Lowndes schools explore tuition-based pre-K

Less than two weeks ago, the county school board approved a limited pre-kindergarten program for the district’s neediest students, but Wednesday afternoon, they voted 4-1 to explore the possibility of expanding the program to include tuition-based preschool for students who don’t qualify for the free classes.

Outlook healthy for LCSD budget

Based upon preliminary budget figures, the Lowndes County School District is in good shape, but tough decisions will have to be made to offset changes in the county and state’s financial picture, Business Officer Frances Goldmon told board members Wednesday afternoon during a budget workshop at the central office.

Haynes: Star district possible for Columbus schools

The city school board has spent the past few weeks backgrounding superintendent candidates, but Tuesday night, they learned the district — as well as Columbus and its movers and shakers — had been equally scrutinized.

Krispy Kreme to replace Dunkin’

People who wheeled into Dunkin’ Donuts Monday morning searching for their sugar and java fix were in for a surprise: The doors were locked, with signs informing customers the shop had gone out of business.

City schools tout benefits of pre-K

Friday marked the end of the school year for city students, but for preschoolers at Stokes-Beard Elementary Technology and Communication Magnet School, it was business as usual.

Outstanding warrant leads to meth and rape charges

An outstanding warrant led to a drug bust and a statutory rape charge Thursday evening.

United Way seeks community input on area needs

A community can change a lot in 20 years. Service agencies open and close. Demographics shift. Things deemed important by one generation may barely register on the radar of the next. That’s why the United Way of Lowndes County is seeking public input with a Community Needs Assessment Survey.

Two sentenced to life in prison for 1993 Ellis murder

The duo convicted of killing two men, including one from Columbus, were sentenced last week to life in prison without parole.

Fad or fortune? Facebook goes public

Long ago, in a lexicon far, far away, “friend” was a noun and no one could unfriend anyone, because the word didn’t exist.

There were no Farmville crops to harvest, and if a potential paramour wanted to send you a virtual drink, you at least were on the same continent. Your old flames stayed mercifully on the back burner and your dog was too busy chasing squirrels to post photographs of himself in his Burberry field jacket.

Superintendent interviews set for next week

Last June, when former city schools Superintendent Dr. Del Phillips climbed into his red truck and drove away from the district’s central office, the search began for his successor.

Fundraising in full swing for June floating orchestra

It sounds like something from another dimension. A sleek, silver barge docks quietly along a river bank, and a crowd watches as the roof lifts, revealing a stage equipped with pedestal seats for a full orchestra.

Caledonia senior earns a dance scholarship along with a car

Last summer, recent Caledonia High School senior Megan Swails was sitting in a cardiologist’s office, trying not to cry as she heard him tell her she would have to have open heart surgery for the second time in her young life.

SHS athletic needs highlight ‘sobering’ school budget concerns

Starkville High School Athletics Director Stan Miller put forth his best effort at Tuesday night’s school board meeting, but his proposal for program improvements failed to budge board members.

CMSD votes to search for new attorney

The city school district has been searching for a superintendent for nearly a year, and after Monday night’s board meeting, they may soon be looking for a new attorney.

Ballet, art, cooking offered in upcoming summer programs

The end of the school year doesn’t have to be the beginning of the summer doldrums. Area organizations have planned a jam-packed calendar of events spanning the gamut of interests, from educational programs to outdoors camps and creative pursuits.

Adopt a duck for the Great Tombigbee Duck Race, scheduled for June 9

In less than a month, thousands of ducks will invade the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, and if all goes well, their arrival may become an annual migration.

Mother’s Day: Cherishing every moment

It was a normal pregnancy. It was a normal delivery. Nell and Michael Valentine both had children from previous marriages, but this child — Gabriel — was created by their shared love for one another. Together, their co-mingled DNA created life.

Lowndes schools to offer pre-K, sex ed and easier A’s

Pre-kindergarten classes will soon be a reality in the county school system. After months of discussion and research, the Lowndes County School District’s board of trustees Friday passed a motion 3-1 approving a limited pre-K program.

Annunciation students take an international approach to learning

The sombreros were nearly as tall as the preschoolers wearing them, evoking smiles, a flurry of camera flashes and proud parents hefting iPads to video the youngsters.

Fourth name for CMSD superintendent released

The Columbus Municipal School District released the name of the fourth superintendent candidate, as well as the interview schedule, late Thursday afternoon.