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Featured, Local News

Contractors feeling the pain from rising gas prices

Builder says the higher cost of materials, along with a shortage of willling workers makes it even tougher
Allie Martin,

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – For Ernie Simmons, rising prices means he has to pass that on to his clients. “It has increased a lot, substantially,” Simmons said. Simmons is co-owner of “FIXNA2Z’  His company does repairs, remodeling, and renovations on homes.  He has been in the contracting and construction business for more than thirty years but says in the last…

Staycations
Local News

Campers are staying close to home this Memorial Day Weekend

Joey Barnes,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Gas prices are surging and it’s not expected to slow down anytime soon. With Memorial Day weekend approaching some folks are looking to stay close to home rather than travel like normal. Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner and for many that means breaking out the campers, but this year, high gas prices mean…

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Featured, Local News

Lowndes co. supervisors working towards construction road plans

You may want to find a detour to your destination,some county roads are in need of repair.
Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Rainy days are leaving some roads in Lowndes County in need of repair. Driving down the street, you may notice pot holes, uneven concrete, and eroded asphalt. County leaders are trying to smooth the way for residents. “Maintenance is an ongoing thing, especially when you deal with weather, we are out there and we’re on it,”…

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Crime, Local News

West Point Police discuss criminals withholding information

Eric Lampkin,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Investigating crimes can be difficult under the best of circumstances, but police often find themselves working through resistance from an unlikely source – crime victims. Whether it’s the so-called Code of the Street, Fear of retaliation, or desire for revenge, West Point Police Chief Avery Cook says they have had a number of cases where…

Gas Prices
Local News, State News

Average gas prices sit at $4.17 in Mississippi

Joey Barnes,

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The national average for a gallon of gas is increasing but there’s a tiny bit of good news in Mississippi. Right now, the average price for a gallon of regular is $4.17 in the state. That’s down a penny from a week ago. According to AAA, the most expensive gas in the viewing area is in Lamar…

Ms School Safety Pic
Featured, Local News

Mississippi schools discuss latest student safety measures in the wake of deadly Texas shooting

Joey Barnes,

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – As educators in Mississippi watched the horror of the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas unfold Tuesday, some of them couldn’t help but think of the children under their protection. “I would do anything to protect the students here,” says Dr. Shanika McKinney, assistant principal and safety coordinator for Belle-Shivers Middle School in Aberdeen. “If that…

Electronics
Featured, Local News

Tupelo area residents can dispose of old electronics at community event

City of Tupelo and Exceed Technologies team up for recycling initiative
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A partnership between a business and the city of Tupelo allows people to get rid of those old computers, CD players and cameras that are taking up space. Exceed Technology and “Keep Tupelo Beautiful” joined forces to host an electronics recycling drive. Today and tomorrow, old computers, microwaves and other electronics can be brought to the…

Create
Featured, Local News

Roadways, education topics at State of the Region

CREATE Foundation's Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi hosted the event
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Business, government, and community leaders had a chance to get a view of the state of the region’s educational, economic, and business achievements. It was part of the annual “State of the Region” meeting, hosted by the CREATE Foundation’s Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi. Transportation Commissioner John Caldwell spoke about the need for improvements in…

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Local News

A local family remembers their loved one after a weekend homicide

An area community is coming together after a deadly weekend shooting
Joey Barnes,

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI)- An area community is coming together after a deadly weekend shooting. Family members of the victim set up a small memorial to remember their loved one. Saturday night Eupora police responded to a shots fired call at a gas station; when officers arrived, they found 29- year- old Jordan Gaston dead on the floor. The accused shooter,…

Dinosaurs
Featured, Local News

Set up underway for “Jurassic Quest”

Models of life size dinosaurs are being assembled at the Bancorpsouth Arena
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – It is not every day you see life-size dinosaurs being carted into the Bancorpsouth Arena, but it’s happening. It is part of the setup for “Jurassic Quest.”  The show hits Tupelo this weekend and features life-size dinosaurs, painted and animated. There is a Spinosaurus, T Rex, and a 50-foot-long Megalodon.  There are also opportunities to ride…

Train
Featured, Local News

Work to start soon on training center for MCSO

Facility will train part time officers and corrections officers
Allie Martin,

MONROE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will soon have a training center for part-time officers and jailers. “I used to walk out there on the concrete on that place and think about how this would be a good place to train law enforcement officers one day,” said Monroe County Sheriff Kevin Crook. Now, that vision of …

Tyshon Morris
Crime, Local News

Lowndes County deputies make an arrest in a shooting

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies make an arrest in a shooting. Tyshon Morris is charged with shooting into a dwelling. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says deputies were called to Shaws Mobile Home Park, on Highway 373, about gunfire. On the way to the scene, a deputy spotted Morris and pulled him over. One mobile home was damaged and…

Primary Election
Local News, State News

Primary Elections end with multiple runoffs in Alabama

Eric Lampkin,

ALABAMA (WCBI) – Alabama voters will head back to the polls in a little less than a month. A number of primaries ended without a candidate getting the necessary majority to win outright, forcing run-offs in some statewide races. One key race that many pundits thought would end in a run-off – didn’t. Incumbent Governor Kay Ivey faced a crowded…

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Local News, News Team

Business boom expected for Super Regionals

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi State is no stranger to great post-season runs and Starkville is getting accustomed to businesses booming during the playoffs. In preparation for its first Softball Super Regional, city businesses are stocking up shelves with Bulldog gear, and hotels are booked and busy. Business owners hope newcomers have a wonderful experience this weekend. “Starkville is always ready,”…

Sim Scott
Crime, Local News

Police investigating another shooting at Sim Scott Park

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police are investigating another shooting at Sim Scott Park. Police Chief Fred Shelton says the gunfire started about 6:48 Tuesday night in the 1900 block of 8th Avenue North. One man was shot in the leg. He was later treated and released from the hospital. Shelton says the victim is not cooperating with the investigation….

Vandal Pic3
Featured, Local News

Graffiti reading ‘rape’ and ‘incest’ written on small church vandalized in Lowndes County

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a case of vandalism at Mt. Avery Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus. All was well when the members of the church left their place of worship on Nashville Ferry Road on Sunday. But Monday morning, it was covered with graffiti. “Dismayed,” said church deacon St. Armistad, describing his reaction….

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Featured, Local News

Chickasaw County closer to getting an Emergency Room

Bill signed by Gov. Tate Reeves allows a freestanding ER in up to five counties
Allie Martin,

CHICKASAW COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi county that has been without an Emergency Room since 2014 may soon get one. “To be honest with you, I don’t care who it is that comes in the county, I want someone who takes a vested interest in Chickasaw County and wants to open an emergency room and provide for our…

Hunt Middle School
Local News

CMSD Superintendent met with FEMA and MEMA for Hunt repair plans

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday night during the Columbus Municipal School District’s board meeting, there was an update on the renovation process for the Hunt Building. School District Superintendant Dr. Cherie Labat says they met with members of FEMA, MEMA, and their architect Thursday to recalibrate their plans for repairing and upgrading the Hunt Intermediate School building in North Columbus….

Jack Wallace Blvd
Local News

Celebrating the life and legacy of Jack Wallace with local boulevard

Eric Lampkin,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – During his lifetime, Jack Wallace was known as a champion for Starkville and Oktibbeha County. Tuesday, the County and City make sure that his legacy lives on for years to come. The Greater Starkville Development Partnership and the Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority dedicated Jack Wallace Boulevard. The street runs through the heart of the…

Macon Thumbnail
Local News, News Team

Kids in Macon have a new place to play

Joey Barnes,

MACON, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s been years in the making but kids in Macon have a brand new playground. Tuesday morning, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place for the new playground by the walking track at Noxubee General. The pandemic caused significant delays to the project. The Rotary Club of Macon started the project and went to community partners for help. “The Rotary…

Wcbi Default
Crime, Local News

Lowndes Co. Board of Supervisors asking for lawsuit to be thrown out

MorrisAdmin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors is asking a federal judge to grant a summary judgment in a lawsuit filed against them by former County Administrator Ralph Billingsley. Billingsley sued the board and supervisors Harry Sanders and John Holliman for age discrimination, defamation, and interference in employment. Attorneys for the supervisors want the federal court…

Youth Crime
Crime, Local News

Columbus community members work together to eliminate youth crime during summer

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Municipal School District is holding a community meeting about efforts to reduce violence among the city’s youth., especially gun violence. The meeting got underway at 5:30. The School Board is bringing parents and the community together to discuss ways to get children engaged in positive activities over the Summer Break. We also talked to…