Articles by Alex Holloway
As cost-saving study looms, officials open-minded
As a private firm prepares to conduct a study of the city’s public works department, Mayor Robert Smith said he wants to know how the city can save money on the department’s operation.
Firefighters chip in to build new station
For Columbus Fire Chief Martin Andrews, one of the special things about the new Fire Station 4 is that firefighters are helping to build it.
Columbus explores privatizing Public Works department
Columbus councilmen took the first step toward potentially privatizing its public works department during its regular meeting Tuesday in the Municipal Complex.
SDI gets additional 10-year tax break on inventory
Lowndes County has agreed to a recommendation from Tax Assessor Greg Lewis that, in essence, extends Steel Dynamics Inc.’s fee-in-lieu tax benefit on its inventory for 10 years.
New softball field opens at Plum Grove Community Center
Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority Director Greg Lewis said the new softball field at the Plum Grove Community Center has been a long time coming.
Officials, firearms instructor disagree on local crime trend
Officials are at odds with a Columbus businessman’s claims that random violent crime is on the rise and local police and media are hiding that information from the public.
Lowndes County just missed landing Irving plant
In industrial development, there are no ribbons for second place.
LINK: Infinity site best spot in state for car plant
With Mississippi purportedly in the running for landing a major vehicle plant, Golden Triangle Development LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins claims Lowndes County has the ideal spot to put one.
Locals ramp up for Harvey relief
Relief agencies are seeking mostly monetary donations to help victims in the wake of historic flooding Hurricane Harvey left behind in the Houston, Texas, metro area.
Lowndes takes delinquent tax sale online
Lowndes County’s delinquent property tax sale moved online for the first time this year.
Coding academy seeks teacher
A planned computer coding academy in Columbus is still seeking a coding teacher.
Yokohama sued for discrimination, cover ups
A Columbus woman is claiming in a federal lawsuit that Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi fired her for raising concerns about discrimination against a pregnant employee and whistleblowing other employees’ alleged illegal activity — including sexual harassment and using company funds to pay prostitutes.
Mayor: Lewis review will be five-month process
Mayor Robert Smith said Tuesday he expects a five-month timeline for tracking the progress of Columbus police chief Oscar Lewis.
Tax hike to fund Burns Bottom development
Columbus city councilmen unanimously approved a one-mil tax increase for Fiscal Year 2018 to help fund a $3.2 million urban renewal bond for the Columbus Redevelopment Authority.
Energy efficiency program improves 139 local homes
Samella Degraffen Reid’s home much more comfortable now than it used to be, and that’s the most important thing for her.
Judges seek pay increases for court reporters
Mississippi 16th Circuit judges are seeking a pay increase for their court reporters.
Council approves $232K in employee raises
The Columbus City Council approved $232,616 in raises for employees for the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget.
MDOT unveils Highway 82 interchange improvements
Mississippi Department of Transportation officials officially unveiled plans for upgrades at two of Highway 82’s interchanges during a Thursday evening public hearing.
CMSD students perform poorly on state assessments
The majority of Columbus Municipal School District students failed end-of-year assessments in 2016-17, according to the Mississippi Department of Education.
Council OKs action plan for police chief
Police Chief Oscar Lewis seemed to learn more about his position security Tuesday evening, as city councilmen approved a “plan of action” for him to move forward in the wake of a consultant report that called for his resignation.
Nearly 4 inches of rain dump on area Sunday morning
June 8, 2025
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