Articles by Carmen K. Sisson
Church seeks ‘neutral’ presence with downtown coffee shop, pastor says
Hope Community Church pastor Bo Jeffares cradled a cup of coffee at Beans and Cream in the Brickerton shopping center Monday afternoon and talked about his vision for his church and the downtown area.
Columbus High staff member stable after collapse at school
A Columbus High School staff member is in stable condition at Baptist Memorial Hospital- Golden Triangle after collapsing Monday morning around 9:30 a.m. in the school gymnasium.
Fish fry commemorates National Nursing Home Week
It takes a certain amount of derring-do and old-fashioned chutzpah to schedule a picnic on Friday the 13 — especially in springtime Mississippi — but after an action-packed week of celebration, staff members and guests of Windsor Place nursing home weren’t about to let superstition or Mother Nature dampen their fun.
Survey: Majority of Lowndes students feels unsafe on campus
Brandy Gardner, coordinator for the Safe & Drug-Free Schools program. Gardner told the Lowndes County School district board that according to anonymous surveys, less than 60 percent of students at West Lowndes Middle School, New Hope Middle School, and Caledonia High School report feeling safe on campus.
Columbus concert set to raise money for Smithville
The local music community is putting its own spin on tornado relief, holding a benefit concert along the Columbus Riverwalk on Sunday from noon until late into the night.
Schools: CMSD interim superintendent reaches out to leaders about dropout rates
Dr. Martha Liddell, interim superintendent of the Columbus Municipal School District, spent Friday afternoon speaking about a subject close to her heart — dropout prevention.
Helping hands: Area residents provide relief for those impacted by tornadoes
Lowndes County was largely spared the wrath of last month’s devastating tornadoes, residents have not gone untouched. Some had friends and family who were directly impacted. Others didn’t know a single person involved, but they responded anyway. Some gave money. Some gave time. Most gave something.
Friendship House demolition could lead to ordinance changes
Wednesday’s demolition of a historic property in downtown Columbus has left some preservationists and supporters asking what can be done in the future to prevent similar cases.
Church demolishes Friendship House
The pale green Victorian house, which has stood at the center of downtown controversy for months, now lies in a heap of rubble — demolished by its owners, soon to be forgotten by the world.
West Point educator named new Columbus High principal
West Point High School associate principal Scott Hallmark will replace current CHS principal Craig Shannon.
Liddell named interim Columbus school superintendent
Dr. Martha Liddell, assistant superintendent for the Columbus Municipal School District, was named interim superintendent Friday afternoon during a special meeting at the central office.
Straight talk from Columbus students, and teachers, at WakeUp forum
Straight talk about real issues was the theme Thursday night as students, parents and educators gathered at Lee Middle School to discuss ways to bridge the gap between personal potential and academic achievement, particularly among African-American youth.
The prom will go on: Local students donate dresses, shoes to Smithville
For the children of Smithville, in Monroe County, the blow from last week’s tornado has been particularly hard. Many have lost homes. Some have lost parents, family, friends. Enter the power of the tiara.
Columbus schools to hire firm for superintendent search
The search continues for a new superintendent to lead the Columbus Municipal School District following the resignation of former superintendent Dr. Del Phillips last month.
Caledonia OKs water, sewer improvements
The Town of Caledonia continued to work towards improving its water and sewer system at Tuesday night’s monthly meeting, moving forward with a $1.6 million multi-phase plan to run a pipe from the water treatment plant to the Buttahatchie River in order to meet environmental standards.
New Hope family caught in path of deadly Tuscaloosa tornado
If it had been an average Wednesday afternoon, Danny Stephens and his family wouldn’t have even been in Tuscaloosa. But April 27, 2011 will never again be remembered as an average Wednesday.
Columbus contractor, moved by tragedy, starts charity for tornado victims
They stood in the rain around the red donation box, eyes closed, hands clasped, praying for the people of Smithville, praying for direction as they attempt to help in whatever way they can. What started as a simple Facebook post has become a cohesive movement, and what started as an uneasy feeling has become a loud, clear calling to serve.
Sunday in Smithville: City reflects on disaster, looks to future
The post office is gone. The school is gone. City Hall is gone. Most of the churches are gone. Nearly every building in Smithville is gone — or so heavily damaged they will have to be demolished.
A scramble for supplies, and random acts of kindness, during power outage
Let there be light. And ice. And food. And gas. It was a familiar refrain around Columbus last night as darkness cloaked the city.
Starkville schools chief Couey resigns
Starkville School District board members spent two and a half hours behind closed doors Wednesday before voting unanimously to accept the resignation of superintendent Judy Couey, effective June 30.
City of Columbus Building Permits, June 9-12, 2025
June 18, 2025
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