Remembering Lowndes County District 3 Fire Chief Wayne Doyle

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Colleagues of Wayne Doyle are sharing their thoughts of the longtime Lowndes County volunteer firefighter. Lowndes County Fire Coordinator Neal Austin describes Doyle as a progressive leader with a great vision for the department. Austin says it’s going to be hard to replace Doyle who had 40 years of experience and was a respected leader as District…

Volunteers and Non-Profits team up to train for natural disasters

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – If you’ve lived in Mississippi very long, you know that natural disasters can strike in any season. And when they do, volunteers are essential to everything from clean-up to registering people for emergency aid to rebuilding. Today, the United Way of Lowndes and Noxubee Counties and the Golden Triangle Regional Hub for Volunteers and Non-Profits teamed…

Longtime volunteer Lowndes County Fire Chief passes away

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Area first responders gathered Tuesday night to give a proper send-off to one of their own. A procession of Lowndes County Fire trucks escorted the body of Lowndes County District 3 Fire Chief Wayne Doyle back home this evening after he passed away at a Tupelo hospital at the age of 62 earlier in the day….

Two area Boy Scout Councils plan to merge into one

Since the 1920's, two area councils have been guiding the activities of most of the troops in Northeast Mississippi

COLUMBUS, Miss (WCBI)- There have been Boy Scout troops in North Mississippi since the beginning of the scouting program in America. George Maynard organized the first troop in Tupelo in 1911. Since the 1920’s, two area councils have been guiding the activities of most of the troops in Northeast Mississippi. Spring 2022; that all could change. Officials are in the…

Dylan Pickle’s Mother helps promote fundraiser for ‘Running 4 Heroes’

The fundraiser will raise money to buy flags for families of fallen first responders

MONROE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) – The mother of a Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy, killed in the line of duty is doing her own part to remember officers across the country. Debi Pearson first met Running 4 Heroes founder Zechariah Cartledge last fall, when Zechariah came to Mississippi, to do a memorial run for all of the fallen police and firefighters from…

Mississippi court officials are looking to help first time drug offenders

The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to bring challenges and changes to society, but in the case of Mississippi's courts

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to bring challenges and changes to society, but in the case of Mississippi’s courts; it’s also producing a few opportunities as well. “Anytime we send jury notices out we send a covid notice out. That’s information that we gather to help us decide whether or not individuals are allowed to enter the building,”…

Columbus Chick-fil-A finding new ways to adjust to pandemic’s worker shortage

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday, the Chick-fil-A in Columbus held a hiring event to fill their various openings for both part-time and full-time employees. “One thing I would say that COVID has really brought has been a resilience to our team,” says store owner-operator Brittany Cofield. “The ability to dig deep when you don’t quite have enough employees. Productivity has…

McDonald’s worker is making history as newly promoted VP

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus woman is blazing a trail and making history with McDonald’s. Cleopatra Pearson was recently promoted to Vice President of Operations for O’Ferrall Management Group, a company that owns 26 McDonald’s restaurants in three states. Pearson is the first African American female to hold the position within the group. When she started at McDonald’s as…

Oktibbeha County firefighters get much needed upgrade

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Oktibbeha County Firefighters get a much needed upgrade, and it could help county residents with their insurance premiums. The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors hands over the keys for 2 new pumper trucks to the Sturgis and Bell Schoolhouse Volunteer Fire Departments. It’s part of the county’s efforts to both provide better fire protection and…

FASTnet expands their broadband service to hearing impaired customers in Starkville

STARKVILLE , Miss. (WCBI)- 4 County Electric Power Association’s FASTnet branch, begins broadband installation to underserved customers outside of its CARES Act pilot project areas. The first customers to receive this service is Lori and Kelly Reed of Starkville. Lori and Kelly are hearing impaired, so FASTnet believes reliable broadband internet will improve their communication and quality of life. Lori…

Nettleton fire department looks for more people to add to team 

NETTLETON,Miss. (WCBI)- The Nettleton Fire Department is looking for more people to add to their team. The department is hosting a recruitment fair on February 7th. Candidates must be 18 years or older to attend and bring a valid driver’s license without restrictions. And here are just a few of the open positions the department is looking to fill :…

A Starkville church hosts msu singers during Sunday worship service

The group will be in concert at First Baptist Church on February 15th.

STARKVILLE,Miss.(WCBI)- A Starkville church is kicking off Black History Month services with a celebration of songs. Second Baptist Church hosted the Mississippi State University Singers during its worship service Sunday morning. The choir, comprised of about 53 members, performs full length concerts both on and off campus. The MSU Singers has also performed at state and regional conferences and the…

A Tupelo artist has redefined his artistic ability

He started doing canvas and salt art in high school before branching out

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)-  When it comes to creating art; there’s no limit for Joshua Vaughn. The 21-year-old Tupelo native is a up and coming entrepreneur. He started doing canvas and salt art in high school before branching out. “I tried going outside of my lines of typical art as people would say and pretty much just doing whatever idea that…

Fire crews were up early battling a fire in Oktibbeha County

When crews got there, the structure was fully involved. 

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- Fire crews were up early battling a fire in Oktibbeha County. Around 4:30 Saturday morning, East Oktibbeha firefighters were called to 9158 Old West Point Road. When crews got there, the structure was fully involved. East Oktibbeha along with assistance from the Bell Schoolhouse fire department were able to put out the blaze. No injuries are reported…

Trouble and Resilience: New photo exhibit captures the complex history of race and culture in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Thursday, the Columbus Arts Council debuted its new exhibit, “Mr. Pruitt’s Possum Town: Photographing Trouble and Resilience in the American South.” The collection of images is meant to reflect the cultural issues like family, race and religion in Columbus from the 1920s to the 1950s. “This is part of our history and maybe it will give…

Low inventory makes it a seller’s market in the Golden Triangle

Folks are snatching up what they can while it's available.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Imagine shopping for a new home. You find one that you want to buy. But when you go to make an offer, the property is sold. It’s the reality for most home buyers right now. Folks are snatching up what they can while it’s available. ” We have the rates, and we have the buyers. We don’t…

Dietitian gives health tips to women for National Go Red Day

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – February 4th is National Go Red Day for Women. Women all around the country celebrate this day in honor of their health and remember why it is important to stay healthy. A healthy heart is a happy heart. Every year women celebrate Go Red Day to remind themselves and others to focus their attention on one…