Chick-Fil-A back-to-school drive with free treats

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Chick-fil-a is serving up more than nuggets this week. The restaurant hosted a back-to-school drive and asked the community to donate different items each day to receive a free treat. This is the second year the fast-food chain has done this for the Lowndes County area. An employee member says this is just one to show their…

Columbus Police’s newly re-formed SWAT team began its first phase of training

MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN, Miss. (WCBI)- The nationwide rise in mass shootings has the Columbus Police Department reviving a special unit. This week, the department’s newly re-formed SWAT team began its first phase of training. Friday, members were conducting drills on the Missississippi University for Women campus. The W allowed CPD to use some of its vacant buildings to provide…

Macon Police are searching for answers following a fast food restaurant shooting

MACON, Miss. (WCBI)- Macon police hope the public can help them find a gunman.  The shooting happened Tuesday night at Bumpers, a fast-food restaurant, on South Jefferson Street. Surveillance video from nearby caught part of the incident. In the video, can see several guys running through the parking lot of a store after the shooting. Witnesses told officers there was…

Plantersville puts the call out for Farmer’s Market vendors

Location is a bonus for vendors, passers-by, and the town.

PLANTERSVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Farmer’s Markets are a popular way to get locally grown food to the public, and one Lee County town is organizing its own. The Town of Plantersville is putting the call out for vendors to sell homemade and homegrown goods. Several times a week, Plantersville Court Clerk Becky McMillan said people doing business at the town…

Oktibbeha County community faces teen violence turned fatal

OKTIBBEHA, Miss. (WCBI) – Teen violence is a nationwide problem, and it’s one that hit the Sunset Community in Oktibbeha County hard. The fatal shooting of Tristian Calmes Wednesday morning has affected the lives of two teens. One teen lost his life, and another could end up spending years of his life in jail. “Deputies responded, got there, and found…

Macon Police Department hosts school supply drive

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – On top of keeping its community safe, the Macon Police Department made sure students went back to school with the necessary school supplies. School gear, face painting, and refreshments were all available at the Back to School Supply Giveaway, located at the police department. The agency actually partnered with the city to make this drive possible….

Governor candidates hit the stage at Neshoba County Fair

NESHOBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The only thing hotter than the weather this week has been the campaign rhetoric coming out of the Pavillion at the Neshoba County Fair. Chanting and strong beliefs could be heard at the Neshoba County Fair Thursday morning. Democratic candidate Brandon Presley felt the state needs to clean up some things. “My message for cleaning…

Columbus looks at next steps in revitalizing Propst Park

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Columbus is looking at its next steps in revitalizing its premier park. At a work session, the mayor and City Council heard an update from the consulting group they’ve contracted with to negotiate a $3 million bond issue for park improvements. One hurdle the consultants would like to see cleared is the completion…

Columbus city leaders take to streets to best decide how to fix them

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI0 – Columbus city leaders have been taking to the streets to best decide how to fix them. The city has about $7 million set aside for street repairs. The city’s engineer has been driving the city and surveying problem areas. He will be meeting one-on-one with City Council members to work out a list of priorities. Special…

Lowndes County Tax Collector candidates speak to Exchange Club

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County Tax Collector candidates share their message with voters. The three women spoke to the Exchange Club of Columbus. Maci Griffin Jones, Diane Whaley Stephens, and Kalee Huddleston Talley are all on the Republican ticket. There is no Democratic challenger. This will be the first election for the Tax Collector position in Lowndes County. The…

Driver remains in hospital after crash in downtown Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The driver of a pickup truck remains in the hospital at this hour after his truck was hit head-on Wednesday night. This is what remains of a police chase that ended in downtown Columbus at the intersection of Main and 5th Street. The Mississippi Highway Patrol attempted to pull over a truck, reportedly driven by 22-year-old…

Inmates at Chickasaw Regional Correctional Facility earn theology degrees

The intensive three year program also teaches life skills that can be used in the real world

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A group of inmates at a regional jail achieved a milestone when they recently earned theology degrees. When Jeremy Ray came to the Chickasaw Regional Correctional Facility, he said he was looking for opportunities to go deeper in his faith. “I got saved in 2012, after being in prison for two years, when I transferred…

Pickens County native overcomes barrier to play golf at MUW

Caleb Jennings felt that he had the skills to play college golf and the drive, but he needed the opportunity to showcase his talents.

REFORM, Ala. (WCBI) – For most college athletes, the journey begins by excelling on their high school team and moving up to the next level, but a golfing commit at Mississippi University for Women had to find a different route. The Pickens County native couldn’t play on his high school Golf team, not because he wasn’t good enough, but because…

Yokohama Tire Manufacturing prepares leaders of tomorrow

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Yokohama Tire Manufacturing believes the best experiences are paid and hands-on. Over 300 high school students applied for the West Point plant’s ITIRE summer program but only 35 applicants made it in, representing 13 high schools.. ITIRE stands for Increasing Talented Innovators through Real Experiences. The program was designed to show students the career fields…

Republican candidates go head-to-head for Lieutenant Governor race

NESHOBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Neshoba County Fair is known for serving up some spicy politics along with the fair food favorites. The Lieutenant Governor’s Race was on the menu. Current Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann and State Senator Chris McDaniel went head-to-head in Founders Square. With primary elections less than two weeks away, the Republican Candidates were not holding…

Oktibbeha County teen dies in shooting, 2 people arrested

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An Oktibbeha County teenager is dead and two people were arrested after a shooting Wednesday morning. The gunfire happened in the 100 block of Finley Drive at about 10 a.m. Coroner Michael Hunt said 17-year-old Tristian Calmes was taken to OCH Regional Medical Center and later died. Oktibbeha County Sheriff Steve Gladney says the gunfire…

Federal judge blocks new state law targeting absentee voting

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A federal judge blocked a new Mississippi law that targeted absentee voting. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate said the legislation violated the Voting Rights Act and the state could not enforce the law during this year’s primaries and general election. The legislation set a list of people who could collect and send back a ballot that was…

Lowndes County deputies visit schools to conduct threat assessments

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The best time to look at school safety is before students return to campus. That’s the approach the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is taking. Deputies are doing walkthroughs at every school campus in the county to conduct threat assessments. The deputies have been through specialized training to identify weak points in building security. The sheriff…

Columbus PD’s newest camera aims to help catch litterbugs

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Police Department’s newest camera is serving a dual purpose. It’s located on Pickensville Road, in what’s known as the “S” curve. City Spokesman Joe Dillon said the camera is set up to help officers with investigations and to help identify people dumping trash on the property across the street. The city has been battling…

Bridge in Columbus soon to receive funds for repairs

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus will soon repair an aging bridge. The bridge on Waterworks Road was selected for the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund. The Mississippi Transportation Commission made the announcement Wednesday morning. $4 million will be used to make the improvements. No word on when work could begin was released. Official list of approved projects: 40 Projects…

Hibbett Sports in Starkville hosted ‘Clips and Kicks’ for local kids

Hibbett Sports in Starkville offered free haircuts and the opportunity for parents to get last-minute shopping in before the first day of school.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Hibbett Sports in Starkville offered free haircuts and the opportunity for parents to get last-minute shopping in before the first day of school. Six professional barbers volunteered their time to make sure that some young gentlemen went back to school in style. “Haircuts are kind of expensive nowadays so to be able to give a free…