Img 5976
Featured, Local News

Miss Mississippi Volunteer 2023 uses platform to encourage others

Hannah Perrigin is from Columbus and has platform is "Defined By Me," encouraging people to overcome obstacles
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A 24-year-old woman from Columbus is proof that adversity can be overcome and conquered, with faith and hard work. When Hannah Perrigin went into the interview portion for the Miss Mississippi Volunteer Pageant, she walked into the room with a Bible verse on her shoe. “Psalm 46;5, and it says, “If God is within Her she…

Trooper Grad
Local News, State News

New troopers will soon be patrolling Mississippi highways

Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – 29 new troopers will soon be patrolling Mississippi highways. Cadet Class 66 graduated Friday and to the oath to keep the state safe. This is a unique class, because each cadet had law enforcement experience before going to trooper school. That is a first for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The 12 weeks of training…

Child Sex Crime
Crime, Local News

Two men arrested for child sex crimes in unrelated cases

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Lowndes County resident has been arrested on a child pornography charge. 52-year-old Robert Thomas Taylor is charged with exploitation of a child. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says tips got a tip from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force this past December. Detectives say Taylor was previously in…
Local News

Luxapalila Park will be closed beginning Monday

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus park is being closed to the public. Luxapalila Park will be closed beginning Monday. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway made the announcement on social media Friday. It is the policy of the Corps of Engineers to close leased recreation areas turned back to the Corps. The city of Columbus returned the…

Curtis Lathan
Crime, Local News

Curtis Lathan found guilty of second degree murder

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Curtis Lathan will spend the next 40 years in prison. Friday a Lowndes County jury found the 20-year-old Lathan guilty of second degree murder in the 2019 shooting death of 16-year-old Arykah White. White was shot to death outside of a birthday party at the Propst Park Community Center in July of 2019. The case…

Dustin Thacker
Crime, Local News

Calhoun County deputies have made a child sex crime arrest

Joey Barnes,

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Calhoun County deputies have made a child sex crime arrest. 39-year-old Dustin Thacker is charged with six counts of touching a child for lustful purposes and one count of sexual battery. Sheriff Greg Pollan says the investigation started last week. He believes there are multiple victims that are all under the age of 15. Deputies…

Img 8003
Featured, Local News

Aberdeen city leaders look at possible solution to parking problem

Some homeowners say drivers of big rigs park in private lots, causing damage to property
Allie Martin,

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – Some Aberdeen homeowners are upset over damage to their property, they say is caused by truck drivers parking their big rigs on private property. DeRhonda Jones lives next door to the old Fred’s in Aberdeen.  Although the store has been shuttered for years, she says the parking lot is used by truck drivers, who live in…

Img 5440
Featured, Local News

Ms center for reentry helps former incarcerated people adjust to society

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Adjusting to life outside of prison can be a big challenge for people who’ve been incarcerated. State leaders are discussing way to help them transition back into society. A conference in Starkville  focused finding to help people after they served their time. Some of the most common questions a formerly incarcerated person may have are—how do I…

Alexis Sanders
Crime, Local News

Pleas from murder victims family did not change prison sentence

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Pleas from a murder victim’s family does not change a woman’s prison sentence. Alexis Sanders was ordered to serve 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to second degree murder. The Canton woman’s attorney asked the court to reconsider the prison sentence after the victim’s family asked for a shorter amount of time to be…

Fire Station
Local News

Local Chapter of Woodmen Life gives Fire Station 4 new flag

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Local Chapter of Woodmen Life showed their dedication to a local fire station. Fire station number 4 is the newest station in Columbus. The group showed its appreciation by hosting a flag ceremony this afternoon. The group Donated a new flag pole, an American flag as well as the state of Mississippi flag This event…

Street Art
Local News

Starkville receiving some new street art on University Drive

MorrisAdmin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Street Art is a very popular form of art that is spreading quickly all over the world. The city of Starkville is one of the latest cities to join this trend. Students and community volunteers are teaming up to design University Drive by small town center with the goal in mind to connect the University and…

Ja Of Columbus Crown Club Decorated School Sidewalks
Local News

JA of Columbus Crown Club decorated school sidewalks

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Junior Auxiliary of Columbus Crown club kicked off the first of many projects for the 2022-2023 academic year. All across the Columbus Municipal and Lowndes County School Districts active members of the Crown Club are using chalk to write positive messages on the sidewalks of elementary schools The goal of this project is to bring…

Mayor Roof
Local News

Columbus Mayor and Fire Department inspecting the city hall roof

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Being the mayor of a town comes with a lot of responsibilities. Thursday, Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin took his job to new heights. With the help of the Columbus Fire Department, he used a fire engine to take pictures of the roof, downspouts, and gutters. The pictures are needed for a Mississippi Department of Archives and…

Freddie Williams
Crime, Local News

Car chase ends with vehicle crash and murder suspect arrested

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Thursday night chase in Columbus ends with a vehicle crash and a murder suspect behind bars. On Wednesday investigators with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office got an arrest warrant for Freddie Williams. Williams is the chief suspect in the July 9th death of Willie Dickerson. Dickerson was shot to death in the 300 block of…

Savion Winters
Crime, Local News

Weir man arrested in Oktibbeha County shooting

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An arrest is made in connection with an Oktibbeha County shooting. 25-year-old Savion Winters, of Weir, is charged with aggravated assault and armed robbery. Deputies believe he was involved with a reported shooting at 21 Apartments back on April 25th. At least one person was injured in the gunfire. Asheem Harris and a juvenile were…

Capture
Local News

Renovations wrapping up in the Winona – Montgomery County Schools

Joey Barnes,

WINONA, Miss (WCBI)- While Winona-Montgomery County students were out on summer break, their schools were receiving a much-needed face-lift. After nearly 50 years, the halls of Winona Elementary School will be taking on a different look. Emergency Relief Funds made it possible for the district to make some needed changes. Renovations across the Winona – Montgomery County Consolidated School District…

Irs Fine Columbus
Featured, Local News

Columbus pays IRS close to $40K fine after city submitted tax documents late in 2017

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Thursday, an agent with the Internal Revenue Service showed up without warning at city hall, claiming that Columbus owed the agency more than $50,000. Chief Financial Officer Jim Brigham discussed the situation Wednesday morning during the regularly scheduled post-city council meeting press conference. “We did have one large, outstanding fine that came out in 2017, where…

Img 5664
Featured, Local News

Monroe Co. NAACP meets with Chickasaw Co. Sheriff regarding complaints against deputy

NAACP representatives were given officer's bodycam footage from one of the traffic stops
Allie Martin,

MONROE AND CHICKASAW COUNTIES, MISS. (WCBI) – The Monroe County Chapter of the NAACP met with the Chickasaw County Sheriff today after the civil rights group filed two complaints about the alleged conduct of a deputy. The complaints were filed on behalf of two women, Doris Lipsey, and Jennifer Blair.  Both women claim that in separate traffic stops, Chickasaw County…

Teachers
Local News

Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce celebrates educators

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Educators are Essential – that was the message today from the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber welcomed back teachers and school staff with a pep rally before they get down to the serious business of the 2022 – 2023 school year. Teachers were treated with discounts at local businesses, door prizes, and entertainment. The…

Barber Shop
Local News

Local barbershop and nonprofit team up to give free haircuts

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A local barbershop and a nonprofit are teaming up to give kids a new look and a new outlook. Marcus Stokes runs the Bluprint foundation. He and barbers at Spotlight barber shop in Columbus invited boys ages 5 to 17 to get a free a haircut today. This is the second year Stokes has offered free…

Alexis Sanders
Crime, Local News

Canton woman pleads guilty to murder in Oktibbeha County

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Canton woman pleads guilty to murder in Oktibbeha County. However, her time in prison could change. Alexis Sanders was ordered to serve 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to second degree murder. Now, her attorneys have filed a motion to reconsider that prison sentence. They claim the victim’s family has requested Sanders not…

Laquavis Collier
Crime, Local News

Starkville bank robber arrested and will spend next ten years in prison

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Starkville bank robber will spend the next decade in prison. Laquavis Collier was ordered to serve ten years behind bars for the September 2021 hold-up. He was sentenced in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court. The robbery happened at Renasant Bank on Lampkin Street. Starkville police say Collier walked into the bank and eventually stole some items…