Columbus man gets 18 years in prison for January 2020 shooting

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus man will spend the next 18 years in prison. Terrius Armistad pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and burglary. An armed robbery charge was retired in the case. Armistad shot a man in January 2020 on 20th Street North in Columbus. At the time, investigators told WCBI the shooting stemmed from an argument over money….

Motorcycle riders urge motorists to be more aware of those on two wheels

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month nationwide

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – May is “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month” and local motorcyclists say they want motorists on 4 wheels to be aware of those on 2 wheels. Late last year, a motorcycle rider was heading North on Gloster, when a van turned in front of him. His GoPro captured what happened next. Miraculously, he walked away from the crash with…

School superintendents are looking to keep their teachers happy

The teacher pay raise that Gov. Tate Reeves signed in May will keep some of those teachers around

SMITHVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Teachers help make the world go ’round, their efforts are often overlooked; pushing some to leave the field. The teacher pay raise that Gov. Tate Reeves signed in May 2022 will keep some of those teachers around and even bring in some fresh faces. Finding substitute teachers has also been an issue for many places. Dr. Cherie…

Columbus man indicted for murder of his mother and sister

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The man accused of killing his mother and his sister is facing capital murder and first degree murder charges. That’s the indictment returned by a Lowndes County grand jury for Jaquenton Bush. He’s accused of killing 8-year-old Jayda and 49-year-old Erica Brewer. The shooting happened in June 2021 on 26th Street North. Some witnesses reported hearing…

Late African American leaders from Columbus were celebrated at Sandfield Cemetery

MSMS students took the stage to showcase the research they've done on former leaders and other prominent figures from the friendly city

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Sandfield Cemetery is the resting place of many Columbus’s earliest black leaders, and as the community recognizes the Eighth of May Emancipation Day, students from the Mississippi School for Math and Science remember some of those buried there. “Sandfield cemetery is the oldest African American cemetery in the city of Columbus and a lot of 19th and…

Murder indictment for man accused of killing his wife

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A man accused of killing his wife is indicted for murder. A Lowndes County grand jury recently returned the indictment against Wayne Frasier. He was arrested shortly after the December 2021 shooting. 55-year-old Natalie Ryan-Fraser was visiting her husband, Wayne Frasier, at his Caledonia apartment at the time of the shooting. Deputies took Wayne Frasier into…

From storm damage to recovery

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- You can never be too prepared, especially during tornado and hurricane seasons. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) named the first week of May “National Hurricane Preparedness Week” for Mississippi and other hurricane-prone regions around the country. In less than a month, we’ll be saying goodbye to tornado season and hello to hurricane season. “People sometimes think…

Murder and Accessory indictments handed down in December shooting

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County Grand Jury hands down 2 indictments in a December homicide in Columbus Heights. Monta Deshun Harris and Tommy Earl Dora, Junior both face charges in the shooting death of 22 year old Lamaceo Smith on December 21st 2021. Harris, the accused trigger man in the shooting, is charged with Murder, and Dora is…

Choctaw County High School gets $100K TVA grant for energy upgrades and better learning environment

ACKERMAN, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday, the Choctaw County School District held an event to celebrate receiving a $100, 000 Learning Environment Grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority. The money will go towards energy upgrades and improved learning environments for the students at Choctaw County High School. “The idea behind the pilot program was to invest into schools, so schools can…

Two indicted for Capital Murder in Northside shooting

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two people are indicted in connection with a Columbus capital murder case. Korey Harris and Keylon Stubbs are both charged with capital murder after a grand jury returned the indictment. The duo is accused of killing 67-year-old Eddie Lee Gandy in June 2021. At the time, Police Chief Fred Shelton says officers were called to Gandy’s…

Victim identified – Suspect arrested in Starkville shooting

  STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The name of this weekend’s homicide victim is released, as the alleged shooter awaits extradition to Starkville. Arti Brown was arrested Saturday May 7th on Interstate 20/59 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama after a brief chase. He was expected to go before a judge Monday to begin the process of being brought back to Oktibbeha County….

Tupelo country club hosts Tom Evans memorial Kentucky derby party

TUPELO,Miss. (WCBI)- Outrageous hats and colorful sport coats were in style at a popular fundraiser this weekend in Tupelo. The Tupelo Country Club hosted the “Tom Evans Memorial Kentucky Derby Party.” Guests could bet on their favorite horse in the big race, with monopoly money. There was also a silent auction, and all proceeds from the annual event go to…

Mother- daughter duo celebrate mother’s day serving up meals

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mother’s Day recognizes those who themselves working together and serving other families of the community. It’s Mother’s Day weekend and people celebrate the hard-working women in their lives. Just down Main Street in Columbus, you’ll find a mother-daughter duo, serving up tasty meals at the Café on Main. Becky Cox said she may be working on…

Johnson twins find music and creative passion through artistic talents

The twins' mother figured out a way to help her boys become verbal, through music

CHICKASAW COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – Twin brothers from Chickasaw County are making a name for themselves by writing and producing their own music. Whether they’re at band practice,  or in choir, Kirk and Kirklyn Johnson are right at home whenever they are making music. And when the twins get home after school, the music continues, with sister Lasarah, and their…

The Market Street Festival brings a blast from the past to the city of Columbus

The 26th annual Market Street festival kicked off Friday.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The 26th annual Market Street festival kicked off with an 80’s style concert on Friday. Saturday, hundreds fill Main Street to purchase handmade good, eat good cuisines, and listen to live music. For some vendors, it was a new experience. “Being a first time vendor versus a spectator I get to experience new clientele and witness the…

Gumtree Art Festival is back with added attractions

This year's event also features a wine festival

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – One of the longest-running art festivals is back in North Mississippi, with some added attractions. Clay Thurston spent most of his day setting up his booth on Broadway, where he will be displaying and selling his wildlife photography.  This is his first time at the Gumtree Festival. “I’ve had several friends who have done it, I…

The Cottrell Street Festival teaches a piece of history to people in the town

Many people know the Market Street Festival in Columbus kicked off, on Friday, but there's also a Festival in West Point

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- Many people know the Market Street Festival in Columbus kicked off, on Friday, but there’s also a Festival in West Point and it’s not the Prairie Arts. Cottrell Street is one of the most historic streets in the city and leaders wanted to spread some of the history to those who don’t know much about it….

Tourism is increasing and money spent increasing in Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Tourism is growing in Mississippi and so is the amount of money being spent in the state. This is National Tourism Week. The Mississippi Development Authority recently released a report about the top destinations and economic impact to the Hospitality State. Starkville, Oxford, Tupelo, and Philadelphia rank in the top 12. Columbus was also recognized for its…