COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi State Department of Health reported 3,164 new cases of COVID-19 in a single day. State health leaders discuss the spread of the delta variant with hopes to slow the rise in numbers. During the fourth wave of COVID-19, the Delta variant brings higher numbers of infections leaving intensive care units with limited rooms to take in…
BOONEVILLE, MISS. (WCBI) – A giant cross is raised in Northeast Mississippi. The cross-raising ceremony was a celebration. When fundraising began for the cross-project in Prentiss County last September, Deryl Saylors had no idea how long it would take to raise the money. “We didn’t have a clue, we thought it would take a year or more, people just came…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two people are in the hospital after a shooting in Columbus. Just before 12:30 pm Columbus police and Lowndes County sheriff’s department went to the 1400 block of the fourth street south for reported gunshots. Chief Fred Shelton says it’s believed two people got into an argument in the Southside Market store. That’s when the suspect…
OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Oxford, Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen, former Officer Matthew Kinne, and 10 unnamed police officers are facing a federal lawsuit. Attorneys for the family of Dominique Clayton announced the suit today. Last month former Oxford Police Officer Matthew Kinne pleaded guilty to killing Dominique Clayton. The suit alleges that Kinne was acting under…
SUMMARY: Spotty storm chances are set to return over the next week as a standard late summer weather pattern develops. Highs in the 80s are more likely Friday with 90s set to take over again after that. THURSDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds. Lows in the upper 60s. Calm winds. FRIDAY: Partly to mostly cloudy. A 20-30% chance of pop-up showers and…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- A Columbus barbershop made sure students were razor-sharp before going back to school. The first 50 kids between the ages of 5 and 12 were given a free haircut at The Spotlight Barbershop. The Back to School Haircut event was sponsored by the Blu-Print Foundation. Columbus city schools will open on August 6th. Categories: Local News Tags:…
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – After nearly 3 years of delay, an Arkansas woman charged in the hit and run death of D’Shante Nix of Starkville has her day in court. Haley Singleton pleaded guilty today to Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Death. The plea comes nearly 4 years after Nix’s death. On September 25th, 2017 D’shante Nix…
ACKERMAN, Miss. (WCBI) – Going to big kid school can be nerve-wracking for the whole family, especially for the little ones in class. The Ackerman 20th Century Club partnered with Ackerman Elementary to make sure each of the smallest students has a buddy. For the last several years the organization has donated stuffed animals to the Pre-K and Kindergarten classes…
OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Ole Miss will now temporarily require masks for all students faculty and staff indoors on campus despite vaccination status. The recent surge in state and regional COVID cases is prompting the University to require masks for all indoor activities and all indoor locations This includes public office spaces, classrooms, conference rooms, and other academic spaces like…
SUMMARY: The summer heat and humidity will be making its return as we head into the weekend as temperatures are set to climb back up into the 90s. No major systems are going to affect the region anytime soon, but those chances for afternoon summertime showers & storms will return as well heading into next week. THURSDAY: We’re waking up…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – During a press conference Wednesday, mayor Keith Gaskin briefly discussed what safety policies the city council may consider as the Delta variant continues to spread. The mayor says he and the city council are open to all recommendations, though they will rely heavily on the recommendations of health officials. When it comes to decisions involving mask…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin held a press conference Wednesday featuring a panel of local doctors and medical experts to address concerns or misconceptions residents may have about COVID-19 and the vaccine. “We’re encouraging people to consider getting vaccinated,” the mayor says. “We know that there are a lot of legitimate concerns out there by many.” https://twitter.com/spimpojr/status/1422965620543528961?s=20…
WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- If you put the word free in front of anything it typically catches people’s attention; especially if it’s for something people need, like haircuts. All it takes is a clean-cut to get a lot of guys rolling, and Kustom Barber College in West Point wanted to get the kid’s school year started off right. Whether it’s…
TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A coronavirus sick leave policy recently passed by Lee County leaders has some employees crying foul. Lee County Board of Supervisors President Billy Joe Holland says a recent sick leave policy change is an incentive for county employees to get the covid 19 vaccination. “It’s still their choice, but we encourage people, I think the positives…
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The victims in a Wednesday afternoon plane crash have been identified. OKtibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt confirms to WCBI that Gary Dedeaux and his grandson Luke Reed perished in the crash. Oktibbeha County EMA tells WCBI the plane went down near Camps Airport Road, just off Highway 45 Alternate. Dedeaux was the owner of Gary’s…
Standard late summer weather is here.
BLUE MOUNTAIN, MISS. (WCBI) – Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves vows there will be no more lockdowns across the Magnolia state. Governor Reeves was in Tippah County for a groundbreaking ceremony at a trucking company, when he was asked about potential lockdowns. Some news reports have said the Biden White House has not ruled out another widespread lockdown if COVID numbers…
BLUE MOUNTAIN, MISS. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi-based trucking company announces a major expansion. Michael Massengill started ‘Big M Diesel Services’ more than twenty years ago, with about ten employees. Today, the company has 500 employees, 400 trucks, and 1,500 trailers that deliver general freight throughout 48 states. And the growth continues. Big M broke ground on a new inside…
SUMMARY: The middle part of the workweek will be amazing for early August with mostly sunny skies and cooler, less humid conditions. The summer heat and humidity will make a comeback by the weekend. We’ll be staying pretty dry over the next week or so, still can’t rule out the chance of an afternoon stray summertime shower or storm. WEDNESDAY:…
VARDAMAN, Miss. (WCBI) – In the small town of Vardaman, COVID-19 has shut down city hall until further notice. Mayor James Casey says the decision came Monday after the city clerk and assistant clerk both tested positive for the Delta variant over the past five days after returning from trips to Biloxi and Destin, Florida. “(One of them) texted me…
CARROLLTON, Al. (WCBI)- Youth violence surged around the country and in the area. A west Alabama district attorney saw the trend and went to work to find a solution. People typically say the youth is the future, but if violent crimes among them continue to surge things won’t be so bright. Some leaders in Pickens County are working to get…
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The Kiwanis Club of Columbus celebrates 100 years of bettering the lives of children in their community. Often times the club partners with the boys and girls club or similar organizations to provide charitable work to the community. The Kiwanis club also provides annual scholarships to students with help from the chamber of commerce. “This year we…
CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Bruce Police Chief William Sockwell died just one day into his retirement from a vehicle crash in Calhoun County. William, better known as Tony, served three years as chief of police for the city of Bruce. Many in the community are heartbroken from his sudden tragic death. “It was a shock to all of us,” said…
SUMMARY: This summer has been unusual in that we have not seen any prolonged periods of heat! Every time we see a few average or above average days, cooler weather has seemed to quickly replace it. Once again, last week’s heat wave has been ushered out by a refreshing August “cool” front. This has kept us in the low to…