Refreshing Memorial day weekend, storms return next week

SUMMARY: The cold front that brought some of us some showers and storms today will sweep through the area into the evening, bringing in much cooler and drier air, setting up a very refreshing Memorial day weekend! Highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s through Sunday. Next week, the heat and humidity makes a return, and we are…

Cold front for our Friday; cool & nice holiday weekend ahead

SUMMARY: A cold front will push through our area this Friday. Not expecting a complete washout, but chances of showers and storms will remain through the afternoon. The front will bring in unseasonably cool air and less humid conditions for the long Memorial Day holiday weekend. Enjoy the amazing weather because we will warm back up next week, with an…

Columbus church asking for help buying chairs for new sanctuary as they continue rebuilding after 2019 tornado

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – First Pentecostal Church of Columbus is almost ready to open its doors again in the wake of 2019’s tornado. It has been over two years since the EF-3 tornado leveled the church. Senior Pastor Steve Blaylock says they expect construction to finish by June and hopes they can move in sometime during July. Pastor Blaylock says…

Lowndes County prosecutor, Steve Wallace, passed away Thursday afternoon

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County Prosecutor and long-time attorney Steve Wallace has passed away. He wore many hats in the community over the years. Wallace was also chairman of the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau board. He graduated from Lee High and went on to study at Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Wallace was also a former public…

New and improved Sim Scott Community Center reopens in Columbus 2 years after being destroyed in EF-3 tornado

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Thursday, the Sim Scott Community Center officially reopened after it was destroyed during the 2019 tornado. Columbus city leadership believes the new building has the potential to change the dynamic of Columbus’s Northside. “It’s been a long time coming,” says Mayor Robert Smith. “But as the old saying goes, for every bad thing that happens, something…

To protect and serve, more female officers are joining the force

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- To protect and serve–more officers are joining the force. In Columbus, most of those new recruits are women; giving the department the highest number of female officers they’ve seen in years. More women are signing up to serve and protect. Here at the Columbus Police Department, the list of active female officers almost doubles compared to 2020….

Longtime Arena Director Of Operations Is Retiring

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Imagine a job where you get to work with country and western acts, rock and roll legends, and Disney on Ice performers. For a longtime employee at the Bancorpsouth Arena, that job has been part of his life, but now he says it’s time to retire. Whether it’s a Disney on Ice performance, or a sold-out…

Warm & humid Thursday followed by some storms for Friday

SUMMARY: We are waking up to some foggy & misty conditions this Thursday morning, but expecting another warm day ahead with a mix of sun & clouds. We’ll have a better chance of showers & storms on Friday, but a nice holiday weekend is ahead. THURSDAY: After dealing with some dense fog in the morning, we’re in for a warm…

Monroe Co. Sheriff’s Dept. makes record-breaking meth bust after joint investigation with North Mississippi Narcotics & several local law enforcement agencies

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – Tuesday, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department announced the details of an arrest in a major drug bust they say is the result of a joint investigation over the last few months. “Methamphetamine is the go-to drug here that we have to deal with in Monroe County,” says Sheriff Kevin Crook. “It’s wrecked the most lives anyway.”…

Aberdeen Head Start In Enrollment Drive

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – A free program that provides a wide variety of services in education and early childhood development is having an enrollment drive. Aberdeen Head Start is looking to enroll students for its upcoming programs.  Head Start centers provide pre-K educational services, mental health, and developmental screenings, and other services for children ages one through five. Typically, the…

Tupelo Middle School Student Overcomes Obstacle To Excel In Track

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A fourteen-year-old Tupelo Middle School student is making a name for himself in track and cross country, despite a devastating setback late last year. The track champion, and his friends, have bounced back from the tragedy, and are looking to shatter some goals. Taylor Brown was in sixth grade when he realized his younger brother was…

Health Fair Showcases Hospice Care And Other Medical Services

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A health fair gave senior citizens an opportunity to see different options available in hospice care and other medical services. Southern Care Home Hospice hosted the health fair at Tupelo’s Ballard Park.  Vendors representing other hospice care companies were on site. There were also groups like Vitalant Blood Services, a company that makes shoes for diabetes…

Memorial Day weekend has people enthused to celebrate again

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The unofficial start of summer has begun as Memorial Day has crept up again. Waterways, beaches, and other recreational spots will likely be packed with visitors. At the Columbus, lake people were eager to test their boats out to get into celebrating on the river. After having to cancel most celebrations in 2020, families have been ready to…

A missing man’s body has been found after search by first responders

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A body found late this afternoon in western Oktibbeha County is a man missing for almost two weeks. Coroner Michael Hunt confirmed the body found off Brown Road is 39-year-old Darryl Harvey. He was last seen May 15th. Today, first responders spent much of the combing through the woods for Harvey after his truck was…

Afternoon summertime storms return for our Wednesday

SUMMARY: Warm and humid summer-like conditions have returned and that means better chances of scattered afternoon showers and storms. Some of you may get some good downpours, some of you may miss out. Wednesday and Friday offer the best chances in the near term. No widespread strong or severe weather is expected. WEDNESDAY: A few more clouds will start building…

With millions set to travel for Memorial Day, Columbus Police remind everyone of proper home safety tips

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – After seeing a record-low 23 million travelers in 2020, AAA is predicting a 60 percent increase in people taking a trip over the 2021 Memorial Day Weekend. The Golden Triangle is within driving distance of popular destinations like Atlanta, the Gulf Coast and Nashville. But as some get ready for potentially their first vacation since the…

Aberdeen’s New Mayor Has Big Plans For Sports Complex

ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – Aberdeen’s new mayor says the city’s sports complex can play a big role in boosting tourism, sales tax revenue, and providing an outlet for local youth sports. Mayor Charles Scott began leading efforts to revive the Aberdeen Sports Complex when he moved back to his hometown after retiring from the Army two years ago. “It basically…

Administrators are hopeful to get disconnected students engaged again

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s been a long year for students and the people tasked with teaching them. Most local classrooms have been virtual or hybrid all year long, and administrators want kids back in their desks this fall. When Covid closed schools in March of 2020, administrators came up with a plan for students to learn virtually. Students tried…

Spotty storms are back

SUMMARY:  Warm and humid conditions have returned and that spells a better chance of scattered showers and storms over the next few days.  Some folks may get some good downpours, some may miss out.  Wednesday and Friday offer the best chance of rain in the near term. No widespread strong or severe weather is expected. TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows…

State highway patrol and police partnering to encourage safe driving

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – You may see an increase in highway patrol starting Memorial day weekend. Mississippi Highway Patrol is teaming up with Louisiana State Police and Tennessee Highway Patrol to encourage safe driving. State troopers will be stationed up and down Interstate 55 during peak travel times. Their hope is to reduce the number of crashes, promote seat belt…

Summer humidity and spotty storms making a return

SUMMARY: It’s been getting warmer here, but the humidity has been tolerable to be outside. Now get ready for that summer humidity to move into the region for the rest of the workweek along with those spotty summertime showers & storms. TUESDAY: Another warm day ahead for us with highs in the lower 90s with a mix of sun and…