Tippah County Trucking Company Expands At Blue Mountain Location

BLUE MOUNTAIN, MISS. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi-based trucking company announces a major expansion. Michael Massengill started ‘Big M Diesel Services’ more than twenty years ago, with about ten employees. Today, the company has 500 employees, 400 trucks, and 1,500 trailers that deliver general freight throughout 48 states. And the growth continues. Big M broke ground on a new inside…

A really nice & pleasant day ahead for your Wednesday

SUMMARY: The middle part of the workweek will be amazing for early August with mostly sunny skies and cooler, less humid conditions. The summer heat and humidity will make a comeback by the weekend. We’ll be staying pretty dry over the next week or so, still can’t rule out the chance of an afternoon stray summertime shower or storm. WEDNESDAY:…

Vardaman city hall shuts down after unvaccinated employees test positive for Delta variant, mayor says low vaccination rate is a problem

VARDAMAN, Miss. (WCBI) – In the small town of Vardaman, COVID-19 has shut down city hall until further notice. Mayor James Casey says the decision came Monday after the city clerk and assistant clerk both tested positive for the Delta variant over the past five days after returning from trips to Biloxi and Destin, Florida. “(One of them) texted me…

Local Alabama counties are making a push to ease youth violence

CARROLLTON, Al. (WCBI)- Youth violence surged around the country and in the area. A west Alabama district attorney saw the trend and went to work to find a solution. People typically say the youth is the future, but if violent crimes among them continue to surge things won’t be so bright. Some leaders in Pickens County are working to get…

Kiwanis Club celebrates 100 years of serving children

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The Kiwanis Club of Columbus celebrates 100 years of bettering the lives of children in their community. Often times the club partners with the boys and girls club or similar organizations to provide charitable work to the community. The Kiwanis club also provides annual scholarships to students with help from the chamber of commerce. “This year we…

Dry, comfy air sticks around for the workweek

SUMMARY: This summer has been unusual in that we have not seen any prolonged periods of heat! Every time we see a few average or above average days, cooler weather has seemed to quickly replace it. Once again, last week’s heat wave has been ushered out by a refreshing August “cool” front. This has kept us in the low to…

NMMC asking outpatient appointments or visitors to bring own masks

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – With more COVID-19 patients needing care, hospitals need more supplies. Now, North Mississippi Health Services is asking people with outpatient appointments or visitors to their facilities to bring their own masks. The healthcare provider says a large number of masks were donated last year but those face coverings are gone. NMHS must rely on its own…

Corinth Schools Begins Sixth Year Of ‘Modified School Calendar’

CORINTH, MISS. (WCBI) – The parking lot at Corinth High School is full, students returned to school last week. The district went to what is known as a “Modified School Calendar’ six years ago. It gives students breaks throughout the year, instead of a long summer. The goal is to provide extra help for students and to reduce the “Summer…

Morning fog making way for more sunshine on Tuesday

SUMMARY: The middle part of the workweek will be amazing for early August with mostly sunny skies and cooler. less humid conditions. The summer heat and humidity will make a comeback by the weekend. TUESDAY: Some of us are waking up to foggy/misty conditions out there. Visibility levels are getting low so drive with caution if you’re heading out. A…

North Mississippi Health Services pleads for more vaccinations as spread of Delta variant, healthcare worker shortage causes ‘dire situations’ at hospitals

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday, leadership for North Mississippi Health Services held a press conference at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo to give the public an update about the impact that the COVID-19 Delta Variant is having across the state. “Right now what’s happening with COVID is, we so don’t want it to happen again but it’s here, it’s…

Bruce Police Chief Tony Sockwell Dies in a vehicle crash

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Bruce Police Chief William Sockwell, better known as Tony, died in a vehicle crash early this morning. Monday, the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to the fatal crash around 8:30 A.M. on highway 331 in Calhoun County. Sockwell was traveling northbound when his Chevrolet Silverado crossed the center line and ran off the left side of the…

COVID-19 testing is making an unwanted comeback

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- COVID-19 cases across the state of Mississippi have risen again. The rise in the Delta variant is driving a rise in testing; that had slowed down after the vaccine became more readily available. Winston County Medical Center CEO Paul Black has encouraged people to get tested if they have symptoms even if they have been vaccinated….

Rainy Monday then very nice workweek shaping up

SUMMARY: Expect showers and storms for your Monday. A really nice workweek is shaping up for us with less humid conditions & highs only in the 80s. Summer heat will return by the weekend. MONDAY: Expect a wet morning & afternoon commute for our Monday. It will be another cloudy & rainy day ahead for your Monday. Rain chances will…

Local bookstore has a unique and personal touch to keep its doors open

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – One of the few types of small businesses left are local bookshops. However, one local bookstore has kept its customers turning the pages. “It’s not rocket science. We’ve had Indi Bookshops since the beginning of time,” Lara Hammond said. Lara Hammond is the owner of the only independent bookstore in Starkville. She said it’s a love…

Deadly workplace shooting in Amory leads to high-speed chase that ends in Columbus, murder suspect found hiding in the bushes

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A deadly shooting in Amory Saturday morning led to a high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies that finally ended after police found the suspect hiding in the bushes of a Columbus neighborhood. “I was in the kitchen…and I could see the police from the light and they came in like lightning and I was like…

Saltillo man faces an aggravated assault charge

SALTILLO, Miss. (WCBI)- A Saltillo man faces charges for domestic violence and aggravated assault. 31-year-old Jacob Dixon is arrested for shooting at a family member on 161 Third Avenue on July 31st. Police tell us Dixon fired one round from a shotgun, leaving the victim with minor injuries from shotgun pellets. Dixon will have his initial court appearance on August…

Backpack giveaway helps students in need ready for classes

VERNON, AL (WCBI) – Most schools will be back in session next week and several local organizations are helping families check items off the shopping list. “It’s just amazing to see these young kids faces when they get to leave,” Ethan Wilkins said. Ethan Wilkins will be a senior at Lamar County High school. He’s one of the many students…

Relief is on the Way!

TONIGHT: Fairly clear skies, no chance of rain, very muggy conditions with a low of 75 TOMORROW:The last (hopefully) day of excessive heat! A high of 95 feeling up to 110. No chance of rain (yet) to cool us down. TOMORROW NIGHT: A low of 72 with a scattered storm passing through. A cold front will be approaching the area…