Articles by Braden Simmons
Starkville eyes outdoor gyms at two parks by 2027
Residents who frequent McKee and J.L. King parks could see new outdoor gym areas constructed by January.
But the city still needs at least an additional $330,000 to bring both sites to fruition.
Numbers say Columbus prime for downtown hotel
Based on last year’s hotel occupancy rates, Berkeley Young, president of Young Strategies Inc., believes downtown is prime for a new hotel.
Worker killed in accident at New Process Steel
A worker with New Process Steel died Tuesday during an accident in the steel cutting area of the plant.
Pilgrimage ticket sales rebound amid national criticism of similar events
Following a 33% uptick in ticket sales this year, Spring Pilgrimage appears to be rebounding after years of lower attendance.
Drought, high prices have farmers worried
When Bill Miller, an Oktibbeha County farmer, was looking to plant his corn, peas and okra on his roughly three-acre farm in March, he thought he had found the perfect planting window.
Lift station renovation project could cost Columbus $400K more
Ongoing wastewater improvements by Columbus Light and Water could become $400,000 more expensive if old pumps at the 22nd Street South lift station don’t work properly.
Blech reflects on tenure as CAFB prepares for new commander
Jay Fisher, former Columbus Air Force Base Community Council president, took a coin from behind a podium Wednesday and tapped it against the wooden stand.
Two suspects arrested after child shot while in their care
Two suspects are in custody after a Monday night shooting left a 3-year-old boy injured.
Man killed in ATV accident at Mudslingers
An Aberdeen man died Saturday during an all-terrain vehicle accident at Mudslingers Offroad Trails near the Clay/Chickasaw County border.
Tenants raise alarms over conditions at Lowndes housing complex
Rhonda Patterson, a tenant at Hargrove Estates, said she had finally had enough last week.
New directional signs for landmarks, public buildings are coming
As part of nearly $10 million in state-approved funds, Golden Triangle Main Street organizations are getting $880,000 for street improvements and new city signage.
Film explores ‘whitewashed’ narratives of Natchez pilgrimage
While most tourists beeline for the Antebellum homes during Natchez’s Spring Pilgrimage, Tracy “Rev” Collins, a tour guide there, offers a different look at the city’s history.
Man killed Tuesday in Hwy 12 collision
An Ethel man died in a two-vehicle collision Tuesday morning on Highway 12.
Supervisors, Starkville officials back joint anti-litter initiative
Pattie Little, District 4 Oktibbeha County supervisor, said over the last year she noticed a growing problem when driving on county roads.
Community Profile: Ex-teacher still helps students in new role
Haley Lee remembers how difficult it was for her family to get her brother, Leon Ellis, on a Section 504 education plan in first grade to help with his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Building a human heart in a lab could be just 2 years away
A Mississippi University for Women alumna and a regenerative medical researcher believes building a functioning heart in a lab for transplant is about two years away from becoming reality.
CVB survey underway to steer local tourism growth
The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau expects to have a clearer idea of how to market the city and county by the end of the month.
Dispatchers: The ‘unsung heroes of emergency response’
Angelisha Langford, a dispatch supervisor with Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency, will never forget a call she received within her first six months on the job.
Columbus arts exchange strikes chord with growing crowd
Richard Brown, a retired professor of entomology at Mississippi State University, made his way up the stairs of the Omnova Theater stage Saturday at the Rosenzweig Arts Center.
A bill tying sheriffs to ICE heads to the Governor. For one Lowndes family, the fear was already there
Julia Chavez cried thinking about her daughter Anah’s seventh birthday party on Sunday.
County to start paying SPD for animal control assistance
July 8, 2025
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