Colsons’ farm has become a rite of Fall

It’s a typical late September evening in Caledonia — just cool enough to herald the advent of autumn, just warm enough to encourage the mosquitoes to linger, plying their sanguinary trade for a few more weeks.

Youth council helps students sharpen relational skills

You never know what the Mayor’s Youth Council is going to be doing. One minute, they may be sitting in on a Columbus City Council meeting and by nightfall, they may be dancing the night away to raise money for children with cancer.

Holmes Foundation helps veterans adjust to life after service

Richard Earl Holmes II had been out of the United States Army for roughly two months when he went to his parents and told them he needed help.

Unforgettable: CAFB ceremonies honor POW/MIA

Dark shapes against a field of blue: Four aircraft roared overhead, flying low. Slowly, agonizingly graceful, one pulled away, concluding its journey alone.

White words on a field of black: “You are not forgotten.” Gently, the flag waved as Columbus resident Jo Shumake stared up at the sky, at the aircraft growing distant in the summer sun, and thought of her father.

Silicor on schedule after first progress report

With the first of three monthly meetings out of the way, county officials are breathing a sigh of relief, saying plans appear to be on track and going well with the two-phase construction of a silicon metal production and purification facility.

Chamber, Link will go separate ways by 2014

By next month, the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link will exist only in the annals of local history, a fact which has left many to wonder what will happen to the Chamber of Commerce once the economic development portion of the Link is folded into a new tri-county regional partnership between Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Clay counties.

Volunteer Fair promotes parental involvement

Marcus Carpenter sat at the doorway to the Columbus High School gym, chatting with a classmate as his gaze flitted from the newcomers to the pamphlet-strewn table, where his mother, Mattie Jones, stood talking with his 10th-grade algebra teacher, Amanda Taylor.

Silicor officials arrive for meeting with Supes

Company officials with Silicor Materials, formerly Calisolar, are in Columbus this week to update local leaders on the progress of their proposed 1 million-square-foot silicon metal production and purification facility.

MSMS turns to public to boost funds, build endowment

As Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science celebrates its 25th year, it’s also facing a common problem among schools — escalating costs, a decrease in state appropriations and an ever-increasing need for public support.

Schools hope to engage parents with ‘Volunteer Fair’

As city school officials continue to seek ways to improve the district, they’re reaching out to parents, hoping to increase parental involvement in the schools and deepen the community’s investment in the district’s missions.

University officials not discouraged by dip in enrollment

First, the good news: More students than ever are flocking to Mississippi colleges. The bad news? Enrollment across the state remains relatively flat, with only three of Mississippi’s eight public universities showing unduplicated headcount increases in preliminary fall figures, according to a report issued Monday by the state Institutions of Higher Learning.

Livestock returns to Lowndes County Fair

It’s hard to imagine a county fair without a livestock show, but for many years — more than Jane Burns Jordan can remember — farm animals have been conspicuously absent from the sights, smells and sounds of the Lowndes County Fair.

MUW names Patton as new chief of police

Mississippi University for Women has hired a new police chief, six months after the departure of former chief Kennedy Meaders in March.

A rising tide: Three counties unveil vision for development partnership

Friday afternoon, Columbus-Lowndes Development Link CEO Joe Higgins and a seven-person steering committee proudly presented their “baby” to a packed house at East Mississippi Community College’s Lyceum Auditorium.

CMSD board, staff discuss state test scores

Columbus Municipal School District administrators spent two hours Friday evening pouring over state test results and explaining to board members their plans for improvement in the upcoming year.

Details of tri-county coalition unveiled

After months of speculation, the specifics of a tri-county economic development coalition were unveiled today at East Mississippi Community College’s Lyceum Auditorium.

Area’s ‘report cards’ show cause for concern

The grades are in, and in some cases, the results aren’t pretty.

MUW begins branding campaign with dialogue sessions

Mississippi University for Women kicked off the early stages of its re-branding campaign Wednesday with the first of a series of interactive discussions.

MUW, MSU rated highly in U.S. News & World Report guide

As national college rankings continue to emerge from the mainstream print media in “Best of Colleges” guides, Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi State University once more find themselves earning accolades for the quality of education provided and the value benefits they offer for cost-conscious students and parents.

Sallie Mae Jones celebration set for weekend

A two-day centennial celebration will be held Friday and Saturday to honor the life of the late Sallie Mae Jones, a black businesswoman who owned and operated Jones Restaurant on Fourth Street South.