Starkville leaders set to debut first draft of plans for MLK Corridor Revitalization Project

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Wednesday, the city of Starkville will hold an open house to let members of the public view the planned improvements for the Mississippi Highway 182/ MLK Corridor Revitalization Project. “I do think that this is one of the largest, if not the largest transportation projects that the city has ever been a part of,” said City…

Suspect in custody after second high speed chase in one week

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo police announce they’ve got a repeat offender on their hands. Last week a suspect lead TPD on a brief chase that was eventually called off for speed and safety concerns. Monday, police attempted to stop a vehicle on South Veterans Blvd that matched the vehicle description from the chase last week. The car refused to…

Starkville police and citizen want to cease street racing

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Revving engines and screeching tires is not what people expect to hear in their neighborhoods. Some homeowners in Starkville say their neighborhood streets or the streets nearby have become racetracks. Some say it happens on the weekends or during the late-night hours and they want police to put the brakes on it. Starkville’s police chief Mark Ballard…

Public-Private Partnership Means Affordable Housing For Many Families

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Affordable housing is a reality for more than seventy families in two developments that were once home to blighted apartments. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the former site of an apartment complex that police say was a haven for illegal activity. Today, the offices for “Hancock Estates” are on the site. To the south…

Baptist Memorial Health Care system held a simultaneous time of prayer

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Baptist hospitals mark a COVID-19 milestone with prayer. Chaplains led employees and staff in the worship service. The Baptist Memorial Health Care system, including Baptist Golden Triangle, held a simultaneous time of prayer. Health care providers wanted to make the day the first COVID-19 patient was admitted to a Baptist facility. It has been an emotional…

Church services still aren’t the same but there is hope of return

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- One year into the pandemic and many churches have still not returned to traditional church service. Congregations, choirs, and church members are finding creative ways to worship. The sanctuary may be empty, but the spirit is still flowing at one local church. On Sunday, March 7, 2021, they held a special celebration, keeping the health and safety…

Car thieves steal five trucks worth $400K from Sulligent dealership in one of the largest crimes ever committed in Lamar County

SULLIGENT, Ala. (WCBI) – Investigators say they could be dealing with the largest burglary ever committed in the history of Lamar County after a major grand theft auto incident at a Sulligent dealership. “They were professionals, they knew what they were doing,” said West Alabama Ford owner Hayes Shirley. “They came in, they hit us hard, took the big-ticket items,…

West Point voters will have extra days to vote absentee

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Voters in West Point have three extra days to vote absentee. City Clerk Eddie Longstreet says the City Clerk’s office will open Saturday, March 6th and again Saturday, March 27th and Saturday, April 3rd from 8 am until noon for absentee voting in the primary election. The primary election for city-wide offices is scheduled for…

Presley Tours Atmos Gas Storage Facility As Part Of Review Of Utility Infrastructure

MONROE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – Mississippi’s Public Service Commission is making sure the state’s utility infrastructure is prepared for high demand in extreme weather. Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley toured the Atmos natural gas storage facility in Monroe County. Presley says the facility plays a critical role in the delivery of natural gas service to customers. He says…

Health officials concerned for COVID-19 cases amid new mask mandate

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Following Governor Tate Reeves order to lift the mask mandate for the state of Mississippi, one of the most impacted professions now prepare for a possible increase in new cases. Although the Mississippi State Department of Health has reported fewer case numbers over the last two weeks, local doctors are wary of the relaxed restrictions. Some…

Starkville Police investigating a shooting that occurred Wednesday night

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville police continue to search for a killer, as we learn the identity of the homicide victim. The deadly shooting happened in the 200 block of Pilcher Street on Wednesday evening. Oktibbeha County Coroner says 32-year-old Justin Vaughn died at OCH Regional Medical Center shortly after the gunfire. A second person was injured in the shooting…

Tupelo Police are investigating a drive-by shooting

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo police are investigating a drive-by shooting. Police were called to 2103 Horton Drive around 10:25 Wednesday night after a man reported hearing gunshots fired in the street. Officers found two cars had been hit by gunfire, including this Lexus. Multiple shell casings were found in the street and collected as evidence. The man who called…

MUW is celebrating Women’s History month despite the pandemic

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- A new month filled with more history; February gave us Black History, but March focuses on Women’s History. Women have been and are still prominent figures and they are being realized this month. Women’s History is something people often don’t talk about, but at the W it’s their foundation and they are willing to share that no…

Webster County Sheriff’s Office still searching for leads in burglaries involving stolen items worth over $50K

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Webster County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help after months of investigating two burglaries, where over $50,000 worth of items were stolen, have yielded no suspects and no further leads. Most burglaries in Webster County generally follow a similar pattern. “You’re looking at, in and out in five minutes. You’re looking at…