Articles by Brian Jones
Fire station destroyed by storm will be replaced. But how big will it be?
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors is weighing its options for replacing a volunteer fire station in Lone Oak destroyed by a November 2022 tornado.
Stalking charges for ex-lover who allegedly attacked current lover
A Buhl, Alabama, man was arrested after a confrontation with his ex-girlfriend’s current beau turned violent.
Beard: City would be ‘crazy’ to take Pine Yard site without knowing it’s clean
Columbus City Council is questioning the safety of a piece of property at the old Kerr-McGee Pine Yard that is being considered for a future storm shelter.
Most districts in region maintain accountability ratings
The 2022-23 accountability ratings from the Mississippi Department of Education show Columbus Municipal, Lowndes County and Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated districts all maintained their ratings from the prior year.
Supes could pull $1.1M from hospital trust fund Friday
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors is poised to make its first withdrawal from the hospital trust fund since 2021.
Columbus-Lowndes County Airport sees 200% bump in traffic
Columbus-Lowndes County Airport is in the midst of a growth spurt.
Officials: Travel crucial for ideas, funding opportunities
“If you don’t go, you don’t grow.”
Speaking to The Dispatch on Friday that’s how Ward 2 Councilman and Vice Mayor Joseph Mickens summed up the need for he and other city leaders to attend conferences and other networking events.
New Hope convenience store raided for selling Za-Za
A local convenience store owner whose business was burglarized several times by a man in search of Za-Za has been arrested for selling that very thing under the counter, according to Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins.
Pedestrian bridge fix delayed for want of a crane
Repair work on the pedestrian bridge at The Riverwalk is in its preliminary stages, according to Mayor Keith Gaskin.
All your Columbus garbage pickup questions, answered
The Dispatch answers all your questions about Columbus’ new trash pickup, which has recently changed pricing, schedule and rules.
County, school district tax rates to remain flat in FY 2024
Lowndes County taxes are remaining flat for Fiscal Year 2024.
Council again eyes ARPA, this time for roofing
American Rescue Plan Act funding was back on the table again during Thursday morning’s special-call Columbus City Council meeting, this time as a possible source for roof repairs at city-owned facilities.
City claws back two raises in fire department
Columbus City Council unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2024 budget Thursday morning, but not before going back over some already-turned ground.
Merchant ‘tickled to death’ with new coroner’s office
“We’re so close to being completely in here that it’s almost hours away,” Coroner Greg Merchant told The Dispatch Wednesday afternoon.
Hamilton woman sentenced to 11 years of attempted felony child abuse
A Hamilton woman who intentionally drove her car into Columbus Lake with her 2-year-old inside was sentenced to 11 years in prison for attempted felony child abuse last week.
Most of city surplus spent on raises, new positions
Columbus City Council on Tuesday committed much of its projected $500,000 Fiscal Year 2024 surplus for raises to city employees and creating two new positions.
Efforts underway to make downtown intersections safer
Wouldn’t it be nice to cross the street or back out of a parking place near the downtown core without taking your life in your hands?
Waterworks bridge work could mean 12 mos of detours
The bridge over the Luxapalila Creek on Waterworks Road is going to be replaced, eventually leading to a closure of nine months to a year.
Renovation progress slow at Oak Manor
About 20 units at Oak Manor are “95% complete,” owner Edmond Green told Columbus City Council Tuesday night. Work is underway on renovating the rest, but progress is slower than anticipated.
ADA ramp, better sidewalks, parallel parking coming to Trotter
Columbus City Council on Tuesday night unanimously greenlit renovations to Trotter Convention Center.
Four local soccer teams place at state and regional tournaments
June 25, 2025
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