Articles by Abigail Sipe Rochester
Thunderbirds touch down in anticipation of weekend air show
The Thunderbirds have touched down at the Columbus Air Force Base, arriving Thursday afternoon before headlining this weekend’s Thunder Over Columbus air show.
Black Prairie Blues Festival returns to West Point for 26th year
Downtown is about to be filled with blues for the weekend, if the Black Prairie Blues Museum has anything to say about it.
Supreme Court denies new trial for Willie Manning in 5-4 opinion
The Mississippi Supreme Court will not allow Willie Jerome “Fly” Manning to return to circuit court with his claim of newly discovered evidence based on a key witness recanting last year. The court issued its order Wednesday in a 5-4 majority opinion.
Public hearing Thursday on potential OCH sale
Citizens can weigh in on the potential sale or lease of OCH Regional Medical Center during a public hearing set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the courtroom of the chancery courthouse.
St. Paul’s to celebrate new organ with Sunday concert
After losing its pipe organ to a lightning strike more than two years ago, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is preparing a concert to debut its new, all-digital organ system.
Inmate charged for attacking corrections officer
An attack on a corrections officer in August drove Lowndes County Adult Detention Center to change its protocols for escorting inmates through the jail.
Francine blows down trees, knocks out power in Golden Triangle
While Francine was a Category 2 hurricane when it struck Louisiana Wednesday, the storm had weakened before it reached the Golden Triangle on Thursday morning.
Ackerman woman dead after head-on collision on Hwy 12
An Ackerman woman died Wednesday in a head-on collision on Highway 12, according to Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt.
Vice mayor denies adding raises to FY 2025 budget
With the clock ticking on passing the city’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, almost $89,000 in raises and benefit increases for the city council — and where they came from — are still up for debate.
Reduced raises for council, mayor could save city $79K
The city’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025 includes almost $89,000 in salary and benefit increases for the mayor and city council.
Tennessee Williams Tribute celebrates Columbus-born playwright this week
The writing of Tennessee Williams is about to come to life in the city again this week, as volunteers bring the work of the Columbus-born playwright back into the spotlight.
Juliette Reid to take the helm at Starkville Area Arts Council
While Starkville Area Arts Council’s mission to encourage the art scene in the city hasn’t changed, the nonprofit has a new space and a new face to lead it.
Repairs wrapping up on pedestrian bridge
After 4 1/2 years of being closed, the pedestrian bridge across the Tombigbee River is finally on the verge of reopening.
County to cough up $2.3M from reserves to fund budget
Supervisors want to add $2.66 million to the county’s general fund budget for next fiscal year, but they are not planning to increase taxes to pay for it.
Bringing whoopie pies from Maine to Mississippi
At the beginning of the summer, I told my husband that I needed a vacation. I didn’t care where we went, as long as it would get me out of the Mississippi heat and humidity.
SCT to revive ‘Underneath the Lintel’ for one night only
For one night only, Starkville Community Theatre is reviving its award winning show “Underneath the Lintel” for local audiences to enjoy before it goes on the road to headline the Fort Worth Fringe Festival in Texas.
Burn ban coming Sunday in Lowndes; Oktibbeha ‘closely monitoring’ situation
With dry conditions persisting, burn bans are active in 10 counties throughout the state, including Clay and Noxubee, according to the Mississippi Forestry Commission.
Parmesan garlic chicken pasta for a grocery store Grinch
For Mississippi State fans, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Public hearing set on potential sale of OCH
County supervisors have taken the next step to explore selling or leasing out OCH Regional Medical Center.
Ask The Dispatch: Who maintains the static display planes on Highway 45?
Editor’s note: Do you want answers to questions about the Golden Triangle? Each week, Dispatch reporters set out to explain or update a timely, practical
