Hotels are filling up rooms again after having a slow year

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- This time last year, it was easy to find a hotel room during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it’s hard to find a place to stay; especially the case with more events, such as post-season baseball in Starkville. Last year several businesses including hotels saw few people coming in their doors. “The hotel industry was…

Community officials host an event in efforts to cease youth violence

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- “It’s Time to Talk” was the message Starkville NAACP officials wanted to get to the community after seeing numbers surge in youth violence. Now, these leaders want peace and change. Kids and their families were dared to be different, and community leaders believe they have given today’s youth to spark a positive change. The youth is the…

Mule Day brings a sense of normalcy to the Gordo community

GORDO, Ala. (WCBI) – The beginning of summer means festival season. Across the country, fairs and festivals are finally being held after cancellations last year. “I love being able to talk to everybody, seeing people I haven’t seen in a long time,” Anna Grace Lindsey, Mule Day vendor and participant, said. The 33rd annual Mule Day festival is a staple…

Very wet and stormy week ahead

SUMMARY: Tonight we will see a continuation of rain and storm chances. For Sunday, a pretty much guaranteed rainy day across the area, with clouds keeping our temps below average. Sunday night we remain warm and muggy, only dipping down to around 70 degrees. High rain chances with daily showers and storms continue through at least Wednesday, with highs staying…

Aberdeen Electric Customers Can Now Pay Bills Online

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – Customers of the City of Aberdeen’s Electric Department can now pay their bill, and conduct other business, without leaving home. The Electric Department can now receive payments online or through an app.   Those new features became available at the end of May. Customers can pay their electric, water, sewer and sanitation through the app or…

COVID vaccines are now available at local pharmacies

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It is now easier to get vaccinated. Along with vaccines being distributed by the Mississippi State Department of Health, local pharmacies are now able to make getting vaccinated easier than ever before. “It sneaks up on you and before you know it, you’re deathly ill,” local pharmacist, Kin Seto said. Kin Seto is just one of…

Stormy pattern settling in, high rain chances to begin next week

SUMMARY: One last relatively dry night across the region, before a slow moving area of low pressure begins to move into the area bringing much higher rain chances. Scattered storms and mid 80s for Saturday, but by Sunday numerous to widespread showers and storms settle into the region. All of the rain and cloud cover will keep up a bit…

A decent Friday & Saturday ahead; Storm chances return Sunday

SUMMARY: Staying seasonably warm as we head into the weekend. We’ll have drier conditions for your Friday and Saturday, but another disturbance will bring the return of unsettled weather for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Rain and storm chances will continue Wednesday and Thursday. Keep the umbrella on standby! FRIDAY: Much lower rain chances for Friday, most of us should stay…

Community Counseling Services goes into communities to provide mental health treatment to thousands of people across 7 counties

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – When it comes to mental health, Community Counseling Services therapist Trisha Thornton says that, for many people, the hardest part is just asking for help. But for those who do want help but don’t know where to turn, she says the feeling is devastating. “It really does destroy every ounce of confidence that someone has,”…

Lowndes Co. woman charged with five counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss.  (WCBI) – A Lowndes County woman is indicted on prescription fraud charges. 41-year-old Miranda Dale is charged with five counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. The state Attorney General’s office alleges Dale tried to obtain Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, and Tramadol on several different occasions in September 2020. Prosecutors say Dale was part of the plan to…

WCBI partnered with Mississippi Blood Services for a blood drive

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Some people were able to give the gift of life today. WCBI partnered with the Mississippi Blood Services to host a blood drive. They saw almost 30 people throughout the day. All participants received a tie-dye t-shirt. For more information on local blood drive donations, you can click here. Categories: Local News

A few spotty showers & storms still possible for our Thursday

SUMMARY: Thursday looks to have lower rain chances, but scattered afternoon storms still possible. We’ll have drier conditions for your Friday and Saturday, but another disturbance will bring the return of higher rain & storm chances for Sunday into early next week. Highs fairly seasonable in the mid to upper 80s. THURSDAY: Expect mostly dry conditions with a mix of…

Columbus Police, Lowndes Co. Sheriff hope Ring Doorbell’s video and safety information sharing app can help solve and prevent more crimes

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – In the ongoing fight against the area’s rising crime, law enforcement has repeatedly stressed the importance of working with the community. "Trying to be everywhere at one time is impossible. So we need information from the public to help solve some of these crimes." Columbus PD, Lowndes Co. Sheriff hope @Ring Doorbell's video/safety info sharing app…

DEA seized more than $55,000 in Lowndes Co. during drug bust

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Drug Enforcement Administration seizes more than 55,000 dollars after a Lowndes County drug bust. Now, 35-year-old Gabriel O’Neal is charged with possession of a controlled substance Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says deputies and Narcotics Task Force Agents stopped O’Neal for a traffic violation on Old Aberdeen Road this past Friday. A K9 alerted the car…