Police Car
Featured, Local News

Columbus creates take-home vehicle policy for city employees

Only police and firefighters are allowed to take city vehicles home under federal law
MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – City vehicles will have to stay parked after shifts end. The City of Columbus created a government take-home vehicle policy. Only police and firefighters are allowed to take city vehicles home under federal law. Federal law said the IRS could tax on-call city employees for responding to emergencies in city vehicles after hours. If any other…

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Local News

Aberdeen School District to host job fair looking for teachers

Eric Lampkin,

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – You may have heard there is a statewide teacher shortage. The Aberdeen School District is doing its part to remedy that. The school district is hosting a job fair Thursday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Central Office – 1100 West Commerce Street. The district is hiring for school-level teaching positions as well as…

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Local News

Man last seen in Shuqualak still missing one month later

MorrisAdmin,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been four weeks since anyone has seen 30-year-old Kenneth Reed. Now, the reward for information about Reed has increased to $7,500. Kenneth Reed was last seen one month ago in Shuqualak. His vehicle was found on Paulette and Mahorner Road. If you have information on Reed’s whereabouts, call the Noxubee County Sheriff’s Department at (662)…

A Member Of The Columbus Police Overview Committee Wants To Get The Band Back Together
Local News

Columbus overview committee member seeks to meet again

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A member of the Columbus overview committee wants to get the band back together. The committee was put in place in 2015 after the death of Ricky Ball. The last meeting the committee had was in 2019 and leadership has changed quite a bit since then. City leaders said in Tuesday night’s council meeting there were…

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Featured, Local News

Tupelo prepares to update plans for city growth, development

Steering committee will be selected and then start working on updated plan through 2040
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The All America City is looking to update its long-range plan to meet the community’s vision and goals. The first step for the Comprehensive Plan 2040 is the formation of a steering committee, made up of professionals who live or work in Tupelo. Once everyone has agreed to serve, the work will begin. “We want this…

Thermostat
Featured, Local News

Local fire chief explains importance of HVAC maintenance

Dust buildup and trapped debris in air ducts can lead to fire risk
MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Cleaning out your air ducts probably doesn’t come to mind when thinking about spring cleaning. Fire Chief Duane Hughes said you need to do more than change out your monthly air filter to prevent a risk of fire. Dust and debris tend to collect in air ducts, which isn’t normally a cause for concern. But when heat…

Link
Local News

LINK CEO delivers progress update on Aluminum Dynamics

Eric Lampkin,

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – With the state’s largest economic development plan signed off on and breaking ground, the Golden Triangle Development Link is looking ahead to the next challenge. LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins delivered an update on progress at Aluminum Dynamics and what could be happening in the future. Higgins laid out a proposed timeline for the construction…

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Crime, Local News

Prentiss County deputies arrest man on child molestation charges

Eric Lampkin,

PRENTISS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Prentiss County investigators arrested a Baldwyn man on child molestation charges. Last week, a Prentiss County Deputy took a report of inappropriate contact with a child. Sheriff’s Office investigators took over the case and interviewed the victim. The child’s parent filed charges based on the allegations and on evidence collected, and a warrant was issued…

money roll
Local News

Community donates money going toward equipment at WCSO

MorrisAdmin,

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Winston County Sheriff’s Office recently received $25,000 from businesses in the community to go toward important equipment. A few months ago the sheriff’s office added two new drones to their crew, these drones are able to fly in bad weather and fly higher than their first drone. The Winston County Sheriff’s Office said they…

Columbus City Hall 1
Local News

Member of citizen oversight board seeks to reconstruct group

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It has been more than seven years since a citizen oversight board for the Columbus Police Department was formed. But a change in administration, police chiefs, and the pandemic may have put a pause on regular meetings. Former Mayor Robert Smith and the City Council in December of 2015 voted to form a permanent committee. At…

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Crime, Local News

Former Tupelo youth pastor faces more child sex crime charges

Joey Barnes,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Tupelo youth pastor is facing more child sex crime charges. 27-year-old Alexander Blackwelder is now facing two counts of sexual battery by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. In a press release, Sheriff Jim Johnson said Tupelo police turned over information to deputies from their investigation into Blackwell which led to the charges. TPD charged…

speaker jackson capitol state mississippi
Featured, Local News

House Bill 995 looks to redefine rape in Mississippi

Kealy Shields,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A bill going through the Legislature could make it easier to prosecute rape cases in Mississippi. House Bill 995, authored by Representative Dana McLean of Columbus, would redefine the definition of rape. Current law still has antiquated language regarding the character of the victim and does not consider spousal rape. This is the second time McLean…

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Featured, Local News

FUMC of Columbus members vote to leave United Methodist Church

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – One of Columbus’ oldest churches is making a historic change. At a church conference Sunday night, over 67% of the members present voted to leave the United Methodist Church. The split has been brought on by conflicting beliefs on how leadership in the denomination has interpreted and acted on church principles. Columbus First United Methodist Church…

starkville city hall
Local News

Starkville leaders consider ordinance protecting damaged city property

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Starkville Aldermen will consider an ordinance requiring contractors to fix damage to city property. The Right-of-Way Protection Ordinance applies to above and below-ground infrastructure, such as sidewalks and water taps. This applies to damage done during the construction process that goes beyond normal wear and tear. Under the proposal, violators would have 30 days to make…

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Local News

OIDI hosts panel discussion at MSU celebrating Women’s History Month

Eric Lampkin,

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi State University’s Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion continues its celebration of Women’s History Month. Monday, OIDI hosted a panel discussion focused on empowering women. The panel featured five distinguished women from a variety of backgrounds sharing their life experiences. They also offered insights on how to encourage, promote, and support women from all…