Future police officers learn about crime scene processing

Cadets are taught importance of securing and preserving crime scenes

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Future police officers are learning how to secure and process a crime scene.  It is one of the many topics cadets at the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center are studying during their twelve week training. For this class, Officer Rachel Carver, a training officer with the Oxford Police Department, has set up a mock crime…

Being a volunteer firefighter comes with an unexpected cost

Gas prices are hitting new records worldwide

OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI)- People say something about it everyday now and it seems to only be getting worse. Gas prices are hitting new records worldwide. Those prices are impacting people differently; especially local volunteers. People that give their time like volunteer firefighters are also having to endure those prices to help those in their community; like Kenny Hall. Hall was…

Oxford police make a quick arrest in a morning shooting

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – Oxford police make a quick arrest in a morning shooting. 69-year-old Michael Burt is charged with aggravated assault. OPD says the victim was shot in the leg in the 300 block of Dede Drive at about 10:44 AM. Investigators questioned two people but arrested Burt. Police did recover a weapon at a nearby home. Burt’s bond…

Columbus city employees will be seeing extra cash this summer

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It may not be an actual raise, but Columbus city employees will be seeing some extra cash this Summer. At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Columbus City Council approved spending about $720,000 of ARPA money to provide incentive pay for city employees. The idea has been brought up a number of times since an accounting error during…

Four arrest made after Columbus police car was broken into

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An update on the burglary of a Columbus police officer’s cruiser. Four arrests have been made, so far, and some items have been recovered. Police Chief Fred Shelton says one adult and three juveniles are charged in the case. No names or specific charges are being released at this time. Shelton tells WCBI that two vests,…

Three woman facing various fraud charges related to tax returns

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Three women are facing various fraud charges related to tax returns. Erica Sherrod faces 14 counts of fraudulent statements, four counts of fraudulent use of an ID, and one count of computer fraud. Patricia Pratt is charged with five counts of fraudulent statements, four counts of tax evasion, two fraudulent use of an ID, and one…

Columbus Police look to change weapons policy after officer’s assault rifle stolen from car

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Police and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department continue to investigate after someone stole an assault rifle, handgun, two bullet-proof vests and 500 rounds of ammunition from an unmarked CPD car. Police Chief Fred Shelton says that so far, there is no evidence that suspects targeted this officer but adds that it is still early in…

Two people have been arrested for burglary and theft while allegedly having sex in a church

Investigators in Winston County and Louisiville say a local couple stole a van, then broke in a church

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Investigators in Winston County and Louisiville say a local couple stole a van, then broke in a church. If stealing wasn’t bad enough, law officers say the couple also were intimate in the sanctuary. It all started late Thursday night when the Louisville Police responded to a call about a van stolen from Lake Tiak O’Khata. Four…

Toyota Mississippi donates $75,000 to Girl Scouts

Money will be used for a mobile STEAM lab

BLUE SPRINGS, MISS. (WCBI) – Toyota Mississippi wrapped up the preview of the Visitor Center with a big donation to the Girl Scouts. Toyota donated $75,000  to the Girl Scouts Heart of the South.  The money will pay for a Highlander and a trailer. The mobile learning lab is dubbed the “STEAM” machine, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art,…

Toyota Mississippi opens visitor’s center

Toyota Mississippi Experience Center provides unique look at auto manufacturing process

BLUE SPRINGS, MISS. (WCBI) – Toyota Mississippi is giving visitors a look at the manufacturing process, with a state of the art interactive visitor’s center. “The Toyota Experience Center is a great opportunity for us to share what we do here at the Blue Springs plant,” said Toyota Mississippi President David Fernandes. He says the 15,000 square foot workforce training…

Doctor from Golden, Miss. convicted of Tax Evasion

GOLDEN, Miss. (WCBI) – 6 years of not paying taxes will cost a Golden doctor almost 3 years in jail and nearly a million dollars in restitution. In March of this year, Doctor Kevin Crandell of Golden was convicted of Tax Evasion in Federal Court in Oxford. The former Emergency Room physician reportedly earned $30,000 to $40,000 a month but…

MUW hosting the NEW Leadership Mississippi Summer Institute

MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN, Miss. (WCBI) – The nation’s first publicly supported university for women continues its mission to encourage young women to take on leadership roles in the public arena. Mississippi University for Women is hosting the NEW Leadership Mississippi Summer Institute. NEW Leadership is a bipartisan effort to address the under-representation of women in national politics. The Summer…

Secretary of State visits Starkville polling locations during primary elections

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Secretary of State Michael Watson visits Starkville polling locations during this election. Watson talked with poll workers at two precincts. Turnout is expected to be low for today’s primary elections for the U.S. House of Representatives. Watson believes it’s important for him and his staff to be seen on election day, making sure laws are being…

Lowndes County Board of Supervisors looking to upgrade water and sewer services with ARPA money

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors held a workshop Monday to discuss the use of their pandemic relief funds. The Board has elected to spend $10 million of their American Rescue Plan Act funding under the revenue loss category, which allows them to spend money on typical government services. Upgrading local water and sewer services is…

Kids explore new communication methods at Camp TNT

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Some area kids are exploding with new communication connections at Camp TNT Talking In Turner or TNT is a first-of-its-kind camp at Mississippi University for Women’s Speech and Hearing Center. Camp TnT is for children with augmentative and alternative communication. Campers focus on language development and social interaction through games, crafts, storytime, and songs. Parents and…

Inflation in prices have hit an all time high

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Whether it’s gas, clothes, or even eggs at your local grocery store you have probably seen a rise in prices everywhere you shop. That steady climb in prices is having an effect on what and how people are buying. Our T’Keeyah Cummings talks to some area residents about how they’re managing. You can see it…

Mississippians prepare for medical marijuana roll out

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Thousands of Mississippians are signing up for medical marijuana, as health leaders roll out new timelines The online portal to register for medical cannabis is on The Mississippi State Department of Health website. So far, more than 18,000 Mississippians and 15 businesses have created online accounts to register for medical cannabis permits MSOH leaders say medical…

A regional organization searching for families to host international students

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, MISS. (WCBI) – The Council for Educational Travel is searching for Mississippi and Alabama families who are interested in hosting international high school students. Regional Director Jenny Memmott said there are dozens of students ready to start the program. “All of the students that we have that are ready to come over are incredibly passionate about studying in the…

Pickens co. correctional officer charged with 16 counts of sexual abuse

PICKENS COUNTY,Ala. (WCBI)- A Pickens County correctional officer has been charged with 16 counts of custodial sexual abuse. In Alabama, WUVA 23 reported that the investigation found evidence of sexual conduct between a 28-year-old Pickens County Jail employee Marquita Booker, of Pickensville, and an inmate being housed at the jail. Booker was charged Friday afternoon and is being held at…