NMHS bracing for unpredictable future as Omicron cases surge while staffing shortage gets worse

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced their updated COVID-19 guidelines, North Mississippi Health Services announced that they are limiting their emergency departments to patients with severe medical issues or who need hospitalization. NMHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeremy Blanchard says this is now the second time during the pandemic that they…

More law enforcement agencies turning to private crime labs, Oktibbeha Co. Sheriff’s Dept. says it’s a ‘stopgap’

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – As the backlog of cases at the Mississippi State Crime Lab continues, more law enforcement agencies are turning to private crime labs, especially for their most pressing investigations. “There’s dozens of cases that are down there that are waiting on some type of result, whether it be from a DUI investigation or homicide,” says Operations Captain Brett…

Two Noxubee County churches were broken into last week

Churches are usually considered safe place, but over the weekend that safety was shattered

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Churches are usually considered safe place, but over the weekend that safety was shattered. Two local churches in Noxubee County were burglarized. Now deputies are searching for answers and pastors are searching for peace. “It does but this is but this is the first time we actually had people breaking in churches so this is a…

Columbus Police searching for McDonald’s shooting suspect

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Gunshots ring out at a busy east Columbus shopping center. Customers run for cover, as bullets pierce several vehicles. Now, police are searching for the gunmen. The shooting happened behind McDonald’s on Highway 182. Columbus police say a man was grazed by a bullet but not seriously injured. In fact, he had several warrants for his…

Columbus City Council members held press conference for crime prevention

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Recent violent crimes, including a fatal shooting in the Columbus Heights neighborhood just last week, have area elected officials calling for action and help from the community. Columbus City Council members Ethel Taylor Stewart and Pierre Beard joined Lowndes County Supervisor Leroy Brooks and representatives from the Columbus Police Department and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office for…

Man indicted on child sex crimes accused of stabbing his brother

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A man already indicted on nearly two dozen child sex crime charges is accused of stabbing his brother. 27-year-old Melvin Cardwell is now charged with aggravated assault. Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan says the incident happened early Christmas Eve morning on County Road 431. Pollan tells WCBI there was an argument between Cardwell and his…

Fire investigators believe they know cause of Jamestown Apartment fire

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An update to a story we first brought you last week, fire investigators believe they know where an apartment fire started. The blaze happened at the Jamestown Apartment complex in east Columbus. A mother and her two children were able to escape where the fire started. Firefighters say the flames started in the kitchen area of…

Pontotoc police officer lost his battle with COVID-19

PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) – A Pontotoc police officer loses his battle with COVID-19. Sergeant Jeff Turner died Monday, December 27th. The Pontotoc Police Department posted a message to its Facebook page on December 23rd asking for prayers. Visitation will be Thursday from five to eight at Longview Baptist Church. The funeral will be Friday at the church beginning at 2…

NMMC low on monoclonal antibody treatments

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A supply shortage is forcing North Mississippi Medical Center to limit access to a COVID-19 treatment option. Monoclonal antibodies, the infusion therapy for treating COVID-19, is in short supply. That has NMMC adjusting its policy about who can receive the treatment. Hospital leaders announce today that their criteria will focus on getting antibody treatment to those…

Delays could damper some peoples New Year’s Eve celebrations

New Year's Eve is the next holiday on the calendar and many people have already been busy making plans

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI)-  New Year’s Eve is the next holiday on the calendar and many people have already been busy making plans, but transportation issues have made getting some party supplies more difficult in 2021. Many people like to bring in the new year with fireworks or with a celebratory toast or two, but delays could put a damper…

Local clinics face uncertainty as shortage of COVID-19 tests hits the Golden Triangle

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The shortage of COVID-19 tests has hit the Golden Triangle. The CVS Pharmacy in Starkville told WCBI that they just sold out of the at-home tests Monday, while the Walgreens in Columbus went out of stock Sunday. “Our pharmacies are running out of those rapid at-home tests quicker,” says Amy Bogue, President of Allegro Family Clinics…

Less turbulence for GTRA passengers

No flight cancellations out of Golden Triangle Regional Airport

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – For thousands of air travelers the trip home has become “The Nightmare After Christmas”.  Nationwide, close to 4,000 flights have been canceled. Many of those were due to staff shortages, with crews calling in sick due to COVID-19. Weather was also a factor in some of the delays. But Matt Dowell, Deputy Director at Golden…

Accident stalls rush hour traffic in Columbus

Mattress Mishap injures one and shuts down portion of Highway 50

HWY 50 near Love’s Truck Stop, Columbus COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – An early evening accident brought traffic to a halt on Highway 50 near Highway 82. Initial reports were that a person had been struck by a vehicle, but Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton told WCBI that a man was riding in the back of a truck holding down a…

A tragic incident leaves a dog looking for a forever home

Buddy's story has touched the hearts and homes of many making several people begin trying to adopt him

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- On April 22, 2021 in Tate County, Buddy, (a two-year-old lab mix) whole world turned upside down when a devastating incident left the canine severely burned. The Tunica Humane Society came in to help. “I actually saw pictures of Buddy and realized the extent of his injury and I was so thankful that they did reach out…

Law enforcement encourage families to trash their gift wrapping safely

For some families, gifts are already piled under the tree; just waiting on Santa to deliver the rest

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- For some families, gifts are already piled under the tree; just waiting on Santa to deliver the rest. After unwrapping those presents on Christmas day;  law enforcement encourage folks to be aware of how they throw out their packages and boxes. “Be aware of your surroundings when you’re out and about and if you get large…

West Point PD and Amazing Grace Adult Day care hosted toy giveaway

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – We may be two days away from Christmas, but folks in West Point are getting a head start delivering gifts. The West Point Police Department and Amazing Grace Adult Day Care partnered to hold a toy giveaway this afternoon. Families were able to come by and let their children pick out their favorite toys. Organizers…

Noxubee Co. Board of Supervisors named a new county prosecutor

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI ) – The Noxubee County Board Of Supervisors has named a new county prosecutor. The board appointed local attorney Tina Holcombe Ferrell. She will fill the vacancy left by Rod Hickman who was elected to the state senate. Ferrell will start in her new role in January. The election for a permanent replacement will be held…

SPD asking business and home owners to register security cameras

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The holiday season brings a rise in crime particularly with property crimes like package theft and burglaries. In an attempt to embrace technology, the Starkville Police Department is asking business owners and homeowners who have video cameras to register their camera locations with SPD as a part of the Starkville Police Department Community Connect Program powered…