Lunch and learn helps connect older adults to resources

OKTIBEHHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s never too late to learn, and that was on full display at the 2023 Triad Luncheon at the Oktibbeha County Safe Room. Local community members gathered to learn about health and wellness resources for older adults. Through the Triad Grant, the state of Mississippi was able to implement more programs geared towards senior citizens…

Columbus City Council discusses ‘Old River Bridge’ repairs

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus City Council met Thursday morning and one of the big topics of discussion was repairs to the Columbus Riverwalk Pedestrian Bridge. The “Old River Bridge”, as it’s sometimes known, was severely damaged in February 2020 when it was struck by a runaway barge filled with limestone. Mayor Keith Gaskin said repairs are supposed to…

Columbus police credit help from public in identifying suspected shoplifters

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A little publicity helped the Columbus Police Department make an arrest in a felony shoplifting case. CPD credited help from the public with identifying two women suspected of stealing from Ulta Beauty in Columbus. The department released pictures captured from security cameras to WCBI and other media outlets, as well as social media. As a result,…

District 1 seat candidates for LCBS make case to voters at forum

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Candidates for the District One seat on the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors got a chance to make their case to voters. The Exchange Club of Columbus invited all District One candidates to speak at a forum at the club’s weekly meeting at Lion Hills. Only two of the three Republican candidates, Matt Furnari and…

Sounds of Summer outdoor concert postponed to June 22

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Sounds of Summer has been postponed until next week. The free, outdoor concert series at the newly renamed Roger Short Soccer Complex in downtown Columbus was scheduled for June 15. With rain in the forecast and with already wet soccer fields, the decision was made to move the event to June 22. The time for next…

Golden Triangle LINK to bring another megasite to Lowndes County

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Golden Triangle Development LINK is bringing another Tennessee Valley Authority Certified Megasite to Lowndes County. This area is the only one to have multiple megasites. Plans are underway now and the economic development team is ready to get rolling. While it may be bare now, this field will be growing new economic development opportunities…

Man arrested after Lee County deputies find explosive device

Investigation was part of an ongoing welfare check for the man's mother

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – What began as an investigation involving a vulnerable adult turned into some tense moments after a homemade explosive device was discovered at a Tupelo area convenience store. Tilar Thompson was going to stop by the Texaco T-Mart on his way home Tuesday night, but those plans changed. “My store closes at 11, I was here at…

National Flag Day remains relevant over 100 years later

On this day, 245 years ago, Congress approved the design of the American Flag. The flag today looks a lot like the one the first Americans flew.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – On this day, 245 years ago, Congress approved the design of the American Flag. The flag today looks a lot like the one the first Americans flew. June 14, 1777, was the day the Second Continental Congress passed a flag resolution: 13 stripes alternating red and white and that “the union be 13 stars, white in…

New information released in Tuesday shooting incident in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – We have new information on a shooting incident in Columbus that we first reported on Tuesday. Columbus police received a call about an undercover investigator who was in a fight in the area of Seventh Avenue North and Moss Street. The undercover initially witnessed people in two separate vehicles firing shots at each other. The gunfire…

CMSD to host groundbreaking ceremony for restoration of historic school

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A historic school in Columbus will be restored through a major renovation project. The Columbus Municipal School District is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony at the old Hunt High School on 20th Street North Friday at 10:30 a.m. The campus was destroyed in a tornado in February of 2019 and ruled a total loss. The district will…

Columbus police search for suspects accused of shoplifting

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s not looking pretty for a couple of suspects accused of shoplifting in Columbus. On June 9, Ulta Beauty on 18th Avenue had two separate felony shoplifting incidents, according to Columbus police. Both suspects are seen on the store’s security cameras. If you know or have any information about the individuals pictured, please call Lowndes County…

North Mississippi Narcotics Unit makes aggravated meth trafficking arrest

BELDEN, Miss. (WCBI) – The North Mississippi Narcotics Unit took a large quantity of drugs off the streets and arrested a suspected drug dealer. Agents searched the home of Will Orlando Hadley on Mattie Florence Drive in the Belden area. During that search, they reportedly found 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine, 18 pounds of marijuana, around five pounds of the hallucinogenic…

Mississippi teacher programs receive top marks in reading instruction

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Mississippi’s reading teachers are moving to the head of the class. The National Council on Teacher Quality has recognized Mississippi and Colorado as the top two states for ensuring scientifically based reading instruction in teacher preparation programs. The rankings are in the Council’s latest report, Teacher Prep Review – Strengthening Elementary Reading Instruction. The report gave Mississippi…

Kids are cooking up some fun during Kids Culinary Camp at Lion Hills

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Kids are whipping delicious treats during the Kids Culinary Camp this week. Kids in grades fifth through eighth are learning the basics of cooking at the Lion Hills Center in Columbus. Every day is a different food theme with the campers learning how to make homemade pasta, Chinese food, desserts, and pizza. We caught them on…

Former Columbus CFO sentenced to prison for embezzlement found dead

RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The embattled former Columbus Chief Financial Officer that pleaded guilty to stealing from the city has died in prison. The Rankin County Coroner’s Office confirmed Milton Rawle died this past Saturday. He was being held at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, near Pearl. Rawle pleaded guilty to embezzlement in February 2021. He was sentenced to…

Learning the basics: Training heats up for new firefighters in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Things are heating up in Starkville with firefighter training underway. At Fire Station 3, training firefighters are learning the basics. Tuesday, they learned how to repel off buildings. This is what it takes to train with the Starkville Fire Department. 10 newly-hired firefighters were learning the ropes of repelling Tuesday. “We are doing search and rescue…

Northeast Mississippi car dealership has major impact on the economy

Barnes Crossing Hyundai has top to bottom remodel of its showroom, service department and offices

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – While some car dealerships nationwide are reporting a decline in sales, a Northeast Mississippi dealer said sales are shifting into high gear. As the ribbon was cut on the remodeled Barnes Crossing Hyundai,  associates were busy making deals. “Barnes Crossing Hyundai, last year was the 26th largest Hyundai store in the United States, right here in…

Columbus police investigate 2 shootings in same day

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been a busy Tuesday for law enforcement in the Friendly City. Columbus police are investigating two shootings Tuesday afternoon. One of those was on Moss Street near Seventh Avenue North. The driver of a late model Chevy Impala ran off the road there. Witnesses said police also recovered what appeared to be shell casings at…