Columbus Public Information Officer submits resignation

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus city official resigns amid an ongoing dispute about his pay. Public Information Officer Joe Dillon submitted his two week notice to Mayor Keith Gaskin today. Dillion has worked for the city for about eight years as a PIO. He also did what he believed to be contract work for the city after the 2019…

OCH welcomes it’s first baby of the new year

Mary Haze Harris is the first baby of the new year in Starkville.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Welcome to the world baby girl. Mary Haze Harris is the first baby of the new year in Starkville. She was born at 1:15, early on New Year’s morning at OCH. According to the proud grandmother, her parents met at Mississippi State. Mom Carley is originally from Saltillo and dad Dustin is from Carrollton, where the…

Crowd fills Robin’s Unique Boutique for closing sale

That meant everything had to go - and customers were able to get deals as low as 50% off.

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI)- A popular boutique in Aberdeen is closing its storefront after 15 years in business. Robin’s Unique Boutique announced on social media the closing last week. Lines of shoppers wrapped around Robins Unique Boutique for their store-front closing sale. That meant everything had to go – and customers were able to get deals as low as 50% off….

Largest antique marketplace celebrates six years in business

Relics Antique Marketplace holds New Year's Day Celebration

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – The largest antique mall in the Tupelo area marks its anniversary on New Year’s Day. Relics Antiques is celebrating six years in business and the business is thriving because of loyal customers and vendors. As Relics Antique Marketplace opened, Jon Daly was pricing albums from an Elvis collection he recently acquired. Daly owns the EP Boulevard…

New Year’s Day traditions and rising food prices

The prices of our favorite New Year's foods could be higher this year, and according to CBS News, food prices have increased by 11.3 percent.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) -During this time of year, most people are getting prepared for a New Year’s Day tradition. “Always have to have black-eyed peas, but you got to put the bacon in with the black-eyed peas, and we always like to have ham if we have any of it leftover from Christmas,” said Columbus native Ann Jordan. “I think…

Trustee inmates and their families have Christmas dinner

Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says he wanted to give back to the trustees, as they work for Lowndes County.

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department and the Community Benefit Committee hosted a Christmas dinner for the county’s trustee inmates and their families. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says he wanted to give back to the trustees, as they work for Lowndes County. “You know these guys that come to jail, they’re good people, they’ve just made some bad…

Amory man runs for Bartender of the Year designation

Bryce Camp is at home behind the bar. Now, Bartender magazine has tapped Camp as one of the best in the business.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Bryce Camp is at home behind the bar. Now, Bartender magazine has tapped Camp as one of the best in the business. After a full day on a job site, Camp has found his second career at L’uva Wine Room in Starkville. “I was just scrolling through social media and Dos Hombres, the tequila by the…

LCSO emphasizes risks of celebratory gunfire

 A bullet can travel a mile in the air easily and could damage property, cause injury, or even kill an innocent person.

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – New Year’s Eve is the most active night of the year for celebratory gunfire and The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office would like to emphasize the risks involved. A bullet can travel a mile in the air easily and could damage property, cause injury, or even kill an innocent person. The sheriff’s office is urging residents…

New Year’s celebrations could lead to dangerous driving

New Year's Eve can be a celebration. However, getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol is dangerous for the driver and others on the road.

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- New Year’s Eve can be a celebration. However, getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol is dangerous for the driver and others on the road. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott says driving under the influence can affect driving. “Under the influence, whether it is alcohol or drugs, your reaction time is not there. Again, when you…

Two former MSU bulldogs held baseball clinic in Sturgis

Tanner Allen of the Miami Marlins and Brad Cumbest of the Colorado Rockies held a baseball clinic in Sturgis for the youth. The kids got to learn baserunning, outfielding, infielding, and even got the chance to improve their swing.

STURGIS, Miss. (WCBI)- The game of baseball is America’s favorite pastime, that is why two former Mississippi State Bulldogs who are now professional baseball players are teaching the game to the future. “Today we are running a camp for the youth in the Starkville and Sturgis area, we are going to donate the money from this camp to the Sturgis…

Hunting incident leaves 17-year-old dead

Investigators with MDWFP and Carroll County Sheriff’s Department are conducting an investigation, though the shooting appears accidental.

CARROLL COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – On Friday, December 29, 2023, Carroll County Deputies, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Officers, and Medstat responded to a call of a fatal hunting accident on County Road 163 in the Blackhawk area of Carroll County. Hayden Drake Bonta,17, of Ocean Springs was declared dead at the scene by Carroll County Coroner Mark…

Columbus Mayor honors citizens making a difference in community

The third annual "Earnest Brown Good Change Awards" were held at City Hall on Friday.

COLUMBUS, Miss… (WCBI)-  Community members were honored for their work in the community. The third annual “Earnest Brown Good Change Awards” were held at City Hall on Friday. The award is given to those who work to make a difference in Columbus. The awards were presented to Laverne Greene-Leech, Dr. Jo Shumake, Stan Glover, and Paroleed2Pride founder Sharon Jones by…

Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society offers pet safety advice for New Year’s Eve

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Ringing in the New Year with fireworks is a longstanding tradition but the excitement, flashing lights, and sounds of celebration that people enjoy so much are not as festive for their four-legged friends. Brandy Johnson of the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society has some tips to keep your pets safe while you’re lighting up the sky. For starters…

Deer processing business starts first season under new ownership

"Our coolers are full right now and we can't take any more deer at the moment."

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s hunting season in Mississippi and recent cold snaps have made the deer active, keeping deer processors booked and busy. Whether it’s your first deer of the season or you are a frequent customer, processors are looking to serve up quality meats. While it may not be their first season in business, Fork N Road…

Clay County’s newly-elected officials sworn into office

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – There was a changing of the guard in Clay County Friday morning. A swearing-in ceremony was held in West Point for newly elected Clay County officials. Judge Jim Kitchens administered the oath to the office holders. The Circuit Clerk, Coroner, Sheriff, and all other elected offices were sworn-in. Melvin Raines, one of the newest members…

Keeping people safe and healthy doesn’t take a holiday

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The holiday season is usually a time for family togetherness, but not everybody gets Christmas off from work. Kaitlyn Yeatman spoke with emergency personnel about working  Christmas and being away from family. For emergency personnel, like Kim Truesdale, Christmas is just another shift. “That is part of the job. When you sign on for the job…

New Year will usher in new county officials in Mississippi

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – The New Year will mean new county government administrations across Mississippi. November’s elections will mean some new faces will be joining returning office holders in county courthouses. On Thursday 17 of those officials took the oath of office at the Noxubee County Courthouse in Macon. Senior Chancery Judge Paula Drungole-Ellis handled the swearing-in duties. Most of…

American Family Association founder passes away

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A North Mississippi minister who became a leader in the conservative movement in America has died. Rev. Donald Wildmon: 1938-2023 Reverend Donald Wildmon, the founder and longtime leader of the American Family Association passed away Thursday December 28th in Tupelo. Wildmon was born in Dumas in Tippah County and graduated from Ripley High School.  In his…

A Tupelo museum now has a collection of Sam Lumpkin’s time in office

  TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- Fresh off the campaign trail for the Governor’s mansion, Brandon Presley is keeping his love of politics and political history alive. He hoped these papers and audio tapes will preserve the legacy of a former north Mississippi lawmaker. “Sam Lumpkin was both at one time Speaker of the house, and Lieutenant governor and so he is…

Oktibbeha County Swears In elected officials

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Oktibbeha County government swore in over a dozen new and returning officials. “It’s all about serving.” James Kitchens is the Senior Circuit Court Judge of the 16th District. He says everyone who raised their hand to take an oath, shares a deep admiration for Oktibbeha County. “These folks, they love this county and this community…