Starkville police capture Columbus shooting suspect

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville Police have captured a Columbus Shooting suspect who has been hiding over the last 24 hours. Around 5 pm today, SPD reported that 16-year-old Cameron Jones had been arrested. Jones is the third suspect involved in a Wednesday shooting incident in the 800 block of Hemlock Street in Columbus. Investigators say Jones was one of…

State Senator Chuck Younger gives legislative update

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s about 5 months until the start of Mississippi’s legislative session, but lawmakers are already busy planning. State Senator Chuck Younger gave an update on what lawmakers accomplished this year, and what could be on tap in January. The state’s roads and bridges have been a recurring issue. Younger says that lottery money has helped, but…

Mississippi Sheriff’s Association collecting water for Jackson residents

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Law enforcement across the state is taking their protect and serve motto up a notch. The Mississippi Sheriff’s Association is asking sheriffs in the state to collect water for Jackson residents. Now, many agencies like the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department are making room to collect as many bottles as possible. Churches and organizations can also…

Aberdeen business landmark reopens with familiar name

Fountain Grill brings back memories for many diners

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – Like many longtime Aberdeen residents, Ashley Provias ate many meals at the Fountain Grill. Now, she’s looking at the restaurant from behind the counter. “It’s a big part of what Aberdeen is and a big part of Aberdeen’s history, it’s an honor to be here and to serve the community,” Provias said. When it opened in…

Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department pausing vehicle lease plan

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department is having to tap the brakes on a plan to modernize its fleet. The law of supply and demand is stalling the law enforcement agency’s vehicle lease agreement. The Sheriff’s Office entered into a contract with Enterprise that would have replaced one-third of the cruiser fleet this year. But Enterprise…

Mississippi Economic Council discussing state’s future

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Economic Council is talking about the state’s future and the need to keep workers here. The agency’s annual summer tour, Securing Mississippi’s Future, rolled into Columbus Wednesday. MEC gives findings from 51 focus-group style meetings that occurred throughout the state, along with other research. The report says a “lack of qualified workers” is the…

Price to keep inmates in Lowndes County Jail to increase

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The cost of everything is going up, and that’s likely going to include the cost of keeping city inmates in the Lowndes County Jail. For over 20 years, the county has charged the city of Columbus $25 per day for each city inmate being housed in the County Jail. The national average is $65 per…

Prairie Arts Festival “back to normal” this year

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- If you’re able to keep a tradition alive for 44 years, you’re probably doing something right.  It’s festival season and West Point is hosting the 44th annual Prairie Arts Festival. This Saturday, you can expect over 200 vendors featuring fine arts, handmade crafts, live music, and activities for kids. There will also be a car show…

How to lend a hand to Helping Hands of Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Helping Hands of Columbus visited the Rotary Club today to show how they’re lending a hand to the community. For over three decades, the organization has offered goods and services such as food pantries, rent/ mortgage assistance, help with medical fees, travel assistance, and more. Helpings Hands has had a busy summer. “In the last three…

Volunteers needed for hospice patients in New Albany

Volunteers do not need any specialized certification, just a willingness to help and listen

NEW ALBANY, MISS. (WCBI) – As the healthcare industry faces a staffing shortage, hospices are also adapting as volunteers are scarce. Crissy Anderson is pursuing a medical assistant’s degree and she wanted to do something to help others. So she signed up as a hospice volunteer through Shepherd Hospice. “This is an opportunity for me to go in and make…

West Point man facing child sex crime charges

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – A West Point man is facing child sex crime charges. 50-year-old Dewayne Harris is charged with two counts of enticement of a child for sexual purposes. West Point police tell WCBI the investigation started yesterday. The two victims are under the age of 17. No other details were released about the ongoing investigation. Categories: Crime,…

Man accused of being involved in deadly accident facing more charges

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The man accused of being involved in a deadly Columbus accident is facing more charges. Tavaris Mosley is charged with four counts of aggravated DUI. His bond is set at $140,000. Mosley remains in the Lowndes County jail. Zabria Dodds and David Porter both died after the motorcycle they were on crashed early Sunday morning on…

Columbus city council holding proposed budget meeting

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday night Columbus city council’s proposed budget hearing will have a number of surprises and changes. Right now, the $24.4 million dollar budget recommendation includes reducing the size of the police force but raising salaries. Other highlights include raising the city worker minimum wage to $12.50 cents an hour and giving elected officials a pay raise….

Mississippi State University’s Music Department under one roof

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University’s Music Department is now under one roof. A new, 37,000 square foot building off Hardy Road is just north of the former band and choral rehearsal hall. The new facility features classrooms, a choral rehearsal hall, sound-proof practice rooms, a recital hall, and even a recording studio, along with faculty and administration offices…

Starkville Oktibbeha School District’s new security policy requires clear bags, metal detectors for sporting events

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Fans going to Starkville High School’s home-opener against West Point Friday night will have to follow some new rules to get into the football stadium. The Starkville Oktibbeha School District announced August 22 that there will be a new security policy for all sporting events going forward. “We talked a couple of weeks ago with our…

FEMA gives money to families for funeral expenses

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) -An unexpected death can bring heartbreak to those left behind. And in the days following, it can also bring unexpected debt. It has happened to families who have lost loved ones to Covid19. But if you are eligible, FEMA can help. The federal agency is reimbursing families for funeral costs – if they are citizens, the death…

MSU North Parking Garage officially open

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State students and staff are finding more parking spaces this semester. The $14 million MSU golf course and you will need to pay. It will cost you $1.50 to park there for one hour and $2.50 for each additional hour. The daily maximum charge is $25 dollars. There are 500 parking spaces in the garage….

MSU golf course open after summer refurbishment project

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – If plan to hit the links at the MSU golf course it will have new look and feel. The course closed back on May second for a refurbishment. New grass was installed on the greens and the old ones were stripped. The approach to the 9th hole was also renovated. Now, the five hundred thousand dollar…

Fundraisers help West Point library put inclusive books on the shelves

Fundraisers help West Point library put inclusive books on the shelves

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)-  The Bryan Public Library in West Point is adding to its book collection thanks to the help of community members–and complete strangers from across the nation. You’ve likely noticed the PRIDE display inside the Bryan Public Library. Michael Williams spearheaded a fundraiser to get more LGBTQ+ books at the library. “In our small town, I know…