Flying High: Three Eagle Scouts continue family tradition

Only two percent of Cub Scouts go on to earn the coveted silver wings. It’s an arduous journey requiring time, discipline and a focused dedication that’s not always easy to sell to today’s teenagers.

First phase of Highway 45 widening project nearly complete

oad construction continues on three sections of Highway 45 South as the Mississippi Department of Transportation moves forward with efforts to convert portions of the road from two lanes to four lanes.

Something old, something blue

Bill Abel perched on the edge of a tall chair, an acoustic guitar slung casually across his lap, his worn canvas shoe tapping out the rhythm of the words he had not yet spoken. He leaned forward with earnest sincerity and gazed at the small crowd, making eye contact with each listener.

Residents push for locals to be hired in Kerr-McGee cleanup

A large cardboard sign greeted concerned citizens as they streamed into the Columbus Municipal Complex Thursday night: “Community input matters to EPA.”

Area principals remember devastating storms

Over the past 60 years, Mississippi has been struck by 274 April tornadoes and 226 November tornadoes. Eighteen confirmed tornadoes swept through the state last November. Over the past three decades, Mississippi has averaged 38 tornadoes and three deaths per year. So far this year, 94 tornadoes have ravaged Mississippi, causing 37 deaths and making 2011 one for the record books.

Columbus Police to offer gun safety class

An increase in violent incidents, and recent reports of an increased interest in firearms sales, have prompted the Columbus Police Department to schedule a gun safety class geared especially for women, Interim Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen said last week.

Kerr-McGee land designated Superfund site; EPA to host community meeting tonight

Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency will be on hand tonight at the Columbus Municipal Complex to give an update on cleanup efforts at the Kerr-McGee Chemical Plant site, located at 2300 14th Ave. N.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Lowndes candidates speak at CLOPAC forum

Less than two weeks remain until the Nov. 8 general election, and local candidates took to the microphones Tuesday night, making last-minute pushes to voters during the Columbus-Lowndes Political Action Committee’s final forum at the Columbus Municipal Complex.

Final CLOPAC forum tonight at Municipal Complex

The Columbus-Lowndes Political Action Committee will hold its third and final political forum tonight at 6 p.m. at the Columbus Municipal Complex, giving voters a chance to hear two-minute speeches from candidates for the district 2 justice court judge’s seat, as well as those running for county prosecuting attorney and district attorney.

Salvation Army kicks off holiday season Monday

Maj. Linda White will never forget the Christmas she spent serving the Salvation Army in San Angelo, Texas, nearly a decade ago. A needy family was scheduled to pick up a box containing food and Christmas gifts, but no one ever showed up.

Families of steel: Open house allows employees’ family members an inside look at Severstal

The hours are long, the work is hard and the days are exhausting. But the pay is good, and there’s a point of pride in holding one of the most coveted manufacturing jobs in Lowndes County — wearing the inscribed, dark blue hard hat of Severstal Columbus.

Community banks and credit unions flourish as customers react to fees

As large banks scramble to recoup fees lost by pecuniary regulatory changes enacted earlier in the month, some smaller financial institutions are reaping the benefits, seeing an increase in both new accounts and consumer goodwill.

Attendance for Legends concert lower than expected

If it seemed like fewer people were at the second annual Legends concert, held Oct. 8 at the Columbus Riverwalk, that’s for good reason: Organizers estimate there were around 450 fewer attendees this year, though they’ve not yet determined the cause.

MUW celebrates annual Oktoberfest

The leaves are beginning to change colors, and the pumpkins are in the fields, but if the still-warm temperatures have kept your autumn spirit at bay, Mississippi University for Women has the antidote — the annual Oktoberfest celebration, which will be held tonight from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Organizers say Caledonia Day was “the biggest blast we ever had”

Everywhere Caledonia Alderman Bill Darnell went Monday, he kept hearing the same thing: How much fun everyone had at Saturday’s eighth annual Caledonia Day festival.

MUW president interviews begin Wednesday

Mississippi University for Women’s presidential search continues this week, with the first round of interviews being held Wednesday morning at the College Board in Jackson.

Farming, Faith, Football and Family

It was a classic, halcyon fall afternoon in Caledonia Saturday, with every parking lot, side street and driveway jammed to capacity as thousands turned out for the eighth annual Caledonia Day festival.

LCSD board seeks to appoint superintendent

The Lowndes County School District is one step closer to having an appointed, rather than an elected superintendent, voting 4-1 Friday morning to request permission from the state Legislature to put the issue up for a local referendum.

Columbus woman will carry daughter’s memory with her on Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk

Terry Brewer doesn’t cry when she discusses her personal battle with breast cancer, but when she begins to talk about her daughter’s fight, the tears fall freely.

Local personality DJ Lovebone shares the ins and outs of being a disc jockey

What do you wear to a Friday night tête-à-tête with a guy named “Lovebone?” And how do you address him? Mr. Love? Mr. Bone?