Worth A Shot
Coronavirus Information, Featured, Local News, Top Story

NMHS forms coalition for COVID-19 vaccination for area physicians to share vaccine facts and the personal toll the pandemic has taken on them

"You're worth a shot"
Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The COVID-19 pandemic continues to take an emotional and physical toll on doctors and nurses in Mississippi as the state’s number of cases rise and its vaccination rate remains low. “It is tragic for us to hear (patients) say before they pass, ‘if only I’d been vaccinated,’” says North Mississippi Health Services Chief Medical Officer Dr….

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Coronavirus Information, Featured, Local News

Nursing homes push to vaccinate more staff members

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Nursing homes continue to work tirelessly to protect patients. The surge in Coronavirus numbers is pushing facilities to vaccinate staff members. One facility here in Columbus is approaching complete vaccination to keep workers and patients safe. 180 is the number of COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities across Mississippi. There’s been a total of 266 cases in…

Food Pantry
Local News

Mini pantries across Lowndes County helping families

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County charity is helping feed families in need. The Community Benefit Committee’s Blessed Boxes program  has 16 boxes throughout the county for people to leave non-perishable foods and other essentials. Anyone can stop by and take what they need for themselves or their families. Group members say they need the community’s help to keep…

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Featured, Local News, Weather

Stormy Friday Then Warmer Next Week

MorrisAdmin,

SUMMARY: Showers and thunderstorms are possible the rest of the evening, with localized flooding in the strongest storms. Rain chances will decrease as we reach the weekend, but temperatures will be on the increase to start the work week. FRIDAY: Isolated showers and thunderstorms will become more numerous through the afternoon. Rain may be heavy at times with localized flooding…

Thursday
Featured, Local News, Weather

Another unsettled rainy day ahead for our Thursday

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  SUMMARY: We have been dealing with a few rounds of rain overnight and another round is moving in this Thursday morning. It’s just the beginning of another unsettled day across the region. We will continue seeing widespread chances of showers & storms as we end of the workweek. The summer heat and humidity will be making a comeback this…

Dont Pass 081821
Local News

Mississippi Highway Patrol reminding drivers to stop for buses

School buses are back on the roads; it's time to slow down
Eric Lampkin,

  STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – State troopers with the Mississippi Highway Patrol are asking drivers to slow down and follow the rules of the road – especially when it comes to buses. State law says you must stop for a school bus. It doesn’t matter which direction you are headed. If the bus is stopped, you need to stop as…

Scooter Safety 081821
Local News

Scooters rolling again in Starkville

After a bumpy road Bird is back in Starkville
Eric Lampkin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – After hitting a few bumps in the road, Bird Scooters are back in Starkville. Earlier this Summer, the Starkville Board of Aldermen voted to ban scooters in the city. Mayor Lynn Spruill vetoed that move, and the outgoing Board voted to override that veto. Last month, the newly elected Board of Aldermen reinstated the city’s contract…

Bus Fight Pic
Crime, Featured, Local News, Top Story

Fight erupts in the back of Columbus school bus that ends with eighth grade girl getting dragged out by her hair

Three students were arrested and suspended from school
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday, a fight broke out in the back of a Columbus school bus that ended with a girl being dragged out by her hair and three students being arrested. An Instagram video shows the fight that erupted on the bus as it drove down Bluecutt Road to bring students home from class. Jessica Mccaa says her…

City Mask 081821
Local News

Masks making a comeback in Columbus

Masking to be required in city-owned buildings
Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Masks are back in place in all city owned buildings in Columbus. City council members voted for the mandate Tuesday night. Mayor Keith Gaskin says the council will discuss the possibility of returning to a city-wide mask ordinance when they meet on August 26th. Gaskin says there are a lot of opinions out there. He says…

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Local News

Columbus grocery stores are filled with cleaning supplies and toiletries

Last year many things were bought out because of people buying in bulks
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Aside from college students coming back to school and clearing out stores;  shelves have been pretty full recently. That’s a big difference from last year when panic buying left many of those same shelves bare. “Last year I know we’d come in the store looking for like tissue, paper towel, Lysol and it was just hard to…

New Mayor 081821
Local News

New Fulton Mayor Lays Out Goals For Next Four Years

Allie Martin,

FULTON, MISS. (WCBI) – The new mayor of Fulton is settling into her new role and has some big plans for the growing city. Emily Quinn was sworn into office as Fulton’s newest mayor about six weeks ago, and apart from a calm first day, has been busy ever since. “I can remember the first day, sitting here and thinking,…

Next 3 Days
Featured, Local News, Weather

Rain & storm chances for the rest of the workweek

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SUMMARY: Showers and a few thundershowers are pushing through the far NW sections of the WCBI Viewing Area. We will be seeing increased chances of showers & storms as we head into the second half of the workweek. The summer heat and humidity will be making a comeback this weekend into next week as we dry out. WEDNESDAY: Keep the umbrella…

Wreck Indictment 081721
Local News

Manslaughter indictments for cousins involved in fatal wreck

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two cousins are indicted after an investigation into a deadly Columbus accident. Joseph and Dustin Gwathney were both indicted by a Lowndes County grand jury. Joseph Gwathney is charged with culpable negligence manslaughter and his bond is $65,000.00. Dustin Gwathney is charged with manslaughter. His bond is $150,000.00. They are scheduled to go to trial in…

Murder Suspects Pic
Crime, Featured, Local News, Top Story

Columbus Police arrest second suspect in connection with deadly neighborhood shootout, murder investigation far from over

Investigators still searching for two persons of interest
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday night, the Columbus Police Department announced a second arrest in connection with a deadly shootout in Columbus’s Southside in December. “If we could’ve arrested a person that night for this murder, that would have been better,” says Police Chief Fred Shelton. But CPD says the ongoing investigation into the murder of 20-year-old Frank Edwards is…

Hotel Invest 081721

Aberdeen Main Street Looks To Move Forward With Historic Hotel Renovation

Allie Martin,

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – Aberdeen Main Street is trying to find the best path forward when it comes to renovating a historic hotel. Over the past twenty years or so, Chris Chain has helped develop more than two hundred apartments in downtown Columbus. That is one reason the developer was brought in as a consultant for the Parkway Hotel Project….

Covid
Local News

COVID-19 testing sites are becoming more available for people in Columbus

COVID-19 testing is back in full swing in Columbus
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- As COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise, health care officials are doing whatever it takes to keep workers and patients safe. The Baptist Memorial Group started a drive-through testing site for people who may feel they’re having symptoms. The surge in the Delta Variant of COVID-19 is causing a comeback of sorts. After months focused on vaccinations,…
Featured, Local News, Weather

Fred staying to our east but rain chances stick around

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SUMMARY: We are starting off the new workweek on a rainy note with increased chances as we’re also watching Tropical Storm Fred as it’s hours away from landfall. We’ll be on the weaker side with minimal impacts. Rain & storm chances will stick around through the second half of the workweek into the weekend. TROPICS: All eyes are on the…
Featured, Local News

Family and community members hold a vigil for judy baxter

Joey Barnes,

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI)- Friends, family, and community members came together for a vigil of Judy Baxter. Baxter is known for her productive role in the community and touched so many lives in the county. Monroe County Sheriff’s office has asked for prayer for the Baxter family. This comes after Amory Police Department release a statement saying a homicide occurred on…

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Featured, Local News

Columbus pd search for suspect in connection to armed robbery

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Columbus Police are looking for a suspect in connection to an armed robbery at a residence August 15th. Chief Shelton said the victim was asleep in their home on 7th Street South when the suspect entered the house through an unlocked door. The suspect asked the victim to withdraw money from an ATM and to drop him…
Featured, Local News

Two Prentiss county men are charged with grand larceny

Joey Barnes,

PRENTISS COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- Two Prentiss County men are charged with theft of a catalytic converter stolen from a car at Zion Rest Church of Christ on Highway 371. Ronnie Lee Jones faces grand larceny of a church, failure to stop a motor vehicle when officer signals, and possession of burglary tools. Justice Court Judge Trent Moore set his bond at…

Wcbi Background 2 696x435
Featured, Local News

Make-a-wish Mississippi reveals surprise for 8-year-old boy

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE,Miss. (WCBI)- Make-A-Wish Mississippi granted a special wish for an 8-year-old boy in Starkville. Mason Saxon was diagnosed with cancer in October of 2019. Friends, family, and Make-A-Wish surprised Mason with a golden retriever puppy and other gifts. Saxon’s family decided to name their furry friend Phobe. “Today, we’re celebrating Mason in remission from being diagnosed with leukemia. He had…
Featured, Local News

Columbus police host national night out on crime

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- It’s a night to get to know the men and women who protect and serve your community. Crowds gathered in Columbus to partake in national night out on crime hosted by the Columbus Police Department and Lowndes County EMA. Folks can met with officers, deputies, and other agencies. Police Chief Fred Shelton says some citizens also had…