Crime, Featured, Local News, Top Story

Columbus Police, Lowndes Co. Sheriff hope Ring Doorbell’s video and safety information sharing app can help solve and prevent more crimes

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – In the ongoing fight against the area’s rising crime, law enforcement has repeatedly stressed the importance of working with the community. "Trying to be everywhere at one time is impossible. So we need information from the public to help solve some of these crimes." Columbus PD, Lowndes Co. Sheriff hope @Ring Doorbell's video/safety info sharing app…
Local News

DEA seized more than $55,000 in Lowndes Co. during drug bust

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Drug Enforcement Administration seizes more than 55,000 dollars after a Lowndes County drug bust. Now, 35-year-old Gabriel O’Neal is charged with possession of a controlled substance Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says deputies and Narcotics Task Force Agents stopped O’Neal for a traffic violation on Old Aberdeen Road this past Friday. A K9 alerted the car…
Featured, Local News

Head Start Class of 2021 Ready For Kindergarten!

Allie Martin,

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – The youngest group of the Class of 2021 graduates is ready for their next big step…  Kindergarten. Aberdeen Head Start’s drive-through graduation procession starts with lights and sirens. Then there was music. The class of four-year-olds have been working hard since August, and are now ready for Kindergarten. As each car moved through the line, teachers…
Featured, Local News

Two men are wanted for eating without paying their tabs

Joey Barnes,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Two young men are wanted by local law enforcement for felony defrauding – innkeeper.  This means they have been going into restaurants eating and leaving without paying. Laquincy Washington, 19,  and James Smith, 21,  of West Point both have warrants for their arrest. The two have gone to several restaurants throughout the Golden Triangle and run…
Featured, Local News, Weather

Unsettled pattern with lots of shower and storm chances

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SUMMARY: Storms across the area will die down into the overnight hours, but a scattered shower or 2 is not unlikely. Thursday looks to have lower rain chances, but scattered afternoon storms still possible. Rain chances diminish to an isolated stray storm for Friday and Saturday, but another disturbance brings much higher rain chances for Sunday and the start of next…
Crime, Featured, Local News

Multi Agency Investigation Leads To Arrest Of Virginia Man In Alleged Phone Scam

Allie Martin,

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A multi-agency investigation leads to the arrest of a Virginia man, accused of scamming an elderly Tupelo couple out of  $19,000. The investigation started when an elderly couple called Tupelo police in March, claiming they lost $19,000 to a scammer. The alleged scam began with an illegal telemarketing call. “This all falls under our work in…
Featured, Local News, Weather

Some strong storms possible for Wednesday

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SUMMARY: Rain and storm chances have returned and will stick around for the next week. Some spots may end up with several inches of rain. Some isolated strong storms are also possible from time to time. WEDNESDAY: Areas of rain and storms are likely so keep the umbrella handy. A few stronger storms are possible with gusty winds and heavy…
Featured, Local News, Top Story

Columbus-Lowndes Public Library wants people to donate artifacts that document experience during COVID-19 pandemic

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – After living through history, the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System is starting to collect artifacts that document the pandemic experience in Lowndes County. “Never in my wildest dreams as an archivist did I envision living through a pandemic and having to document it,” says the library’s archivist Mona Vance-Ali. “But I mean, this is what we do….
Featured, Local News

Starkville Regional is expected to bring in large crowds

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on businesses last year, including those in Starkville. On Friday, June 4, 2021, Mississippi State hosts an NCAA Baseball Regional, and fans will be back in the stands. This means the tourism industry is looking at a big boost this weekend. America’s favorite pastime is expected to bring thousands to…

Crime, Local News

Lowndes Co. Sheriff’s Dept. hosting series of community meetings during June

Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department is hearing concerns from the people it serves and protects. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins and his command staff will host three community meetings across the county this month. The first one is tonight at the New Hope Community Center. Deputies will be able to answer questions and address any issues people…
Featured, Local News

Columbus City Council has entered an agreement with Ring Doorbell for crime prevention

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus City Council enters an agreement with Ring Doorbell in an effort to help solve crimes. Ring provides a “Neighbors” program, where the folks around you can share information and videos. Users can download the “Neighbors by Ring” app or the “Ring” app and sign-up for the Neighbors Public Safety program. The Columbus Police and…
Local News

MS State Auditor spoke with Rotary about punishments for embezzlement

MorrisAdmin,

Mississippi’s state auditor says the state needs get tougher on people who embezzle money from the government. Shad White spoke to the Columbus Rotary today. He believes there needs to be tougher penalties for elected leaders and employees who steal from the people they serve. White’s office has investigated embezzlement cases in several cities and counties in the area including…
Featured, Local News, Weather

Summertime weather returns as we start June

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REST OF TODAY: Highs in the mid to upper 80s with increased humidity.  A chance for some late day and evening showers and storms.  Winds SSE 5-10 mph. TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with a chance of some lingering showers or storms. Milder lows in the upper 60s. WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with areas of rain and storms. Highs in the upper…
Featured, Local News

Monroe County SWAT Team Tackles ‘Murph’ Workout

Allie Martin,

AMORY, MISS. (WCBI) – The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team uses Memorial Day as a team-building exercise. 1529 Fitness was the site. The goal for the Monroe County SWAT Team was to finish the “Murph” Workout. “It’s a way to get out and kind of push yourself, and so we thought it would be good since we are in…
Local News

Sweet Peppers Deli observes Memorial Day by offering free meals

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- While Memorial Day is known to honor the lives of those who paid the ultimate price during service to the country. Sweet Peppers Deli invited veterans and first responders to come in for a free meal. Memorial Day was celebrated as the restaurant not remembered those we’ve lost, but also those currently still protecting our country and the…
Featured, Local News

Gold Star families reflect at Memorial Day observance

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – For many, Memorial Day means time off and the start of summer. For Gold Star families across the country, it means more. A Gold Star family is a family who has lost a loved one that was serving in the military. At the Oktibbeha County Courthouse, there’s a monument with the names of those from the…
College Sports, Local Sports, Sports

Ole Miss Captain Tim Elko Defies Injury Odds

MorrisAdmin,

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) — On April 5th, in a midweek match-up against North Alabama, Ole Miss senior captain Tim Elko tore his ACL. Usually, that injury would bench any athlete for the remainder of the season. However, Elko isn’t just any athlete. “You hate to kind of start putting timelines on it,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said following…

Featured, Local News

A fatal shooting leaves one dead, four people critically injured

Joey Barnes,

ALICEVILLE, Ala. (WCBI)- A fatal shooting in Aliceville leaves one person dead and four others critically injured. An early morning shooting left the community and family members in tears. Uncertainty and sadness were some emotions that ran through Lessie Clark’s mind as she found out her brother was one of the victims of the early morning shooting in Aliceville. Clark…
Local News

Army veterans complete ruck in honor of fallen comrade

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MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – Each year, graves of fallen soldiers are decorated on memorial day weekend. However, not many can say that they completed a ruck in honor of a fallen comrade. “The only bad thing about it is, forgetting someone that has died, especially in combat,” Army veteran, Sergeant Melvin Gatewood, said. Comrades of fallen Army national guard soldier…