Courtroom in Oktibbeha County will be named after retired judge

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – He presided over a courtroom in Oktibbeha County for over three decades and now it will bear his name. The large courtroom in the Oktibbeha County Circuit Court annex building will be known as the Judge Lee Howard Courtroom. Howard did not seek re-election after more than 32 years on the bench in the 16th…

Woman arrested after caught stealing Christmas decorations from yards

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County woman was arrested after she reportedly went last-minute Christmas shopping in other people’s yards. A doorbell camera caught a live-action version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” in a North Columbus neighborhood on Christmas night. She took some inflatables. She went on a spree. At one house she took even the tree….

One person shot at downtown Columbus apartment complex

One person injured in Columbus shooting

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An early afternoon shooting in Downtown Columbus has left one person hospitalized and police looking for a shooter. The call came in at 1:41 this afternoon saying that someone had been shot. When police officers and sheriff’s deputies got to the scene on 5th street south, they found a black male with a gunshot wound. Columbus…

Mississippi Department of Transportation highlights statewide projects

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Department of Transportation is highlighting projects across the state, as the year comes to a close. “Corridor V” in Itawamba County is one of those highlighted projects. The $81 million project will build a four-lane highway known as State Route 76. Completion of the Highway 49 project in Rankin County, work on the Highway 82…

House in Columbus catches fire; no injuries reported

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A house on the Columbus southside went up in flames this evening. The fire happened at 1314 13th Street South, at about 5 p.m. Fire Chief Duane Hughes said firefighters believed the home was abandoned. Heavy fire and water damage could be seen on the outside of the house. No injuries were reported. The cause of…

Non-profits are still receiving donations before the new year

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The end of the year is near and some people are taking care of last-minute business. Many people find this a good time to give back, making donations to non-profit organizations. Whether your new year’s goal was to volunteer or donate, some non-profits said there is still enough time to get that resolution done and your…

TVA investigates why rolling blackouts had to be implemented

TVA (WCBI) – The Tennessee Valley Authority is taking responsibility and investigating why it implemented rolling blackouts during a recent arctic blast that sent temperatures down to the single digits. TVA started asking local power companies to reduce power consumption this past Friday and Saturday. A system-wide power reduction of at least 5% was required each day. The utility corporation…

North Mississippi water treatment facilities change disinfectant

NORTH MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A change in disinfectant for water treatment in North Mississippi may affect dialysis patients. A notice from the Northeast Mississippi Regional Water Supply District informed customers that chloramines will be used as a disinfectant beginning tomorrow. This change is of critical importance for customers who use home dialysis units. Free chlorine and chloramine can affect kidney…

Lee County Coroner identifies victim in fatal car crash Tuesday morning

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The woman killed in a Tupelo car crash has been identified. Lee County Coroner Carolyn Green said 37-year-old Shoshuna Wesco, of Houston, died in the accident. The crash happened on Highway 178, east of Tupelo, yesterday morning. Wesco was driving one of the vehicles involved. State troopers are investigating the accident. For 24/7 news and updates,…

Columbus leaders have requests to ask at Mississippi Legislative session

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The 2023 session of the Mississippi Legislature starts next week, and Columbus leaders have a few things they would like to get before lawmakers. The mayor and city council, along with representatives from the Link, Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Columbus Main Street met with area lawmakers this morning to request action and funding on a…

Illegal to shoot fireworks in town limits of Shuqualak

SHUQUALAK, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s almost the new year and just about everyone is excited about it, however, the town of Shuqualak wants to remind you that it is illegal to shoot off fireworks within the town limits. The new ordinance, which was approved earlier this year, includes firing any type of firearms such as pistols and shotguns. Several other…

MBI issues Endangered, Missing Child Alert for three children

PONTOTOC, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has issued an Endangered/Missing Child Alert for 7-year-old Hazelie G. Payne, Hazelie Payne 1-year-old Eden A. Payne, and 1-year-old Willow B. Payne of Belden, MS, in Pontotoc County. Hazelie G. Payne is described as a white female, four feet tall, weighing eighty-five pounds, with brown eyes and brown, shoulder-length hair….

One woman dies in car crash Tuesday morning in Tupelo

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A woman is dead after a three-car crash in Tupelo this morning. Lee County Coroner Carolyn Green said a 37-year-old woman died in the accident. The crash happened on Highway 178, east of Tupelo, at about 10 a.m. The victim was driving one of the vehicles involved. No names are being released at this time. State…

Mayor of Reform announces boil water notice among other water issues

REFORM, Ala. (WCBI) – Some residents in Pickens County have been without water since Friday. For those that do have water, a boil water notice is in effect until further notice. Mayor Melody Davis said residents may be experiencing low or no water pressure right now. That is due to low water tank levels. Davis is making bottled water available…

Joseph Daughtry has officially been sworn in as Columbus’ Police Chief

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Daughtry era is underway in the Columbus Police Department. Joseph Daughtry was sworn in today at the Municipal Complex. Daughtry previously served as police chief for the Natchez Police Department and is currently the president of the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police. Daughtry said he hopes to help rebuild trust between the police department…