Chickasaw County closer to getting an Emergency Room

Bill signed by Gov. Tate Reeves allows a freestanding ER in up to five counties

CHICKASAW COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi county that has been without an Emergency Room since 2014 may soon get one. “To be honest with you, I don’t care who it is that comes in the county, I want someone who takes a vested interest in Chickasaw County and wants to open an emergency room and provide for our…

CMSD Superintendent met with FEMA and MEMA for Hunt repair plans

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday night during the Columbus Municipal School District’s board meeting, there was an update on the renovation process for the Hunt Building. School District Superintendant Dr. Cherie Labat says they met with members of FEMA, MEMA, and their architect Thursday to recalibrate their plans for repairing and upgrading the Hunt Intermediate School building in North Columbus….

Celebrating the life and legacy of Jack Wallace with local boulevard

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – During his lifetime, Jack Wallace was known as a champion for Starkville and Oktibbeha County. Tuesday, the County and City make sure that his legacy lives on for years to come. The Greater Starkville Development Partnership and the Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority dedicated Jack Wallace Boulevard. The street runs through the heart of the…

Kids in Macon have a new place to play

MACON, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s been years in the making but kids in Macon have a brand new playground. Tuesday morning, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place for the new playground by the walking track at Noxubee General. The pandemic caused significant delays to the project. The Rotary Club of Macon started the project and went to community partners for help. “The Rotary…

Lowndes Co. Board of Supervisors asking for lawsuit to be thrown out

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors is asking a federal judge to grant a summary judgment in a lawsuit filed against them by former County Administrator Ralph Billingsley. Billingsley sued the board and supervisors Harry Sanders and John Holliman for age discrimination, defamation, and interference in employment. Attorneys for the supervisors want the federal court…

Columbus community members work together to eliminate youth crime during summer

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Municipal School District is holding a community meeting about efforts to reduce violence among the city’s youth., especially gun violence. The meeting got underway at 5:30. The School Board is bringing parents and the community together to discuss ways to get children engaged in positive activities over the Summer Break. We also talked to…

Mississippi State’s Office of Survivor Support working to help more victims of sexual assault

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office recently honored the director of Mississippi State’s Office of Survivor Support for her work providing help for victims of sexual assault. Dr. Yvett Roby received the Outstanding Service to Crime Victims Award in April. The school made her the director of the Office of Survivor Support in 2020 after she spent…

Lowndes County murder trial is continued until August

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County murder trial is continued until August after investigators make another arrest in the case. 18-year-old Qadrecius Gandy is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. He was given a $50,000 bond on that charge. Gandy was arrested late last week and could face more charges. Curtis Lathan was scheduled to go to…

Former Macon police officer settles a federal lawsuit

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Macon police officer settles a federal lawsuit, claiming age discrimination. In his lawsuit, Douglas Tripplett claimed he was forced to resign and the city discriminated against him because of his age. He also said there was audio evidence of an illegal meeting between members of the board of aldermen. The original lawsuit was filed…

Part of highway 12 will be closed for construction Tuesday

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – If your travel plans include driving east on Highway 12 in Starkville on Tuesday, you may want to figure in a little extra time. The southernmost, eastbound lane – if you’re traveling East toward campus, that’s the right lane – will be closed from Industrial Park Road to just past the new Triangle Crossing Shopping Center….

Bond set for man charged in Eupora homicide investigation

EUPORA, Miss. (WCBI) – Bond is set for a man charged in a Eupora homicide investigation, as we learn new information about the shooting. 26-year-old Joshua Oats is charged with second-degree murder. Chief Lawrence Caradine says the shooting happened Saturday on West Roane Avenue. 29-year-old Jordan Gaston died after being shot. Caradine says the incident started over a cell phone…

Caledonia teen accused of killing mothers fiance has bond set

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI) –  A Caledonia teen accused of killing his mother’s fiancee has his bond set today. 18-year-old Justin Robert Coggins has been charged with murder. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says the shooting happened at 136 Richards Lane, just hours after Coggins graduated from Caledonia High. 33-year-old Dustin Hoffpauir died at the scene of the shooting. Lowndes County Coroner Greg…

Caledonia teen charged with murder just hours after graduating high school

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- A Caledonia teen is charged with murder just hours after graduating high school. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said 18-year-old Justin Robert Coggins allegedly shot 33-year-old Dustin Hoffpauir during a domestic dispute Saturday morning. The gunfire happened on 136 Richard’s Lane in Caledonia. Hawkins said Coggins graduated from Caledonia High School earlier in the day. Coggins is now…

Blessed are the Peacemakers 5 K raises money to help officers

Annual event raises money to buy body armor for law officers

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Hundreds turned out in downtown Tupelo for a 5 K that helps those who protect and serve. Law officers across the region started the event with a procession honoring those who died in the line of duty. And as the race started, runners pass officers holding photos of the real life heroes.  The annual Blessed are…

Millport family raises awareness for Dandy Walker Syndrome

MILLPORT, Ala. (WCBI) – Folks in Millport Alabama, and surrounding towns had an opportunity to take part in a pop-up shop sale downtown. And some vendors were new to the business scene since the pandemic five businesses have opened in Millport. In Millport Alabama, community members and folks around the neighboring areas went downtown to purchase goods from vendors. While…

Possible human remains found, Tupelo investigators to confirm identity

Tupelo Investigators are working to recovery the possible remains. 

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)-  Tupelo Police were notified possible human remains were located in the Old Belden Circle area. Union County Mississippi Search and Rescue are conducting following up searches for a missing person, Lori Ann Cockrell. Cockrell was last seen on August 10th in 2021. Tupelo Investigators are coordinating the recovery the possible remains. TPD said it’s a lengthy process…

SOCSD to host summer feeding program in June

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District is helping you save a little on your grocery budget this summer. Here’s one reason you should go back to school this summer. The program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. That means meals will be delicious and meet daily nutritional guidelines. And, for the kids, it’s free. The Henderson-Ward…

Mississippi State University Staff Appreciation Day held Friday

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Staff and support personnel at Mississippi State University finish the school year on a high note. MSU Staff Appreciation Day was held Friday at The Junction. MSU employees got a chance to unwind and enjoy the free food, including MSU Ice Cream, live music, games, activities, even a chance to win a few door prizes. University…

Alabama sets new unemployment record at 2.8%

ALABAMA (WCBI) – Alabama sets a new unemployment record, as the seasonally adjusted rate drops to 2.8%. Governor Kay Ivey confirmed April’s numbers this morning. This was a drop from 2.9% in March. The state has also seen rises in wages. Average weekly pay for workers in Alabama has gone up $21 over-the-year. Lamar and Pickens Counties both saw drops…