About 10 percent of 3rd graders fail reading test

After three cracks at the state mandated third grade reading test, local districts now have passed around 90 percent of their students on to the fourth grade.

Alderman prep for Caledonia Days

The Caledonia Board of Alderman met Tuesday to conduct general business and finalize plans for Caledonia Days next month.

LCSD budget could lead to higher taxes

Lowndes County Administrator Ralph Billingsley appeared before the county school board Tuesday and said if the school district does not decrease its budget request for this school year then taxes for county residents may increase.

Choice Bus visits Golden Triangle

Clay Williamson was in a jovial mood when he boarded the bus.

Vasquez murder affidavit reveals more details

A mother and daughter shot and killed the daughter’s husband, burned his body in a barrel and spread his remains throughout the yard of their New Hope home in late June — this according to affidavits from the case obtained in Lowndes County Justice Court by The Dispatch.

Ball’s interception sparks Noxubee County

MACON — After a sloppy first half, Tyrone Shorter needed someone to give the Noxubee County High School football team an edge.

Deveon Ball was happy to oblige.

As Columbus entered the red zone early in the third quarter, Ball saw the football thrown to the flat and broke for it.

“It’s indescribable with words,” a smiling Ball said after the game. “I saw the ball in the air and I went and got it. I’m a DB, and that’s what I’m supposed to do, so I went and got the ball and tried to take it back for six.”

MUW named top grad school

Mississippi University for Women has been named among the top universities to pursue a master’s degree by Washington Monthly magazine for the fourth consecutive year.

Roberts shines at QB in first start for EMCC

SCOOBA — It was a typical summer for Wyatt Roberts replete with another quarterback competition at East Mississippi Community College. Another big-name transfer from a Division I power arrives on campus and is penciled in as the starter by fans and media.

Roberts, a sophomore quarterback from Louisville High School, is probably shorter than what he is listed as (6-foot) on the EMCC football team’s roster. When John Franklin III, a transfer from Florida State and an All-Atlantic Coastal Conference track performer, arrived in Scooba, Roberts elevated his play. He did so with the intent to play a key role in EMCC’s march to history this season. Roberts started that journey on a strong note Thursday, running for a touchdown and throwing for another in No. 1 EMCC’s 69-20 victory against Southwest Mississippi C.C. at Sullivan-Windham Field.

Easley files lawsuit over court records

A Columbus attorney has filed a lawsuit against the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors claiming he was denied public records from Lowndes County Justice Court.

State agency: Clinkscales deserves reprimand

The Commission on Judicial Performance has recommended to the state Supreme Court that a former Columbus municipal judge be publicly reprimanded for committing multiple acts of judicial misconduct.

Barksdale cruises in circuit clerk runoff

The Republican candidate for Lowndes County Circuit Clerk has been determined.

Superintendent’s uncle sues CMSD, Hickman

An Illinois educator has filed a lawsuit against the Columbus Municipal School District and its superintendent claiming he was not given a job with the district despite the school board voting to hire him.

Monroe deputy shot during traffic stop

A Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy was shot while carrying out a traffic stop early this morning.

Lowndes circuit clerk run-off is Tuesday

A run-off election Tuesday will determine the Republican candidate for Lowndes County Circuit Clerk and Democratic candidate for District 42 House of Representatives.

Investigator: Case against Senator’s son not over

An August grand jury did not indict the son of a state senator on felony possession of a controlled substance charge, but that does not mean the case is over.

Heritage Academy blanks Columbus Christian in season opener

Columbus Christian Academy was going to need every bounce it could get to knock off cross-town rival Heritage Academy. The opening kickoff was a bad start.

Younger not indicted on drug charges

A local politician’s son who was picked up on felony drug charges in May was not indicted by a Lowndes County grand jury Monday.

LCSD accepts bid on $44M bond issue

The Lowndes County School District board of trustees accepted a bid from Raymond James and Associates in Memphis on its $44 million worth of general obligation bonds Tuesday.

Convicted murderer sentenced to life

A Lowndes County man sentenced to life in prison for a 1980 murder now has the possibility of parole.

Columbus man arrested after chase with deputies

A Columbus man is facing felony charges and facial wounds after a car chase with law enforcement last weekend.