Articles by Carmen K. Sisson
Confusion over accreditation loss stirs emotions in Oktibbeha County
Call it a technicality. When the Oktibbeha County School District was taken over by the state earlier in the month, the district’s accreditation was automatically withdrawn, but a meeting last week to finalize the procedure ended up causing more confusion than clarity.
Horseback program empowers those with special needs
The dusty gravel road winds through 60 acres of rolling pasture just off Highway 45 Alternate in West Point. It is a bucolic setting, hardly the place where one might imagine a battle being waged or a war being won.
Latest technology makes painful mammograms a thing of the past
Most women have heard the horror stories, passed around the dinner table and growing in magnitude until a simple diagnostic procedure begins to take on the shadings of an epic nightmare.
The Romney effect: Campaign sheds light on Mormonism
When Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney traveled through Mississippi earlier this year, he used grits, football and “y’all” to connect with voters, but in the heart of the Bible Belt, many Southerners were more interested in the religious beliefs of the first Mormon candidate for the nation’s highest office.
Columbus Schools tackle bullying with new tool
More than 160,000 children missed school today. But though they can run, they cannot hide. Eventually, they will have to return to the classroom, where their tormentor waits.
Lowndes schools no longer under Federal control
A decades-long battle came to an end this week, with a federal court ruling that the Lowndes County School District is in compliance with desegregation orders and is no longer under the U.S. Department of Justice’s control.
Scooter Town program keeps kids on the move
Gas prices dropped to 95-cents per gallon this week in Scooter Town, where apparently, everyone is partying like it’s 1999. As expected, lines are long, and some traffic citations have been issued near the service station, but police are taking a laissez-faire approach to the hullabaloo, letting motorists off the hook with a warning.
Mayor updates projects at Rotary meeting
Columbus Mayor Robert Smith updated Rotary Club members Tuesday on a number of projects, including improvements to the Columbus Soccer Complex, renovations to the old Highway 82 bridge and revitalization efforts along Catfish Alley, the section of Fourth Street South between College Street and Main Street.
Tornado procedures vary among area schools
Tornado sirens will sound throughout Mississippi Wednesday, but for area schools, the statewide drill is just one of several they have already conducted this year in preparation for the fall tornado season.
A breast cancer journey: From surviving to thriving
The silver bracelet is relatively new. But the philosophy behind its inscribed words has been a tenet of Dianne Hand’s life for most of her 51 years: Live well. Love much. Laugh often.
Caledonia celebrates its ‘day’ in the sun
Hand-painted Mississippi State Bulldog cutouts jockeyed for space between inspirational yard art and houndstooth purses. Beaded jewelry and pink hair bows sat alongside painted pillows, pickled okra and Rebel flags.
Pitts turns stumbling blocks into stepping stones
Ask journalists why they entered the profession, and most will deliver some variation of wanting to give voice to the voiceless, defend the defenseless, shine light into the dark corners and change the world.
Resort status may hold key to Elm Lake growth
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors Monday gave Elm Lake Golf Course officials permission to apply for resort status, a move which, if approved, could allow them to offer services that will no longer be available at Columbus Country Club once East Mississippi Community College takes possession of it next month.
Caledonia Day expects to draw crowd of 10,000
The streets of Caledonia were quiet this morning, but that will change tonight, when the town kicks off its ninth annual Caledonia Day festival with a concert and fireworks show.
Higgins hits the stump to promote ‘New’ Link
By the time the presidential election is over, the Golden Triangle will be immersed in a new campaign as Columbus-Lowndes Development Link CEO Joe Higgins hits the trail, touting his message of regional cooperation as a fast track to economic growth.
Water ordeal may end in summer for county residents
There are times when James and Shirley Warren wonder why they traded the sunny climes of California for the Mississippi backroads. At least in California, they had reliable access to running water.
Luncheons focus attention on breast cancer
Registration filled quickly for Tuesday’s second annual breast cancer awareness luncheon at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, but it’s not too late to reserve a seat for next week’s luncheon at Mississippi University for Women.
Lowndes explores vo-tech school
The Lowndes County School Board continued Friday to explore adding a vocational-technical school to the district, but even if approved, it could be two years or more before it becomes reality.
Link’d Young Professionals to get a little older
Two years ago, the Link’d Young Professionals faced a dilemma: Membership was down, participation was low and an organization filled with potential seemed destined to go the way of Ma Bell and the rotary-dial phone.
Employees anxious after Country Club sale
Last week, the country club, which filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2011, was sold at court auction to East Mississippi Community College for $1.6 million. While EMCC officials indicate the club’s staff may be able to retain their jobs, uncertainty permeates the facility.
Slimantics: Robotaxis beware: NYC eats hesitation for breakfast
June 24, 2025
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