Testimony continues in Lowndes County murder trial

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The state has rested its case in the murder trial of Wayne Fraser. Prosecutors presented a third day of testimony against Fraser in Columbus. Fraser was accused of killing his wife Natalie Ryan-Fraser in December of 2021. The jury heard from the victim’s brother who testified that Wayne Fraser called him the morning of Natalie…

MSDH offering free screenings for blood sugar, blood pressure

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi State Department of Health is taking steps to combat chronic diseases in the state. Beginning August 31, you can get free blood sugar and blood pressure checks at your local health department. You can either call your local clinic or just drop in during business hours. The blood sugar numbers are done with a simple…

West Point police make another arrest in shooting investigation

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – West Point police made a second arrest in a shooting investigation. 26-year-old Demontre Ford was charged with aggravated assault and shooting into a dwelling. Police Chief Avery Cook said officers were called to Bulldog Street this past Saturday. A man inside of the house was shot in the shoulder and taken to the hospital. 17-year-old…

Two Birmingham men face charges in Lowndes Co. after high-speed chase

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Two Birmingham men are facing charges in Lowndes County after a high-speed chase and crash. 23-year-olds Sakaree Green and Darrius Washington were both arrested after the pursuit. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said his deputies were alerted by Pickens County law enforcement about a speeding car that would not pull over. Deputies spotted the vehicle and tried…

CHANGE FEST in Tupelo celebrates music, art, skateboarding

Organizers will give back to the community through a beginner skate park at Gumtree Park

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) –  This weekend, parts of downtown Tupelo will be turned into a skate park, art fair, and music fest. It’s all part of the second annual CHANGE FEST. For two months now, Willie Nelson has been working night and day at his business, Welding Willie’s, making skateboard ramps for CHANGE FEST. “I just want to do something…

Columbus-Lowndes Public Library: A place for more than reading

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The library is a place where pages turn and imaginations take flight. For half a century, the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library has been impacting lives through the power of reading and much more. And the library is changing with the times. You can still find books, but they are also embracing the community to keep their patrons…

Tupelo mayor makes his selection for city’s new fire chief

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Tupelo could have a new Fire Chief as early as next Tuesday. Mayor Todd Jordan has made his selection for the Tupelo Fire Department’s top job, and he didn’t have to look far to find the right candidate. Jordan has selected Interim Chief Brad Robinson to fill the post left vacant after former…

Amory football prepares to play at home away from home

Football fans tend to have a gameday routine but for some, that routine may look a lot different, especially in Amory where tornado relief continues.

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Football fans tend to have a game day routine but for some, that routine may look a lot different, especially in Amory where tornado relief continues. It’s impossible to get a home-field advantage when your team has no field to call home. However, Tupelo High School wanted to make sure that the Amory Panthers had an…

Neighboring counties combine resources to find stolen property

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A cooperation between two counties helped recover stolen property and put two suspects behind bars facing grand larceny and possession of stolen property. The Winston and Noxubee counties’ sheriff’s departments are showing that even small departments with limited resources can make a big bust if they combine resources and communicate with each other. After a…

Prosecution continues to lay out its case in Lowndes County murder trial

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The prosecution continued to lay out its case in a Lowndes County murder trial. Jurors heard from the state medical examiner’s office. Natalie Ryan-Fraser’s wheelchair was also brought into the courtroom. Wayne Fraser was accused of killing Natalie, his wife, in December 2021. Fraser listened to testimony and took notes. There was a shooting at…

West Point community gears up for 45th Prairie Arts Festival

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – The Prairie Arts Festival in West Point is gearing up for its 45th celebration. The event has now evolved into a small-town tradition with thousands in attendance. Lisa Klutts is the Director of the West Point Clay County Community Growth Alliance. She said the festival will be fun for the whole family. “We are excited…

Calculations show assumed winners in Lowndes County races

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The results of the two runoff races in Lowndes County are not official but a simple math equation can tell you the winner. Once the affidavit ballots were counted today, Kalee Talley took control of the tax collector race. She has a 16-vote lead with only 11 outstanding absentee ballots. This means mathematically, at least,…

MSU continues week focused on healthy choices, options

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University continued its week focused on healthy choices and options. The campus hosted dozens of vendors who promoted wellness and well-being to the students and staff. These resources ranged from mental to physical and emotional health aspects. Santee Ezell is the Director of Health Promotion and Wellness. She said educating students on the…

Hundreds of volunteers help clean up Starkville with Get Swept Up event

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Visitors checking out the Starkville scene can expect to receive a warm and clean welcome. More than 600 volunteers participated in the 20th annual Get Swept Up campaign. Trash and debris were cleaned up on several streets, parks, businesses, and other locations in the city. There were several partners involved in the campaign, including the Greater…

Bond set for man accused of robbery in June in Tupelo

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Bond was set at $20,000 for a man accused of a June robbery. On June 22, Tupelo police were alerted to a robbery at the Laundry Matt on Ida B. Wells Street. The victim reported that a man forcibly took his wallet and then ran. During the investigation, police identified the suspect as Jacquez Rice of…

Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards wins Republican Primary runoff

UNION COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards said he’s thankful for the chance to serve the county another four years after a narrow win in the Republican Primary runoff. Edwards received 2,885 votes, while challenger Chad Glasson received 2,679 votes. There was no Democrat challenger, so Edwards will start his fourth term as sheriff in January. Edwards…

Real trouble for fake IDs: Area businesses look out for underage drinking

For those who are still underage, trying to join in the fun can land you in trouble.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – College towns are back in full swing with students back on campus and football season just days away, and for many, living the college life also means enjoying the nightlife. For those who are still underage, trying to join in the fun can land you in trouble. Starkville life is revving back up with students back…

Fallen scrap metal leaves trail of flat tires on Old Macon Road

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – From the racetrack to the river, metal debris can be found all along the road, in people’s tires, and in unusual cases through people’s windshields. Arthur Brown said he has to replace tires for several cars and trucks each month just by driving out of his driveway, totaling thousands of dollars. “I’m spending a lot of…

Elections continue as Mississippi voters head back for Runoffs

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Mississippi voters headed back to the polls to take care of some unfinished business. Candidates across the state found themselves continuing their Primary campaigns after the first round of voting back on August 8. In our viewing area alone, nearly 40 primary races ended without a candidate receiving the necessary 50% plus one to win a race…

West Point police make arrest in weekend shooting

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – West Point police made an arrest in a weekend shooting that injured one person. 17-year-old Jamie Jones was charged with aggravated assault shooting into a dwelling. Police Chief Avery Cook said officers were called to Bulldog Street on Saturday. A man inside of the house was shot in the shoulder and taken to the hospital….