Noxubee man gets life sentence for rape, murder

MACON — The girls lived only three miles apart. They were only three years old. Both were snatched from their homes in the middle of the night, raped and strangled.

Caledonia to decide fate of cold beer sales at grocery store

An issue that was hotly-contested in 1945 and 1982 will be up for debate again Saturday morning at Caledonia Town Hall.

Columbus Civil Service Commission approves police hiring policy

A controversial policy change which has pitted Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen against officers within the police department was approved by the Civil Service Commission 2-1 Thursday following a meeting in executive session.

MBI continues probe of shooting case

Bond has been set for the man involved in a Saturday night incident, which injured a county Metro Narcotics agent and landed a Columbus police officer on leave pending investigation.

Facebook Watch Group fights crime

It’s not about vigilante justice or fear but taking back the community, one person at a time.

Debate continues over police hirings, promotions

Ongoing discussions about lateral promotions and new hires at the Columbus Police Department will continue tonight in a Civil Service Commission meeting at 5 p.m. at City Hall.

Stabbing victim remains hospitalized

A Columbus man was arrested Tuesday night after stabbing another man during an altercation.

Bond set for Dutch Village suspect

Bond has been set for the man involved in a Saturday night incident which injured a county Metro Narcotics agent and landed a Columbus police officer on leave pending investigation. Marvin Dale Kyles, 25, of 75 Glynis Road in Steens, was issued a $50,000 bond on the felony charge of aggravated assault on a police officer.

Columbus school district explores fundraising foundations

It’s always nice to have a little extra money in the coffers, and city school leaders are hoping they may have hit upon a partial solution to a longtime budget crisis. Many districts have organized educational foundations to serve as the fundraising arm of schools, and the Columbus Municipal School District is exploring the option.

Columbus schools cut 59 positions

Tuesday was grim across the Columbus Municipal School District, with approximately 59 teachers and support staff learning their contracts will not be renewed. Only a few members of the public were present for an afternoon press conference at Brandon Central Services, where Interim Superintendent Dr. Martha Liddell made the announcement.

Officer on leave as MBI looks into Saturday-night shooting

There were few signs Monday afternoon of the Saturday-night shooting at the Dutch Village Shell station at the corner of Lehmberg Road and Highway 50 in Columbus. A foot-long segment of police tape dangled from a post on the Lehmberg side of the station, but otherwise, it was business as usual. For the Columbus Police Department and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office though, Monday was a time to reflect on the incident, which resulted in a suspect being taken to the hospital, a metro narcotics agent being injured and a city police officer under investigation after firing his weapon.

Lowndes’ Co-op Road reopens to residents

After months of wrangling between the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors and residents of Co-op Road, the board reached a unanimous decision Monday morning: The county will abandon the road and remove all barricades, reopening it to residents.

Budget Crunch: Columbus school district hosts press conference to discuss finances

The Columbus Municipal School District will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. today to discuss budget planning priorities for the 2012-2013 school year. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Brandon Central Services Center at 2630 McArthur Drive.

Fire extinguished quickly at vacant house

A rental house on 20th Street North in Columbus caught on fire early Thursday morning, but firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, according to Capt. Brett Thomas of Columbus Fire and Rescue Station 1.

Lowndes payroll going paperless

County employees may soon see a change in the way they are paid if the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors approves a paperless payment system during their meeting Monday at 9 a.m.

Board President Harry Sanders said the current system of paying the county’s around 330 employees is causing confusion and becoming a nightmare.

MSU student found dead

A 20-year-old college student was found dead in an apartment Friday night, but so far there are few clues as to what caused her death.

Schools face deep budget cuts

The news wasn’t pretty at the Columbus Municipal School District’s budget planning session Saturday morning, but it wasn’t altogether unexpected either. Financial woes have plagued the district for years, and the pecuniary prospects are equally grim for the 2012-2013 school year.

Shots fired at Dutch Village gas station in Columbus

Police were on the scene at Dutch Village Shell station at the corner of Lehmberg Road and Highway 50 in Columbus Saturday night.

SATURDAY PROFILE: Officer duo has served more than 500 warrants, made 400 arrests

Patrolman Lance Luckey sits in a side room at the Columbus Police Department, his fists balled, his eyes straying to the television. His partner, master patrolman Kelvin Lee, is kicked back in his chair, only slightly more relaxed.

Sheriff’s Office arrests four in connection with burglaries

Four people were arrested Thursday in connection with a string of burglaries, and Lowndes County Sheriff Mike Arledge said more arrests are forthcoming. Along with the arrests, deputies recovered thousands of dollars of stolen property.