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Local News

Bomb threat calls are no joking matter

A bomb threat is defined as a threat to detonate an explosive device to cause damage, death, or injuries
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Two bomb threats in three days  created tension in Columbus, and had Columbus police working overtime; both turned out to be false alarms. A bomb threat is defined as a threat to detonate an explosive device to cause damage, death, or injuries. The threat is taken serious until proven otherwise. On Saturday, December 4, 2021, a Columbus…

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Local News

Sim Scott work leaves questions for city leaders

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Sim Scott Community Center is the gathering place for this northside neighborhood. When it was destroyed in 2019 there was a movement to rebuild it as quickly as possible. The building was completed earlier this year for a reported cost of nine hundred thousand dollars that the city was hoping FEMA would be reimbursed. But…

School
Local News, News Team

Columbus students learn the skill of coding during international event

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University and Columbus Middle School created a partnership to help students crack the code. Tuesday, students at Columbus Middle participated in an international event called “Hour of Code.” Kids were able to learn how to code and write programs in order to create dance characters for drama class. Devin Hill the Columbus Municipal School…

K9
Local News

Starkville Police Department K-9 receive bullet proof best from non-profit

Eric Lampkin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A national non-profit is helping a Starkville Police Officer suit up. Starkville K-9 Officer, Kojack will be getting a new bullet and stab-resistant vest thanks to a donation by Vested Interest in K-9s Incorporated. The group provides vests and other assistance to law enforcement dogs throughout the United States. Kojack has been with SPD since September….

Shay Shay
Local News

Starkville Police Department requests your assistance locating Saleisha Murry

MorrisAdmin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – The Starkville Police Department requests your assistance locating Saleisha Murry aka “Shay Shay” (13). Murry was last seen leaving Louisville St. on Friday night, December 3rd. She is described as 5’4″, 120lbs. She was last seen wearing a yellow jacket, blue jeans, and brown shoes. The Starkville Police Department and her family are concerned for…
Featured, Local News, News Team

Tupelo man dies following police interaction

Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- A man in Tupelo dies after an interaction with police officers. Around 7:40 Sunday night, law enforcement arrived at Motel 6 on East Main for a call about a man damaging a room. Reports say officers arrived and noticed through the window that the man was lying on the floor and blocking the door. Less than ten…

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Featured, Local News

Libraries in Starkville and Columbus taking part in Mississippi’s Anti-Racism Reading Shelf program

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus and Starkville public libraries are among the more than 150 across the state participating in the “Anti-Racism Reading Shelf” grant program. The Mississippi Humanities Council created the program in the midst of the nationwide movement for racial equality after the killing of George Floyd. Its goal is to make sure readers have access to…

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Local News

Transporting a suspect is a process that law enforcement know all too well

Transporting a prisoner isn't a leisurely road-trip
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- 23- year – old Shad Reese was shot and killed in his vehicle on November 1, 2021. The suspected shooter, 19- year- old Kingduron Pyle, was tracked down in Shoshoni Wyoming later that month after police responded to a disturbance call. “They alerted us saying hey we have found Mr. Pyle in our jurisdiction we understand that…

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Crime, Local News

Main Street in Columbus shut down after bomb threat

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) -New information tonight in a bomb threat that shut down Main Street in Columbus. Columbus police have made an arrest. Around 5:30 Columbus Police issued a press release stating that a 12-year-old juvenile from Macon has been arrested. He’s being charged with making a false bomb threat. Police Chief Fred Shelton says the call was targeting Domino’s…

Horsepark
Local News

Lowndes County horse park is officially open for business

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County horse park is officially open for business. A ribbon-cutting was held this morning for what is officially, the Lowndes County Agri-Center and Pavilion. The facility is a partnership between Lowndes County and the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The main attraction is a large pavilion, that county leaders and the extension service…

Starkville Police Department's K9 Kojack Receives A Bullet And Stab Protective Vest.
Local News

Starkville police department k9 Kojack receives new gear

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE,Miss. (WCBI)- One K9 is getting a new piece of body armor for his wardrobe. Starkville Police department’s K9 Kojack receives a bullet and stab protective vest. Kojack was sworn into the force back in September. The donation comes from a non-profit organization, Vested Interest in K9’s Incorporated. Their mission is to assist dog of law enforcement and related agencies…

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Local News

Small shops are doing what they can to keep customers in the door

Christmas is right around the corner and people are out shopping for the perfect gift
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Christmas is right around the corner and people are out shopping for the perfect gift. Several people go to the larger named stores around them, but there are small shops that thrive off that business. It may not be the big retail store with flashy signs, but it gets the job done. Park Place in Columbus serves…

Christmas Lights
Featured, Local News

Columbus bicentennial Christmas parade rolls through main street

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS,Miss. (WCBI)- The Christmas spirit reaches North Mississippi. The Columbus Bicentennial Parade rolled through Main Street on Sunday. The theme of the parade was “A Hometown Holiday … Past, Present, Future”. Helen Karriem served as the Grand Marshal to kick off the festivities. And you may have noticed some familiar faces. WCBI Sunrise Anchors Tara Wheeler and Eric Crosswhite, Sports…

Monsevr
Featured, Local News, Weather

Severe storms possible Monday, much cooler Tuesday

MorrisAdmin,

SUMMARY: A cold front will slice through the region tomorrow, bringing a squall line with showers and storms. This will sweep across the entire area during Monday morning, with the potential for some damaging winds and a brief spin-up tornado. After the front clears the area, temps will get much cooler for Tuesday. We begin to warm by Wednesday, and…

Santa
Local News

Local communities are getting into the Christmas spirit

First responders rolled down the streets during Mathison's Christmas parade.
Joey Barnes,

MATHISTON,Miss. (WCBI)- It’s finally December and several folks are starting the countdown to Christmas Day. Communities are beginning the festivities with their annual Christmas Parades. Come out., line the streets, and enjoy the floats. First responders rolled down the streets during Mathiston’s Cristmas parade. After the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt on the parade last year, it made preparation for…

Sweet Potato
Featured, Local News

A sweet potato giveaway helped feed the need in the community

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Feeding the need of the community; just one person at a time  was the message for a group in Columbus that gave away sweet potatoes. The 2,500 pounds of sweet potatoes came from Vardaman.  Anyone that came by St James Methodist Church was given as many sweet potatoes as they wanted to help fill everyone up. “I…
Featured, Local News

Two dead,one person in critical condition after a shooting in Brooksville

Joey Barnes,

NOXUBEE COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- Two people are dead and one person is in critical condition following a shooting in Noxubee county. Sheriff Tommie Roby says the incident happened in Brooksville at the B&B Store. Coroner R.L. Calhoun says 18-year-old Dewanderian Johnson was shot in a vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Two victims were air-lifted to UMMC in Jackson…

Headylines
Featured, Local News, Weather

Calm Sunday, strong storms possible Monday

MorrisAdmin,

SUMMARY: A bit of a temperature see-saw in store for us over the next week. We’ll see multiple disturbances moving through the area as well bringing several rain chances. After a mild weekend, we cool down quite a bit after a cold front moves through on Monday. This front will push a line of storms through the area, with severe…

Headylines
Featured, Local News, Weather

Lots of rain chances, cooler start to next week

MorrisAdmin,

SUMMARY: A bit of a temperature see-saw in store for us over the next week. We’ll see multiple disturbances moving through the area as well bringing several rain chances. After a mild weekend, we cool down quite a bit after a cold front moves through on Monday. The cool air won’t last long though, as moisture will quickly return to…

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Contest, Local News, News Team

Wassail Fest returns to Columbus, Mississippi

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The latest event to kick off the holiday season is the Wassail Fest in downtown Columbus. Merchants offered special deals and door prizes through the area. The main event of course is the wassail. On top of getting a great deal, Shoppers were able to test out all of the Wassail offered by the merchants in downtown…