Articles by Carmen K. Sisson
Link event celebrates and encourages educators
More than 1,000 educators gathered at Mississippi University for Women Wednesday, celebrating American Education Week and their years in the profession with a two-hour ceremony that was part pep talk, part pep rally.
MUW president: Top choice expected to be tapped today
Today, the name of Mississippi University for Women’s possible next president is expected to be revealed, as the college enters the homestretch of a months-long, 20-step process.
MUW president search: Preferred candidate could be named Thursday
The search for Mississippi University for Women’s next president kicked into high gear this week, with second round of candidate interviews scheduled Thursday and an announcement of the preferred candidate’s name — if one is chosen — expected to come Thursday afternoon.
Beloved educator Alma Turner resigns from Columbus school board
In a 40-year span, she has served in just about every capacity of the Mississippi education system. Now, the Columbus Municipal School District’s venerable board of trustees vice president, Alma Turner, is relinquishing her role on the board, leaving a void her colleagues say will be difficult to fill.
Breakfast bandit captured in Starkville
STARKVILLE — Starkville’s breakfast bandit was captured this week, after seven months on the lam.
Veterans remembered with parade, ceremony
“We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved …” So says the enduring poem, “In Flanders Fields,” penned by Canadian doctor Lt. Col. John McRae in 1915 to honor the death of a friend and encourage people to never forget the human cost of battle. A few years later, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, Germany signed the Armistice and World War I — the “war to end all wars” — drew to a close. But the wars did not end.
Veterans remembered with parade, ceremony
“We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved …” So says the enduring poem, “In Flanders Fields,” penned by Canadian doctor Lt. Col. John McRae in 1915 to honor the death of a friend and encourage people to never forget the human cost of battle. A few years later, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, Germany signed the Armistice and World War I — the “war to end all wars” — drew to a close. But the wars did not end.
Army veteran returns to Columbus for book signing
Leland McCaslin has worn many titles in his lifetime. Son. Brother. Army brat. Soldier. Counterintelligence agent. Veteran. Now, the Lee High and Mississippi State University alumnus can add one more title to his dossier: Published author.
Columbus parents form committee to discuss high school issues
A subset of Columbus High School parents have formed a Parent Action Committee in the hopes of effecting positive change within the city school district.
Few surprises in Tuesday’s general election
There were few surprises in Tuesday’s general election, with all but one of Lowndes County’s incumbent supervisors retaining their seats.
Election over, Candidates breathe a sigh of relief
It was a tough week for Lowndes County Circuit Clerk Haley Salazar, between running her campaign, dealing with the normal craziness of election week and coping with a last-minute absentee ballot snafu, which required the state to reprint hundreds of ballots after 550 had already been cast locally.
Race for new sheriff costliest in Oktibbeha County
Sometimes, the man who spends the most isn’t the man who wins, and that’s certainly proven to be the case in Oktibbeha County’s most expensive and closely-watched race, which will see a new sheriff in town for the first time in 35 years.
More money, more votes?
Campaign finances: Spending outpaces contributions by $30,000 in Lowndes County races
Voters have tough choices on initiatives
Mississippi voters face three ballot initiatives in Tuesday’s election, with the most controversial and hotly-contested being Initiative 26, also known as the “Personhood Initiative.”
School district moves forward with superintendent search
After nearly five months without a permanent superintendent, the Columbus Municipal School District is ready to move forward in the search, releasing a 12-point list of criteria Thursday that will be used to advertise for candidates.
CAFB to lose 17 jobs
U.S. Air Force officials announced plans this week to slash more than 13,500 civilian jobs next year, but Columbus Air Force Base is expected to emerge largely unscathed by the brunt of the cost-saving measures.
Ballot error leads to last minute scramble
With less than a week before the Nov. 8 general election, county officials across Mississippi — including in Lowndes and Oktibbeha — are frantically trying to cope with a state error on ballots which was discovered after hundreds of absentee ballots had already been cast.
Students’ shoe drive touches community, one sole at a time
Sale Elementary International Studies Magnet School is not the wealthiest of schools within the Columbus Municipal School District. Approximately 88 percent of its students receive free or reduced lunch. And yet, Principal Nancy Bragg is beginning to see something interesting: When it comes to helping those less fortunate, the students no longer wait for their teachers’ direction; they take the initiative upon themselves to make a difference.
Aldermen approve new police cruiser
CALEDONIA — Christmas is more than a month away, but Caledonia Town Marshall Ben Kilgore was grinning just the same Tuesday night after receiving a unanimous go-ahead from the Board of Aldermen to purchase a new police cruiser.
In Caledonia: Alderman blindsided by mayor’s ethics complaint
CALEDONIA – On the afternoon of Oct. 14, Caledonia Alderman Bill Darnell was in the mood to celebrate.
