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Crime, Featured, Local News

Lowndes Co. Sheriff’s Department gets CSI training on preserving fingerprints, other DNA evidence at crime scenes

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Thursday, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department underwent Crime Scene Investigation training, going over the various ways to preserve evidence at a crime scene. “Each fingerprint is unique to that person,” says Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins. “The same thing with DNA.” And often it takes one of several unique processes to preserve those fingerprints. ” to…
Featured, Local News

Breast cancer survivors share their journey to recovery

Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We all know someone who’s been affected by the disease. The American Cancer Society says 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. For men, it’s 1 in 833. ” It was pretty devastating at that time. Not knowing what I know later, trying to face…

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Featured, Local News

‘Pastor Caleb’ plans a community wide revival for his 10th birthday

Although Caleb Rodgers has cerebral palsy, that doesn't stop him from proclaiming a message of hope
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo child is not letting a physical limitation stop him from proclaiming an important message. For nine-year-old Caleb Rodgers, a typical day may include physical therapy, doing homeschool work,  or one of his favorite activities, sitting with his Dad, singing hymns. Caleb has cerebral palsy, and though he may be nonverbal, Caleb is able to communicate…

Domestic Arrest
Crime, Local News

Columbus man out on parole arrested after domestic altercation

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A man out on parole was arrested Thursday after he allegedly knocked his girlfriend to the ground and fled into the woods behind an East Columbus shopping center. Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton says his officers were called to the scene in the 900 block of Alabama street just after 11 AM. Investigators say that is…

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Local News

Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle offering free flu shots

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Roll up your sleeve. That’s what Columbus area residents did today for a flu shot. Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle offered free flu shots Thursday. Hospital employees planned to give out 1,200 shots in the drive-through clinic. Health care workers urge people to take time to get their flu shot this year, saying it is more…

Firefighter
Local News

Columbus Exchange Club names local fireman Firefighter of the Year

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus Firefighter is honored for his service to the city and his fellow firefighters. Every year the Exchange Club of Columbus honors a firefighter for going the extra mile. This year’s Firefighter of the Year is Captain Dale Ballard with Columbus Fire and Rescue. During his career, Ballard has helped train new firefighters. He is…

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Local News

Starkville businesses are preparing for a busy football weekend

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide
Joey Barnes,

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- It’s one of the biggest home games of the season. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide. While the players are focused on what happens on the field; workers and business owners are stepping up their game in the city’s restaurants, shops, hotels, and bars. “You know Alabama their team travels well so…

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Featured, Local News, Top Story

Examining effects of forensic audits amid debate between mayor and city council over Columbus finances

Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Mayor Keith Gaskin says he will continue to advocate for a forensic audit, even after the city council overrode his veto of their decision not to authorize one.  He says many Columbus residents feel the same way. “What happened to our budget this time? We thought that we had $1.5 million that we did not,” he…

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Featured, Local News

Veteran law officer protects and serves on school campuses

Longtime deputy at Hancock County Sheriff's Department is SRO for all five Houston schools
Allie Martin,

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – A new school year for one school district in our region means an added layer of protection for students and teachers. When Howard Parker was hired as the school resource officer, one of the first items on his to-do list was to make sure the campuses were secure. “Simple things like doors leading to the outside, not…

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Featured, Local News

New voting system introduced in Oktibehha County

County officials and residents debate on the on how accurate the new voting system will be
Joey Barnes,

OKTIBEHHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Voters in Oktibbeha County will mark their choices on paper ballots the next time they vote. Circuit Clerk Tony Rook demonstrated the county’s new voting machines Wednesday. The demonstration also served as training for poll workers and allowed election commissioners to see the machines in action. With the new system, voters will mark their ballots with…

Gaskin
Local News

Council voted to override both of Mayor Gaskin’s vetoes

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – With the ink barely dry on Mayor Keith Gaskin’s veto of 2 measures, the Columbus City Council holds a special call meeting to revisit the issues. Ward 2 Councilman and Vice-Mayor Joseph Mickens called the special meeting Tuesday afternoon after the mayor vetoed the council’s decision not to authorize a forensic audit of the city’s books,…

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Local News

Columbus staple Harvey’s getting finishing touches to recent makeover

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss (WCBI) – A Columbus staple is getting a makeover. For the past month, Harvey’s restaurant has been closed for a renovation project. The re-opening was set for this week, but Manager Bryant Bean tells us crews are putting on the finishing touches inside and outside the restaurant. The Columbus Harveys has been in the downtown building since 1985….

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Local News

Columbus Main Street announces Clydesdale’s coming for Christmas

MorrisAdmin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Clydesdales are coming back to the Columbus Christmas parade. Columbus Main Street made the announcement this week. The show horses will help the city celebrate 200 years in the Bicentennial Christmas Parade. The Clydesdales were a part of the parade in 2013 and made a special downtown appearance in 2018. This year’s parade will be…

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Featured, Local News

All NMHS hospitals get new 3-D mammography machines to detect breast cancer earlier and more often

Joey Barnes,

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and on Monday, North Mississippi Health Services announced that all of its community hospitals are now equipped with 3-D mammography machines. The 3-D machines perform a 50-degree sweep of the body, taking images at multiple levels. “With the 2-D (mammogram), you get one image of the breast,” says Brandy Haney,…

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Local News

Mississippi University for Women hosted a job fair

Landing that perfect position is what brought job-seekers to MUW
Joey Barnes,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Mississippi University for Women did its part to get students and area residents back to work. The W hosted a job fair on October 12, 2021. Businesses need workers, but many companies are not seeing people come in the door. Landing that perfect position is what brought job-seekers to MUW. “I don’t really have to go straight…

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Local News

Noxubee Co. student among 44 selected for student special advisory council

MorrisAdmin,

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Noxubee County student is among 44 across the state selected to a Student special advisory council. The Mississippi Department of Education yesterday announced its new members of the State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. Noxubee County High School senior, Braylen Jones, was selected to serve. The advisory council will share their opinions and offer advice…
Coronavirus Information, Featured, Local News, News Team

COVID-19 cases are stable but deaths are still increasing

Joey Barnes,

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI)- State health officials say the rate of COVID-19 cases is stable but there are still too many deaths in Mississippi. The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 820 new cases and 41 deaths Tuesday, October 12th. The case rate has seen a significant drop in comparison to the summer months when the health department reported thousands of…

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Featured, Local News

‘Faith And Blue’ event helps bridge the gap between police and the community

Tupelo's West Jackson Street Baptist Church hosts dinner for police and the community
Allie Martin,

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Bridging the gap between the community, churches, and police, that’s the goal of a nationwide initiative that has come to the All America City. Community members, police, and pastors met Monday evening at Tupelo’s West Jackson Street Baptist Church, as part of a “Faith And Blue’ outreach. “Faith and Blue’ is a nationwide effort to connect…

Gaskin
Local News

Columbus Mayor announces vetoes of 2 measures passed by council

Eric Lampkin,

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus City Council may be revisiting some old business at its next meeting. At a press conference this morning, Mayor Keith Gaskin announced vetoes of 2 measures the council passed at its October 5th meeting. Council members voted to have former Chief Financial Officer, Mike Bernsen, continue to handle those duties on a part-time basis…