Volunteers roll up sleeves as United Way kicks off campaign

The United Way of Lowndes County held its annual “Day of Service” Tuesday morning, with 160 volunteers helping local service agencies with tasks they often either don’t have the manpower, equipment or spare change to handle themselves.

Issues emerge in changes to GED tests

Changes to the General Educational Development test, commonly known as the GED test, are on the horizon, with a price increase and a revamped test structure designed to assess college and career readiness and mirror curriculum changes in high schools nationwide.

Tri-county group to announce findings on Friday

Friday, the public will get its first look at the details behind a proposed tri-county economic coalition between Lowndes, Clay and Oktibbeha.

Redistricting will mean changes in some poll locations

Voter registration cards were mailed last month to a select number of Lowndes County voters, notifying them of changes they will experience as a result of countywide redistricting.

Columbus schools sign rental car agreement

The next time city school employees leave town for training, they may drive away in a rental car.

The Columbus Municipal School District’s Board of Trustees voted 4-0 Monday night to sign a contract with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which will provide standard-sized cars for $34 per day in-state and $37 per day for out-of-state travel. The rates will include comprehensive and collision insurance coverage.

Think teal? Early dectection key in fight against ovarian cancer

Think pink. Thanks to a widespread awareness campaign, people have become more comfortable talking about breast cancer, from its symptoms to the importance of early detection through self-exams and annual mammograms.

Grant helps New Hope start drama program

New Hope High School will soon offer a drama program, thanks to the efforts of Julie Duke, who teaches English, creative writing and public speaking at the school.

Test scores not likely to affect status for Starkville, Columbus

State test scores are on the rise, but when the Mississippi Department of Education’s accountability rankings are released later this month, school officials in at least two local districts expect to remain at the same level as last year.

MUW, MSU fare well in college guide rankings

Two area universities were recognized by a national publication this week for providing an affordable, high-quality education and producing graduates who improve the world through their work, research and service.

Columbus schools enact ‘zero tolerance’ policies for games

Sporadic fights between attendees of a Columbus High School football game have prompted school officials to issue new policies restricting attendance and behavior.

Isaac evacuees: More trickle than stream

As Hurricane Isaac made its slow churn through the Gulf of Mexico, some coastal residents took no chances, boarding up their homes and heading north to ride out the storm.

For Sullivan, Eselin, Katrina led to a new life in Columbus

It has become the benchmark by which all storms are measured. It has become the stark demarcation between life before and after, with Hurricane Katrina sitting squarely in the middle of coastal residents’ collective memory — as vivid today as the muddy water lines and red spray-paint which can still be seen on homes uninhabitable, abandoned.

Small fire extinguished at Cook Elementary

Emergency responders rushed to the scene of a small fire at Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School this morning, but the fire was out upon arrival, and no students had to be evacuated.

2012 Legends concert canceled, future of event uncertain

Organizers of the Legends Concert announced Monday they will not hold the event this year because of a lack of funds.

Monday profile: Vet Bounds retires after 47 years

All is hushed at Animal Medical Center. The Saturday morning patients have been examined and the animals are snug in their kennels, without so much as a woof or a whimper as Dr. Louis Bounds makes his way through the darkened labyrinth.

Cable One crash leaves thousands without services

Thousands of Columbus-area CableOne customers remain without service Monday morning after a hardware failure crashed the network around 6 p.m. Sunday night.

Columbus schools begin work on ‘new vision’

More than 65 teachers, administrators and community members gathered at the Columbus Municipal School District’s Brandon Central Services on Saturday to begin drafting a new vision plan for the district.

Delinquent tax deadline today

Lowndes County property owners who haven’t paid their 2011 ad valorem taxes have until 5 p.m. today to do so before the tax liens are sold Monday at the Trotter Convention Center.

As of this morning, around 2,000 properties remained on the delinquent tax roll, totaling around $1.8 million in back taxes.

Houses for Africa: Colom’s vision on display in prototype

It quickly became apparent why Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chose to ride with Wil Colom rather than go to New Hope alone Wednesday.

Even with the address in hand and a rough idea of what he would find on Lauren Road, Wicker still might have driven past his destination, assuming the tidy houses on the pine-strewn lot were an ordinary subdivision.

Heritage Academy’s GATE program taps into each student’s potential

For decades, schools have offered gifted programs, with test scores dictating academic placement. At Heritage Elementary, Pathfinders served that purpose. But this year, the school has launched a new program and a new way of thinking, busting the gates of gifted education wide open to all first through sixth-graders — no test required.