Cottrell street music and heritage festival returns to West Point

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- The Cottrell Street Music and Heritage Festival returns to West Point. “It was the hub of activity in the African American community from the late 1940’s to early 1980’s it had restaurants, entertainment centers, it had barbershops and a hotel at one time,” said West Point resident James Hull. Hull and West Point Mayor Rod Bobo…

Starkville is bringing more job opportunities to the city

An Oregon-based company will move into the old Gulf States building on Airport

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Dozens of new jobs are coming to Starkville. An Oregon-based company will move into the old Gulf States building on Airport. City leaders held a special meeting this morning to sign an agreement to sell property. Columbia Industries is ready to get to work in Starkville. The city came to an agreement to sell the land today and…

Saltillo voters to decide fate of tourism tax later this year

Tax would be used for infrastructure and park and rec improvements

SALTILLO, MISS. (WCBI) – The two percent tourism tax would be added to all prepared food sales. Money generated from the tourism tax would only be used for infrastructure and for the city’s park and rec department. Johnette Bramlett owns the Skybox Sports Bar and Grill and says the tourism tax would not only be good for the city, but…

The Boys and Girls Club in the GTR receive a generous donation

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss, (WCBI) – There is cause for celebration at the Boys and Girls Clubs of The Golden Triangle. The organization recently received a donation of over $870,000 from Mackenzie Scott. The Golden Triangle clubs join 61 others across the country receiving money from Scott. President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Golden Triangle, Ron…

School bus safety top priority for Tupelo officials

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo Police and school district leaders want to make sure your students arrive at school and get home safely. And they’re cracking down on drivers who fail to stop during routes. Police have issued at least 12 citations in the last six weeks for drivers passing school buses while safety arms are out. Officers and school…

State Board of Edu. named SOCSD one of newest Districts of Innovation

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Starkville Oktibbeha County Consolidated School District joins some exclusive company next school year. The State Board of Education has named SOCSD one of the newest Districts of Innovation. Districts and schools of innovation are intended to expand learning choices, create more rigorous standards, increase student achievement, reduce gaps in achievement among students, and increase…

Room to Room Furniture named Retailer of the Year

The Tupelo store gets a coveted national honor

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) -Staff at Room to Room Furniture knew they had been nominated by their peers for Retailer of the Year, but when word came that the store beat out furniture stores across the nation, it took everyone by surprise. “It was a shock, I think we were not necessarily expecting that,” said Amber Beane, who is the assistant…

District attorney’s program helps keep at-risk Pickens County students in the classroom and out of the courtroom

CARROLLTON, Ala. (WCBI) – An Alabama district attorney is working across communities to make sure that at-risk students stay in the classrooms and out of his courtrooms. District Attorney Andy Hamlin of the 24th Judicial Circuit says he is willing to try anything to keep as many children out of the criminal justice system as possible. “Anytime I see a…

Oktibbeha County deputies make an arrest after a shooting

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County deputies make an arrest after a shooting. Terry Stuart is in custody and charges are pending. Investigators tell WCBI that deputies were called to Sanders Road about a domestic incident about 7:30 Wednesday night. No one was at the home but blood was found in a bedroom. Lowndes County deputies later found the…

Monroe County landlord feels the squeeze from record high gas prices

Buzzy Cullum says gas prices, inflation impacts everyone

MONROE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – With rental properties throughout Monroe County, Buzzy Cullum says the double whammy of rising fuel prices and skyrocketing inflation is making it tough for his tenants. “Right now it’s putting a burden on them when they have to buy extra fuel, normally fifty dollars a week, now it’s 75-80 dollars a week but their base…

Feeling Peachy

Blue Bell Ice Cream Representatives sharing new flavor ice cream.

Two Blue Bell Ice Cream representatives are sharing a new flavor ice cream and a few recipies. Categories: Local News

Mississippi State students redesign car for maximum fuel efficiency amid gas crisis

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – While rising gas prices have drivers searching for new ways to save on fuel, a team of students at Mississippi State spent the last four years designing a safer, more fuel-efficient car. “It’s a mild hybrid, not a plug-in hybrid,” says MSU associate professor Dr. Randy Follett. “All of the charging of the battery pack occurs…

Columbus police department added a new K-9 to its team

It doesn't come as a surprise to many people that labor shortages are hitting all sectors

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- It doesn’t come as a surprise to many people that labor shortages are hitting all sectors. Retail, restaurants, and even first responders are looking for people to fill positions. Columbus police chief Fred Shelton had been trying to add depth to the CPD team for quite some time, and he recently added a new piece to the…