Articles by Braden Simmons
Community Profile: Starkville artist paints path forward using feet instead of hands
Kendrell Daniels focuses intently on a canvas laid out before him on the floor.
Community responds after shooting at boat ramp leaves Columbus man paralyzed
Their Dec. 27 fishing trip started out like any other for Aiden Stanley and Max Osburn on Columbus Lake.
Shorter campaign, economic struggles cripple Red Kettle collection
The Columbus Salvation Army chapter fell short of its $100,000 goal this year after nearly a month of ringing bells for the organization’s Red Kettle campaign.
Boat ramp shooting believed to be robbery, suicide
A man shot during an alleged armed robbery Saturday at the Waverly Ferry boat ramp is in critical condition at a Memphis hospital.
Macon church reopens on Christmas Eve in celebration of birth and rebirth
In the Episcopal Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve, the sounds of an organ echoed through the first notes of “Silent Night.”
New microscope to help area metal producers improve quality
Metal alloy and composite material production in the Golden Triangle is about to be more effective thanks to a recent wave of state grants.
Wise men, runaway sheep and 58 years of Christmas memories
Three plastic sets of wise men, four generations of funeral directors and about five escape attempts by sheep highlight 58 years of holiday tradition for the Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory.
Rocket weapons manufacturer to bring 100 jobs
The acquisition of a previously abandoned munitions assembly facility by Firehawk Aerospace is set to bring 100 new jobs to the region over the next five years.
CLW, TVA partner again on program to cut utility costs for low-income homeowners
Columbus Light and Water paved the way Thursday for another set of homeowners to receive home improvements and reduce utility costs.
CVB hopes to reel in big catch with Bassmaster high school tournament
The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau is hoping to reel in a big catch this summer and potentially host the 2026 Mississippi B.A.S.S. Nation High School State Tournament.
‘Happy’ volunteers shop, wrap and deliver gifts to hundreds
The sounds of folding wrapping paper and stretching tape broke through the background noise of Christmas music Wednesday morning at Columbus Air Force Base’s event center.
7th Ave closure to reshape soccer complex access
As the spring sports season approaches, buses and traffic for games held at Roger Short Soccer Complex will take a new route to get to the soccer fields.
Former LINK executive, ‘unreplaceable friend,’ passes away Friday
Brenda Lathan was known to many for her work as senior vice president of economic development at the Golden Triangle Development LINK.
Starkville intersection to close Wednesday until Feb 1
Residents looking to take the intersection of Highway 182 and Jackson Street in Starkville will have to detour around utility work starting next week.
Still watching: The Spectator celebrates 120 years in print
The suffrage movement, the co-educational expansion of Mississippi University for Women and visits from Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan are just a few of the historical events The Spectator, the student newspaper for The W, has covered in its 120 years of existence.
Vape enforcement begins, removing products from shelves across Mississippi
Shelves that were once lined with vape pens and pods were nearly empty Tuesday afternoon at Exotic Smokerz in Columbus.
Ask The Dispatch: How are new murals added to the Golden Triangle?
Over the last few months, new murals and public pieces of art have been added downtown in Starkville, Columbus and West Point.
Detour ahead: Major weekend closure planned on Hwy 82 East
Travelers looking to get to Columbus next weekend will have to detour off Highway 82 East through West Point.
MSU librarian leads effort to honor Mississippi’s first Black legislators
DeeDee Baldwin, engagement librarian at Mississippi State University, has spent the last six years researching the first Black legislators in the state.
Large-scale events ‘paused’ in Clay after shooting
Large-scale promoted events are illegal in rural Clay County for the foreseeable future.
