CMSD selects two Project 2020 e-centers

Snowy weather closed the city schools this morning, but a special meeting of the Columbus Municipal School District’s board of trustees continued as planned.

Prude’s status on school board up in the air

For more than a decade, Tommy Prude has been a fixture of the Columbus Municipal School District’s board of trustees. As current board president, he is both the man who presents achievement certificates to shyly grinning school children and the one who holds the power to open discussion — or silence it.

Kaye, noted architect/preservationist, dead at 72

Sam Kaye, noted as one of the state’s leading historic preservationists, died Tuesday, leaving a legacy that his friends and colleagues say will endure the test of time.

Dream365 expands to include downtown march

“As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. 50 years ago and spoke these words during his now-famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

And this month, from Jan. 16 through Jan. 21, organizers of the annual Dream365 event are embracing that sentiment, celebrating the progress that has been made in civil rights while continuing to look forward to a more unified city, state and nation.

Realistic expectations, effective strategies are keys to keeping those New Year’s resolutions

This is the year. It’s now or never. How many times have we said that? How often have we sat at rock-bottom, looking at some too-distant light, promising ourselves never again?

Newtown creates somber backdrop for Christmas sermons

Area clergy will acknowledge tragedy in today’s messages.

Higgins: Link making progress on several fronts

There was little in the way of new information presented at the annual Link luncheon Wednesday at East Mississippi Community College, but the event provided yet another opportunity for organizers to tout the benefits of regional partnership and global thinking, specifically through the newly-formed Golden Triangle Development Link.

Sears Hometown Store, Ross to open at Leigh Mall

By next Christmas, shopping enthusiasts will likely have three new stores to choose from when searching for that perfect gift.

CMSD launches city-wide electronics recycling

The Columbus Municipal School District is thinking green these days, launching a new recycling initiative it hopes will bring in a little extra cash while helping the environment.

Potential vo-tech sites and funding identified

The county school board continues to explore the possibility of building a vocational-technical school for the Lowndes County School District.

Fire won’t delay opening of antiques store

An early morning fire was quickly extinguished Wednesday, but not before damaging a number of antiques that had been placed in storage in an outbuilding on the property.

Walk-throughs, grants dominate school board meeting

The city school district’s board of trustees held a lengthy though relatively routine board meeting Monday night, with the majority of the 2.5-hour session devoted to an update on the district’s “Believe and Achieve” initiative.

Caledonia considers full-time park director

It started out as a relaxing hobby, a way to unwind from the day’s pressures while serving the community. But 15 years later, Caledonia Town Alderman Mike Savage is hoping someone else will take over the management and upkeep of Ola J. Pickett Park.

Controversial method could lead to oil drilling in Caledonia

The Town of Caledonia has long enjoyed the financial benefits of sitting atop a natural gas field, and now, the hunt is on for black gold — oil, that is.

Salvation Army, police seek toy donations

The Salvation Army and Walmart will be working together this weekend to provide another way for local residents to make Christmas brighter for area children.

Caledonia delays decision on water line repair

A water leak on Stanley Road in Caledonia may have been fortuitous, albeit costly.

While searching for the source of the leak, Caledonia water superintendent Benny Coleman stumbled upon something that isn’t a problem now but could become one, he told the board of aldermen Tuesday night.

MUW hosts state conference to support public education

Enrollment is increasing at private academies and charter schools loom large on the horizon, with lawmakers expected to make yet another push for them in January.

School board accepts grant for dropout program

A controversial grant, intended to fund the city school district’s dropout prevention program, was accepted by the board Thursday morning in a sometimes contentious three-hour special meeting.

Dropout program faces challenges at start-up

The Columbus Municipal School District continues to move forward with its dropout prevention plan, dubbed “Project 2020,” but the challenges have just begun.

Controversy surrounds rejected grant

The city school board recently rejected a $75,000 grant intended to fund a dropout prevention program, but the project is still underway, despite concerns some board members have raised about the circumstances surrounding the grant and the feasibility of maintaining the program in future years if the district is required to foot the bill.