Vlcsnap 2022 12 08 16h48m01s356
Featured, Local News

Local, county, state agencies prepare for holiday traffic enforcement

Law Enforcement Liasion Network holds meeting to discuss strategies and grants available
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – City, county, and state law enforcement officers are preparing for extra traffic on the roads this holiday season. “We absolutely want everybody to have a great holiday, we understand a lot of people consume alcohol during the holidays if you don’t drive,” said Sherman Police Chief Joel Spellins. That is the message for the “Drive Sober…

Mhp
Crime, Local News

MHP Trooper faces misdemeanor domestic violence charge in Alabama

Joey Barnes,

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WCBI) – A Mississippi Highway Patrolman is facing a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in Tuscaloosa. A Tuscaloosa Police spokesperson said 29-year-old Steven Jones turned himself in at TPD this morning and was served a warrant for third-degree domestic violence/harassment. He was released on bond. WCBI was told that Jones filed an emergency protection order in Lowndes County last…

Mgn 1280x960 51202b00 Qfkaw
Local News

Two groups partner to host toy drive for children in Lowndes County

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and the Community Benefit Committee are helping Santa get gifts for some kids in Lowndes County. The Community Benefit Committee works year-round to help people in the area, but things really kick into high gear at Christmas. Along with Sheriff Eddie Hawkins’ Office, they are organizing three events. The two…

East M Color Ai
Local News

East Mississippi Community College hosts 2022 fall commencement

Joey Barnes,

MAYHEW, Miss. (WCBI) – The “pride” of East Mississippi Community College grew today. Graduates from three different programs walked across the Mayhew campus stage to get their official paperwork. These proud EMCC Lions graduated from the Adult Education program. There were also ceremonies for the Surgical Technology and Nursing degree graduates. EMCC hosts a fall commencement every year. For 24/7…

Wcbi 2022 12 08t161214291
Crime, Local News

Deputies continue search for Memorial Garden Cemetery vandal

Joey Barnes,

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Over two months later and the search continues for the person who vandalized a grave in Oktibbeha County. The incident happened at Memorial Garden Cemetery on Oktoc Road back on October 1. Deputies said someone stole an urn and scattered ashes on the property. Some grave markers were also reportedly taken. If you have any…

money roll
State News

Alabama Power announces electricity bill rates will increase

Eric Lampkin,

ALABAMA (WCBI) – Alabama residents might be hoping that the recent mild weather continues because their next power bill could put a chill on their bank accounts. Alabama Power is following a December rate hike with another in January. For the average household using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month, the December hike runs about $10 a month. The…

Vlcsnap 2022 12 07 17h01m38s283
Featured, Local News

Tupelo based insurance agency to feed 1,000 families ahead of Christmas

Bobby Brock Insurance will distribute food boxes December 17th at the Tupelo Furniture Market
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A local insurance agency wants to make Christmas brighter for a thousand families. When Justin Brock heard about the company-wide layoffs at United Furniture Industries, he wanted to do something to make a difference. “Seeing how some partners of ours in another state had done something similar, we decided we wanted to feed 4,000 people, or…

Wcbi 2022 12 07t164713452
Local News

Sturgis city leaders chose to table proposed ordinance

MorrisAdmin,

STURGIS, Miss. (WCBI) – A proposed ordinance for the town of Sturgis has now been tabled. Following a developer’s purchase this year of multiple properties in downtown Sturgis, city leaders drafted a new ordinance that would have given the city architectural review and approval of all designs and improvements for existing buildings. It would also give the city design approval…

Columbus City Hall 1
Local News, State News

Columbus leaders draft plans to use ARPA money to ease flooding issues

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus leaders are moving forward with plans to use American Rescue Plan Act money to alleviate some of the city’s flooding issues. The Council voted to allow Waggoner Engineering to move forward on seeking grant money from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to help pay for two projects around 15th Avenue North and the Brickyard….

Wcbi 2022 12 07t155103318
Local News

Business approaches city, county about buying old building on Yorkville Rd

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A former manufacturing plant could soon be going back to work. A Lowndes County business has approached Supervisors and the Columbus City Council about buying the old Maxxim Medical building on Yorkville Road. The city and county partnered to buy the building in 2008. Since then it has been used primarily for storage. Both groups have…

Wcbi 2022 12 07t144147681
Crime, Local News

Woman arrested for trespassing at Hatley School, assaulting student

Joey Barnes,

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A school parking lot fight led to charges in Hatley. 18-year-old Aubrey Denton is accused of going onto the Hatley School campus and assaulting a student. Monroe County Sheriff Kevin Crook said Denton then left the area. She was later arrested in Pontotoc County on a trespassing charge, filed by the Monroe County Schools Superintendent….

Not Running 120622
Featured, Local News

District Three Constable Phil Gann announces plan to retire

Allie Martin,

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – One of the longest-serving elected officials in Lee County history is retiring. District Three Constable Phil Gann spoke about his decision to not run for an 11th term, and his future plans. It was 1983 when Phil Gann was elected to his first term as Lee County Constable, and he has never looked back. “Never…

County Worth 120622
Featured, Local News

Lowndes County now holds valuation of over $1 billion

MorrisAdmin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Last year property in Lowndes County was valued at $980 million. That value has now gone over $1 billion. But what does that mean? Just about 10 years ago the value of the property on the Lowndes County tax rolls was $532 million. Today, that number has almost doubled. The County’s value is now $1.46…

00027mts00 00 01 21still001
Featured, Local News

With recent layoffs many are looking for jobs and they may be in the GTR

Kealy Shields,

GOLDEN TRIANGLE (WCBI) – Recent large-scale layoffs in North Mississippi have former workers looking for answers and, more importantly, jobs. Experts on workforce development talked about the outlook in the Golden Triangle. Layoffs like those at United Furniture and Tiffin have shocked long-term employees. What they may not realize is that the next job could be just a short drive…

Wcbi 2022 12 06t165024456
Crime, Local News

Amory PD conducts search operation connected to 2021 murder case

Joey Barnes,

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – A cold case investigation is heating up in Amory. Amory PD posted on Facebook about increasing police presence on Highland Drive near 12th Avenue North for a search operation. 12th Avenue North is where the murder of Judy Baxter, an elderly woman, took place in August 2021. Amory Police said they are searching two properties in…

Egg Bowl
Local News, State News

Golden Egg made appearance in Columbus Tuesday morning

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Golden Egg made its arrival in Columbus this morning. Bulldog fans got to bask in the glory as egg bowl champions and take pictures with the historic trophy. The Tennessee Williams Welcome Center was the last stop on the 2022 Golden Egg tour. If you missed it, maybe there will be more opportunities to come…