Articles by Braden Simmons
Lowndes Community Foundation endowment tops $600K
Last year, staff with the Good Samaritan Health Clinic were writing prescriptions and patient files entirely on paper rather than recording them electronically.
Area school districts see graduation gains, dropout declines
Most districts around the Golden Triangle saw improvements in their four-year graduation rates and dropout rates during the 2024-2025 school year compared to five years prior.
Train derailment closes Artesia Road crossing for hours
Three train cars went off the rails Wednesday morning, redirecting traffic for more than six hours.
CVB hooks another major fishing tournament, landing sixth event for 2026
Columbus has grown into a hot spot for fishing tournaments, and it’s no longer a secret.
Attempted robbery ends in shooting
Police are investigating an attempted armed robbery turned shooting Sunday that left one man injured.
Youth rally planned as gun violence rattles Clay County
Clay County Jail Administrator Frank “Tank” Randle was hosting his weekly meeting with inmates, going over duties and expectations for the week when something stopped him in his tracks.
Flames engulf Possum Town Farms in Sunday blaze
Emily Snapka, manager for Possum Town Farms, knew when she was driving to work Sunday that the smoke looked bad from the road, but nothing could’ve prepared her to see the entire building in flames.
MHP investigating officer-involved crash in Lowndes
Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of a Sunday crash involving a Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office detective.
Legislation may open door for MUW to raze blighted historic buildings
The Mississippi University for Women has been around for 142 years, and over that timeframe, 26 of its buildings have been designated by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History as historic landmarks.
Assistant police chief, brothers compete for $20K on Family Feud
“In my book, it’s not a real burrito unless it has what in it?” Family Feud Host Steve Harvey asked the contestants.
City council turns annual food drive into friendly showdown
While Ward 4 Councilwoman Lavonne Harris is hanging on to third place with 67 cans of soup donated to the March of the Mayors food drive this year, she is primed to make a last-minute push to take the lead in the city council’s competition.
Ask The Dispatch: What bills have local legislators authored this legislative session?
More than a month into the legislative session, local lawmakers have advanced bills aimed at addressing issues ranging from demolishing blighted historic buildings on public universities to expanding research into Parkinson’s Disease in Mississippi.
Tax break bill could save farmers thousands
A bill headed to the House floor is aiming to throw local farmers an economic lifeline after a difficult farming season.
‘This work doesn’t get done alone’
Tim Adkins was cold and tired, but he still had a lot of work to do.
1 dead, 2 injured in Ridgewood Apartment Complex shooting
A vape deal turned into a shootout Sunday evening, leaving one teen dead and two others injured.
Game Day Economy: Bulldogs’ bounce-back pays off beyond the field
In 2024, hopes were not high for Mississippi State University football fans.
Columbus native turns lifelong love of filmmaking into feature documentary
Alec Hawkins remembers being a 7-year-old in Columbus and loving the feel of his family’s large and chunky camcorder he used to film home videos.
Forgotten Walmart stock brings $90,000 to Lowndes Community Foundation
When Lowndes Community Foundation Treasurer and Co-Founder Jim Davidson found out last year the organization had unclaimed stocks in Walmart, he was surprised.
New talk show brings fresh voices to Golden Triangle airwaves
“Good morning. Happy Tuesday. Welcome in to Rise and Ring!” Gracelyn Johnson’s voice rings over the radio bright and early Tuesday morning.
Lowndes plans to pave 40 roads this year. Is yours one of them?
Portions of more than 40 county roads are slated for work this year, funded by $11 million in state and county funds.
County to start paying SPD for animal control assistance
July 8, 2025
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