Chickasaw County Emergency Management has drastically expanded disaster response since 2011 tornadoes

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – Just six months after taking over as Emergency Management director of Chickasaw County, Linda Griffin found herself responding to not one, but two EF-3 tornados on April 27th, 2011. “We had the 3 a.m. tornado, we’re thinking, that’s what we are going to have for that day,” Griffin said. “We had people out working, cleaning up.”…

Smithville Clinic Marks Ten Years Since Deadly Tornado

SMITHVILLE, MISS. (WCBI) – Tuesday marks the tenth anniversary of one of the darkest days in Mississippi. An EF 5 tornado struck Smithville. Sixteen lives were lost, homes and businesses were destroyed, along with the town’s only medical clinic. Marilyn Summerford remembers specific details of April 27th, 2011, such as tornado sirens going off throughout the day, and a conference…

Another warm day ahead for Tuesday; Rain returns late week

SUMMARY: Warmer temperatures in the 80s and quiet, dry weather should continue through midweek. A cold front will give our area some rain and storms from Thursday afternoon into Friday morning. The severe weather threat appear low at this time. TUESDAY: A mix of sun & clouds. High temperatures continuing to warm up into the lower to mid 80s. A…

Columbus police encourage gun owners to get gun locks to prevent tragedies

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Most homes in Mississippi have guns whether for hunting, protection, or both. Some people are trained and keep their firearms locked away; however, a gun left out can be deadly. Nationwide Children’s Hospital reports 1,300 children die each year in the U.S. from similar situations, and that is why Columbus police are making a push to give…

OCH Regional Medical Center’s Chief Nursing Officer says one dose ‘not enough’ as more people skip second COVID-19 shot

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – According to the CDC, there is a growing trend of people skipping their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. “One dose is not enough,” said Interim Chief Nursing Officer Savannah Brown with OCH Regional Medical Center. “It is helpful but it’s not enough.” The CDC report shows close to 5 million people…

The 80s are making a comeback as we begin new workweek

SUMMARY: Who’s ready for warmer temperatures??? Well the 80s are making a comeback as we begin a new workweek. We’ll also enjoy some sunshine. Rain and storm chances will return to the forecast by Thursday and Friday along with some slightly cooler temperatures. MONDAY: We’ll see mostly sunny skies as we begin a new workweek with highs continuing to warm…

Nice weather to start off the week, rain and storm chances increase

We’ll enjoy some nice and dry weather for the next few days as sunshine continues. Rain chances return to the forecast by Thursday and Friday.  SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear and cool with a calm wind. Lows will be around 50. MONDAY-TUESDAY: Sunshine returns for Monday and Tuesday as temperatures warm back up. Highs will be in the 80s with lows in…

Sunshine returns for Sunday

After some periods of heavy rain late Friday night and Saturday, sunshine will return by Sunday and early next week. Temperatures will warm back into the mid 80s before our next chance of rain by the end of the week. SATURDAY NIGHT: Any pop-up storm activity will exit by dinnertime, leaving us dry overnight. Clouds will gradually clear out as temperatures…

Spotty strong storms today, clearing by this evening

The heaviest rain will slack off through this morning, but spotty storms will remain possible through the day today. These storms could produce brief downpours, wind, or hail. SATURDAY: While today doesn’t appear to be an all-day washout, there will be a chance for some pop up showers and storms through about 7pm. Some of these storms could be on the stronger side…

Aberdeen Main Street Promoting Small Businesses And Community Wide Clean Up

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – The town of Aberdeen has experienced upheaval recently in city government, with the resignation of a mayor, and a court-ordered new election for the Ward One Alderman seat. Now that those races have been settled, many in the Monroe County town are looking forward to bigger and better things for residents and businesses. For Aberdeen Main…

State and federal assessments are impacted due to the pandemic

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting state tests. Students will not need a passing score this year on the high-school end-of-course assessments and the third-grade reading tests. Having a passing score on state and federal tests isn’t needed for the 20-21 school year. The Mississippi Department of Education suspended requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ” Just…

Starkville businesses featured at King Cotton Crawfish Boil

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The King Cotton Crawfish Boil was held after three years and the Starkville community was ready to eat. The largest fundraiser event for the Starkville Main Street Association was completely sold out before gates opened. Twenty teams perfected their crawfish recipes for the competition over the weeks before and were ready to put them to the…

An Army Scout Honors His Mother’s Memory During Basic Training

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi family experiencing an unexpected tragedy is getting through with family, friends, and faith. Steven Cole Edwards was taking part in his final Field Training Exercise with his troop at Fort Benning, Georgia when he was called away to meet with his Captain.  it was bad news. His mother Holley had passed away after…

Local students participate in Starkville volunteer week

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Volunteers volunteering! Starkville Academy students celebrated Volunteer week by helping out their community. Students, ranging from elementary to high school, participated in different projects. Those projects included picking up trash on the side of the roads, helping restock Mississippi State’s food pantry, and sorting clothes at Palmer Home. High school students shared their experiences throughout the…