258541837 232562042300157 5975947737395751260 N
Featured, Local News

Lawhon Elementary students celebrate raffle ticket sales efforts

More than $15,000 raised during Disney raffle ticket sales
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Students at one Tupelo elementary school have reason to celebrate. They have raised a huge amount of money through raffle ticket sales. For weeks students at historic Lawhon Elementary sold five-dollar raffle tickets, for a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to Disney World. Those raffle ticket sales raised more than 15 thousand dollars.  Teachers whose classes…

Donovan Prather
Crime, Local News

19 year-old Lowndes Co. man will spend next 35 years in jail

MorrisAdmin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A 19-year-old Lowndes County man will spend the next 35 years in jail for his role in an armed robbery and kidnapping. It didn’t take the jury long at all to find Donavan Prather guilty of multiple charges. Prather was sentenced this morning to 10 years for aggravated assault, 30 years for armed robbery and…

257891083 231942455695449 8912487853383190998 N
Featured, Local News

Hotel Tupelo on track to open early next year

The new boutique hotel gives a nod to Tupelo's past
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo’s newest entry in the hospitality business gives a nod to a historic predecessor. Hotel Tupelo is being built in the Fairpark District.  It is named after the original Hotel Tupelo, which, for years, was a popular spot for social gatherings, business meetings, and out-of-town guests. The new Hotel Tupelo is a boutique hotel, built by…

Log Truck
Local News

One man dead after two large trucks collided in Noxubee County

MorrisAdmin,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – One man died Wednesday morning when two big trucks collided on Highway 45 in Noxubee County. The accident happened at the intersection of Highway 45 and Highway 388. One truck was pulling a load of cotton; the other, logs. Witnesses said the driver of the 18 wheeler carrying the cotton was crossing Highway 45, heading…

Kid Edu Pic
Featured, Local News

As kindergarten readiness drops, Mississippi University for Women says early childhood learning is the answer

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – According to the scores for the 2021 Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, only 31.8 percent of children in Mississippi are kindergarten-ready, down from nearly 37 percent in 2019. Educators point to the pandemic as the reason why. However, the Pre-K students at the Mississippi University for Women’s Child and Parent Development Center scored extremely high. “Children need engagement…

Img 2808
Local News

How to tell the difference between COVID-19 and the flu

It's difficult to tell the difference because the symptoms of each virus are so similar, but the effects are very different
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Getting sick is never fun especially around the fall months, and sometimes it’s tough to spot the difference between a cold and the flu. When you mix in COVID- 19; that adds to the concern. It’s difficult to tell the difference because the symptoms of each virus are so similar, but the effects are very different. “People…

Mens Health
Local News

Treatment made available for Men’s Health Awareness Month

Joey Barnes,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- One local hospital is shedding light on Men’s Health Awareness month. North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point hosted a men’s health event Tuesday. Male patients were able to receive screenings for prostate, PSA, blood pressure, bone density, and testosterone. Dr. Ned Miller says preventative health for men is the goal. “The United States preventative services task force…

Case
Local News

Telemedicine may be revisited at the next legislative session

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Insurance companies are required to reimburse patients in Mississippi who use live telemedicine services the same as if the visits are face to face. Andy Case is the Director of Consumer Services for the Mississippi Insurance Department. As the guest speaker today at the Columbus Rotary Club, Case said the issue of telecare may be revisited…

Walking
Local News

Columbus Mayor is meeting people where they are with new walking campaign

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Meeting people where they are, that’s one of the ideas behind a new initiative by Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin. Gaskin kicked off “Walking with the Mayor” this morning in the North Columbus neighborhood of Northaven Woods. About a dozen residents joined the mayor to discuss issues facing the city and share ideas for the future as…

M Church Threat Pkg 111521still001
Crime, Featured, Local News

FBI aids Lee County Sheriff’s Department in arresting man allegedly threatening church with mass murder

Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of a Saltillo man accused of threatening his church and its members with “mass murder.” Sheriff Jim Johnson says it was around 8 p.m. Friday that the FBI contacted them about threats of violence against area churches on Sunday, November 14.   “The information received from the FBI…

L Shoot
Local News

Louisville police department creating plan to cut down crime rate

Louisville experienced four shootings within a week
Joey Barnes,

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)-Gun violence isn’t specific to one area and as the old saying goes; bullets don’t have a name on them. Louisville experienced four shootings within a week and the police department is working to make arrests and prevent further crimes from happening.. On Tuesday night, November 9, 2021,  there were shots fired near a gas station at the…
Coronavirus Information, Local News

Northeast Mississippi Coalition Against COVID-19 is hosting a vaccine drive-thru

MorrisAdmin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A local organization is making sure families and individuals continue to have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. The Northeast Mississippi Coalition Against COVID-19 is hosting a vaccine drive-thru clinic Saturday, November 20th at Rising Star M.B. Church. in Tupelo. The vaccines will be administered from 10 am to 12 pm. Categories: Coronavirus Information, Local News

Image0 1
Crime, Featured, Local News, News Team, State News

Mississippi officials are cracking down on phone scams

Eight companies faces $5 million in fines for illegal phone calls to Mississippians
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi officials are cracking down on spam callers. These eight companies listed below are facing punishment for allegedly violating Mississippi’s No-Call law: “-AM PROTECTION, INC -STRAIGHT MARKETING -STUDENT LOAN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, LLC -THRIO/ CRISP MARKETING, LLC -TRANSPORTATION BPO, LLC -VACATION TOUR AND TRAVEL -WEIBAIO, GMEI, DTCC -ZEALOUS SERVICES” Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley announced that these…

Sheriff
Local News

Lowndes County Sheriff getting a $10,000 pay raise

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins gets a vote of confidence and a financial boost from the Board of Supervisors. At this morning’s meeting, the Board approved a $10,000 supplement to Hawkins’ salary. Board president, Trip Hairston praised Hawkins’ leadership in guiding the department through the challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic. State law sets a base…

Mens Health
Local News

Local hospital is encouraging men to focus on their health

MorrisAdmin,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – A local hospital is encouraging men to focus on their health. North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point is hosting a men’s health event on Wednesday from 2 pm to 4 pm. Participants will be able to talk one-on-one to physicians from the hospital about a variety of health concerns. Men in attendance will also be able…

Sequence 0200 00 02 24still001
Local News

Zachary’s restaurant and Columbus police team up for catfish fundraiser

Zachary's restaurant and the Columbus police department teamed up to help fellow officers
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Zachary’s restaurant and the Columbus police department teamed up to help fellow officers. Chief Fred Shelton and Zachary’s owner Doug Pellum decided to host the fundraiser to benefit members in the force and their families. They figure what better way than food the duo created Catfish 4 Cops. Pellum said it felt good to help those who…