Houlka Attendance Center brings new beginnings for New Houlka

NEW HOULKA Miss. (WCBI) – Houlka Attendance Center is going through changes. Its focus is not only on test scores but building community, fostering school pride, and making lasting memories for generations to come. “It’s going to cause a lot of hype,” said Seth Burt, Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and Head Boys Basketball Coach for Houlka Attendance Center. Excitement at…

Amory Golf Club tees off reopening after suffering March tornado damage

Now, almost 5 months later they're working on getting people back out on the greens.

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – After suffering heavy damage in the March tornado, The Amory Golf Club is teeing off for its new reopening. Now, almost five months later they’re working on getting people back out on the greens. The President of the Board of Directors, Dave Cresap said if you saw the Amory Golf Club just a few months ago,…

Longtime Boys, Girls Club Director named to Hall of Fame

Greg Pirkle is the first person in the region to get the honor

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The longtime director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Mississippi gets a big honor for his years of dedication and service. As a tax and estate planning lawyer with Phelps Dunbar, Greg Pirkle keeps a full schedule, but he always finds time for the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Mississippi. “You want to…

Owner says Oak Manor Apartments renovations nearly to halfway point

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two years ago, it was slated for demolition. Now, the owner of an apartment complex on Columbus’ Southside said renovations are almost at the halfway point. Edmond Green, the owner of Oak Manor Apartments on 11th Street South, gave the Columbus City Council an update on the progress of renovations. Back in 2021, Oak Manor was…

Fire inspections to begin soon for businesses in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Fire inspections are right around the corner for businesses operating in Columbus. The Columbus Fire and Rescue Department goes door to door for all 1,800 businesses to inspect safety procedures and check for code violations. Columbus Fire Chief Duane Hughes said fire codes were written to save lives. “The fire codes that we enforce were written…

Webster County deputies arrest 2 people in burglary investigation

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Webster County Sheriff’s Office arrested two people in a burglary investigation. The break-ins happened in Eupora, north of Highway 9. Courtney Harrison and Waylon Palmer were both charged with one count of commercial burglary, one count of trespassing, and two counts of burglary. Bond was set for Harrison and Palmer at $25,000. For 24/7 …

Man is in custody after weekend robbery in Lowndes County

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The man accused in a weekend Lowndes County robbery is in custody. 42-year-old Little John Shelby was charged with armed robbery. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said Shelby forced his way into a Porter Lane home this past Saturday. The people inside were forced to hand over cash while being held at knifepoint. “A lot of times…

Itawamba County School District has its own police force

Officers provide safety and help build bridges between students and police

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – School resource officers work to ensure safety on any school campus. But often, the SROs have to split their time between answering calls in the community and campus patrols. As a solution, the Itawamba County school district has taken over policing duties. While patrolling the Itawamba Attendance Center campus, Officer Will Nabors gets strong high fives…

How Clay County law enforcement handle mentally ill

It's a scenario law enforcement officers face often - one they are trained to handle.

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – That hostage situation at a Walgreens store in Grenada ended with the suspect being shot and killed by law enforcement. Family members told local police they believe 39-year-old Bradley Hatcher suffered a mental breakdown. It’s a scenario law enforcement officers face often – one they are trained to handle. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott and…

September is recognized as National Preparedness Month

No one knows when disaster may strike but being prepared is the key to protecting ourselves.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – September is recognized as National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency says it’s a good time for people to look at their personal and family plans for responding to a natural disaster. No one knows when disaster may strike but being prepared is the key to protecting ourselves. The first step you can take…

Supervisors formalize policy on debris pickup in Lowndes County

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors is working to clear up confusion over who needs to clear out debris. At Tuesday’s meeting Supervisors adopted a policy that makes official what has been standard practice for quite some time. County road crews will not be picking up large tree debris, things like stumps, sections of tree…

Green Light on Green Cup

COLUMBUS, Miss (WCBI) – The Green Cup Ordinance will take effect on September 15. The new policy will allow restaurants and bars to allow a patron to leave their establishment with an alcoholic beverage. The alcohol must be in a green cup, specially marked. Barbara Bigelow is the executive director of Columbus Main Street. She lists key points for patrons…

Former MS state trooper dies assisting in vehicle crash

A retired state trooper was killed this morning after assisting in an accident on Highway 6.

PANOLA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A retired state trooper was killed this morning after assisting in an accident on Highway 6. Michael Griffin of Ripley came upon a two-vehicle crash around 11 a.m. According to Mississippi Highway Patrol, the wreck involved a pickup truck and a car. Griffin pulled over to check on one of the drivers as a car…

For many, Labor Day is the perfect day to hit the Tenn-Tom Waterway

Friends and families spending Labor Day on the Waterway.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Many people in Columbus chose to spend their day off working outdoors. At Columbus Lake, friends and family gathered to spend the holiday together. Many could be found enjoying food and fellowship around the area and lots of people brought out their boats. Luke Walker and Luke Walker Jr. are visiting family in the area and…

After a Summer lull, area clinics are seeing a spike in COVID cases again

The Golden Triangle is seeing more cases of the latest strand of Covid-19 called "Kraken."

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Golden Triangle is seeing more cases of the latest strand of COVID-19 called “Kraken.” According to the CDC, Lowndes, Clay, Oktibbeha, and Noxubee counties have some of the highest cases in the country. Judy Trenary is a Nurse Practitioner at Weekends Plus Urgent Care. She sees a link between the rise and students returning to…

MBI continues investigation into standoff at the Grenada Walgreen’s

A hostage situation at the Walgreen's store in Grenada ended with the death of the suspect

GRENADA, Miss. (WCBI) The suspect is dead after a hostage situation in a Walgreens store in Grenada Sunday. Now the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is handling the case. The suspect, 39-year-old Bradley Hatcher was shot by members of the Mississippi Highway Patrol SWAT Team. Sunday afternoon Grenada police along with other local and state law enforcement responded to Walgreens in…

Meeting set to educate public on Columbus’ “Green Cup” ordinance

The two groups are holding a meeting to discuss the new law Tuesday morning (Sept. 5th).

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus’s new Go Cup Ordinance goes into effect September 15th, and the city and Main Street Columbus want to make sure residents understand it. The two groups are holding a meeting to discuss the new law Tuesday morning (Sept. 5th). The Go Cup Ordinance, sometimes called the “Green Cup” Ordinance, will allow restaurant and bar patrons…

New cans coming to Columbus

When and how you put garbage out is changing in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – When and how you put garbage out is changing in Columbus. As of Monday, September 4th, Columbus residents will be switching over to once-a-week garbage pickup. Those whose garbage was being picked up on Mondays and Thursdays will now only be getting picked up on Mondays. For residents who had Tuesday and Friday pickup, Tuesday will…

West Point celebrates 45th annual Prairie Arts Festival

The city of West Point welcomed thousands of visitors today for an annual Labor Day Weekend event, called the Prairie Arts Festival

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – The city of West Point welcomed thousands of visitors today for an annual Labor Day Weekend event. The Prairie Arts Festival has everything from bar-b-que and home décor to cake tastings and clothing. This rainy weather didn’t dampen business at the 45th Annual Prairie Arts Festival. Troy Gandy owns Johnnie Mae’s. He says the event…