Articles by Allen Baswell
Lowndes County phasing out state inmate program
Come April 1, inmates of the state of Mississippi will no longer be housed in the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center as part of a cost-cutting measure by the Mississippi Legislature.
Building with red oak: For play, for hunting, for storage
WEST POINT — If one word can be used to describe Roger and Lisa Rhea’s marriage, along with the operation of Red Oak Farm and the couple’s effort to construct wooden structures, ‘togetherness’ would be a solid choice.
City pushes to collect outstanding fines, clear backlog of warrants
Come and pay up, or the men and women of the Columbus Police Department are coming to get you. Columbus Mayor Robert Smith and Police Chief Joseph St. John expressed that simple message today at a press conference at the Columbus Municipal Building.
‘Catfish in the Alley’ celebrates African-American heritage
Music, food and honoring local African-American heritage and history are the main items on the plate of the second annual Catfish in the Alley, which is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5-6.
Citizens can fight crime through Crime Stoppers
Crime prevention takes more than the work of law enforcement officers. Citizens can also do their part through a program called Crime Stoppers.
Building a farm in Sturgis
Braving cold temperatures and a few snow flurries, volunteers from area organizations and Mississippi State University worked to clear land and create an organic farm Saturday for the Southern Foundation for Homeless Children.
Sheriff’s office to replace jail’s eight air-conditioning units
When the sweltering temperatures of summertime in Mississippi roll around, the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center will be ready.
CVB to rent space while home gets facelift
When the current Tennessee Williams Welcome Center closes after Pilgrimage for restoration and stabilization, the center will have a new temporary home across the street.
Crime scene investigation: 100 crimes solved and counting
It was August 2008 when the Columbus Police Department’s crime and forensics lab held its first public tour. The lab is in an unassuming office space in a strip mall near the CPD headquarters on Main Street.
Black, gold … and green
Along with their black and gold school colors, New Hope Elementary students in grades K-five are adding another color to the scheme — green.
Neighbors upset about East Columbus flood-control basin
Once on Lawrence Drive in Columbus, not only was there was a spacious walking track for neighbors and friends to take daily walks, it also had a grassy area where neighborhood kids could play football, baseball and have fun in general.
MLK speaker calls for ‘season of change’
Borrowing a passage from the book of Ecclesiastes, Philadelphia, Miss. Mayor James Young said there is a time and a season for everything, including a time and season for the city of Columbus to move forward and fulfill the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Local pastor expands calling to protect, serve
For more than 20 years, the Columbus Police Department has had a chaplain to serve the spiritual needs of its officers, much like a chaplain in the military.
Meeting focuses on ins, outs of historic preservation rules
Community historic preservation committees can help secure money to protect landmarks, but they must follow certain rules and regulations, according to Bill Gatlin of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
New life breathed into old school
After years of being dormant, the building that once housed Hughes Alternative School will be back to use again soon.
Chief plans to set ‘measurable goals’ for Columbus Police
For Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John, the past two-plus years has been both a learning experience and a lengthy process.
Preservationists invited to Friday meeting
Gaining a better understanding about procedures of local historic preservation commissions is the focus of a historic preservation training meeting Friday.
As frozen pipes begin to thaw, area plumbers and water companies scramble to fix leaks, other problems
As a result of the recent frigid temperatures the Golden Triangle and other area of Mississippi have experienced, plumbers and public service workers have been busier than normal dealing with frozen and busted water pipes to homes and businesses.
Out on patrol: CPD’s take-home car policy under scrutiny
The Columbus City Council continues to study a proposed policy governing how police officers would be allowed to take home vehicles.
Bitter cold, precipitation moving into area forces school closures, agencies to go on alert
As concerns about the cold weather in the area remain, emergency officials advised area citizens to stay inside as much as possible, and monitor weather conditions.