Jason Browne
Reporter
News & Sports Department
jbrowne@cdispatch.com

Recent Stories & Articles
College Board head: MUW name change remains 'focal point'  11/20/2009 11:35:00 AM
JACKSON — Thursday’s College Board meeting left more questions than answers, as the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning discussed Gov. Haley Barbour’s proposal to merge five of the eight state-funded universities.

New Hope to get technology upgrade  11/19/2009 11:42:00 AM
New Hope High School is due to receive a technology upgrade thanks to a Department of Education grant.

What’s not on the agenda? MUW president search  11/18/2009 10:03:00 AM
Haley Barbour’s recent budget proposals have given the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning plenty to discuss at their meetings today and Thursday in Jackson. But a replacement for retiring MUW President Claudia Limbert may not be one of them.

MUW merger plan: State wouldn’t see savings until 2012  11/17/2009 10:51:00 AM
Merging Mississippi University for Women with Mississippi State University in 2011 will save $35 million ... in 2012. As expected, Gov. Haley Barbour recommended in his Monday budget proposal the two state universities be merged to save on administrative costs.

Keeping her eye on the ball: Columbus’ Amy Martin passes love of athletics to elementary children  11/16/2009 9:28:00 AM
A basketball coach might have 12 players to keep track of. A softball coach could be responsible for 20 players. Coach Amy Martin has more than 600 players on her team. Martin, the physical education teacher at Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School, is tasked with keeping 668 kindergarten-through-fourth graders active and involved on a daily basis.

W alumni join forces to fight merger  11/14/2009 7:02:00 PM
Members of Mississippi University for Women’s two opposing alumni groups are coming together to face a common enemy.

Group to recommend district for accreditation  11/13/2009 10:26:00 AM
The Lowndes County School District received more than approval from a visiting regional accreditation team Wednesday.

Dramatic changes on the horizon for MUW  11/12/2009 10:25:00 AM
One way or another, sweeping changes are on the way for Mississippi University for Women.

$1.95M street bond could be used to finance collapsed bridge  11/12/2009 10:25:00 AM
WEST POINT — West Point took its first step toward repairing a major traffic problem during Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Selectmen.

Board agrees to allow church services at residence  11/11/2009 9:59:00 AM
The Starkville Planning and Zoning Commission granted a request Tuesday to allow church services at a Louisville Street single-family residence.

Barbour expected to push for W merger  11/11/2009 9:59:00 AM
Gov. Haley Barbour is expected to recommend Mississippi University for Women be merged with another school, possibly Mississippi State University, as a cost-cutting move when he submits his proposed budget to the Legislature this Monday, according to sources briefed on the plan.

Students made ill by vaccine back at school  11/10/2009 9:47:00 AM
With all nine Caledonia High School students affected by an injection of H1N1 flu vaccine administered Wednesday back in school Monday, the Lowndes County School District was able to return its attention to pursuing its goal of higher accreditation.

West Point football team finishes unbeaten in district  11/8/2009 12:34:00 AM
WEST POINT — After routing its fourth opponent in a row, the West Point High School football team is ready for its first challenge of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North Half State playoffs. “We just want to take care of business each week, regardless what the competition is,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said West Point completed a 7-0 district march Friday night with a 37-7 victory against Hernando.

Columbus shoppers hit stores, but spend less  11/7/2009 11:34:00 PM
If the economy is fixed, nobody told Columbus. While shoppers have been kind to some downtown retailers, many continue to feel the effects of sluggish spending.

Columbus pays tribute to veterans with parade, ceremony  11/7/2009 11:30:00 PM
Columbus paid tribute to its fighting men and women Saturday by putting them front and center for its annual Veteran’s Day Parade and Celebration.

Caledonia parents reconsider vaccine  11/6/2009 12:02:00 PM
CALEDONIA — Parents of Caledonia elementary and middle school students are re-evaluating whether or not to allow their children to receive the H1N1 vaccine after nine high-school students went to the hospital Wednesday with complications from the vaccine.

Students treated for reaction to H1N1 swine flu vaccine  11/5/2009 10:12:00 AM
Ashley O’Mary will be home from school through Friday, a precaution her guardian is taking after O’Mary had a reaction to the H1N1 vaccine she was administered at Caledonia High School, Wednesday.

American Power supplying Air Force uniforms  11/4/2009 10:25:00 AM
Getting a job through the Air Force doesn’t always include working on base. Twenty employees were hired at American Power Supply in Columbus in September, pushing the total number of employees to 95, after the clothing manufacturer began assembling the Air Force’s new physical training uniforms.

Cooke, Hemphill in runoff election for Justice Court judge  11/4/2009 10:25:00 AM
The race for Lowndes County District 1 Justice Court Judge will continue as candidates Ron C. Cooke and Chris Hemphill move on to a Nov. 24 runoff election.

West Point department head cleared of charge  11/3/2009 9:34:00 AM
WEST POINT — A not-guilty verdict in the trial of one of West Point’s Water and Light Department heads has sparked allegations of favoritism.

United Way halfway to the goal  11/2/2009 9:49:00 AM
The United Way of Lowndes County is more than halfway to its campaign goal of $600,000, despite the weekend rain causing a change of venue for one weekend fundraiser and the cancellation of another.

Burglaries continue to plague Columbus  11/2/2009 9:49:00 AM
Since focusing and increasing midtown patrols in September, the Columbus Police Department has succeeded in lowering incidents in the most crime-plagued area of the city.

Swine flu vaccine available Monday to those at high risk  10/31/2009 10:01:00 PM
Local students and high-risk residents soon will have opportunities to get vaccinated against the H1N1 swine flu.

Work with cancer patients touches lives, teaches leadership  10/31/2009 10:01:00 PM
Patients at Baptist Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Center got some early Halloween goodies Thursday thanks to Mississippi State University’s Day One students.

Vandals put damper on downtown decor  10/30/2009 10:06:00 AM
Somewhere, The Great Pumpkin is weeping. More than $750 in autumn decorations arranged on downtown streets by Main Street Columbus have been stolen or destroyed in the past week.

Local developer rescues aging Columbus firehouse  10/30/2009 10:06:00 AM
A historic building is back in business, so to speak, in downtown Columbus.

Seeking Justice: Murder victim’s family speaks out  10/28/2009 9:45:00 AM
The family of Clarence “Big C” Trimble wants a life for a life. Trimble was robbed and murdered early Saturday morning at his club, Big C’s Game Room, on Stinson Creek Road in Lowndes County. Two Aberdeen men face capital murder charges for the crime.

Pothole-plagued artery through Columbus receiving new curbs, drains, complete repaving  10/28/2009 9:45:00 AM
Military Road is seeing growing pains, but those closest to the historic thoroughfare are showing patience. Businesses have seen delays and a decrease in traffic as years-old potholes and drainage problems have given way to road crews, traffic cones and orange webbing. The work doesn’t help motorists now, but it will come April.

Witness: Suspects bragged about murder in phone call  10/28/2009 9:45:00 AM
The men charged with the murder of a Lowndes County club owner called a friend to brag about the killing afterward, a family member of the victim has said.

West Point looks in vain for funding to repair collapsed bridge connecting Highway 45 to downtown  10/27/2009 10:04:00 AM
Efforts to fix a fallen bridge on one of West Point’s busiest roads have met rejection after rejection.

Recovering from the NFL  10/24/2009 11:18:00 PM
A former National Football League player is in Columbus this week paying the price for his former glory. Randy Grimes, a center with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1983-92, received a successful full knee replacement Friday at Baptist Memorial Hospital–Golden Triangle. He didn’t pay the bill for the surgery, but not as special treatment due to his old job.

New councilman stays busy with flooring business, plans to preach again  10/23/2009 9:38:00 AM
City Council work can be a lot like laying a hardwood floor. If you don’t get it right the first time, you could have a timely, expensive mess on your hands trying to set things right.

Clay supes wrangle over outstanding fines  10/23/2009 9:38:00 AM
WEST POINT — Clay County Sheriff Laddie Huffman took issue Thursday with supervisors’ assertions that his department was not aggressively collecting unpaid fines, but said he had no objections to the county contracting with nCourt electronic filing services to collect the delinquent Justice Court fees.

A home with heart: Americorps workers renovate home for homeless youths  10/22/2009 11:00:00 AM
Right now, one family in New Hope is renovating its home for the sole purpose of turning it over to another family. No money will change hands, nor will any property. And the current homeowners are building a homemade adobe shed in the front yard before giving their house away.

Crime Stoppers pays $1,600 for arrests  10/22/2009 11:00:00 AM
WEST POINT — Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers assisted in the arrest of eight individuals and helped recover $4,000 worth of stolen property in the last month.

Hand-to-hand combat  10/22/2009 11:00:00 AM
The police force exists to protect and serve, not to break arms. But criminals don’t always respect the rules. More than 20 members of the Columbus Police Department participated in hand-to-hand combat training last week at the Frank Phillips YMCA in downtown Columbus to learn what to do when a criminal refuses to be subdued.

Judge considers moving murder trial  10/21/2009 9:46:00 AM
The location of Brian Holliman’s trial rests in the judge’s hands. Lowndes County Circuit Court Judge Lee Howard heard arguments from defense attorney Steve Farese and District Attorney Forrest Allgood Tuesday during a hearing to determine if Holliman’s murder trial should be moved out of Lowndes County in the interest of providing a fair trial.

West Point shuts out Lake Cormorant  10/20/2009 9:50:00 AM
WEST POINT — The West Point High School football team new Class 5A, Region 1 rival Lake Cormorant played their game Friday in ankle-deep mud. And the Gators were positively stuck in it.

Columbus man arrested for exposing himself near school  10/20/2009 9:29:00 AM
The Columbus Police Department arrested a Columbus man Monday morning after witnesses reported he exposed himself outside Stokes-Beard Elementary School.

Ready for takeoff: Link touts new focus on aerospace jobs  10/19/2009 9:19:00 AM
The land is available. The first tenants are established. Political support is present at the local and state levels. Bring on the jobs.

Local senior Booker an ‘inexaustible’ volunteer  10/19/2009 9:19:00 AM
Inge Booker, 71, has logged nearly 7,000 hours walking the hallways of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. And she hasn’t been paid for a single one. Booker was recently voted BMH-GT’s Volunteer of the Year by hundreds of her fellow volunteers due to her seemingly inexhaustible work ethic.

Forest man dies in Clay County shooting  10/19/2009 9:19:00 AM
A Forest man was killed Friday night in Clay County in what is being reported as an accidental shooting.

Starkville native gets new cancer treatment  10/18/2009 12:07:00 AM
Shortly after being diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in May 2004, Dorinda Hickey’s concern shifted. The Starkville native and 15-year Columbus resident didn’t retreat into a shell. She didn’t dwell on her problems. Instead, she thought of others.

County plans to clear overgrown yard  10/16/2009 9:53:00 AM
Lowndes County supervisors took steps toward eliminating a hazardous eyesore in Oakdale Park Thursday. In a public hearing included as part of Thursday’s board meeting, the supervisors unanimously passed a motion to begin collecting bids for the task of clearing the overgrown yard of Keith Kimmerle’s home at 128 North Chestnut Drive.

West Point names interim police chief, deputy clerk  10/14/2009 9:38:00 AM
WEST POINT — During a three-hour executive session, the West Point Board of Selectmen tapped West Point Police Department Officer Bobby Lane as interim police chief and Reba Mattix as named deputy clerk. The West Point board voted 4-1 in August to fire former Police Chief Steve Bingham.

Chief: Despite assaults, downtown still safe  10/14/2009 9:38:00 AM
Safety in downtown Columbus can be as simple as paying attention. Responding to a string of reported robberies and assaults over recent weeks in the downtown area, Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John says downtown is not a dangerous area, but crime can occur anywhere. Therefore, St. John is encouraging pedestrians and shoppers to keep their eyes and ears open.

Boys and Girls Club slowly gaining support  10/14/2009 9:38:00 AM
The clock continues to tick for the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus. Wracked by funding problems, the club, which serves around 120 young people every day, faces the possibility of closing for an unspecified period of time or operating fewer days each week. Dr. Melvin Ray, board president and chief volunteer officer for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Golden Triangle, says those changes could come as soon as November.

Well-wishers show Limbert support as she announces retirement  10/13/2009 10:12:00 AM
The reaction was all love for Mississippi University for Women President Dr. Claudia Limbert as she announced her retirement at Cochran Hall on the MUW campus.

Experts: Leaders’ move in change of venue petition ‘creative,’ but not unethical  10/13/2009 10:07:00 AM
Local lawmakers, Caledonia’s mayor and a local school board member have been under scrutiny for signing affidavits in support of moving Brian Holliman’s murder trial out of Lowndes County.

Pilots recall action over skies in World War II  10/12/2009 11:05:00 AM
History spoke for itself at Columbus Air Force Base as the 49th Fighter Training Squadron hosted its annual reunion over the weekend.

Fighting the flu  10/10/2009 7:57:00 PM
Local medical establishments don’t know when the H1N1 vaccine will arrive in Columbus, nor are they worried. Despite a clear presence of swine flu, local doctors are confident conventional methods of flu prevention and treatment are sufficient to battle the virus.

Local politicians ask judge to move Holliman murder trial out of county  10/9/2009 3:02:00 PM
Four prominent Lowndes County public figures have signed affidavits filed in Circuit Court requesting the relocation of Brian Holliman’s murder trial. Holliman is charged with the shooting death of his wife, Laura Holliman, Oct. 25, 2008, at the couple’s Caledonia home.

West Point Water and Light head faces disturbing the peace charge  10/9/2009 1:55:00 PM
The interim superintendent of West Point’s Water and Light Department will appear in municipal court Oct. 27 to stand trial on charges of disturbing the peace.

Clay supes delay plans to collect fines  10/9/2009 11:17:00 AM
The Clay County Board of Supervisors tabled plans to allow a web-based collection agency to begin pursuing more than $1 million in unpaid justice court fees during its Thursday meeting.

Investigators still searching for answers in case of missing woman  10/8/2009 10:11:00 AM
Nine days short of a month since Kaila Morris disappeared from her Lowndes County home, officials still are waiting for a break in the case.

West Point clerk: I don’t want to resign after all  10/7/2009 10:04:00 AM
WEST POINT — West Point City Clerk Robin Perry continues to await an opportunity to appear before the city’s Board of Selectmen to discuss the withdrawal of his letter of resignation in September. The city clerk position is one of two key West Point jobs in limbo as the board decides how to handle the pending opening at clerk and the continuing search for a new police chief to replace Steve Bingham, whom the board fired Aug. 11.

Caledonia shoots down salary freeze  10/7/2009 10:04:00 AM
CALEDONIA — A vote to freeze salaries for all city positions until 2013 was voted down Tuesday at the Caledonia Board of Aldermen meeting.

Columbus funeral home owner dies on hunting trip  10/6/2009 9:18:00 AM
Willis Newbell Puckett II died in his element. Puckett, 79, owner of Memorial Funeral Home in Columbus, was deep in the Alaskan wilderness Sunday on a bear hunt when a suspected heart attack claimed his life.

West Point clerk says he was on verge of firing, resigned instead  10/3/2009 6:13:00 PM
West Point City Clerk Robin Perry’s recent resignation may have preempted his firing by the city board. Perry submitted a verbal resignation during a meeting of the West Point Board of Mayor and Selectmen Sept. 17 amid allegations of improper conduct.

Boys and Girls Club in dire straits  10/2/2009 9:46:00 AM
The Boys and Girls Club of Columbus is down but it’s not out. Dr. Melvin Ray, board president and chief volunteer officer for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Golden Triangle, says the Columbus branch is so short on funds that directors are being forced to “make choices between paying staff or paying the mortgage.”

CAFB south gate gets an upgrade  10/2/2009 9:46:00 AM
It’s all about air conditioning, rest rooms and repelling terrorist attacks. Thursday Columbus Air Force Base unveiled its newly reconstructed south gate in a small ceremony attended by base brass.

Realty office goes green, paperless with $500K makeover  10/2/2009 9:46:00 AM
Century 21 Realty in Columbus took a quick break from selling the houses of today to build the office of tomorrow. Doris Hardy, owner of the local brokerage firm, unveiled the new digs on Bluecutt Road Tuesday with a ribbon cutting and open house. The office, which cost nearly $500,000 to renovate, boasts themed rooms and areas, state-of-the-art technology and all new furnishings.

Foundations push back against PEER report  10/1/2009 9:25:00 AM
After having their budgets slashed for the next three years by the state Legislature, Mississippi universities are a step closer to facing changes in private fundraising.

An officer and a gentleman: Sims remembered as a pillar of the community  10/1/2009 9:25:00 AM
Columbus has one less gentleman. Josh Franklin “Shields” Sims, 90, passed away Tuesday afternoon at his Columbus residence. The retired attorney and Army major general is now being remembered as a pillar of his community.

CPD officer appeals suspension  9/29/2009 9:46:00 AM
A Columbus police officer headed into retirement next month is appealing a 12-day suspension.

Don’t be discouraged by slim market, says job fair organizer  9/29/2009 9:46:00 AM
This year’s Golden Triangle Employment Expo will have two stages. The first is intended for everyone; the second is strictly for military veterans.

Bringing critters ‘to life’  9/28/2009 9:40:00 AM
More than a year ago, Tim Thorn of Columbus killed an alligator and tore it to bits. Now he’s putting it back together.

West Point tested in victory against Gentry  9/26/2009 10:05:00 PM
WEST POINT — The West Point High School football team received a bit of a scare from Gentry on Friday night in West Point before putting the brakes on surging Rams 39-20.

Justice Court Candidates prep for special election  9/26/2009 9:26:00 PM
The candidates for District 1 Justice Court Judge recently answered a short list of questions submitted by the Dispatch aimed at allowing them the opportunity to clarify their positions and reasons for seeking office. The candidates’ answers, in their own words, appear below.

Base honors Mid-South retirees  9/26/2009 9:26:00 PM
Military retirees received a warm ‘thank you’ Saturday as Columbus Air Force Base opened its doors for its annual Retiree Appreciation Day.

Summing up the Supreme Court  9/25/2009 10:03:00 AM
Taking a case to the Mississippi Supreme Court is no small task. In an address to the Columbus Exchange Club Thursday, Mississippi Supreme Court Justice David Chandler spelled out how difficult it is to have a case heard by the state’s highest court.

If he builds it, they will come: Builder attracts buyers with quality and affordable prices  9/25/2009 9:49:00 AM
The average person may consider themselves doing well to own a home by the age of 30. Chris Clardy already owns an entire neighborhood.

Cohen: U.S. can’t let guard down  9/25/2009 9:49:00 AM
Uncertain confidence was the sentiment put forth by former Secretary of Defense William Cohen Thursday evening during Mississippi University for Women’s Welty Gala.

Home-based business discussion helps educate budding entrepreneurs  9/24/2009 9:31:00 AM
Having trouble finding a job? Why not create one? That was one of the ideas behind of the Mississippi University for Women Center for Entrepreneurship’s round-table discussion on home-based businesses Thursday.

Area universities brace for cuts  9/24/2009 9:31:00 AM
State universities know the cuts are coming, and now it’s time to separate the necessary from the expendable. The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning board has projected a 5 percent cut, which could inflate to 10 percent, in funds across state schools in 2010, followed by another 10 percent cut in 2011 and an additional 20 percent cut in 2012.

Tourism board plans Tennessee Williams home renovations  9/23/2009 9:38:00 AM
It won’t be hot tin, but the Columbus Welcome Center and Tennessee Williams home could be on its way toward receiving a new roof.

Riding along with the CPD  9/22/2009 9:16:00 AM
A police officer’s shift can be fraught with excitement, or numbingly routine. Most often, there is an unpredictable mix of both, as it was for Columbus Police Department Officer Rick Higgins last Saturday evening.

Oak Hill Academy blanks Hebron Christian  9/19/2009 11:27:00 PM
WEST POINT — The Oak Hill Academy football team finally found someone it could push around, and it just happened to be the other private school in Clay County. After rain forced Oak Hill Academy to hold its homecoming ceremonies in its gym, the Raiders defeated Hebron Christian 14-0 Friday night in sopping conditions.

Council votes to fund drainage improvements  9/18/2009 11:33:00 AM
The Columbus City Council voted unanimously Thursday to contribute $275,000 toward a city drainage project which will be matched by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Salvation Army threatened with closure  9/17/2009 10:09:00 AM
Time is running out for the Starkville branch of the Salvation Army. B.J. Andol, manager for the Starkville Salvation Army store, says her branch of the community assistance mainstay is operating in the red and could be gone within a year if its situation doesn’t change.

Judge’s widow, four others qualify for justice court seat  9/17/2009 10:09:00 AM
The final ballot is set for a special election to fill Lowndes County Justice Court’s District 1 judge seat.

Tea Party chides Obama health care plan, pork spending  9/16/2009 9:54:00 AM
More than 200 citizens gathered at the Lowndes County courthouse Tuesday evening in a show of solidarity against the policies of President Barack Obama during a Columbus Tea Party rally.

Oak Hill has game get away in second half  9/12/2009 11:53:00 PM
WEST POINT — The Oak Hill Academy football team held its own against Leake Academy on Friday night, trailing by 12 points at halftime. But the Rebels exploded in the third quarter to quell any thoughts of a Raider comeback and went on to a 38-7 victory. “We came out and played with a sense of urgency,” said Leake Academy coach Billy Pickens, who felt his team was satisfied with a two-touchdown lead. “That’s what we talked about at halftime, coming out with urgency and the impact play.”

Williams again at center stage  9/12/2009 8:29:00 PM
Speaking at Mississippi University for Women’s Carrier Chapel on a day that would be capped by “An Evening with Olympia Dukakis,” the Academy Award-winning actress lauded for her performances of Tennessee Williams’ leading female roles, two preeminent students of Williams’ work shared their musings on the legendary Southern playwright.

A house built on styrofoam?  9/11/2009 9:36:00 AM
To look at the Wall family home on Griffin Road in Columbus, you would never know it was made out of styrofoam.

Lowndes United Way aims for $600K  9/11/2009 9:36:00 AM
The Lowndes County United Way is off and running on its 2010 campaign after giving volunteers a chance to see how important their contributions are Thursday.

Donors put sweat equity into agencies they support  9/10/2009 9:57:00 AM
Just because Lowndes County has donated less money to the local chapter of the United Way this year, doesn’t mean people don’t care.

Broocks resigns as E-911 commission chair  9/9/2009 9:50:00 AM
The Columbus-Lowndes E-911 Commission will have a new chairperson in 2010. Current Chairwoman Beverly Broocks announced her resignation Tuesday during the commission’s monthly meeting.

Indianola shuts down Oak Hill Academy  9/5/2009 11:07:00 PM
WEST POINT — Any thoughts the Oak Hill Academy football team might have had about exploiting the one team they beat last year disappeared in the first 10 minutes of Friday night. The Indianola Academy Colonels used a blocked punt by Dalton Deloach in the Raiders’ end zone as a spark and went on to a 28-6 victory.

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