Several damage reports follow Lowndes County tornado

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – There were several reports of damage in Lowndes County following a tornado that touched down yesterday evening. EMA Director Cindy Lawrence said a majority of the damage was in the Highway 12 area and Jerry Reynolds Road. There were reports of damage to homes and the Lone Oak Fire Station. “I tell people to keep…

Lawsuit alleges United Furniture Industries violated federal labor law

Booneville based attorney Casey Lott filed the lawsuit one day after 2,700 employees were terminated

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi attorney has filed a lawsuit against United Furniture Industries, claiming the company violated federal labor law when it fired all of its workers last week. “We have one client who is a cancer patient who now can’t pay for her cancer medication because her health insurance has been terminated, and United isn’t offering…

Federal government files to appoint third-party manager of Jackson’s water

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Jackson may be temporarily out of the water business. The Federal government filed a proposal today to appoint a third-party manager for the Capital City’s troubled water system. The Justice Department said the arrangement is meant to be a temporary measure to allow time for Jackson, the Mississippi State Department of Health, and…

Polls remain open for county runoff elections

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Polls still remain open for the runoff elections. There are races in Oktibbeha, Lowndes, Noxubee, Clay, and Montgomery Counties. Several Circuit Court judge races are still to be decided. A county judge race is also on the ballot in Oktibbeha County. Poll workers expect to finish tallying the votes despite severe weather threats. The polls will close…

Mississippi inmate’s execution could be delayed again

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The execution of an inmate on Mississippi’s Death Row may be put on hold again. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate is deciding whether to block the state from using three drugs in the lethal injection process. His ruling could determine whether the State carries out the planned execution of Thomas Loden on December 14. Loden is one…

One victim hospitalized after Thanksgiving night shooting

ARTESIA, Miss. (WCBI) – A Thanksgiving night shooting in Lowndes County remains under investigation. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said the incident happened on Rogers Cove in Artesia. The 34-year-old gunshot victim remains in a Jackson hospital after he was shot two times. Deputies believe the man and his girlfriend were at a family gathering when there was an argument, involving a…

Columbus prepares to buy new radios for police department

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Police will soon be tuning into other Law Enforcement and Emergency Response units in the state. The city is getting ready to buy new radios for the police department. The new handheld and car-based units will be able to communicate with the statewide MS-WIN radio network. That network was put in place after Hurricane Katrina…

MEMA offers storm preparation advice ahead of severe weather threats

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI)- The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency wants to make sure you are fully prepared for this week’s potentially damaging storms. You’re encouraged to take “before” pictures before the storm is expected to hit your home or property. It can help with insurance claims if a disaster strikes your home. MEMA wants you to have a disaster go-kit supplied…

Several county runoff elections scheduled for November 29

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Voters will head to the polls in several runoff elections Tuesday. Several Circuit Court judge races are still to be decided. There are races in Oktibbeha, Lowndes, Noxubee, Clay, and Montgomery Counties. A county judge race is also on the ballot in Oktibbeha County in tomorrow’s runoff. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m….

Mississippi Highway Patrol reports increase of holiday crashes this year

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to more crashes this year than last year during their Thanksgiving holiday travel enforcement period. Tragically, six car accidents were deadly. None of the accidents happened within our viewing area. During the period from Wednesday to Sunday night, there were 172 arrests for impaired driving. That is also up from last year’s…

Volunteers prepare Thanksgiving meals for jails, shut ins and others

The outreach is a 35 year tradition involving different churches

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Inmates in area jails, along with jail staff, enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving meal, thanks to a Tupelo-based ministry. 9-year-old Will Bryant spent part of his Thanksgiving morning in the kitchen at Harrisburg Baptist Church. “Working very hard opening cans using a big can opener,” said Bryant. Bryant was one of the hundreds of volunteers at the…