Camgian hosted 5th annual walk at lunch event

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Camgian hosted their 5th annual walk at lunch event today at the Thad Cochran Research Center at Mississippi State University. Organizers of this event encourage people around the area to take time out of their day to go outside and eat lunch as they walk. As people do their walking they are also encouraged to bring…

Local company has food bank during their annual event

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Food is a huge need in the area and people in the community make it their goal to make sure their neighbors in the Golden triangle don’t go hungry. Taking or leaving. That is what people in the community are doing with canned goods at area food banks. Rex Buffington, Co-director of the Casserole kitchen, says…

Columbus officials discussing how to utilize city amphitheater

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus officials are finally discussing plans on how to bring the city’s amphitheater to life. The outdoor facility was impacted by a flood that destroyed its electrical wiring. Today, The second meeting in just a week between community members, officials, and stakeholders took place. Some key talking points have revolved around how to improve the concession…

Official grand opening for Mississippi State Research and Teaching Apiary

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A new lab at Mississippi State University is buzzing with activity. Thursday was the official grand opening for the Mississippi State Research and Teaching Apiary. The university now has a dedicated space to house honeybees and conduct research. Bees not only produce honey, but they are also the main pollinators for many crops, and in recent…

Clay County Sheriff’s deputies put an accused drug dealer behind bars

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Clay County Sheriff’s deputies put an accused drug dealer behind bars. On Monday deputies and agents from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics got a warrant to search a home on Lone Oak Drive in West Point. During the search, they reportedly found over 50 grams of methamphetamine. Investigators arrested Joshua Fulgham of West Point. Fulgham…

Mississippi’s largest hospital no longer accepts BCBS insurance

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi’s largest hospital is no longer in network with the state’s largest insurance provider. The University of Mississippi Medical Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield have cut ties with each other after failure to negotiate on billing agreements. Representatives were not able to come to an agreement before March 31st. Mississippi insurance commissioner Mike Chaney issues…

Monroe County schools will have a new face in the superintendent seat

O'Brian started off his career in education as a 7th grade math teacher, then he was an assistant principal for six years

SMITHVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)-  Taking on a new position can be difficult for some; while others see it as a challenge. Principal Chad O’Brian is making the move from the principal’s office at Smithville High School’ to the superintendent’s office for the Monroe County School District. On July 1, 2022, O’Brian will take over as superintendent for Monroe County Schools. O’Brian…

Macon man in the Clay County Jail accused of marijuana possession

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Macon man is in the Clay County Jail accused of marijuana possession. On Monday, Clay County Deputies manning a safety checkpoint stopped Roman Grassaree. During a search, they reportedly found marijuana, including what was described as a large bag of THC edibles. Grassaree is charged with Felony Possession of Marijuana. He is in the…

$50 million Hump renovation project begins

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Be on the lookout Bulldog fans, the Humphrey Coliseum will soon be getting a new look. The $50 million renovation project which started right after the 2021-22 season includes cosmetically improving the exterior, four new entrances, a walkway between the Hump and Dudy Noble Field, expansion of the indoor space, a 5,600-foot club area, and alterations…

700 people arrested in month long federal, state, and local crime crackdown

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) – 700 people are arrested in a month long federal, state, and local crime crackdown. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oxford released this video and the results of “Operation MPACT” Wednesday. Law enforcement from Lowndes, Lee, Grenada, and Panola Counties participated in the arrests. More than $134,000 worth of drugs and over $50,000 in cash were seized…

Troop G of Mississippi Highway Patrol receiving new headquarters

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Troop G of the Mississippi Highway Patrol is one step closer to having a new home. The State Legislature has appropriated another $4 million for a new substation in Starkville. The funding is the last roadblock to getting the headquarters built. Lawmakers had set aside $4.5 million in an earlier session. The total price tag is…

One person is dead after shooting in Pontotoc County

PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – One person is dead after an early morning shooting in Pontotoc County. Sheriff Leo Mask says the shooting happened in the Algoma community but declined to give a specific address. Mask tells WCBI deputies are interviewing multiple people to try and figure out what sparked the shooting. The name of the victim has not been…

TVA’s robot dog gives Golden Triangle students a look at the future of robotics and engineering

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday morning, the Tennessee Valley Authority put on a demonstration featuring one of its new Boston Dynamics robot dogs for students at East Mississippi Community College. EMCC joined Heritage Academy and Caledonia as the latest school to get a visit from “Spot.” Spot is one of the six state-of-the-art robot dogs TVA bought in 2021. TVA…

Rising food and fuel prices impact a local ministry

Transformation Ranch looks at ways to cut costs as inflation climbs

LEE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – Rising fuel and food prices are hitting everyone hard, and that includes nonprofits. Every day, 30 men who live at the Transformation Ranch are driven to their jobs and picked up in the afternoon. The sharp spike in fuel prices is making the daily commutes much more expensive. “There are six different locations our guys…

Man arrested in Columbus shooting charged with capital murder

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A man arrested in connection to a Columbus homicide has his charges upgraded to capital murder. We first told you 27-year-old Tommy Flowers was charged with possession of a stolen firearm. Now he’s also charged with second-degree murder or felony murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling, and directing a youth to commit a felony. Columbus Police…

Lowndes County deputies make two arrest in Dollar General robberies

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies make two more arrests in the recent Dollar General armed robberies. 20-year-old Dorium Davis is charged with accessory to armed robbery. 18-year-old Brandon Baker is charged with one count of armed robbery and two counts of kidnapping. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says bond has not been set for Davis. Baker’s bond is set…

Apex Ammunition co-founder spoke to Columbus Rotary

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County ammunition maker talks about supply and demand. Apex Ammunition co-founder Jared Lewis spoke to the Columbus Rotary Club Tuesday. The company launched in 2017 after a hunting trip. As the world tried to figure out a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lewis believes many turned to the outdoors. That is one…

Sean Harrison named Heritage Academy Head of School

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Heritage Academy’s new Head of School is a familiar face. Sean Harrison has accepted the position.  Harrison has served at Heritage for six years as Principal, Head Football Coach, and Athletic Director.  He led the Patriots to two Football State Championships and won the AAA All Sports award for the first time in school history.  He…

West Point Growth Alliance organizing city wide clean up

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s time for a little Spring cleaning in West Point. The West Point Growth Alliance is coordinating a city-wide clean-up this weekend. And they are recruiting volunteers. Teams will fan out across the city to pick up litter and beautify the town. And the Alliance is even providing a list of streets that may need…

Report of stolen truck leads to 3 arrest in Oktibbeha County

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A report of a stolen truck in Webster County leads to 3 arrests in Oktibbeha County. On April 19th, a resident in the Cadaretta community reported that a truck had been stolen from their property. The truck wasn’t missing for long. On the 21st, deputies spotted it at a home in Oktibbeha County. 3 suspects…