Players Giving 121721
Local News

Columbus Falcons and Sale Elementary students conclude can competition

Fledgling Falcons from Sale Elementary take on the "big guys" in a canned food drive
Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) -A little friendly competition between the Columbus High School Football team and the kids at Sale Elementary School is paying off for area food banks. The kids from Sale and the Falcons had a contest to see who could collect the most canned food during the holiday season. The football team came back with 1,200. Not to…

Aberdeen Tree 121721
Local News

Angels come out to make Christmas brighter in Aberdeen

Aberdeen City Hall resembled Santa's Toy Factory on Friday
Eric Lampkin,

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – Santa temporarily moved some of his operation South on Friday. Aberdeen City Hall looked like the North Pole toy factory, as city employees and volunteers distributed gifts from the city’s Angel Tree drive. Area residents were able to choose angels from the tree set up in City Hall. Each angel had the name of a child…

Richard Dewayne Rash
Featured, Local News

The search is underway for burglary suspect Richard Rash

Rash reportedly burglarized the 4D Grocery and Car Wash in Stewart.
Joey Barnes,

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- You may have seen a familiar face at your local car wash. But this customer is leaving with more than a clean vehicle. He’s helping himself to what’s behind payment boxes. The search is underway for suspected carwash bandit Richard DeWayne Rash. Sheriff Tompkins said the suspect allegedly stole a gun from a casino on December…

Lcida Honor 121621
Local News

LCIDA board member honored with lasting tribute

Building named in honor of former LCIDA Board President Thomas Lee
Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Industrial Development Authority honors a longtime board member with a lasting tribute. Thomas Lee, who recently served as president of the development authority board, decided to leave at the end of this term. On Thursday, the group presented him with one last honor. The water treatment plant at the Industrial Park now…

Work Session 121621
Local News

Columbus City Council doing prep work ahead of Tuesday meeting

CFO / COO discussions headline council work session
Eric Lampkin,

  COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus city leaders get a headstart on next week’s City Council meeting. The mayor and council members met today for a work session to discuss city business and set the agenda items for Tuesday’s meeting. Hiring key positions is a major concern. The city is looking for a new Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer,…

Crawford Pic
Crime, Featured, Local News

Town of Crawford cancels Christmas parade amid growing concern over spike in shootings

Joey Barnes,

CRAWFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Friday, the mayor of Crawford decided to cancel the town’s annual Christmas parade amid growing concern over an increase in shootings. Investigators say that only one person has been injured so far, but say that a number of homes and vehicles have been shot into. “You can hear the ‘boom, boom, boom,’” says Mayor Willie Parson,…
Featured, Local News

Columbus municipal school district awards teacher of the year

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Educators play a vital role in the community guiding children to academic success. A Columbus teacher, who has now seen a couple of generations of students pass through her classrooms, is being honored for her work. Every morning Mrs. Toni Wise comes to her classroom ready to turn students into scholars. The Mississippi native said there’s always…

Tornado Relief
Featured, Local News, Top Story

Starkville woman working with family members in Mayfield, Kentucky to raise money for tornado victims

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The devastation left by the tornado outbreak in Kentucky has hit close to home for a Starkville woman. Before moving to the Golden Triangle, Robin O’Nan was born and raised in Henderson, Kentucky, and spent several months living with her husband in Mayfield, one of the cities the tornadoes hit hardest. “Unless we are personally connected…

Starkville Car Crash
Featured, Local News

Man and his dog die after being ejected during crash into trees in Starkville

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A Florida man and his dog were killed in an early-morning crash Wednesday in Starkville. Starkville Police say officers got the call to Cornerstone Park just off Highway 25 just before 7:30 a.m. .@Starkville_PD confirms this was a single-car accident and one person has been transported from the scene pic.twitter.com/I1m9KczipQ — Stephen Pimpo (@spimpojr) December 15,…

Crime Cameras 121521
Local News

Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office getting a few new sets of “eyes”

Surveillance cameras will be set up in crime-prone areas...and paid for by inmates
Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies can’t be every where at once, but they’re about to get a few extra sets of eyes. Supervisors approved the purchase of four surveillance cameras to be used in high-risk areas for crime in the county. It’s a concept similar to what the city of Columbus has set up, except that the…

Arpa Plans 121521
Local News

Lowndes County Supervisors ink deal to help spend ARPA Money

Supervisors getting help with "strings" attached to American Rescue Plan Act money
Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Money from The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will be coming to Lowndes County, and supervisors want to make sure it’s spent the right way. Under ARPA, spending projects have to meet certain conditions, and counties have a time window to complete the projects. The Federal Government is still in the process of finalizing those…

Tornado Volunteer
Featured, Local News, News Team, Storm Damage, Weather News

A Mayfield native volunteers after losing three family members

Joey Barnes,

MAYFIELD, Ky. (WCBI)- Kiah Cooper feels firsthand the devastating effects of the tornado that ripped through her hometown of Mayfield, Kentucky. Her cousin, aunt, and grandma, who she calls ‘Nana’, all died in the storm. “They lived on family land of ours,” says Cooper. “They had two trailers on that land. My cousin Derek was found Friday night by firefighters….

Sheriff
Featured, Local News, Top Story

Webster County Sheriff says they need to build new jail that meets Federal Building Codes

Joey Barnes,

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – The Webster County Board of Supervisors has hired an architect to draw up plans for a new jail with the current building falling into disrepair, according to the sheriff. “This jail is not in compliance with (current) standards,” says Webster County Sheriff David Gore. “There’s no other way to look at it. It’s not. It’s not…

Img 3048
Featured, Local News

After one year, COVID-19 vaccines have reached almost half of Mississippi

After almost two years, COVID-19 has become a part of everyday life
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- After almost two years, COVID-19 has become a part of everyday life. Mississippi was among the lowest vaccinated states at one point, but now almost half of the state is fully vaccinated. Health care officials have seen a rise in people coming in getting their vaccines after a slow start. “They maybe wanted to give it a…

Yardbird Thumbnail
Featured, Local News, News Team, Regional, Storm Damage

Yardbird Bento travels to Mayfield, Ky. to assist in recovery efforts

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- A food truck from Columbus is in Kentucky providing meals to tornado victims. Yardbird Bento Co-owner Jeff Dudley tells WCBI that when he heard about the storm hitting Mayfield, it brought back memories of a dangerous storm during his childhood. He says he couldn’t sit back and watch the devastation unfold, so he contacted volunteer coordinators on…

Img 3039
Local News

Mental health professionals encourage families and friends to check on others

A Facebook post circulating in local communities from a teenager detailing his emotional struggles is putting attention on mental health
Joey Barnes,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- A Facebook post circulating in local communities from a teenager detailing his emotional struggles is putting attention on mental health. Mental health professionals said it also highlights the importance of checking on loved ones when you see signs of distress. A person’s mental health is often overlooked or waved off by statements saying, “it will be…

Felecia Cox 2
Crime, Featured, Local News, Top Story

Investigators hope family finds closure after David Cox confession leads to remains believed to be missing Pontotoc woman

Joey Barnes,

PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) – What are believed to be the remains of missing Pontotoc County woman, Felecia Cox, were sent to the state crime lab Monday. Missing since 2007, investigators discovered the remains Sunday after her brother-in-law David Cox confessed to killing her and gave the location where she was buried. “For the family to get some closure on a…
Featured, Local News

Deputies search for suspect involved in Crawford shooting

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the suspect in connection to a shooting in Crawford. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says shots were reported on Long Street around 9 p.m. Friday night. When deputies got to the area, the victim had already driven himself to hospital for treatment. Hawkins says the victim was struck in the arm…

Img 3031
Local News

Space heater safety: Columbus fire department shares tips

As cooler temperatures move into our area, folks are using what they can to keep warm
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- As cooler temperatures move into our area, folks are using what they can to keep warm. Space heaters can warm up your room, but they can be dangerous if they’re not used properly. Local fire officials encourage families to use caution when using space heaters this season. “People are starting to use what I like to call…

Anthony Schweitzer
Featured, Local News

A Georgia man charged after pursuit that started in Louisville

Joey Barnes,

LOUISVILLE,Miss. (WCBI)- A Georgia man faces felony fleeing charges after he reportedly led agencies on a chase from Louisville into Rankin County. Louisville Police Chief Sean Holdiness says 33-year-old Anthony Schweitzer, of Martinez ,Georgia, fled from officers during a traffic stop. During the stop, it came over the radio Schweitzer is wanted in Georgia for burglary. That’s when Schweitzer hit…