Starkville Boy Scout makes difference through community service project

A local teenager is one step away from earning his Eagle Rank and hopes to be an eagle scout in a month.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Becoming an Eagle Scout is not easy. It takes a lot of time, work, and dedication. A local teenager is one step away from earning his Eagle Rank and hopes to be an Eagle Scout in a month. Davis Banzhaf was looking for the perfect project to complete his eagle rank. “Originally, I had been working…

Update on system-wide layoffs, reassignments at NMHS

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – An update tonight on the system-wide layoffs and reassignments within the North Mississippi Health Services. In a letter this morning from NMHS President and CEO Shane Spees, he wrote that all employees have been notified of their employment status. He called the changes necessary, as part of what is being branded the NMHS Redesign. The healthcare group…

Park improvements back on agenda for Columbus City Council

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Park improvements were back on the agenda for the Columbus City Council. Last month, the council passed a resolution to borrow $3 million through a bond issuance to pay for improvements and renovations at the city’s parks, with most of the work focused on Propst Park. Some in the city have been critical of the emphasis…

Columbus City Council discusses clean up plan for blighted properties

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s a long-term problem that’s going to require a long-term solution, but some people think it’s taking too long to get started. The City of Columbus has around $3.5 million in federal funds to clean up blighted properties, but before the work can start, there are steps that have to be taken. At Tuesday night’s meeting,…

Lee County soon to turn trash pickup over to Waste Management

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lee County will soon turn trash pickup over to Waste Management. The 3-1 vote was made after the Board of Supervisors President Mike Smith refused to sign the contract and recused himself from the final vote. Board Vice President Wesley Webb was authorized to sign the contract, which allows Waste Management to take over the…

Clay County Sheriff center of sexual harassment allegations, NYT writes

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott was the subject of a New York Times article released on July 19. The investigative piece looks at accusations against the sheriff, including alleged sexual harassment, alleged sex with inmates, and alleged retaliation. The story goes as far back as Scott’s days as Chief Deputy and investigates what alleged victims…

Deadline to self-report flood damage is Wednesday, July 19

NORTH MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – New numbers are coming in from the recent flooding in Winston and Choctaw counties. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said preliminary reports show 108 homes had some type of damage in Winston County, along with 18 businesses and a combined 66 roads and bridges. Three public buildings also reported damages. The July 13 floods also impacted…

Business catches fire in Tupelo near South Gloster

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – On Tuesday night, fire and smoke erupted at a mobile home lot in Tupelo. A structure at a mobile home lot was engulfed in flames near South Gloster. Reports said the building was a business. No injuries have been reported at this time. The Tupelo Fire Department is investigating the incident. For 24/7 news and updates,…

Clean up efforts are in full swing in Winston County

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The flood waters have receded in Winston County, but the damage they left behind will take a while to clean up. Several roads were washed away during the flood and some of the equipment to get them back up and running got stuck. Over three dozen culverts were stuck under a bridge but a Louisville…

Amory Main Street to receive funding from USDA Rural Partners Project

The Mississippi Main Street Association received funding from the USDA Rural Partners Network Project to assist 11 Main Street communities in the State.

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Amory Main Street may soon be getting some unique updates and renovations. The Mississippi Main Street Association received funding from the USDA Rural Partners Network Project to assist 11 Main Street communities in the state. Its purpose is to provide support and technical assistance to Main Street programs and foster activities in rural communities. With a…

Lowndes County deputies get some help ‘keeping an eye on things’

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is getting some help to “keep an eye on things”. The sheriff’s office has taken delivery of 20 new cameras and has been installing them in problem areas throughout the county. The crime-watching cameras provide extra sets of eyes for deputies. They can be monitored in real time, and the…

Lowndes County leaders step up to shut down illegal dumping

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County leaders are stepping up efforts to clean things up. Supervisors, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Justice Court have been working together to cut down on illegal dumping in the county and punish the people doing that dumping. The county has an investigator dedicated to dealing with dumping. Now, supervisors are also calling for…

Man arrested in Itawamba County charged with killing his mother

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man in Itawamba County is in jail, charged with killing his mother. The investigation began Friday when deputies responded to a mobile home on Brown Road that had burned along with two cars. They found a badly burned body inside the home. The victim was identified as Flora Mae Walden. Itawamba County Sheriff Chris…

Man charged with aggravated assault in stabbing incident in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The man wanted in a stabbing incident in Columbus is in jail. 58-year-old Isiam Perkins was charged with aggravated assault. He had been on the run since Saturday morning. The incident happened around 9:30 on 23rd Avenue North. Investigators said Perkins and the victim were in an argument about yard work when the altercation turned physical….

College students nationwide support a mission to preserve the historic Brush Arbor Cemetery in Starkville

Nestled between Commodore Bob's and Scooters Records on University Drive in Starkville is an often overlooked nationally registered historic site.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – College students from around the country are supporting a mission to preserve the historic Brush Arbor Cemetery in Starkville. Nestled between Commodore Bob’s and Scooters Records on University Drive in Starkville is an often overlooked nationally registered historic site. Brush Arbor is an African American cemetery with tombstones that range from 1882 to 1920. Over the…

Carlee Russell is found after 48 hours of searching

Russell, 25, who goes by Carlee, went missing on Thursday night after stopping to check on a child she saw walking on the side of Interstate 459 in Birmingham.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WCBI) – Late Saturday, July 15, police said Carlethia Nicole Russell had been located after about 48 hours of searching. Russell, 25, who goes by Carlee, went missing on Thursday night after stopping to check on a child she saw walking on the side of Interstate 459 in Birmingham. Police say Russell called 911 on Thursday night and…

Locals in Columbus celebrate National Ice Cream Day

July 16 is National Ice Cream Day

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – July 16 is National Ice Cream Day. Ice cream is a favorite treat of many, especially during the summer. Regina Unruh, owner of Southern Sweets in Columbus, has been an ice cream shop owner for a little over three years. “I absolutely love it,” Unruh said. “I love being with the public. I love being with…

Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce offers a solution to hog problems

The goal is to provide remotely triggered traps.

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce announced it is now offering a cost-share opportunity to private land managers with a wild hog problem.  Wild hogs are known for their ability to multiply quickly, having around six pigs at a time.   The MDAC will provide guidance and assistance for the most effective trapping methods to provide remotely…

Senator Roger Wicker is a new recipient for a 2023 Leadership award

Wicker accepts the 2023 Golden Triangle Regional Airport and the U.S. Contract Tower Association Leadership award.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – There is a new recipient for the 2023 Golden Triangle Regional Airport and the U.S. Contract Tower Association Leadership award. Senator Roger Wicker was presented the award in appreciation and recognition of his distinguished service and leadership and for being a strong advocate for airports in Mississippi and around the country. USCTA’S Executive Director Brad…

Sturgis holds a political rally to gear up for primary elections

There was a variety of speakers running for state and county offices hailing from both political aisles.

STURGIS, Miss (WCBI) – Sturgis had a political rally on July 15 to gear up for primary elections on August 8th. The political rally was held at Diane Jackson Memorial Park in Sturgis from 10 a.m. to about 4 p.m. There was a variety of speakers running for state and county offices hailing from both political aisles. Brandon Presley, who…

Starkville Community Theater begins renovations to update the theater for patrons and performers

Also in the plans - an upgrade to the utilities in the theater to create a more inviting environment for the performers and audience members.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The stage at the Starkville Community Theater has been the setting for hundreds of performances for decades. Locals thespians have participated in a variety of plays, musicals, and one-man shows throughout their seasons. SCT was recently awarded an operating grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission. The financial boost will allow the theater to bring some updates…

Lemonade takes over the golden triangle

Over 350 kids across the area set up their own lemonade stands to learn the value of entrepreneurship and the management of money.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Lemonade Day has officially taken over the Golden Triangle Region. Over 350 kids across the area set up their lemonade stands to learn the value of entrepreneurship and the management of money. Six-year-old Marque Hill has been learning about the power of entrepreneurship since he was a toddler. His mother says she wants him to…

Starkville Police Department respond to a head-on fatal collision on Highway 25

South of Highway 12, a car traveling northbound on the southbound side of Highway 25 collided head-on with a vehicle traveling south.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) -On July 13 around noon, the Starkville Police Department responded to a head-on fatal collision on Highway 25. South of Highway 12, a car traveling northbound on the southbound side of Highway 25 collided head-on with a vehicle traveling south. Both drivers were flown to Memphis for further treatment. Mary Ann Green, 66,  of Columbus later passed…