Ja Tupelo Vosot 102821
Featured, Local News

Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo honors school administrators, counselors and nurses

'School Aid' lunch allows JA to showcase its services for students
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It was an opportunity to thank local school administrators for their hard work during a luncheon organized by the Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo. The JA’s: “School Aid” committee organized the lunch for administrators, nurses and counselors in Tupelo and Lee county schools. During the lunch, administrators heard about the many services JA offers for students, such as…

Dance King Pkg 102821
Featured, Local News

‘Dancing with the King’ helps teach young people about ballroom dance and Elvis

The event raises money to get ballroom dance lessons into local schools
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Celebrities from across the region are lacing up their dance shoes and making last minute preparations for an event that helps teach youngsters about ballroom dancing and the king of rock and roll. WCBI’s Allie Martin is part of this year’s “Dancing with the King’ and gives us a sneak peek of his routine, and tells…

Broadband
Featured, Local News

NT Spark offers broadband services in Webster County

Joey Barnes,

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Imagine getting on your computer and not having an internet connection. We’ve all been there. But, for some folks in Webster County, it’s been an ongoing issue. Now, smaller communities can look forward to broadband services coming to their area. A simple internet hook-up is vital in smaller communities. Having a faster network can impact how…
Local News, State News

Healthcare providers hired to help with COVID-19 have ending contracts

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A nursing shortage in Mississippi could come to the forefront again next month. Over 11,000 contract healthcare providers were hired to help with the COVID-19 surge this summer. Their contracts all expire on Sunday. This will leave many hospitals scrambling to find more nurses or simply rehiring the contracted workers. In other news, the Mississippi State Department…

Storytime Thumbnail
Local News, News Team

Halloween story time at Fire Station Park

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Little ghosts, goblins, princesses, and other cute characters got an early start on Halloween fun. The Starkville Public Library hosted “Storytime and Trunk-or-Treat” Wednesday afternoon at Fire Station Park. Children listened in on a spooky story then visited booths set up throughout the park to get some sweet treats. More than 30 children participated in the event….

Breast Cancer Survivor 102721
Featured, Local News

Breast cancer survivors in Lowndes County tell about their battles

October is breast cancer awareness month and chances are you know someone who has battled the disease
Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- October is breast cancer awareness month and chances are you know someone who has battled the disease. In downtown Columbus, businesses showed their support for breast cancer by having balloons or ribbons set up in or around their stores. Two breast cancer survivors are thankful to be able to see local businesses raise awareness and even…

Kris Ballard
Featured, Local News, Top Story

UMMC Grenada rolls out mobile vaccine clinics to bring COVID-19 shots to most rural parts of Mississippi

Joey Barnes,

GRENADA, Miss. (WCBI) – Saturday, University of Mississippi Medical Center Grenada officially debuted its Mobile Vaccine Clinic, an effort to reach some of the state’s most rural areas. “These counties are definitely out there,” says UMMC nurse Kris Ballard. “They’re further away from any of your larger metropolitan areas in Mississippi…These are truly rural areas.” And while many people have…

Tupelo Hotel 102721
Featured, Local News

New hotel first property to open as part of fifty million dollar development

'Home2Suites' is part of the 'Landmark' development
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The first guests are checking in this Wednesday at ‘Home 2 Suites” by Hilton. Christy Cook is director of sales and says there has been a lot of interest in the city’s newest hotel, before opening day. “I have had a ton of response, everyone, obviously wants to come see it,” Cook said. The 89 room…

Emcc Forge 102721
Local News

Forge Expo held at EMCC to teach students about construction careers

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Hundreds of junior high school students are learning about careers in construction. About 1,000 8th grade students from Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha counties attended the “Forge Expo” at the Communiversity today. The event included hands-on demonstrations in the use of tools and technology used in the industries like construction, manufacturing, and industrial maintenance. Organizers wanted…

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Local News

Columbus city councilmen take trip for ideas for Propst Park improvements

Joey Barnes,

VICKSBURG, Miss. (WCBI) – Some Columbus city councilmen take a road trip to get some ideas to improve Propst Park. The group visited Vicksburg to see that city’s parks and recreation department. Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens, Ward 4 Councilman Pierre Beard, and Ward 5 Councilmen Stephen Jones went on the trip. Kevin Stafford from the city’s engineering group also…

Fbi
Local News

North Mississippi law enforcement are learning the tips and trade of the FBI

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – North Mississippi law enforcement are learning the tips and trade of the FBI. The Evidence Response Team is hosting a five-day workshop this week at Mississippi State. Investigators are learning how the FBI collects evidence, takes pictures, and search vehicles. There are also classes about collecting DNA and finding bloodstains. Detectives believe these courses will help…

Msu
Local News

Richard Rula has building in his name at Mississippi State University

Eric Lampkin,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – This year’s Homecoming at Mississippi State is extra special for one alumnus. Richard Rula of Ridgeland joined MSU President Mark Keenum and other dignitaries to cut the ribbon on the University’s newest academic building – the Richard A. Rula Engineering and Science Complex. The 70,000 square-foot building will be home to the Rula School of Civil…

Scot Rowdy Ames, Jr. Foundation
Local News, Special Guests

Scot Rowdy Ames, Jr. Foundation

Eric Crosswhite,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Audra Ames, widow of Lieutenant Scot Ames, talks about the foundation she’s created in her husband’s honor.  Lt. Ames was an instructor pilot at Columbus Air Force Base who tragically lost his life in a flying training mishap in February. The Scot “Rowdy” Ames Jr. Foundation is a tax exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3)…

Employer In The Foyer
Special Guests, Work Now Initiative

Employer in the Foyer

Eric Crosswhite,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – As part of the Work Now initiative, Courtney Taylor, PhD from East Mississippi Community College shares opportunities available with their Employer in the Foyer program. Categories: Special Guests, Work Now Initiative Tags: Employers, jobs, Work Now

Vax Mandate
Featured, Local News, Top Story

Why Mississippi State is mandating COVID vaccine for staff but Mississippi University for Women is not

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Despite protests from a small group of demonstrators Tuesday, Mississippi State will be among the schools requiring vaccines for faculty and staff after Monday’s vote by the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. In fact, Sid Salter, Director of the Office of Public Affairs, says about 75 percent of MSU’s staff already…

Officer Arrested Gfx 102621
Crime, Local News

On-duty Louisville police officer was arrested and charged with DUI

Eric Lampkin,

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – An on-duty Louisville police officer was arrested and charged with DUI-first over the weekend. Louisville Police Chief Sean Holdiness confirms Officer Casey Wallace was arrested in the Walmart parking lot in the early morning hours on Saturday. Wallace was arrested by a fellow officer. The Louisville Police Department has taken disciplinary action. But the Chief Holdiness…

Starks Speaks Vosot 102621
Local News

County Prosecutor William Starks brief community on his role of office

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Some area business leaders get a lesson in law with their lunch. Lowndes County Prosecutor William Starks briefed community and business leaders on the role of his office today. Starks prosecutes a variety of misdemeanor cases brought in the county. One area causing great concern is the frequency of domestic violence cases. “We certainly try…

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Local News

City officials feel that surveillance cameras will dial down the numbers of crime

Keeping the community safe is the goal of law enforcement and city leaders
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Keeping the community safe is the goal of law enforcement and city leaders.  In Columbus, part of that plan involved keeping a closer eye on city streets. In late August 2021, Columbus mayor Keith Gaskin and police chief Fred Shelton announced they would begin installing cameras around the city with an eye to keeping crime under control….

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Featured, Local News

Calhoun County holds career fair for elementary students

Third and fourth graders visit with professionals from various careers
Allie Martin,

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Hundreds of elementary students in Calhoun County schools are considering their career paths. The students were part of a unique career fair. It was an opportunity for Calhoun County third and fourth graders to meet with professionals from a variety of careers. “We have Weyerhauser, Mississippi State University with bioproducts, TVA, Natchez Trace, Baptist, Northwest is here…

Mcgruff
Local News

Mississippi attorney handed out treats and advice for Halloween

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Mississippi attorney is handing out a few treats while trying to make Halloween a little less scary for kids and their parents. Representatives from Richard Schwartz and Associates teamed up today with McGruff the Crime Dog to talk Halloween safety with students at West Lowndes Elementary School. Richard Schwartz’s office travels to schools across…