Fulton theatre named in honor of local couple

Victoria and Robert Blake devote countless hours to the arts and students

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – A historic auditorium in Itawamba County has been renamed in honor of a couple who have devoted countless hours to the arts and young people. Earlier this month, Vicky Blake was busy helping the IAHS Indian Players with final dress rehearsals for their production of “High School Musical 2.” The musical was held in the…

An Aberdeen woman is dead following a two-car collision

ABERDEEN, Miss, (WCBI)- An Aberdeen woman is dead following a two-car collision. Aberdeen Police say 58-year-old Denise Miller was driving a 2019 KIA Forte. Miller was heading west on Old Highway 8 when she collided with a 2006 Nissan Armada that was traveling north on US-45. The accident happened around 1 p.m. on Friday. Miller died at the scene due…

A Columbus man shares his journey to recovery after EF-3 tornado

It's a day many people in Columbus won't forget; the moment an EF-3 tornado made landfall in the friendly city

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s a day many people in Columbus won’t forget; the moment an EF-3 tornado made landfall in the friendly city, destruction left residents without a home. The Community Recovery of Lowndes County has assisted dozens of homeowners with repairs over the years. Repairs have been completed in areas like Shady Street, Waterworks Road, and Tuscaloosa Road, but…

Starkville police department responds to controversial photo

All it takes is one push of a button for a photo to be shared dozens of times online.

STARKVILLE,Miss. (WCBI)- Starkville Police spent much of the day trying to clean up after a social media post. A group photograph, posted across social platforms by the department, showed a uniformed officer making a gesture that some people view as a signal of white supremacy. And she finds city officials are urging folks to think before they post. ” Certain…

The Magnolia Independent Film Festival celebrates 25 years.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE (WCBI) – Mississippi’s premiere film festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The Magnolia Film Festival includes works in several different genres. “This is the first and longest film festival in the state of Mississippi and this is just a huge thing for us to be celebrating our 25th,” said Misun. 25 years of lights and cameras in action….

Mississippi Community College Board oversees future business leaders

It was awards day for Phi Beta Lambda students on Friday

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- There is an old saying; “the youth are the hope of our future”. The Mississippi Community College Board knows that and is doing its part to start those young people down a successful path. It was awards day for Phi Beta Lambda students on Friday; that was the pay-off for three days of hard work and intense competition….

Kirby found guilty on all counts

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An Arkansas man is found guilty in a Lowndes County murder trial. The jury returned the verdict Friday afternoon. Donta Kirby was found guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon charge. He was arrested in July 2020 after running from a state trooper in Webster County….

JA host “Challenge of Champions” at Caledonia Elementary

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI) – Students at Caledonia Elementary School get a break from the classroom today to take on some athletic challenges. The Junior Auxiliary of Columbus brings its “Challenge of Champions” to the Caledonia Campus. The event pairs special education students with mainstream teammates to tackle a series of fun activities including relay races, bean bag tosses, and hula…

Lowndes Co. deputies investigating accidental shooting involving children

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County deputies are investigating an accidental shooting involving two children. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins says the shooting happened on Charlie Smith Road Road last night. Investigators believe an eight-year-old shot a ten-year-old child, accidentally, with a .22 caliber rifle. Deputies were called by the hospital after the wounded child arrived by a private vehicle. He…

West Elementary School staff and students are honoring local leaders

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Students and staff at West Elementary School in Oktibbeha County are honoring local leaders. The school hosted its Black History Month program Friday morning. Students sang, recited poetry, and performed skits to help tell the story of African American accomplishments. They also honored local leaders who have made an impact in the community. Our Aundrea…

Eiland Middle School celebrates BHM with living wax museum

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Eiland Middle School celebrates Black History Month with a living wax museum presentation. Students created potrayed wax figures of African Americans who made an important impact in our country. Portrayals included Barack Obama, Jackie Robinson, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Kobe Bryant, and Kamala Harris and many others. Those in attendance were given a guided by students…

Overstreet Elementary students graduated DARE program

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Fifth graders at Overstreet Elementary School graduated from the DARE program today. A ceremony was held to recognize students for avoiding peer pressure while living drug-free and productive lives. The Starkville Police Department partners with the school for a series of classroom sessions led by police officers. Police Chief Mark Ballard and Mayor Lynn Spruill were…

Masks now optional on Mississippi State’s campus

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Masks will now be optional on most of the Mississippi State campus. The university made the announcement Friday afternoon based on the school’s COVID-19 task force recommendation. The new policy will go into effect on Monday. There are two exceptions to the rule. You must still wear a mask inside the Longest Student Health Center and…

Tupelo police make an arrest in a drive-by shooting

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo police make an arrest in a drive-by shooting. 35-year-old Evan Foster was arrested by Southaven police on Wednesday. Tupelo police say the shooting happened on Kenmer Lane on Tuesday afternoon. Bullet holes could be seen in the victim’s minivan and a home. No one was injured in the gunfire. Investigators believe a domestic situation led…

Louisville Police find over $10K in fake cash, forged money orders in February

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Louisville Police say they have recovered more than $10,000 worth of fake bills and money orders during February. “The merchants have been made aware of it and are now very tentative of $100 bills and other money that might be fake,” says LPD Captain of Investigations Mike Perkins. Perkins says they found over $7,000 in counterfeit…

Lowndes co. recovery group repairs 85 homes damaged in 2019 tornado

Families were left with little or nothing and those memories seemed to fade away.

COLUMBUS, Miss.(WCBI)- When a deadly EF-3 tornado touched down in Columbus three years ago, it left a trail of destruction. It also left several families without a place to call home. Out of that rubble rose a group dedicated to helping neighbors. Community Recovery of Lowndes County has been working tirelessly to restore impacted homes, businesses, and properties. ” You’re…

WCBI and SDR partnered together to host job fair

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – WCBI partnered with Steel Dust Recycling to host a job fair in Columbus. The fair started at 10:00 and lasted until 1 o’clock this afternoon. “I feel like these are the type of places and opportunities that you go to put your name out there and get yourself in the system everybody gets a chance equally…

“Move To Learn” visits Earl Nash Elementary to improve academics

MACON, Miss. (WCBI)- Organizations in Mississippi continue working to keep students on the move in order to improve their academics. A decade ago, ‘The Bower Foundation’ partnered with the Mississippi Department of Education to launch the Move To Learn campaign across the state. Initially, a campaign highlighting schools’ ability to incorporate physical activities into its day, “Move To Learn” now…