Calhoun County deputies arrest, charge man with aggravated rape

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Calhoun County deputies made an arrest in a rape investigation. Roger Armstrong was charged with two counts of aggravated rape. Sheriff Greg Pollan said the alleged incidents were reported this past Saturday and happened within a day or two of the report. Pollan told WCBI there is one reported victim in the investigation, as of…

LCSO releases identities of 19 suspects in drug trafficking investigation

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – New details after Lowndes County investigators arrest 19 people during a drug round-up. This was part of a six-month investigation involving multiple state and federal agencies into illegal drug trafficking in the county. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said between the 19 suspects, 33 felony charges were filed. The sheriff described most of the suspects…

Starkville businesses ready for large crowds ahead of gameday weekend

It's a big weekend for football in the Magnolia State

  STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s a big weekend for football in the Magnolia State. Number 11 Ole Miss hosts number 10 Alabama while Mississippi State hosts number 1 Georgia. Both games are sold out and expected to bring a lot of traction to both Oxford and Starkville. Davis Wade stadium is sold out meaning thousands of fans will turn into…

GOP gains six seats in U.S. House of Representatives

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – The Republican red wave many politicians expected became more of a ripple. The GOP has gained six seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, so far. There are 35 races still undecided. Representative Trent Kelly of Mississippi’s first congressional district is coming off a decisive victory. He believes there are more Republican seats to be gained….

Pinching pennies: how people are changing Thanksgiving traditions

STARKVILLE Miss. (WCBI) – Thanksgiving dinner is expected to take a bigger bite out of your wallet this year. With the steady rise in food prices, many people are considering options like catering or eating out. High food prices are driving many people to look at non-traditional options for their traditional holiday meals. And one that’s showing promise could help…

GTWS, city leaders meet to discuss solutions for garbage issue

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A messy situation in Columbus may be improving. Golden Triangle Waste Services, which handles the city’s garbage collection, has been experiencing shortages in trucks and manpower. Those shortages have led to delays in garbage pick-up, and complaints from residents. Things reached a critical point last month, and GTWS management met with city leaders to explore short-term…

New developments arise in discussion about Sandfield Cemetery

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – There is a new development in the City of Columbus’s discussion about the historic Sandfield Cemetery. The cemetery has been a regular topic since September when Columbus resident, Attorney Nicole Clinkscales, spoke to the council about upkeep, particularly in the eastern portion of the cemetery. The main sticking point has been a question of ownership. The…

Columbus City Council has chosen next police chief

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus City Council knows who they want to lead the city’s police department. At a special meeting, this morning, council members and Mayor Keith Gaskin discussed the qualifications of the three finalists for the open Police Chief’s position and came to an agreement on who they want for the job. But the deal’s not done…

Judicial Candidates re-evaluate their campaign before the runoff

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Voters went to the polls yesterday, but even after all the votes were counted, not all of the races have been decided. Candidates in a couple of races find themselves facing run-offs. Trina Davidson Brooks and Michelle Easterling are two of those hopefuls. They’re running for the Place 3 judge’s seat in the 16th Judicial…

Portions of I-22 in Lee County dedicated to Korean, Vietnam War veterans

Veterans of both wars against communism say they're grateful for the honor

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A stretch of highway in Lee County will now honor veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Even though he retired from the U S military nearly fifty years ago, Maxdale Blythe, a veteran of both the Korean War and Vietnam War, still talks proudly of his service to his nation, and he is also grateful…

Area educators got hands-on lessons teaching students tools of trade

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Some area educators got hands-on lessons in a program that teaches students how to work with the tools of the trade. Flight Works Alabama demonstrated the We Build It Better curriculum and hardware at East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus today. We Build it Better is a Science, Technology, English, Arts, and Math (STEAM)…

Runoff elections for select races will be November 29

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Yesterday, almost 39% of registered voters came to the polls to vote. While some candidates found out their results that night, others have to wait until the runoff elections. However, the turnout might not be as promising as the first. Lowndes County Circuit Clerk, Teresa Barksdale said, in the past, voting numbers declined when it…

Columbus man arrested for shooting at woman, infant while driving

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus man is accused of shooting at a woman and her six-week-old child while driving down the road. A city spokesman said the incident started at about 8:45 a.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. 39-year-old Terence Barrow is accused of following the victim down Military Road, onto the Highway 82 bypass, and down 18th…