester said.
Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES / PICKENS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – According to local law enforcement, heroin is finding a place alongside opioids and other drugs along the Mississippi Alabama state line. “What the rest of the nation has been seeing with an opioid crisis, we are now seeing,” Lieutenant Kevin Forrester said. The opioid epidemic has been an issue across the United States…

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Featured, Local News

Aberdeen’s historic Acker Park undergoing improvements

Acker Park will be the site of a popular music festival
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A historic park in one Monroe County town is getting much needed improvements. For decades, Acker Park was center stage in Aberdeen with its swimming pool and other attractions. But after the pool closed the park was neglected until Aberdeen resident Dwight Stevens, who lives across the street, began having the park mowed regularly. He has also helped with…

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Local News

Community Counseling and leaders in Noxubee Co. bring awareness surrounding Domestic Violence

Community Counseling Services teams up with leaders in Noxubee County to break the silence surrounding Domestic Violence.
Eric Lampkin,

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – They were sending a message of courage and hope on Monday in Macon. Community Counseling Services teams up with leaders in Noxubee County to break the silence surrounding Domestic Violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. People in Macon kicked things off with a balloon release. Dorothy Sanders, the victim advocate coordinator for Lowndes County, says…

Violence
Featured, Local News

‘Stop the Violence’ group hopes to teach kids to better respond to issues

The 'Stop the Violence' chapter hosted different community members in the Okolona City Hall Auditorium.
Joey Barnes,

OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI) -Keeping the community united. A group in Okolona is working to help folks in the area. “We’re just bringing awareness to communities, but it has to start somewhere,” Marsha Gates, a member of ‘Stop the Violence’, said. Violence in the community—Okolona Assistant Police Chief Sherry Hardin said it’s been a growing issue over the last few months….

Mndy
Featured, Local News, Weather

Drier and nicer weather later this week

MorrisAdmin,

SUMMARY: A cold front will clear the area Sunday night, but linger nearby with remaining moisture through Wednesday. Scattered showers and storms in the forecast for Monday afternoon, with rain chances ramping up again for Tuesday. Rain chances back off quite a bit for Wednesday, and go away entirely for Thursday and the rest of the week. Highs will be…

An
Local News

The Dancing Rabbit Festival in Macon brought families and friends out

The festival is normally held in downtown Macon, but organizers decided to move it
Joey Barnes,

MACON, Miss. (WCBI)- The Dancing Rabbit Festival in Macon kicked off Saturday, October 2, 2021.  Like many events, the festival wasn’t able to go on in 2020 due to the pandemic, but the town was ready to get things back up and running. “It’s just awesome to come back out here. It’s been a while since people could come and…

Rny
Featured, Local News, Weather

Rain chances stay high for the next few days

MorrisAdmin,

SUMMARY: A cold front and associated area of low pressure will be taking their sweet time moving through the southeast, so we have to deal with a few more days of cloudy and rainy weather. Rain chances look highest on Sunday, with less coverage of rain for Monday. Rain chances increase again for Tuesday, before tapering off for Wednesday and…

Llkngahd
Featured, Local News, Weather

Rain returns Saturday afternoon

MorrisAdmin,

SUMMARY: Rain chances return to the forecast in the form of scattered showers and storms on Saturday afternoon. As a front approaches the area on Sunday, rain chances become much more widespread. Rain chances drop for Monday, with only scattered showers sticking around through Wednesday. Highs will be in the mid 80s Saturday, low 80s Sunday to Tuesday, and in…

Meth
Featured, Local News

Methamphetamines: The personal cost of addiction

As more meth related arrests are made in Lowndes County, law enforcement and rehab therapists want to warn people of the dangers of the addictive drug.
Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Over the last month, law enforcement officers in the area have seen an increase in arrests connected to meth.  Lowndes County Narcotics officers have confiscated more than 30 grams of meth this week. “There is nothing natural about methamphetamines. It will take you places that you wouldn’t normally go,” Lieutenant Kevin Forrester said. Kevin Forrester…

Llkngahd
Featured, Local News, Weather

Drier Saturday, wet Sunday

MorrisAdmin,

SUMMARY: Rain chances return to the forecast in the form of scattered showers and storms on Saturday afternoon. As a front approaches the area on Sunday, rain chances become much more widespread. Rain chances drop for Monday, with only scattered showers sticking around through Wednesday. Highs will be in the mid 80s Saturday, low 80s Sunday to Tuesday, and in…

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Local News, News Team

Columbus celebrates the 7th Avenue Heritage Festival for the 39th year

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The city of Columbus celebrated its 39th annual 7th Avenue Heritage Festival. Historically, 7th Avenue was considered the cornerstone for African American businesses in Columbus.  It was also the birthplace of the Queen City Hotel, which housed artists like B.B. King, Duke Ellington, and more when they traveled through the area. Thursday, the festival recognizes one of…

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Featured, Local News

How Louisville’s Taylor Machine Works is weathering global supply shortage

Joey Barnes,

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Stores and businesses across Mississippi and the United States are once again dealing with a shortage of products on their shelves and in their warehouses thanks to the pandemic. The root cause is the disruption of supply chains all over the globe. “They’re telling us they expect this to last through next year, through 2022,” says…

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Featured, Featured Weather, Local News, Weather

Drier weather Friday and Saturday

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Mississippi (WCBI) – SUMMARY: We received widespread showers the first half today, but rain has ended this evening across the region. We will remain dry tomorrow and Saturday before rain returns Sunday afternoon. TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy and muggy overnight. Low temperatures will reach the middle 60s. Chance of rain: 10%. FRIDAY: Overcast early with patchy AM fog then becoming…

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Crime, Local News

Columbus police continue to search for a gunman after Wednesday night shooting

A juvenile was hit by the gunfire. Police Chief Fred Shelton says that girl was treated and released from the hospital.
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police continue to search for a gunman after Wednesday night shooting. A juvenile was hit by the gunfire. Police Chief Fred Shelton says that girl was treated and released from the hospital. He declined to give her age. When officers arrived at the shooting on 18th Street North, they found out the victim was driven…

K9
Local News

Newest K-9 sworn into Starkville Police Department

He was joined by MSU's mascot bully, along with K9 officers from the MSU police department and Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Office.
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville went to the dogs today! Not the football team but an actual K9 ready to serve. Mayor Lynn Spruill swore in the Starkville police department’s newest officer, Kojack. He was joined by MSU’s mascot bully, along with K9 officers from the MSU police department and Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office. Pups from across town were invited…

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Local News

School districts in Mississippi will not receive a letter grade this year for state test results

The Mississippi Department of Education is making the scores in each district public.
Joey Barnes,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – School districts in Mississippi will not receive a letter grade this year for state test results. It’s unclear how or if this will impact schools still under the state’s control, such as the Noxubee County School District. The Mississippi Department of Education is making the scores in each district public. Noxubee Schools have been under…

Delois
Local News

Noxubee County teacher wins WCBI Back to School Essay Contest

Three teachers received an A plus for our essay contest and today they received their prize.
Joey Barnes,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Three teachers received an A plus for our essay contest and today they received their prize. A 500 dollar check to decorate their classroom. We paid a visit to Delois Mickens, a teacher at Noxubee County High school. Mickens appreciated the voters who supported her and talked about what she plans to do with the…

Lowndes
Local News

MSMS teacher wins WCBI Back to School Essay Contest

Julie Heintz of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is one of the winners in the WCBI Back to School Essay Contest.
Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Julie Heintz of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is one of the winners in the WCBI Back to School Essay Contest. Today, she received a check for 500 dollars from Monroe County Farm Bureau. Teachers were challenged to write an essay about how they would spend the money in their classrooms. Heintz’s plans…

Shooting
Local News

Shooting in Columbus sends child to hospital

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A shooting on Columbus’ Northside sends a child to the hospital. Columbus Police and Emergency crews were called to a reported shooting on 18th Street, near Sim Scott Park around 7:30 Wednesday Night. When they got to the scene, they were told the victim, a child had been taken to the hospital in a personal vehicle….