Articles by Abigail Sipe Rochester
Two fires at same house spark arson investigation
An arson investigation of a twice burned vacant house on Northside has Columbus Fire and Rescue looking for a suspect and a motive.
Bird flu detected in Noxubee County chicken flock
Poultry in a broiler breeder chicken flock in Noxubee County have tested positive for avian influenza.
‘What are we going to do? Send them back to hell?’: Reports of White House weighing Ukrainian deportation ignite fear in local refugees
As bombs began dropping on Mariubol, Ukraine, in March 2022, a nurse and her child hid in the basement of their apartment building with a group of about 30 people – mostly senior citizens.
3 dead after Columbus-based medical helicopter crash in Madison County
Three people are dead following the crash of a Columbus-based medical helicopter near the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Madison County.
Community Profile: Bringing the world home
When Joan Mylroie’s mother immigrated to the United States from Norway at 9 years old, she was made fun of because she didn’t speak English.
Hyperrealistic artist creates drawings that look like photographs
Walking into the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, a series of frames display black-and-white images of human hands, eyes, faces and more.
Jones: If elected, amphitheater done in six months
When Stephen Jones first ran for his seat as Ward 5 city councilman in 2017, he “wanted to see change.”
Main Street Columbus developing plan to bring fossils, science-themed events downtown
Fossils and other science assets of the city will soon be coming to life downtown in new ways, thanks to a grant from Main Street America.
Fight leads to shots fired, multiple young men arrested
A fight and multiple gunshots in the Yellowjacket and Eckleford Drive area last week has led to multiple young men behind bars.
Two teens arrested for shooting at Chandler Parks apartments
Two Starkville teens were arrested Friday for allegedly shooting into an apartment complex on Reed Road, and a woman was arrested for hindering prosecution after the fact.
‘Cultural diversity’ no longer in name of MSU’s Holmes Center
Mississippi State University is changing the name of the Holmes Center, pending approval by the state board of trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning.
Get moving! Starkville Stride step challenge returns for fourth year
Walkers are on the move once again, competing to reach the highest number of steps during the fourth Starkville Stride walking challenge.
Clay deputies seek two suspects wanted for sex crimes
Deputies are searching for two men with outstanding warrants related to sex crimes, according to officials from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Ask The Dispatch: How did Edwina Williams become Mother Goose?
While Mother Goose is a name known worldwide as the imaginary author of nursery rhymes like “Jack and Jill” and “Hickory Dickory Dock,” Columbus has a unique claim to the character in the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library’s children’s librarian.
‘Needmore was Needmore. It was all of us. Not one of us.’
Even though John “Bud” Milton Hall only had an elementary school education, he never let it stop him from taking care of his family or the Needmore community as an entrepreneur.
Part of Kerr-McGee site ‘suitable and safe’ for recreation center
While cleanup efforts at the former Kerr-McGee site are not yet complete, one area of the site is currently “suitable and safe” for redevelopment – including holding a recreation center and storm shelter in the future.
Brooks: ‘We are going to get our house in order’
Leroy Brooks has been asked to run for mayor many times during his more than 40-year tenure representing District 5 on the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors, he told the Exchange Club of Columbus Tuesday during its weekly meeting at Lion Hills Center.
Police looking for suspect in shooting on Fourth Avenue South
Police are searching for a suspect following a Thursday shooting on the 900 Block of Fourth Avenue South.
Two men dead following shootout in Quality Inn parking lot
Two men are dead after fatally shooting each other Thursday in the parking lot of the Quality Inn on Highway 12.
‘Scheduling conflict’ keeping Jones out of mayoral debate
A “scheduling conflict” will keep Stephen Jones from squaring off with his primary opponent in what was supposed to be a Democratic mayoral debate Feb. 25 at the Municipal Complex.
Chain’s life in the water leads to a lap around Key West
July 19, 2025
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