Articles by Abigail Sipe Rochester
Flamingos to fill downtown for fourth year
Flamingos are about to flock downtown once again, bringing fun and prizes with them for a fourth year.
Dream-inspired fabric artwork crosses state lines
More than a decade ago, Lukuise Swanigan had a dream about a painting that moved, with colors swirling across the canvas.
CFR recognized for ‘enduring devotion’ by representative
You name it and Columbus Fire and Rescue has responded to it. At least, that’s what Chief Duane Hughes told The Dispatch on Thursday.
Student-led neuroscience club leads to new minor at MSU
When Zoe Ishee first started out as a Mississippi State University student in 2021, she didn’t know much about neuroscience, but she knew she wanted to learn more about how the brain functions.
The Mission catches pickleball fever with new court
A pickleball bounces back and forth on Thursday between Charlie May and Jason Timmons. After a quick volley, the ball bounces out on Timmons’ side of the court, and May’s partner starts to celebrate winning a point.
Development projects in Oktibbeha ‘on the line’ without dirt borrow pit
Aldermen denied an exception for Burns Dirt to open a borrow pit on Pat Station Road, after a resident of a nearby home on Tuesday night raised objections to the company’s operations in the area. But the decision could lead to increased prices for construction projects in the city.
Could driveway reopening on Highway 182 put millions in grant funding at risk?
STARKVILLE — The Touch of Luv Barber and Beauty Salon’s driveway connecting it to the stretch of Highway 182 is about to be reopened. But
Drinks containing THC sold at gas stations. Is that legal?
A shopper walks into a convenience store at the end of a long day.
Between the sodas and the alcohol, the shopper picks up a seltzer that is labeled as containing hemp-derived Delta-9 THC.
Possumtown Book Fest set to return in August
Readers can officially stop playing possum and get ready to share their love of books once again this summer, with the return of the Possumtown Book Fest.
Anti-Trump protest slated for Saturday in Starkville
Opponents of President Donald Trump’s administration are planning to speak out this Saturday with protests in cities all across the country, including Starkville.
Theater camp keeps audiences watching with 44th musical
Superheroes and villains compete in a reality television show to find their arch nemesis. Employees at a mall food court are followed by a documentary crew. Amateur ghost hunters attempt to uncover the unknown, but they may find more than they expected.
Lightning strikes twice: Second winning lottery ticket sold
For the second time in a week, a ticket purchased at a Columbus convenience store led to a win in the Mississippi Match 5 lottery.
‘Nostalgic jam band’ frontman, fine artist comes to MARS residency
For artist and musician Andrew Brister, inspiration could come from anywhere, at any moment. And sometimes, it comes from something small others don’t see.
Spruill: Driveway to home on 182 reopened after contractor error
For more than 30 years, Larry “Luv” Johnson’s barber shop has been on Highway 182.
City, county explore uniting ambulance services
With OCH Regional Medical Center’s sale on the horizon, the city, county and Mississippi State University are once again discussing the creation of a county-wide emergency services district, allowing all three to use the same ambulance service.
Old Lee High campus transformation continues with partnerships
Some time around 2019, Becky Berry Scott’s father, Scott Berry, showed her a mockup of the old Lee High campus – a design that included a large circular drive up to the building’s front lobby, a standalone restaurant building and a condo development.
Chisolm takes fifth seat on Caledonia aldermen board
While six alderman candidates may have felt lucky going into Tuesday night’s election in Caledonia, one missed the mark to take one of the town’s
Spruill elected for third term as Starkville mayor
Democrat Lynn Spruill has won a third term in the Starkville mayoral election, defeating Republican challenger Roger Bassett. After all valid votes were counted, the
Chain’s life in the water leads to a lap around Key West
July 19, 2025
By
