What Leigh Mall’s development project means for Lowndes County citizens

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Leigh Mall in Columbus is said to be one of the most important pieces of property in Columbus and Lowndes County. Now, the city and county are offering financial encouragement to the mall’s owner, the Hull Group, to give it a much-needed makeover. The Golden Triangle Development Link, a consultation firm contracted with the county, is working…

GTR wrecker service employee shot at while doing job

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A shooting broke out Tuesday night after a wrecker service attempted to take a car from the owner. “We were not trying to take anything away from anyone at that point we were just leaving and usually if you feel like you’re leaving you’re safe,” said Atlas Towing owner Frank Stumpf. That was not the case…

Former Starkville police officer sentenced after being indicted in 2018

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Starkville police officer is sentenced after being found guilty of shooting a robbery suspect. Gary Wheeler was indicted for aggravated assault in 2018. The charge was reduced to a misdemeanor simple assault charge in circuit court. Judge Lee Coleman sentenced Wheeler to no pay five hundred dollars. Wheeler will serve no jail time….

Man facing six child sex crime charges in Oktibbeha County

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man is facing six child sex crime charges in Oktibbeha County. Demarkis Mosley was indicted on six counts of sexual battery. Prosecutors allege the incidents started in the summer of 2018 with a then 12-year-old girl. Investigators believe more sex crimes happened in 2019 and 2020 with the reported victim. A trial date has…

Need for substitute teachers magnified during Lamar County School District’s omicron outbreak

VERNON, Ala. (WCBI) – Lamar County School District students were back on campus Monday after an omicron outbreak amongst teachers and staff forced them to move to virtual learning for six days. COVID-19-related staffing issues in classrooms across the country are shining a light on the shortage of qualified substitute teachers. Judy Rogers says she’s pretty much taught it all…

MSU invites over 100 employers to give students a promising future

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Seniors at Mississippi State University are on a three-month countdown to graduation – and hopefully, a career. That’s why this week, Mississippi State University is hosting more than 100 businesses on campus. This may be the day that changes everything. Students and businesses are connecting for first-hand experience and maybe even a job after they graduate….

Chickasaw Development Foundation holds membership drive blitz

CDF will encourage members to join focus groups tackling important topics for the area

HOUSTON, MISS. (WCBI) – An economic and community development organization in Northeast Mississippi is looking to expand its membership and tackle some pressing community issues. Chickasaw Development Foundation board members were working the phones Tuesday morning as part of a membership drive blitz. David Smith says the CDF has been a big boost to the region throughout the years. “My dad…

Presley seeks cease and desist order from FCC for business offering ‘free tablets and service’

Public Service Commissioner Presley says Oklahoma based company violating FCC guidelines

AMORY, MISS. (WCBI) – The Northern District Public Service Commissioner is asking the FCC to issue a cease and desist order against an Oklahoma based company that is giving free tablets and so called free internet service. Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley is asking the FCC to take action against Surge Phone. On Monday, Presley says he was in Amory, and…

Tax service officials encourage people to file correctly to avoid penalties

People are ready to file their returns, hoping for a refund

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Tax season is here and people are likely gathering all the information they need to file their return. It can be a tedious process. It’s the busiest time of the year for Brenda Martin at M&M Tax Services in Columbus. Her clients are ready to file their returns, hoping for a refund. Martin said there are…

Mississippi senators moved forward on spending ARPA funds

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi senators are moving forward on spending some of the state’s $1.8 billion in pandemic relief funds. State senators voted to give over $100 million dollars to the state Department of Mental Health. Under the proposal, 10 million will go to Child Protection Services and a little over 3 million to MEMA. The national guard would…

Clay County health care workers and church team up to host vaccine clinic

CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Clay County residents get a shot in the arm today. Access Family Health and Northside Christian Church team up for a COVID Vaccination Clinic. Access is administering all 3 vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson. Folks were there to get their first shots, shots, and even boosters. “I experienced COVID-19 last year in…

Concern grows among area business owners after triple shooting in East Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two people remain in the hospital after a triple shooting Sunday night in the parking lot of a Columbus car wash. Columbus Police have identified the suspect as Braylin “B-5” Edinburgh, but area businesses owners say the triple shooting is just the latest incident in the area that has them worried. One even said they’d consider…

Artesia man charged for child molestation

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A months-long investigation leads to an Artesia man being arrested on child molestation charges. A young girl’s quick thinking and courage to speak out helped Lowndes County Sheriff’s investigators make an arrest in a molestation case. Deputies arrested 42-year-old Tom Leshun Walker of Artesia Friday, January 21st. Walker is charged with 1 count of fondling…

A former D1 football player trains younger athletes in his community

One West Point athlete returns to his old stomping grounds with hopes to make a difference in the community

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- A humbling message people have probably heard before is “don’t forget where you came from”.   One West Point athlete returns to his old stomping grounds with hopes to make a difference in the community. West Point native Scott Lashley returned to his hometown with one purpose on his agenda; helping athletes on and off the…

Mom To Mom: Fuzzy Jars

January 23, 2022

If you need a way to get your family to help more around the house, Mandy has a simple solution. Here’s this week’s Mom To Mom. Categories: Featured Tags: mom

A couple in Artesia creates mentorship program for students

The youth is the future and people want to see them excel

ARTESIA, Miss. (WCBI)- The youth is the future and people want to see them excel. A local couple created a mentoring program to navigate young adults on the path of achievement On Saturday, kids in Artesia enrolled in a monthly program to help develop a plan to accomplish their goals. High school students around the Golden Triangle met at the…

Starkville’s annual Frostbite Race brought out record numbers

The seventh annual Frostbite race kicked off Saturday morning in downtown Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The seventh annual Frostbite race kicked off Saturday morning in downtown Starkville. Folks across the state of Mississippi set their eyes on the finish line; the mission was to complete half a marathon, 10K, or 5K race. Proceeds from the event went towards the Boys and Girls Club of Oktibbeha County. In recent years, about 500 participants…

Grant Me Hope: Aeron

January 22, 2022

This week’s Grant Me Hope is a loving and caring young boy by the name of Aeron. Here’s this week’s Grant Me Hope. Categories: Featured, MS News Tags: grantmehope

‘Badge Unbroken’ to tell story of first black deputy police chief in Tupelo

Investors are being sought for local movie

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A movie is in the works about the man who was the first black assistant police chief in Tupelo, before he was forced to resign. All along, Hall claimed he was treated unfairly and now, his story is being made into a movie. The trailer for the movie “Badge Unbroken” recreates some real life scenarios from Robert…

Residents of Chadwick place apartments speak out following shooting

Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the motive behind the shooting.

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY,Miss. (WCBI)- A day after the incident, residents at the Chadwick Place Apartments are speaking out. A weapon, one victim in the hospital, and two suspects on the run…the aftermath of a shooting in their complex has residents of the Chadwick Place Apartments worried. Shots rang out just after 7 p.m. ” Seven people like called and texted me…

Shooting near MSU campus sends 2 people to the hospital

Shooting at Chadwick Apartments near Lee Blvd.

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) -A shooting near Mississippi State University’s campus sent two people to the hospital Thursday night. A Maroon Alert went out shortly after 7:00 P.M. saying that a suspect was seen fleeing toward campus after gunshots were heard near Chadwick Apartments. Investigators from the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department say two victims took themselves to OCH Regional Medical…