Articles by Abigail Sipe Rochester
From the pulpit to the courtroom
Every time Pastor and Judge Larnzy Carpenter Jr. is about to take the bench, he has a few things he likes to do.
TVA energy plant to be up and running in Caledonia by 2028
Tennessee Valley Authority is officially moving forward with building a gas-powered combustion turbine energy plant near Caledonia.
Raymond drops out of Ward 5 council race, endorses Jeter
A candidate who was running for Ward 5 city councilman has dropped out.
Business owner donates $5,000, challenges others to give to Loaves and Fishes
For the past few years, every time First Cumberland Presbyterian Church has served a meal at the Loaves and Fishes of Lowndes County, Sharon McBryde was with them.
Reaching for the stars: MSU aerospace student to play Mercury 13 pilot barred from space
Jerrie Cobb steps into an isolation tank. For the next nine hours, she will be tested for her mental fitness to go into space – in tests emulating those taken by the astronauts who took off as a part of the Mercury 7.
Pet Mayor Buster Camp crosses rainbow bridge
Starkville’s first Pet Mayor, Buster Camp, passed away Wednesday.
Man who sexually assaulted girlfriend’s three daughters sentenced to 90 years
A Starkville man was sentenced Tuesday to serve 90 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting his former girlfriend’s three daughters.
Body of missing man found with apparent stab wounds
The body of a missing man was found by law enforcement Tuesday in the woods behind his residence off of Highway 46.
Professional bull riders, barrel racers to ride again at Rotary Classic Rodeo
Cowfolk are about to be back in the saddle in Starkville, as the Rotary Classic Rodeo returns to the Mississippi Horse Park for its 18th year.
Lowndes issues $25M in bonds for Cinco Megasite
Lowndes County has approved issuing up to $25 million in bonds to acquire land that will make up the Cinco Megasite.
New face enters Ward 2 race, making it one of two contested races in West Point
One new face entered the city’s elections in the week leading up to Friday’s qualifying deadline, while two more dropped out of the race. These round out nine qualifiers total running in city races, and only two races are contested.
Lawsuit: Juvenile detention officer claims she was fired for racial discrimination
A former Lowndes County Juvenile Detention corrections officer has filed a lawsuit against the county, claiming she was fired after a fight with a white officer because she is Black.
Mall owner visits with public but details scant on potential tenants
Hull Property Group has big plans for Columbus Place as it continues to “de-mall” the property, converting it to an “outward facing power center.” But when tenants will fill the center is still up in the air.
Ask The Dispatch: How does qualifying for municipal elections work?
Municipal elections are this year across Mississippi, and the qualifying period for candidates to enter races is coming to a close.
Frostbite’s 40th year draws more than 1,000 runners
STARKVILLE — Hundreds of runners lined up Saturday morning on Main Street at the starting line of each of the 2025 Starkville Frostbite races. After
Four arrested in Wednesday drive-by shooting
Four West Point residents have been arrested in connection to a Wednesday night shooting that injured two young men, leaving one of them in critical condition.
Touring ballet company to perform story of redemption through dance
Everyone loves a good redemption story. Now, one of those stories is coming to the city – through dance, Ballet Columbus Director Laura Beth Berry told The Dispatch.
Four candidates qualify in Wards 1, 3 and 5
Four candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for selectman seats, including a new face and two incumbents.
City-county recreation study to be revealed Tuesday
More than two years after Columbus and Lowndes County started working toward a joint study of their recreation departments, the results are almost ready for the public.
Market Street Festival moving south, cutting Friday festivities
With the 29th Market Street Festival coming May 3, organizers have announced the event is moving back toward its roots, allowing Main Street to remain open to traffic during the event.
