Columbus city employee accused of embezzling from city-owned gas pump

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus public works employee is accused of filling up his gas tank at the city’s expense. 22-year-old Deountray Roby is charged with embezzlement. Columbus police officers made the arrest after seeing Roby allegedly filling up at a city-owned gas pump on Monday night. The city owns and maintains its own gas pump for official city…

Columbus mayor defends opposition to canceling Waggoner contract

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin is defending his veto of the City Council’s decision to cancel its contract with Waggoner Engineering. Citing their expertise in dealing with flooding and watershed issues and their success in helping others in the state, Gaskin still believes Waggoner is the right firm for the job. Gaskin said Waggoner has already done…

Board agrees to allow solar company to improve Lowndes County road

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A solar company wants to improve a Lowndes County road. Today, the board of supervisors agreed to let the company improve Gilmer Wilburn Road, in southern Lowndes County. Trucks will bring large solar panels down the roadway and the company said the road must meet specifications. So, it asked to make improvements before the panels…

Three people in Oktibbeha County indicted for aggravated assault

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Three people in Oktibbeha County are accused of beating a man with a bat. April Kellum, Stacy Jones, and Tommie Wren have all been indicted for aggravated assault. The alleged incident happened July 17 of last year at a home on Sturgis West Point Road. Prosecutors said the victim was hit in the head with…

Nicholas Holliday officially takes seat on Aberdeen Board of Aldermen

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – After three years of legal wrangling, Nicholas Holliday officially took his seat on the Aberdeen Board of Aldermen. In 2020, Holliday garnered 37 more votes than Robert Devaull to win the Ward One seat on the Board. Devaull challenged the results in court, claiming improper campaigning by Holliday’s supporters and other voting irregularities. Holliday took his…

Longtime friends and employees remember the life of Hassell Franklin

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – Across North Mississippi and throughout the furniture industry, people are remembering the life of the founder and longtime chairman of Franklin Corporation, Hassell Franklin. Franklin passed away Sunday at the age of 87. He was known for his leadership, philanthropic work, and love for Houston. WCBI spoke on the phone with his two sons Mark and…

MSU President Mark Keenum reflects on legacy of Hassell Franklin

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Hassell Franklin’s support for Mississippi State University along with his overall impact has been well documented. Hassell partnered with Mississippi State University to create the Franklin Furniture Institute in order to provide research and outreach opportunities within the manufacturing industry. MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum sought Franklin for his business knowledge. Keenum told WCBI what…

Starkville Academy starts construction on multipurpose building

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville Academy is expanding its extracurricular activities for students. Work has begun on a new recreation and performing arts building on campus. The school raised the money for the new multipurpose facility through a fundraising campaign supported by families and local businesses. The new facility will be used for a number of activities and events like…

Tupelo Police search for suspect wanted for several car burglaries

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The Tupelo Police Department is looking for a suspect in a string of car burglaries, and they need your help. These images were captured Sunday in the South Thomas Street area of Tupelo. Police believe this person is responsible for several burglaries there. If you recognize this person or have any information on these cases, call…

Water Valley man arrested in Oxford for intimidating witness

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – A Water Valley man already charged with one crime in Oxford finds himself in trouble there again. On January 4, an individual went to the Oxford Police Department to report receiving threatening phone calls. The investigation, in that case, led to the arrest of Robert Walker of Water Valley. He was arrested five days later. Walker…

Columbus City Council votes to cancel Waggoner Engineering contract

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin attempted to dial back the city’s firing of a consulting firm. At last Tuesday’s meeting, the Columbus City Council voted to cancel the city’s contract with Waggoner Engineering. The city hired the firm to consult on how best to spend Columbus’s share of ARPA funds. Waggoner representatives were at the meeting to…

Calhoun County murder trial set to begin on Tuesday

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Calhoun County murder trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday. Ricco Simmons is charged with capital murder. Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan said Simmons fled to the Detroit, Michigan area in September 2020. Simmons was returned to Mississippi on the capital murder indictment in February 2022. He’s accused of shooting and robbing Deundray Garth on…

Founder, chairman of Franklin Corporation, Hassell Franklin dies at 87

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – The founder and longtime chairman of the Franklin Corporation, Hassell Franklin, has died. In 2019, Franklin shared his expertise with young students on a tour of Franklin Furniture. Hassell Franklin was 87 years old. Franklin was known for his entrepreneurship, educational and philanthropic efforts across north Mississippi. He served on many boards including the American Furniture…

Police investigate robbery outside liquor store in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police are investigating a robbery outside a liquor store. The hold-up happened at Liquor World on Highway 45 North. No injuries were reported. Officers searched the area shortly after the robbery but no arrest has been made. If you have any information, call Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook…

Pastor, community leader, college dean is also fashion expert

Dr. Richard Price designs his suits, waistcoats and hats, as part of his ministry

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo pastor known for his involvement in the community, advocacy for civil rights, and work in higher education is also known for his personal style. Whether he’s in the pulpit, or in the chapel at Virginia Union University, Dr. Richard Price is always stylish. Dr. Price came to the North Green Street Church of Christ…

Dance company in Starkville shows appreciation for sanitation workers

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A dance company in Starkville is showing appreciation to the men and women who help keep the town clean. KMG Creations hosted a special lunch for the Starkville Sanitation and Environmental service workers today. This is the fifth year Owner Kayla Gilmore has hosted the event. It’s held during the week of the Martin Luther King…