Extreme temperatures and food can be dangerous combination

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Fourth of July Holiday Weekend is officially here, and for many people the celebrations include food. Whether it’s a picnic, family cookout, or grabbing a plate from a vendor at one of the many public celebrations. Of course, we’re also in the middle of a heatwave, and the extreme temperatures and food can be…

Rip tides can turn fun beach vacations to nightmares

In less than two weeks, rip currents have taken the lives of at least 11 people.

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – It is one of the most popular vacation spots for people in North Mississippi and West Alabama, but there are dangers in the water from Fort Morgan to Panama City Beach. First responders said there have been multiple drownings. In less than two weeks, rip currents have taken the lives of at least 11 people. Data shows…

Southside Blues Festival kicks off at Townsend Park

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An Independence Day weekend tradition continues in Columbus. The 17th installment of the Southside/Townsend Park Blues Festival started June 29 and really kicks into gear Friday evening. The festival features something for everyone, including food, family-friendly fun, and, of course, music. Things got rolling Thursday night with the return of Youth Night and softball. Starting at…

Preparation for ‘Fireworks on the Water’ has begun in Columbus

Fireworks on the Water is back for the second year since the COVID-19 pandemic.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – If fireworks are a must-have for your Independence Day celebration, then you can get an early start this weekend in Columbus. “This has really been going on for five months. In the last few weeks and really the last couple of months, we have met every Wednesday afternoon. We serve snacks and we get everybody in…

Tupelo city leaders name 20-year veteran to be new interim Fire Chief

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo city leaders tap a 20-year veteran to head the Fire Department during the search for a new Fire Chief. Mayor Todd Jordan announced that Deputy Fire Chief Brad Robinson has been promoted to Interim Chief. Robinson will be taking over for Chief Kelly Elliott who was selected to take over as the Executive Director of…

Retired Saltillo chief pins badge on son graduating from police academy

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It is always a big day when cadets graduate from the police academy, but for one family, the ceremony was extra special. Retired Saltillo Police Chief Dan McKinney was able to pin the badge on his son, Kagen McKinney, after he graduated from Class B73 at the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center. Kagen McKinney will…

MSU alumni reflect on their time at McCarthy Gym

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – From 1950 to 1975, McCarthy Gym was home to Mississippi State Basketball teams. It served several other roles after Humphrey Coliseum was built. After seven decades, the structure is gone, making way for new development on campus. 73 years after its opening, McCarthy Gym is no longer standing, making way for something new. This gym has…

MHP Troopers will have safety checkpoints set up for holiday weekend

NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WCBI) – Troopers with the Mississippi Highway Patrol will be doing their part to help keep the roadways safe during the upcoming holiday weekend. Highway Patrol Troopers will set up safety checkpoints, looking for impaired or distracted drivers. They will also have more officers on the roadways during the July Fourth holiday. Staff Sergeant Bryan Magee is…

Cooling shelter opens in Lowndes County for people to escape heat

In Lowndes County, the Golden Triangle Regional Homeless Coalition and Lowndes County Emergency Management are teaming up to help people beat this week's brutal heat.

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – In Lowndes County, the Golden Triangle Regional Homeless Coalition and Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency are teaming up to help people beat this week’s brutal heat. A cooling shelter is opened for those who need to escape the high heat index. Many people have volunteered their time to put this together to give back to…

North Mississippi man sentenced to federal prison for child pornography

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI)- A North Mississippi man will spend 17 years in Federal prison for distributing child pornography. 39-year-old Jessie Edward Winters was sentenced in U.S. Federal Court in Oxford. The investigation began when the Department of Homeland Security acted on information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding someone using a mobile messaging app to distribute…

Itawamba County man faces several felony charges

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An Itawamba County man is facing several felony charges after leading deputies on a chase. Tuesday, Itawamba County deputies and agents from the North Mississippi Narcotics Unit went to serve a search warrant at a home on Hopewell Keys Road. Sammy Guy Sanders was sitting in his vehicle in the driveway. When agents made contact…

Eupora police officer arrested, charged with domestic violence

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – A Eupora police officer was charged with domestic violence and is now on leave. Phillip Miller was arrested by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. He was released on a $2,000 bond. Sheriff David Gore said he turned the case over to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to ensure there was no conflict of interest….

Holmes County man indicted in connection with Oktibbeha Co. shooting

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Holmes County man was indicted in connection with an Oktibbeha County shooting. Dekwon Winters was charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault. The shooting happened on January 20, 2022, near the Chadwick Apartments and MSU campus. Jartavia Greer, Darnell Deering, Mykel Sly, and Samuel Kirkland were also arrested in the case. Kirkland and the…

Lee County Sheriff urges parents to be vigilant about ‘digital dangers’

Presentation is meant to keep teens and adults out of harm's way when navigating social media sites

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson is encouraging parents to be aware of their children’s activities online and on social media. On a recent Sunday night, Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson talked not only about the dangers of online predators but also about the consequences of sending inappropriate material between friends. “A lot of things going on…

Webster County Sheriff’s Department hosts school supply drive

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Webster County Sheriff’s Department is already gearing up for the beginning of the school year by hosting a school supplies drive. The items donated will go toward students throughout the Webster County School District. This is the second year the department has hosted the supplies drive and they are hoping to have even more…

Teachers already started classroom prep for upcoming school year

Summer is here and school is out, but for teachers, it's time to prepare for the upcoming school year

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Summer is here and school is out, but for teachers, it’s time to prepare for the upcoming school year and get their classrooms. ready. When you remember going to school in a decorated classroom, most of that came out of the teacher’s pocket. Teachers are working on their classrooms during summer break and getting everything they…

5th Judicial District DA Doug Evans resigns from office

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Embattled 5th Judicial District District Attorney Doug Evans is leaving office sooner than expected. Evans is resigning from the post, effective this Friday, June 30. He has served as District Attorney in the 5th Judicial District, which covers Attalla, Carroll, Choctaw, Grenada, and Montgomery Counties, for over 25 years. Evans came under fire in recent…

Charges still stand against Democratic party leader, Tupelo Councilwoman

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A judge has refused to dismiss charges against a Democrat party leader and Tupelo City Councilwoman, who are accused of violating state election law. Senior Circuit Court Judge Paul Funderburk denied motions filed by Attorney Jim Waide to dismiss charges against Councilwoman Nettie Davis and Pastor Charles Penson, who is a local Democrat party leader. Davis…

Starkville police respond to call of shot fired at apartment complex

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – There were some intense moments at a Starkville apartment complex. Police were called about a shot being fired in an apartment at Avalon Apartments on Eudora Welty Drive. Officers cleared some of the complex and then searched the building. No damage was found and no injuries were reported. SPD is continuing to investigate the report of…