Dozens rally together to show support for car wreck victim

23-year-old Summer Ethridge was airlifted to the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo Friday morning after a car wreck at a dangerous intersection in West Point.

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Dozens of people rallied together to show their support for a car accident victim that remains in critical condition. 23-year-old Summer Ethridge was airlifted to the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo Friday morning after a car wreck at a dangerous intersection in West Point. Friends and family gathered at the Tupelo hospital and her hometown…

Law enforcement remind community to stay safe this 4th of July

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Law enforcement has been working hard during the extended holiday weekend. With lots of travelers hitting the road to visit friends and family, several people gearing up for tonight’s celebrations. Staff Sergeant Derrick Beckom with the Mississippi Highway Patrol said there are lots of considerations to keep in mind to keep you safe this 4th…

Independence Day booms sales for local package store

Justin Wilkerson is the general manager of a local liquor store. He said business has been booming business this Independence Day.

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – This year’s 4th of July has become a 4 Day Holiday weekend for many. That means more time for rest, relaxation, and refreshment. Justin Wilkerson is the general manager of a local liquor store. He said business has been booming business this Independence Day. “This past weekend was very busy and we are expecting today…

Small fireworks have big impact on safety during Fourth of July

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Fireworks stands in north Mississippi have been busy in the lead-up to the Fourth of July. But burn-related injuries also skyrocket around this time of year. We all love watching fireworks in the night sky on holidays but they come with some significant risks. Tina’s Fireworks has been helping people around Okolona light up the…

Dangerous intersection has law enforcement looking for solutions

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An accident in Clay County over the weekend has left one woman in critical condition, and it has law enforcement looking at ways to make an intersection safer. Highway 50 East stretches from West Point to Columbus and intersects with Barton Ferry and Herman Shirley Roads. Once again, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office found itself…

Extremely hot weather causes damage to part of Hwy 82 W in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Asphalt is crumbling, and a crack is running across two lanes of a Mississippi highway. This is Highway 82 West in Starkville, just before the exit for Highway 389. This buckling was caused by excessive heat conditions. That’s according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Asphalt can heat up to 140 to 150 degrees on a…

Lowndes Co. Supervisors discuss school district’s claimed budget shortfall

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Supervisors in Lowndes County found themselves in a familiar situation, being asked to fund a budget shortfall for the county school district. The Lowndes County School District has claimed a $1.1 million shortfall in its budget. The two groups have been at odds over how certain industrial properties should be taxed. School leaders said properties…

Lowndes Co. Supervisors accept bid to pave community center parking lots

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County Supervisors paved the way for improvements at three of the county’s community centers. Supervisors accepted a bid from Falcon Contracting to pave the parking lots at Concord, Crawford, and New Hope Community Centers. Currently, all three have gravel lots which have become popular for the “wrong” reasons. People have been showing off their…

The State Fire Marshal’s Office encourages firework safety this Independence Day

Those wishing to purchase and use fireworks need to check with their fire protection officials to make sure local laws are being followed. Certain areas prohibit fireworks from being used within city limits. One cannot shoot fireworks in Columbus city limits and the fee for it is almost $250.

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – If you are shooting fireworks this holiday weekend, the State Fire Marshal’s Office encourages firework safety this Independence Day whether at home or a firework show. State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney says to use common sense when dealing with fireworks, and never point them at someone. Those wishing to purchase and use fireworks need…

Columbus High School’s first graduating class looks to clean up community

The Class of '93 was the first to graduate from Columbus High School after the district consolidated Lee and Caldwell High Schools.

COLUMBUS, Miss (WCBI) – The Columbus High School Class of 1993 kicked off its 30-year reunion by helping out its hometown. The alumni gathered at Sim Scott Park to clean up the neighborhood. The Class of ’93 was the first to graduate from Columbus High School after the district consolidated Lee and Caldwell High Schools. Stephanie Jones and Kessa Thompson…

Columbus woman crowned Miss Volunteer America

Hannah Perrigin says hard work, a strong support system and her Christian faith prepared her for the journey

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A Columbus woman now has a national stage to share her platform and promote a pageant that is more that just a beauty competition. Hannah Perrigin was crowned Miss Volunteer America last weekend during the national pageant in Jackson, Tennessee. Perrigin grew up in Columbus, raised by a single mom and was taught to pursue her…

Gas prices are low for Mississippians for 4th of July weekend

The average for the state of Mississippi is $2.97, which is the lowest state average in the country.

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Those traveling this Fourth of July Weekend may need to fill up their car with gas. The average for the state of Mississippi is $2.97, which is the lowest state average in the country. In Lowndes County, the average is 2.95 per gallon, and in Clay County, it is $2.87. This time last year, the average in…

Professional football player Jeffery Simmons host community fun day

The Noxubee community beat the heat at the Jeffery Simmons Fun Day and Fire Works event.

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss (WCBI) – The Noxubee community beat the heat at the Jeffery Simmons Fun Day and Fire Works event. The Professional football player for the Tennesse Titans put it on as a way to give back to his hometown. Simmons was even presented a key to the city as a thank-you for his dedication and service to Macon….

The Starkville Police Department is investigating a fatal vehicle collision

An SUV occupied by four individuals left the roadway at the intersection of Highway 12 and Bluefield Road.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Starkville Police Department is investigating a fatal one-vehicle collision on July 1st around 7:24 p.m. An SUV occupied by four individuals left the road at the intersection of Highway 12 and Bluefield Road. A 71-year-old passenger was declared dead on the scene. The driver was flown to Tupelo for further treatment. A male and female…

Several new laws went into effect today in the state of Mississippi

For those who are 18, a bill permits submitting loan applications and entering into legally binding contracts, meaning one can pay off a mortgage or lease property as young as 18.

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Several new laws went into effect today in the state of Mississippi. Here are just a few of the laws that went into effect. Senate Bill 2346 prevents those under the age of 18 from viewing sexually explicit content by implementing “reasonable age verification methods.” For those who are 18, Senate Bill 2073 permits submitting loan applications…

Fireworks on the Water kicked off this evening at Stennis Lock and Dam

"Visit Columbus" projects more than thousands of people to attend to see the fireworks and listen to a line-up of music.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Fireworks on the water kicked off July 1st at the East Bank of the Stennis Lock and Dam. “Visit Columbus” projects more than thousands of people to attend to see the fireworks and listen to a line-up of music. Mississippi Natives and country music sensation Chapel Hart took center stage. The Mayor of Columbus says this…

THS band travels to nation’s capital for 4th of July parade

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Members of the Tupelo High School Marching Band will spend their July 4 holiday in the nation’s capital, taking part in the Independence Day Parade. The band did a final run-through of the songs that pay tribute to Tupelo’s most famous native son. Cliff Moore is leading the Golden Wave Marching Band through the songs they…

Expert sees more snakes this season and issues warning

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – There are 55 different kinds of snakes in Mississippi, and six of them are venomous. And snakes, like people, go looking for somewhere cool when the weather gets hot. And that cool place may be near or even in your house. Temperatures are soaring, and most people remember to stay in the cool areas. But…