Governor Tate Reeves makes campaign stop in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Governor Tate Reeves was on the campaign trail and made a stop in Columbus. The Lowndes County Republican Women hosted the governor for a stump speech. He touted his record on economic development, education improvements, and helping the state recover from natural disasters. The first-term Republican faces off with Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley…

Cadaretta Water Association issues boil water notice

GORE SPRINGS, Miss. (WCBI) – If you get your water from the Cadaretta Water System, you may need to take some extra precautions. Cadaretta has issued a boil water notice for all customers on Highway 404, Roberts, Embry, Shaw, and Cadaretta roads east of the elevated tank. The notice is due to a water leak. All customers in the area…

Starkville school leaders still investigating alleged shooting

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville School District leaders continue to investigate a reported shooting during a late-night scrimmage game Friday. The football team was hosting its “Midnight Madness” when staff and spectators heard shots from the parking lot. “It’s tough when a situation like this happens, it’s an event that’s supposed to celebrate our upcoming football season and we’re heartbroken…

Long-lasting relief: HVAC expert gives tips on taking care of your AC unit

NORTH MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A majority of homeowners believe an air conditioner is a freezer or a cooler of some kind. Todd Spears, the operations manager for Progressive Heating and Cooling, said an air conditioner is neither. It does what the name suggests. “It is an air conditioner. It conditions the air that’s already in your house. People call, ‘I’ve got…

Ex-Rankin County officers involved in assault on 2 black men plead guilty

RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Six former Rankin County officers involved in an assault on two black men appeared in court where they entered guilty pleas on state charges in connection to the case. The state charges against the former officers include aggravated assault, home invasion, obstruction of justice/hindering prosecution in the first degree. Court documents show that on January…

MDHS receives go-ahead to replace stolen SNAP benefits for fraud victims

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Department of Human Services got the green light from the federal level to replace stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or benefits for victims of fraud. SNAP benefits are typically stolen from scams, including skimming and cloning, where scammers obtain SNAP EBT numbers and PINs to gain access to benefits. MDHS will begin replacing the funds…

Governor Tate Reeves appoints new DA in 5th Circuit Court District

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Governor Tate Reeves appointed a new District Attorney in the 5th Circuit Court District. Adam Hopper has served as an assistant district attorney in the same office since 2006. Now, he will lead it. Hopper will begin his new role on August 15. He is serving out the remainder of Doug Evans’ term. The Grenada man recently…

Starkville police respond to call about altercation at Zaxby’s

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI0 – An argument at supper time turned into two arrests. 26-year-old Ethan Foster and 37-year-old Sheron Gandy, both of Starkville, have been charged with misdemeanors after an altercation at a local restaurant. Foster was charged with disturbing the peace. Gandy was charged with discharging a firearm in the city limits and disturbing the peace. It happened just…

Kosciusko firefighters battle extreme heat from weather and store fire

KOSCIUSKO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Kosciusko store went up in flames and some firefighters went down from the heat. Jacob’s Ladder caught fire Sunday afternoon on North Madison Street. The building was heavily damaged. Our news partner, Breazy News, reported some people were inside the building when they saw smoke coming from the second floor. Fire Chief Duane Burdine told…

Charges filed against New Hope teen after viral gun video

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – We now know the charges filed against a New Hope teenager after a gun video went viral. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said the unidentified 17-year-old was charged with possession of a weapon by a student and simple possession of marijuana. This past Sunday a video began circulating in the community of someone inside a…

Georgia man struck, killed by vehicle Sunday in Union County

UNION COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Georgia man was killed after being hit by a vehicle on Interstate 22. The Mississippi Highway Patrol said the crash happened early Sunday morning in Union County. 51-year-old Christopher Maclin was walking east when he was struck. Investigators said 18-year-old Jackson Hudson of Dumas was driving the pick-up that reportedly hit Maclin. Maclin died…

Mississippi Horse Park hosts 13th Annual Meagan McCain Memorial Barrel Race

The non-profit "Meagan's Legacy" helps to raise awareness about dangers of impaired driving and provide scholarships.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mark and Donna McCain lost their daughter Meagan in a wreck caused by an impaired driver. After her death, they launched the nonprofit Meagan’s Legacy. “When we lost her, we did not know what to do with ourselves,” said Donna McCain. “So when someone suggested doing this memorial, it became a way to honor her legacy,…

Verbal disturbance at Starkville Zaxby’s leaves SPD to investigation

After the parties left the property a single gunshot was reported by bystanders. No injuries have been reported.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – There was a verbal disturbance inside at Zaxby’s on Highway 12 around 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11. After the parties left the property a single gunshot was reported by bystanders. No injuries have been reported. SPD continues to investigate the incident and charges are pending. Anyone with information should contact SPD at 662-323-4131, Golden Triangle…

Bethel Baptist helps with Dorm Move-In Day at ICC

Volunteers from Bethel Baptist Church and other community outreach programs helped ICC students move in to their dorms

ITAWAMBA, Miss. (WCBI) – Dorm Move-In Day at Itawamba Community College was Saturday, Aug. 8. Volunteers from Bethel Baptist Church and other community outreach programs helped ICC students move into their dorms this afternoon. Classes at ICC start Monday, Aug. 14. President of ICC Dr. Jay Allen says this is a great way to start the semester. “It’s a great…

People from around the world visit Elvis Presley Birthplace Home in Tupelo

Elvis fans gathered at the Elvis Birthplace for Fan Appreciation Day

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Elvis fans gathered at the Elvis Birthplace for Fan Appreciation Day. Dozens came to visit the iconic two-room house where Elvis was born. They could also stop and hear some music, or venture up the hill to the lookout and grab an Elvis Burger from the Tupelo Elvis Fan Club. Roy Turner is the Executive Director…

Columbus mentoring program holds annual back to school car show

Many people lined up their cars to show off both the interior and exterior of their Corvettes

COLUMBUS- A local mentoring organization is going outside the pavement, hoping to reach community kids. I Am Mentoring Program held its annual back-to-school car show. Members of the community and out-of-towners lined up their cars to show off the interior and exterior pof their Corvettes. Founder of the organization Madison Darnell believes that cars will attract parents, students and that…

Starkville High School football scrimmage shooting is under investigation

According to a spokesman from the Starkville Police Department, officers responded to the SHS parking lot around 12:30 a.m. to assist the school's law enforcement after reports of shots fired.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A shooting at a Starkville High School football scrimmage late Friday night is under investigation. According to a spokesman from the Starkville Police Department, officers responded to the SHS parking lot around 12:30 a.m. to assist the school’s law enforcement after reports of shots fired. No injuries were reported. So far, no arrests have been made….

Monroe County School District works to combat spread of COVID-19

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Even though we may not be seeing as many cases, COVID-19 has not gone away. And with the beginning of a new school year, numbers are beginning to climb again. That has some school districts reviewing and reviving their precautions to avoid the outbreaks and shutdowns we’ve seen in the past. Monroe County schools just…

Starkville Strong organization aims to define homelessness within the city

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A local organization believes the stigma around homelessness is preventing a large sum of people from receiving financial and housing assistance. Many times there is a stereotype of homelessness, but in actuality, it goes much deeper than that. Starkville Strong is a nonprofit organization here in Starkville to help those who need it. The federal government…