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Featured, Local News

Floral shops are feeling the pinch as their busiest season approaches

If you haven't put in an order for your Valentine, now is the time
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Count Valentine’s Day as another victim of nationwide supply chain issues. Floral shops are feeling the pinch as their busiest season approaches. And that could mean trouble for the last-minute shoppers. If you haven’t put in an order for your Valentine, now is the time. Options for your sweetheart may be slim. “We have been receiving some…

Firee
Local News

Fire officials give tips to avoid house fires

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – While the weather gets colder it is important that homeowners are staying safe while staying warm. It’s cold outside. And that has people looking for ways to stay warm inside. In that search for warmth, some people are forgetting about safety. This January alone, there have already been 2 deaths related to fires caused by space…

Control Burn
Local News

West Point house burned to the ground for control burn

Eric Lampkin,

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – A house in West Point burns to the ground today, but this was no disaster. This was an opportunity for West Point firefighters to get real, hands-on practice at battling a blaze. The controlled burn was at an empty house on fifth street. Crews were able to put their equipment and strategies to the test….

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Featured, Local News

VFW POST 4490 on mission to attract young veterans

Leaders of Monroe County VFW post say attracting younger members is vital to the mission
Allie Martin,

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) –  A Monroe County Veterans of Foreign Wars post is doing what it can to attract younger members. Members of VFW Post 4490 are on a mission, with two main objectives;  to recruit new members and get more younger veterans on the membership rolls. “We’ve lost our Korean War vets, there’s only a few of them left, we’ve…

Qu
Local News

Heritage Academy host Q and U wedding

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – “Q” and “U” – you always see them together. It’s like they were made for each other. Well, today at Heritage Academy, they made it official. Elementary students were cordially invited to the Wedding of Miss “Q” and Mister “U”. The wedding party and guests dressed their best as they celebrated the union of the two…

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Local News

Golden Triangle churches offer donations to Mayfield, Kentucky

Joey Barnes,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Local churches in the Golden Triangle have joined together to continue the support for the residents in Mayfield, Kentucky. In December an E-F-4 tornado ripped through the town of Mayfield, taking dozens of lives and causing significant damage to the area. Those people still need help. So local churches in our area are donating supplies from…

Jessie Carpenter
Crime, Local News

Man found guilty in Oktibbeha County for attempted murder

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man is found guilty in Oktibbeha County for attempted murder. Jurors also found Jessie Carpenter guilty of the possession of a weapon by a convicted felon charge. Judge Lee Coleman sentenced Carpenter to 30 years in prison. Carpenter shot someone in December 2019 on Carver Drive, in Starkville. Prosecutors say the victim was shot…

King Center
Local News

A Center in Starkville helps community with utility bills

MorrisAdmin,

  STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) -“I have seen so many people just hurting and I have seen so many outstanding light bills to the utilities the electricity just mind-blowing some of the bills I have seen come through here,” said Brown. Mind-Blowing. That could also describe the response of Oktibbeha County residents when J.L King center offered to help contribute to…

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Featured, Local News, Top Story

University of Mississippi Medical Center creates mental health program for employees burned out by COVID-19

Joey Barnes,

GRENADA, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday, University of Mississippi Medical Center announced that it is creating a new mental health support program to help employees manage the emotional exhaustion of the pandemic. “We have stressful jobs. All employees here, we’re taking care of patients,” says UMMC Grenada’s clinical operations director Cristy Seibel. “You add the pandemic to it? We had no…

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Featured, Local News

Tupelo elementary school gets coveted national honor

Pierce Street Elementary named to list of "National Distinguished Schools"
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo elementary school wins a national honor for its educational programs and student achievement in the classroom. “It’s a team effort, it’s not a one-man show,” said Pierce Street Elementary Principal Amy Tate.  She is quick to point to her staff as one reason the school was named one of one hundred National Distinguished Schools…

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Featured, Local News

Ms medical marijuana bill is one step closer to becoming law

On Wednesday, the legislature passed the bill, and it's on its way to Governor Tate Reeves' desk.
Joey Barnes,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi’s Medical Marijuana Bill is one step closer to becoming law. On Wednesday, the legislature passed the bill, and it’s on its way to Governor Tate Reeves’ desk. Even if it does become law, that doesn’t mean that all potential patients will have equal access to clinical cannabis. Language in the bill could be used to…

Deputy Honored
Local News

Clay County deputy wounded in the line of duty honored Thursday

Joey Barnes,

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Clay County deputy wounded in the line of duty is honored on Thursday. Kyle Eaves was shot this past November during a standoff on Highway 46, in the Cedar Bluff community. A bullet grazed his head as Eaves and other deputies were rescuing a woman through a bathroom window. Today, Sheriff Eddie Scott and…

Workforce Pic2
Featured, Local News, Top Story

EMCC’s Communiversity offers the workforce development programs Gov. Reeves says can revitalize the job market

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – During his State of the State address Tuesday, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves emphasized the need to continue investing in workforce development programs. Programs like those at East Mississippi Community College’s Communiversity, which offer workforce training in areas like certified nursing, computer-aided design, maintenance, and more. “I believe that if we make this investment, Mississippi will develop…

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Featured, Local News

Nettleton’s new mayor wants to replace city’s antiquated water lines

Mayor Baulch outlines goals as he takes office
Allie Martin,

NETTLETON, MISS. (WCBI) – Nettleton’s new mayor says one of his main goals is to upgrade the city’s antiquated water system. That is just one of the priorities for Mayor Phillip Baluch, who took office one week ago after a judge called for a special election over voting irregularities in last year’s race. Even before he was sworn in, Nettleton Mayor…

Jasmine Spires
Crime, Local News

Second person arrested in connection to Columbus car wash shooting

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – We now know the name of the second person arrested in connection with an east Columbus shooting. 21-year-old Jasmine Spires is charged with three counts of accessory after the fact of aggravated assault. The Flora woman’s bond has not been set. She remains in the Lowndes County jail. Three people were shot at a carwash on…

Leigh Mall
Featured, Local News, News Team

What Leigh Mall’s development project means for Lowndes County citizens

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Leigh Mall in Columbus is said to be one of the most important pieces of property in Columbus and Lowndes County. Now, the city and county are offering financial encouragement to the mall’s owner, the Hull Group, to give it a much-needed makeover. The Golden Triangle Development Link, a consultation firm contracted with the county, is working…

Hurt
Local News

GTR wrecker service employee shot at while doing job

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A shooting broke out Tuesday night after a wrecker service attempted to take a car from the owner. “We were not trying to take anything away from anyone at that point we were just leaving and usually if you feel like you’re leaving you’re safe,” said Atlas Towing owner Frank Stumpf. That was not the case…

Gary Wheeler
Crime, Local News

Former Starkville police officer sentenced after being indicted in 2018

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Starkville police officer is sentenced after being found guilty of shooting a robbery suspect. Gary Wheeler was indicted for aggravated assault in 2018. The charge was reduced to a misdemeanor simple assault charge in circuit court. Judge Lee Coleman sentenced Wheeler to no pay five hundred dollars. Wheeler will serve no jail time….

Demarkis Mosley
Crime, Local News

Man facing six child sex crime charges in Oktibbeha County

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man is facing six child sex crime charges in Oktibbeha County. Demarkis Mosley was indicted on six counts of sexual battery. Prosecutors allege the incidents started in the summer of 2018 with a then 12-year-old girl. Investigators believe more sex crimes happened in 2019 and 2020 with the reported victim. A trial date has…

Sub Teachers Pic2
Featured, Local News, Top Story

Need for substitute teachers magnified during Lamar County School District’s omicron outbreak

Joey Barnes,

VERNON, Ala. (WCBI) – Lamar County School District students were back on campus Monday after an omicron outbreak amongst teachers and staff forced them to move to virtual learning for six days. COVID-19-related staffing issues in classrooms across the country are shining a light on the shortage of qualified substitute teachers. Judy Rogers says she’s pretty much taught it all…