People in the community go to the 18th Annual Caledonia Days

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI)- Today is part two of the 18th annual Caledonia Days event. It’s been 18 years since the first ever Caledonia Days Festival and after almost 2 decades, the event welcomes hundreds of people each year. Vendors from Caledonia, Columbus, and surrounding areas set up booths for festivalgoers. They are thankful for the people that support their businesses….

18-wheeler catches fire on Highway 45 South in Lowndes County

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An 18-wheeler hauling scrap metal went up in flames this afternoon in Lowndes County. The fire happened on Highway 45 South, near Highway 182, at about noon. Lowndes County Fire Coordinator Neil Austin says the trailer on the big rig was saved. However, the cab turned into ashes and charred metal. The driver was able…

Verona Police identify person of interest in Thursday shooting

VERONA, Miss. (WCBI) – Verona Police have identified a person of interest in a Thursday afternoon shooting. Police responded to a shooting shortly before two o’clock yesterday afternoon at a home in the 5300 block of Raymond Avenue. Two men had been shot. Both were taken to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo with what were described as non-life-threatening injuries….

DA Scott Colom nominated for federal judge position by President Biden

GOLDEN TRIANGLE AREA, Miss. (WCBI) – Golden Triangle area District Attorney Scott Colom is nominated to become a federal judge. President Biden made the announcement late this afternoon. The judicial position would be for the United States District Court in the Northern District of Mississippi in Oxford. Colom has been the district attorney for the 16th Judicial District since 2016….

Two men wanted for questioning in forgery, stolen vehicle case

YALOBUSHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Yalobusha County deputies are searching for two men in a $39,000 forgery case and for a stolen vehicle. Investigators say the unknown man in this picture took the vehicle and is wanted for questioning. They also want to talk to a man named John Bolton. Deputies do not have a picture of him. Both men…

Noxubee County High School celebrates achieving C rating

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Noxubee County High School celebrated its students with food and fun this afternoon after the school received a C rating. Principal Aiesha Brooks says she wanted to acknowledge the hard work of her students after working hard to bring up their past D ratings and she is proud of each and every one of…

Judge blocks state law that would give federal funds to private schools

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – A judge blocks a state law that would use $10 million of federal pandemic relief money for infrastructure grants for private schools. Parents for Public Schools sued to block the program. The nonprofit claims the funding gives private schools a competitive advantage over public schools. Section 208 of the Mississippi Constitution prohibits using public money for any…

School resource officers are cracking down on security

Schools around the Golden Triangle have been getting hoax calls about shootings on campus

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- Schools around the Golden Triangle have been getting hoax calls about shootings on campus. Local law enforcement has also called these calls swatting. These false reports of violence are causing real anxiety among students and their parents. Columbus High School received a fake call last week that caused panic among families. West Point High school had…

Inmates committing crimes out on bond frustrate local law enforcement

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Law enforcement officers are constantly dealing with a disturbing cycle. Suspects who have been arrested and released on bond return to the streets to commit more crimes. That’s resulting in more arrests and more frustration for officers. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins explains some problems his deputies feel. “It’s very frustrating for us. When we…

Tupelo company develops safety products for schools, businesses, homes

TAPCO's safety screens can repel bullets, explosives, knives and baseball bats

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A North Mississippi company is developing a product to protect lives and property. A local state senator believes the product could also help thwart potential attacks on schools. Tapco Screens can repel a knife and a baseball bat. The Tupelo company started making screens and storm windows in the 1960s. But over the years, Tapco developed…

MDE and MDHS release P-EBT cards to over 92,000 children under six

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – The Mississippi Department of Education and the Mississippi Department of Human Services have begun releasing P-EBT benefits to over 92,000 children who were under the age of six and received SNAP benefits during the 2021-22 school year or summer of 2022. P-EBT cards for those recipients will be mailed starting today through October 22. Children who were…

Former Columbus mayor, George Wade, has died

LOUISIANA (WCBI) – A former Columbus mayor has passed away. George Wade served as mayor of Columbus from 1997 until 2001. He was a businessman who owned and operated a feed and seed in the city. Wade was also a retired insurance and financial representative. Wade was 90 years old. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Griffin Funeral Home in…

Noxubee County joins list of active area burn bans

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Noxubee is now the latest county in our area under a burn ban. If you’re in Noxubee, you should avoid burning anything for about the next month. The burn ban will last until November 7th. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter  Categories: Local News

Yalobusha County deputies arrest fentanyl drug dealer

YALOBUSHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A year-long multi-agency investigation gets a suspected drug dealer off the streets in Yalobusha County. Yalobusha County deputies arrested 51-year-old Lee Henson of Tillatoba Monday night after a traffic stop. During the bust, deputies uncovered nine hundred doses of fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone pills, two ounces of cocaine, two guns, and over $4,000 in…

Tenn-Tom Waterway remains open despite Miss. River water levels sinking

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – As water levels sink on the Mississippi River, the Tenn-Tom Waterway says it is open for business. Some loads of grain have been stalled on the Mississippi due to lower water levels. However, the Tenn-Tom has not experienced the same drop. Yellow Creek Port, the Port of Amory, Clay County Port, and the Lowndes County Port all…

West Point seniors citizens celebrate first Fall Festival

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – Today’s weather was just right for enjoying the great outdoors. And that’s just what the residents at the West Point Community Living Center did. The Center celebrated its first Fall Festival. Residents were treated to live entertainment and games, and of course, there was “festival food”. Hot dogs and hamburgers were on the menu. The…