New Houston Police Chief has big goals for the department

HOUSTON, MISS. (WCBI) – One of Chief Adam Harmon’s top priorities when he began his new role July first, was to upgrade the police department headquarters, which hasn’t seen any renovations in 20 years. Harmon is third-generation law enforcement and served with the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Department for 23 years before applying for the chief’s job.  He is the first appointed…

A car heist turned high-speed chase leaves two men on the run

Six new vehicles were stolen from Frank's Chevrolet in Kosciusko and three were chased from Akerman into Lowndes County.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Two people are in custody in two different counties after six vehicles were stolen from a car dealership in Kosciusko last night. It was late Sunday night when Chief Tim Cook said Ackerman Police got a call. There were four suspicious vehicles parked outside the Choctaw County Medical Center. “We had a report of suspicious…

Tupelo teacher gets a surprise as her husband returns from deployment

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – It was a tearful reunion for a teacher at Tupelo’s Early Childhood Education Center, as her husband surprises her with an early homecoming. Navy Petty Officer Seth Dover was a guest of honor during a morning assembly at ECEC.  His wife, Talana, who is a special education teacher, thought her husband wouldn’t be home until December. Students…

Storms to start the week; Fall-like temps on the way

SUMMARY: Warm and humid conditions continue for a few more days before BIG-time changes arrive with a strong cold front Wednesday. It will usher in the coolest air we’ve seen in quite some time. MONDAY: Scattered showers and thunderstorms remain likely across the region today, and like previous days, some of the rain could be locally heavy at times. Highs will reach…

Fall weather on the way!

SUMMARY: We just have to get through a couple more humid days with showers and storms, and then some of the nicest weather we’ve seen since the spring will be moving into the area! Highs will be in the 80s Monday and Tuesday, with scattered showers and storms on both days. A front moves through Tuesday night, with increased storm…

Local diner is open less than 12 hours after car crashes into building

Diner is open for business despite 5 foot hole in the front wall after a truck crashes into the side.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A vehicle crashed into the Ranch House Diner Saturday evening leaving damage on the side of the building. However, they were open for business the very next morning. “You have your friends then you have your family. These are family,” Owner Sammy Sullivan said. Shock and disbelief are what employees and customers felt after the news…

The Market Street Festival in Columbus brought large crowds

The 25th Annual Market Street Festival was in full swung

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The 25th Annual Market Street Festival was in full swung as folks set up booths and prepared for a day of fun.  Fair food, handmade goods, and live music. After the event was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic and in May. Folks are eager to enjoy the festivities again. “It’s been absolutely wonderful because you…

Traveling saxophonist is trying to inspire people to learn to play

Damico Brown is traveling the country to inspire people to learn to play.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – One saxophonist is traveling the country to inspire people to learn to play. Damico Brown, also known by his stage name, Carmelo Sax, is one of the many traveling saxophonists in the music industry. “Once I actually picked it up myself, it was kind of like love at first sight,” Brown said. Growing up in Gary,…

Wet for a few more days, Fall on the way!!

SUMMARY: A pesky area of low pressure continues to linger over the south, keeping rain chances elevated. Things look pretty wet through Tuesday, with highs held down by the rain and cloud cover in the upper 70s to low 80s. Big changes are in store by mid week, as a powerful cold front will plunge through the central and eastern…

The 25th annual market street festival kicks off with a free concert

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The 25th Annual Market Street Festival kicks off at the Columbus Soccer Complex. “We’re excited to finally be able to bring the festival to our community,” said Executive Director of Columbus Main Street Barbara Bigelow. It’s been nearly two years since the last Market Street festival in May of 2019 due to the COVID -19 pandemic. Bigelow…

Future Police Officers Learn Defensive Tactics

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Future police officers are learning what to do if they are overpowered by a suspect.  It’s part of the twelve-week police academy at the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center. Priscilla Castro and her fellow cadets of Class B 68 have spent a lot of time on the mats this week. In defensive tactics, cadets learn…

Winston Medical clinic preventing pandemic’s school nursing shortage from severely impacting Louisville School District

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Just over a month into the 2021 fall semester, COVID-19 continues to disrupt Mississippi schools. Added to that is the nationwide shortage of school nurses. However, that shortage is not having as severe an impact on the Louisville Municipal School District. “If they present with COVID symptoms…we’re able to test for those things at the school,…

Area businesses are hitting the jackpot in lottery sales

The Mississippi Lottery Corporation lists six Columbus retailers as the top 16 vendors with the most sales from April to June.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- If you’re trying to hit a lottery jackpot, Columbus may be the place to be. The city is climbing the charts with the most lottery ticket sales in Mississippi. The Mississippi Lottery Corporation lists six Columbus retailers as the top 16 vendors with the most sales from April to June. 11 of the top 100 retailers across…

Starkville Utilities is encouraging residents to call them first if they see or experience electric or water problems

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – They can’t fix them if they don’t know about them. That’s true for public works departments everywhere. Starkville Utilities is encouraging residents to call them first if they see or experience electric or water problems. On Wednesday, crews worked into the night to get a line fixed on South Montgomery Street. They were alerted by a…

Mississippi leads the nation in positive and negative COVID related catagories

The Magnolia State is the nation's leader in monoclonal antibody treatment but also leads in COVID deaths per capita.

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi is now the nation’s leader in monoclonal antibody treatment. Unfortunately, we’re also number one in Covid deaths per capita across the country, and the coronavirus dangers for pregnant women continue. As of Thursday morning, there were 37 ICU beds available with over 70 patients in need of ICU treatment. That’s due to the ongoing staff shortage….

Mississippi’s education system continues to show higher rankings in the classroom

The latest Quality Counts report the state ranks 35th in the nation for Kindergarten through 12th grade achievement.

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Mississippi’s education system continues to show higher rankings in the classroom. The latest Quality Counts report the state ranks 35th in the nation for Kindergarten through 12th grade achievement. Mississippi’s overall grade was 70, which is comparable to the nation’s overall score of 76 out of 100. Figures show Mississippi ranked first in the nation for gains…

Rain chances increase in the next few days

  SUMMARY: The remnant circulation of Nicholas continues to spin over the Lower MS Valley, and rain chances will accordingly increase across north MS and west AL in the next few days. THURSDAY: The sky stays generally cloudy today with just spotty rain expected – most places will likely stay dry. Daytime highs will reach the upper 70s to near 80 degrees….