Smith breezes to primary victory

It wasn’t really close.

Mayor Robert Smith, after a contentious and at times confrontational campaign, easily dispatched Democratic challengers Carl Lee and Selvain McQueen in Tuesday’s primary election.

Robinson wins re-election in West Point

Democrat Robbie Robinson cruised to a primary victory to secure his second term as mayor.

Supes disband 911 board

The Lowndes County E-911 board is no more.

Goodbye Mariah: More than 1,000 attend vigil in memory of Armstrong Middle School student

Laoneda Carpenter can remember her last conversation with her 12-year-old daughter, Mariah Isaacs.

The exchange was similar to one they had every weekday morning. She reminded Isaacs to let her poodle, Smoky, outside before leaving for school.

Mayoral candidates trade barbs

An otherwise affable candidate forum grew testy near the end as two mayoral candidates traded barbs with their closing remarks.

Candidates attack absent mayor at forum

Montrell Coburn is in it to win it.

Candidate forums set for weekend

A pair of candidate forums this weekend will allow residents a few last chances to hear from candidates before Tuesday’s Democratic primary election.

Home improvement grant program hits ground running

The Columbus Cares grant program is making progress on its first home.

Smith campaign raises near $20K

Mayor Robert Smith has raised almost $20,000 in his bid for a third term, and at least one of his contributors has direct connections with city government.

CPD sending 14 officers to academy

Columbus Police Department is sending fourteen trainees to the police academy.

6 candidates rake in $18K for council races

Six city council candidates, mainly incumbents, raised more than $18,000 by Tuesday’s campaign finance reporting deadline for primary candidates.

Three mayoral candidates no-shows at forum

Democratic mayoral challenger Selvain McQueen walked out of a candidate forum six days ago at Sim Scott Park. On Tuesday, for a planned mayoral forum in the Mississippi University for Women’s Nissan Auditorium, he didn’t even walk in.

E-911 workers get ultimatum

Four Lowndes County E-911 dispatchers have an ultimatum to sign a memorandum, acknowledging they will not skip out on work, or face termination.

Ceco property sold to investment group

A 30-acre plot of land that was once home to the Ceco Metal Building Systems plant on Highway 45 has a new owner.

Supervisors name Short interim recreation manager

Supervisors unanimously voted to name Roger Short the county’s interim recreation manager Friday.

The vote follows the board tabling the matter on Monday, because the county had not created a job description for the position.

Chamber hosts education awards

Cheyanne Allred was shocked to hear her name called.

Candidates talk zoning, other issues at final forum

Candidates at the third and final Starkville-Oktibbeha Voter Education Initiative forum agreed members of the next board of aldermen will face a multitude of challenges for a city in the midst of rapid change.

Council lightens restrictions on businesses, fairgrounds

Columbus City Council eased a trio of restrictions on two local businesses and the Columbus Fairgrounds during Tuesday’s regular meeting.

Sales tax falls year-over-year

Columbus took a sharp hit to sales tax revenue received from the Mississippi Department of revenue this month, but it may be a return to normal, rather than a cause for alarm.

Supes investigating E-911 worker absences

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors has launched an investigation into why several E-911 workers all called in sick last week.