Hundreds of elementary students gather for MSMS Math Superstars

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – What could get hundreds of elementary school students up and on a bus first thing in the morning? Would you believe, Math? Students from across the state gathered at the Trotter Convention Center for the return of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science’s Math Superstars. MSMS students guided the young Math whizzes as they competed…

Noxubee County deputies search for missing man

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Noxubee County deputies are asking for your help to find a missing man. 22-year-old Tadrian Shaw was last seen Sunday evening in the PineyWoods area. He’s five foot three and weighs about 170 pounds. Shaw was wearing gray shorts and a jacket, along with white socks and slide shoes when he was last seen. Call…

One man dies in head-on collision, two others hospitalized

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A head-on crash left one man dead. Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley says 40-year-old Christopher Brock was not wearing a seatbelt in the ford mustang he was in. Brock was a passenger in that vehicle when it hit a Ford Pickup head-on. The crash happened on Center Hill Road west of Cockerham Road Monday afternoon….

Rural Mississippians are racing to get high-speed internet

More than 100-thousand subscribers

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- The race to get high-speed internet to rural areas in Mississippi has reached an exciting milestone. More than 100,000 subscribers in rural areas now have access to the internet. For decades, rural areas have had the need for speed on the world wide web, and with the help of electric cooperatives such as 4-County, people can…

Students build benches for a new park in The area

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Work continues on the Cornerstone Sports Complex in Starkville. As crews continue the work, students from Mississippi State University even helped add a few unique pieces to the park. The Cornerstone Sports Complex is still under construction and although it isn’t finished there are a few areas that are complete. With 12 new turf baseball and…

Cold weather poses maintenance challenges for vehicles

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Winter weather can be challenging for cars, but things can go from bad to worse when your car won’t even crank. We visited with a local service department to get tips and tricks on how to keep your car coasting through the cold weather. Colder weather is around the corner, and that can mean some problems…

West Point man faces charges in two different investigations

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – A West Point man is facing charges in two separate investigations. 22-year-old Lamarquez Evans is charged with murder and armed robbery. He remains in the Clay County Jail. Police Chief Avery Cook tells WCBI the alleged armed robbery happened late Saturday night or early Sunday morning on Calhoun Street. The victim’s wallet was taken in…

Flu activity on the rise in north Mississippi, Walgreens reports

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Flu season is starting to ramp up in Mississippi. The Walgreens flu index shows that our corner of north Mississippi, including Columbus, West Point, and Tupelo, ranks at number two with the highest flu activity. The findings come from Walgreens nationwide and compile data from prescription data for antiviral medicines used to treat the flu. Doctors recommend…

Oktibbeha County deputies warn about phone scams

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County deputies are warning about a scam. The sheriff’s office said someone is calling people on the phone, telling them they have warrants, and asking for them to pay with a pre-paid card over the phone. Deputies say whoever is making the calls is even using the names of local police officers and judges….

Starkville police investigate Sunday night shooting at apartment complex

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville police are investigating a Sunday night shooting. Sgt. Brandon Lovelady said the incident happened at about 8 p.m. at Sandhill Arms Apartment complex on Sand Road. One person was injured in the incident. SPD is not releasing any additional information about the shooting, citing an ongoing investigation. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook…

Two men face capital murder charges for 2021 shooting in Brooksville

BROOKSVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Two men are facing capital murder charges in connection with a December 2021 shooting in Brooksville. Jaquraus Wells is charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of aggravated assault. Kendal Thomas is charged with two counts of capital murder, aggravated assault, and drive-by-shooting. Bond for Wells is set at $1.2 million. Thomas has…

Bryan Public Library in West Point hosts winter coat drive

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Members at Bryan Public Library are looking to keep folks in the community warm. The library started a coat drive two weeks ago and has seen dozens of coats and jackets come in since it started. Workers at the library encourage others in the community to give any old jackets or coats. The coat drive…

Master Gardeners meet up to share knowledge on plant care

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Gardeners from around the area met today to learn a few tips and tricks for their gardens this fall. Master Gardeners from throughout the area met at the local regional group in Columbus today at the Extension office. Nearly 50 people gathered and listened to speakers talk about how they can take care of their plants…

Tupelo police uncover lottery ticket scheme at convenience store

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The dream of cashing a $500,000 lottery ticket turns into a nightmare for a Tupelo convenience store worker. 40-year-old Jessica Parker is charged with felony embezzlement. Tupelo police said she used her position at Barnes Crossing Road Texaco to take the money and use her position to identify winning lottery tickets. Parker would then get them…

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker’s father dies at the age of 98

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WCBI) – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker’s father has passed away. Judge Thomas Frederick Wicker died this morning at a Memphis hospital at the age of 98. Wicker was born in 1924 and grew up in Benton County. He served in Europe for the Army Air Force during World War two and earned four battle stars. Later, Wicker would…

Tupelo woman accused of embezzling thousands from business

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo woman is accused of taking about $14,000 from a business. Now, 48-year-old Lori Palmer is charged with embezzlement. Tupelo police say they were called about missing money at Oak Creek Apartments back on September 26th. Management at the complex suspected Palmer had taken the money. Several days later a warrant was issued for her…

Elementary schools, Head Start Center get funding for more pre-K classes

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Elementary schools and a Head Start Center in Lowndes are getting a financial boost to fund additional pre-K classes. The Mississippi State Board of Education added Lowndes County to the Early Learning Collaborative Program. The allocation will give Lowndes County School District and Coleman Head Start $550,000 a year to serve 11 pre-k classes. This…