Turner’s city phone deactivated after ‘abuse of city property’

Ward 4 Councilman Marty Turner’s city phone has been disconnected.

Turner lashes out online, citing death threats

Ward 4 Councilman Marty Turner says a recent series of harsh Facebook posts is the result of people sending him death threats, and he’s claiming political rivals are behind them.

Juneteenth festival begins Friday

A long-running Columbus tradition will return when the annual Juneteenth festival kicks off on Friday.

Leroy Brooks, an event organizer and Lowndes County District 5 Supervisor, said this year marks the 20th Juneteenth festival.

City objects to Ethics Commission report

The city of Columbus is claiming a preliminary report from the Mississippi Ethics Commission that recommended a $500 fine against Mayor Robert Smith for an Open Meetings Act violation is based on mistaken facts.

Mayor: Park study will lead to ‘recreation segregation’

The county is expected to commission a study of the Columbus Lowndes Recreation Authority at an upcoming meeting, and Columbus Mayor Robert Smith believes that action will result in a split between the two governments’ joint parks venture.

City beginning housing survey

Columbus residents might get some visitors from the city during the next few weeks.

City to appeal Ethics Commission case

The city of Columbus will appeal a Lowndes Chancery Court decision that found city council members violated state Open Meetings Act to the Mississippi Supreme Court.

City adopts resolution of intent for bond issue

The Columbus City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to adopt a resolution of intent to issue up to $5 million in general obligation bonds for road and drainage improvement projects.

Search ongoing for Columbus home intruder

Columbus police are searching for a suspect after a Monday morning home invasion.

Fireworks on the Water set for July 1

Event organizers are hoping people across the region save the date for the annual Fireworks on the Water show July 1 at the Stennis Lock and Dam.

City engineer updates amphitheater, Riverwalk plans

The city of Columbus hopes to begin construction on the Sen. Terry Brown Amphitheater in about two months.

Area libraries facing budget cuts

Mississippi libraries are bracing for tightened belts after a cut in state funding to the Mississippi Library Commission.

MBI completes Ricky Ball investigation

State authorities have completed an investigation into the police-involved shooting death of Ricky Ball in Columbus last October.

Demolition of Gilmer Inn set to begin

The Gilmer Inn’s demolition is about to begin.

Busy travel expected on Memorial Day weekend

The largest number of Americans in more than a decade are expected to hit the road this weekend for summer’s first major travel holiday.

CAFB sign officially unveiled

Travelers along Highway 45 North will see a brand new sign welcoming visitors to the Columbus Air Force base.

Miss. Justice Institute to represent newspaper in Open Meetings case

The Dispatch is seeking to take the place of former reporter Nathan Gregory in an ongoing civil case involving the city of Columbus and a violation of the state’s Open Meetings Act.

Tedford gets 15 years in prison

Christopher Tedford, of Columbus, will spend 15 years in prison without parole after pleading guilty to fondling a child under the age of 16.

CAFB monitoring for Zika

Columbus Air Force Base is keeping an eye out for mosquitoes that could potentially carry the Zika virus.

Sex crime sentencing pushed to Monday

Christopher Tedford will have to wait again to find out his fate after a sentencing for sexual battery was issued and withdrawn Friday in Lowndes County Circuit Court.