Relief from the heat on the way

SUMMARY: We’ve been suffering through the hottest week of the summer so far. Luckily, the extreme heat is not going to stick around much longer. Compared to this week, next week is looking downright pleasant! Saturday is still very hot in the upper 90s with low storm chances, but Sunday rain chances begin to increase. The heat backs down a…

Tommy Chisholm will spend the rest of his life in prison

OKTIBBHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – William “Tommy” Chisholm will spend the rest of his life in prison. Judge Lee Howard sentences Chisholm to Life Without Parole for the January 2018 shooting death of Dr. Shauna Witt. An Oktibbeha County jury took less than an hour to deliver the guilty verdict this afternoon. Chisholm’s defense rested this morning after just over…

As delta variant surges in MS, medical experts urge folks to stay healthy

LOWNDES/OKTIBBEHA COUNTIES, Miss. (WCBI)- The delta variant continues to surge across the Magnolia State, and folks are trying to stay healthy. Vaccinated or unvaccinated, Mississippians are using different routes to fight the delta variant of COVID-19. One thing they’re trying, boosting their immune systems. Chris Bonner, Pharmacist and Owner of Chris’s Pharmacy in Columbus, says the 2020 pandemic left shelves…

Local businesses in Starkville donated a percentage of sales to the state children’s hospital

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Some businesses in downtown Starkville are helping children all across the state with a special donation. Starkville Main Street Association members teamed up to raise money for Children’s of Mississippi. For a week, a percentage of all sales at participating stores went to the state’s only dedicated children’s hospital. Today, the merchants presented a check for…

Peter’s Rock Church in Macon hosted a COVID-19 vaccine clinic

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – A Macon church is bringing the vaccine closer to underserved communities. Peter’s Rock Macon partnered with Noxubee General Hospital to sponsor a vaccination Clinic today. Within the first hour, there was a steady stream of cars at the drive-thru clinic. Nurses from the hospital administered either the Johnson and Johnson or Moderna vaccines. Organizers say they…

Statewide U-Haul shortage leaves college towns desperate for equipment

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Summer is ending and a new semester will soon begin. That means college students are on the move and moving trucks are in high demand. “It’s the first time that I’ve ever had it be this bad, on shortage of equipment,” Moreland said. Kim Moreland owns three U-haul locations in Starkville. She said August is their…

Tupelo Public School District is responding to a COVID-19 outbreak

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Classes haven’t even started yet in most schools, and one district is already reporting a COVID outbreak. The Tupelo Public School district is postponing open house events at all schools, due to an outbreak in the THS Band. A statement on the band’s website says in part “School nurses and administrators have determined that there is…

Hot & humid weekend, storms possible again

SUMMARY: Dangerous heat and humidity will continue this weekend. Heat indices may approach 115° so be sure to limit your exposure to the outside environment as much as possible. A few storms are possible Saturday but odds are higher Sunday with an incoming cold front. FRIDAY NIGHT: Isolated evening showers and storms are possible across our northeastern counties. Anything that…

Troop Three Boy Scouts helped retire a U.S. Flag in Tupelo

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Boy Scouts from Troop Three helped retire a U.S. flag that had been flying in front of Magnolia Manor At Tupelo. When the United States flag becomes worn or faded, it is supposed to be replaced with a new flag, and the old flag should be retired. Boy Scouts demonstrated how to properly retire a flag…

Houston FD hosted a Fire Academy for Kids

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – More than thirty kids have spent part of their week learning all about what it takes to be a firefighter. They got to see a controlled burn and how fires spread, and are put out. The Houston Fire Department held its 13th “Fire Academy for Kids.” Young people, ages 8 to 13 spent three evenings at…

Excessive Heat Warnings in effect for Friday; Stay safe & cool

SUMMARY: An Excessive Heat Warning and a Heat Advisory remains in effect for our Friday as the dangerous heat and humidity will hang around through the weekend. Heat indices could be as high as 115 so be sure to limit your exposure to the extreme conditions. Take the proper precauti ons to stay cool & hydrated to help prevent heat…

Academy Sports is preparing for Mississippi’s tax free weekend

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)-Back-to-school shopping and tax-free means families can save some money. Mississippi’s sales tax holiday begins Friday 29, 2021. Items that will be exempt from sales tax include clothing and school supplies under 100-dollars per item. Retailers like Academy Sports are getting ready for the increased traffic in the stores. “Friday and Saturday all items back to school will…

Lowndes co. sheriff’s department installs internet purchase location

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Citizens now have a safe meeting place for any online transactions. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department is setting aside an Internet Purchase Exchange Location with the hope of preventing criminal activity during sales. If you decide to purchase online from Facebook Marketplace or another site, you can meet in a secure location. This decision comes after…

Aundrea celebrates the end of summer with Mother Goose

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s a celebration of reading. The Summer Reading Program at the Columbus Lowndes Public Library wrapped up this morning with songs, a little dancing, a stuffed animal Olympic race – and of course some reading. All summer long, children have gathered at the library twice a week for storytime along with singing and fun with Mother…

Suspect in a shooting Tuesday night has turned himself in

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The suspect in a Tuesday night shooting in Starkville turns himself in. Jerome Davis has surrendered to Starkville Police. Davis was wanted in connection with a shooting on Roundhouse Road Tuesday night. One person was injured in that shooting, they are being treated at a hospital outside of the area. Davis is charged with Aggravated assault….

Defense began presenting its case in trial of Tommy Chisholm

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The defense begins presenting its case in the Capital Murder trial of Tommy Chisholm and gets dealt some serious blows. Judge Lee Howard denies 2 defense motions, one for a directed verdict, and one to lower the charge from capital murder to 1st-degree murder. A key defense witness was also disqualified. When questioned by the…

Macon murder suspect is now in police custody

MACON, Miss. (WCBI) – The suspect in a Macon murder is now in police custody. U.S. marshalls caught 33-year-old Henry Benamon this morning in Alabama. He had been on the run for almost two weeks. Investigators say Benamon is wanted for murder in the death of 43-year-old Lisa Brooks. Family members found her dead in her home on July 17th….

Another hot & humid summer day for your Thursday

SUMMARY: An Excessive Heat Warning and a Heat Advisory is in effect for our Thursday as the dangerous heat and humidity will stick around into the coming weekend. Take the proper precautions to stay cool & hydrated to help prevent heat stress or heat exhaustion issues! Look for rain and storm chances to return Saturday with higher odds developing Sunday…