Mississippi hospitals need more nurses to fill multiple vacancies

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi hospitals have faced all sorts of shortages during the COVID Pandemic, but this could be the worst. The state’s hospitals need more nurses. According to a report in the Clarion Ledger, there are nearly 3,000 registered nurse vacancies statewide. And that is straining hospital staff already stressed under the pressure of the continuing pandemic. Earlier…

One man is in the hospital following a Tupelo shooting

The shooting remains under investigation. 

TUPELO,Miss. (WCBI)- Tupelo Police are investigating an early morning shooting that left one person hurt. Around 4:30 Sunday morning, Tupelo Police were called to an apartment complex at the 1300 block of Mitchell Road. Officers found a man with gunshots wounds. He was taken to the North Mississippi Medical Center ER. He’s in critical condition. The shooting remains under investigation….

Crime Stoppers provides a valuable tool for the police

Impact of Crime Stoppers seen during recent awards luncheon

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A non profit that allows citizens to provide valuable information to law enforcement agencies to fight crime is having a big impact. Every week, Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi asks the public to provide information on a felony crime. Since Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi began in the early 1990s, it has received 1,018 , resulting in…

Columbus police are looking for more officers to join their staff

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Columbus police are looking for more officers to join their staff. On Saturday they held a career day for folks that want to help their city. Columbus police do all they can to protect and serve the city, but there’s strength in numbers when it comes to doing the job and right now those numbers aren’t sufficient….

Floral shops are feeling the pinch as their busiest season approaches

If you haven't put in an order for your Valentine, now is the time

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Count Valentine’s Day as another victim of nationwide supply chain issues. Floral shops are feeling the pinch as their busiest season approaches. And that could mean trouble for the last-minute shoppers. If you haven’t put in an order for your Valentine, now is the time. Options for your sweetheart may be slim. “We have been receiving some…

Fire officials give tips to avoid house fires

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – While the weather gets colder it is important that homeowners are staying safe while staying warm. It’s cold outside. And that has people looking for ways to stay warm inside. In that search for warmth, some people are forgetting about safety. This January alone, there have already been 2 deaths related to fires caused by space…

West Point house burned to the ground for control burn

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – A house in West Point burns to the ground today, but this was no disaster. This was an opportunity for West Point firefighters to get real, hands-on practice at battling a blaze. The controlled burn was at an empty house on fifth street. Crews were able to put their equipment and strategies to the test….

VFW POST 4490 on mission to attract young veterans

Leaders of Monroe County VFW post say attracting younger members is vital to the mission

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) –  A Monroe County Veterans of Foreign Wars post is doing what it can to attract younger members. Members of VFW Post 4490 are on a mission, with two main objectives;  to recruit new members and get more younger veterans on the membership rolls. “We’ve lost our Korean War vets, there’s only a few of them left, we’ve…

Heritage Academy host Q and U wedding

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – “Q” and “U” – you always see them together. It’s like they were made for each other. Well, today at Heritage Academy, they made it official. Elementary students were cordially invited to the Wedding of Miss “Q” and Mister “U”. The wedding party and guests dressed their best as they celebrated the union of the two…

Golden Triangle churches offer donations to Mayfield, Kentucky

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Local churches in the Golden Triangle have joined together to continue the support for the residents in Mayfield, Kentucky. In December an E-F-4 tornado ripped through the town of Mayfield, taking dozens of lives and causing significant damage to the area. Those people still need help. So local churches in our area are donating supplies from…

Man found guilty in Oktibbeha County for attempted murder

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man is found guilty in Oktibbeha County for attempted murder. Jurors also found Jessie Carpenter guilty of the possession of a weapon by a convicted felon charge. Judge Lee Coleman sentenced Carpenter to 30 years in prison. Carpenter shot someone in December 2019 on Carver Drive, in Starkville. Prosecutors say the victim was shot…

A Center in Starkville helps community with utility bills

  STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) -“I have seen so many people just hurting and I have seen so many outstanding light bills to the utilities the electricity just mind-blowing some of the bills I have seen come through here,” said Brown. Mind-Blowing. That could also describe the response of Oktibbeha County residents when J.L King center offered to help contribute to…

University of Mississippi Medical Center creates mental health program for employees burned out by COVID-19

GRENADA, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday, University of Mississippi Medical Center announced that it is creating a new mental health support program to help employees manage the emotional exhaustion of the pandemic. “We have stressful jobs. All employees here, we’re taking care of patients,” says UMMC Grenada’s clinical operations director Cristy Seibel. “You add the pandemic to it? We had no…

Tupelo elementary school gets coveted national honor

Pierce Street Elementary named to list of "National Distinguished Schools"

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo elementary school wins a national honor for its educational programs and student achievement in the classroom. “It’s a team effort, it’s not a one-man show,” said Pierce Street Elementary Principal Amy Tate.  She is quick to point to her staff as one reason the school was named one of one hundred National Distinguished Schools…

Ms medical marijuana bill is one step closer to becoming law

On Wednesday, the legislature passed the bill, and it's on its way to Governor Tate Reeves' desk.

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi’s Medical Marijuana Bill is one step closer to becoming law. On Wednesday, the legislature passed the bill, and it’s on its way to Governor Tate Reeves’ desk. Even if it does become law, that doesn’t mean that all potential patients will have equal access to clinical cannabis. Language in the bill could be used to…

Clay County deputy wounded in the line of duty honored Thursday

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Clay County deputy wounded in the line of duty is honored on Thursday. Kyle Eaves was shot this past November during a standoff on Highway 46, in the Cedar Bluff community. A bullet grazed his head as Eaves and other deputies were rescuing a woman through a bathroom window. Today, Sheriff Eddie Scott and…

EMCC’s Communiversity offers the workforce development programs Gov. Reeves says can revitalize the job market

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – During his State of the State address Tuesday, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves emphasized the need to continue investing in workforce development programs. Programs like those at East Mississippi Community College’s Communiversity, which offer workforce training in areas like certified nursing, computer-aided design, maintenance, and more. “I believe that if we make this investment, Mississippi will develop…

Nettleton’s new mayor wants to replace city’s antiquated water lines

Mayor Baulch outlines goals as he takes office

NETTLETON, MISS. (WCBI) – Nettleton’s new mayor says one of his main goals is to upgrade the city’s antiquated water system. That is just one of the priorities for Mayor Phillip Baluch, who took office one week ago after a judge called for a special election over voting irregularities in last year’s race. Even before he was sworn in, Nettleton Mayor…

Second person arrested in connection to Columbus car wash shooting

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – We now know the name of the second person arrested in connection with an east Columbus shooting. 21-year-old Jasmine Spires is charged with three counts of accessory after the fact of aggravated assault. The Flora woman’s bond has not been set. She remains in the Lowndes County jail. Three people were shot at a carwash on…