Articles by Dispatch Editorial Board
Roses and Thorns: 7-6-24
A rose to organizers Mike and Jackie Savage and everyone who turned out to make Caledonia’s inaugural Fourth of July Parade a star-spangled success. Since
Our View: Starkville’s persistence benefits drivers on Highway 182
If the city of Starkville had given up its plans to renovate a key section of Highway 182 about 10 months ago, residents would have been disappointed, but would likely not have blamed city officials for its demise.
Roses and Thorns: 6-29-24
A rose to Main Street associations and members in the Golden Triangle were celebrated Thursday before last by the Mississippi Main Street Association for their
Our View: MSMS’s location was top topic at luncheon
For years, Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science has been recognized as the preeminent high school in the state and among the very best in the entire nation. Yet there was a time, and not too long ago, that people in Columbus and Lowndes County took MSMS for granted.
Our View: Long term plan for city’s surprise $18 million is essential
It is an act of good faith between government and taxpayers that taxes should never be much higher than is necessary, so when a Dispatch examination of city finances over the past three years revealed that the city has accrued a cash stockpile of almost $18 million it was certain to raise eyebrows.
Roses and Thorns: 6-22-24
A rose to Bricklee Miller who is stepping down as the executive director of Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville after 24 years at the helm.
Our View: The W and MSMS need citizen engagement
Until the 20th Century, nations at war suspended their campaigns during winter for practical reasons.
Roses and Thorns: 6-15-24
A rose to Starkville Public Library for partnering with Mississippi State’s Name Image and Likeness (NIL) collective – Bulldog Initiative – and the nonprofit Champions
Our View: At US Capitol, Mississippians are still represented by Confederates, for now
One of highlights of a trip to Washington D.C., is the U.S. Capitol and the National Statuary Hall Collection, which features two prominent historical figures from each state chosen by state legislators.
Our View: Contrary to popular belief, violent crime is decreasing
Things are often not as bad as they seem. That’s not just an optimistic outlook, either.
Our View: Privileged source material is crucial for Fourth Estate
It is no coincidence that the framers of the United States Constitution closely linked freedom of speech with freedom of the press in the First Amendment. The latter is a natural and important extension of the former. Our forefathers understood the role of the press in holding government accountable to the people.
Roses and Thorns: 6-8-24
A rose to Golden Triangle libraries as they kick off a variety of summer programs for children. Both Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System and Starkville-Oktibbeha Public
Our View: More than 140 lemonade stands to choose from
There is an old saying among country folks that you can’t learn to ride a horse by looking at a picture book.
Our View: Air ambulance hangar will improve trauma response
Generally speaking, Mississippi ranks pretty well when it comes to access to emergency health services, but for the most severe cases the options aren’t few; they are one.
Roses and Thorns: 6-1-24
A rose to The My Book program, which recently wrapped up another year of providing books to first-graders in the Columbus Municipal School District and
Our View: Showtime for the amphitheater?
It’s been almost six years since Dorothy McClung Lewis stood on the recently-completed stage at the Terry Brown Amphitheater and belted out a few lines of a song. At the time, she joked about being the first performer at the theater.
Roses and thorns: 5-25-24
A rose to the resurgent Mississippi State baseball program, whose bid to be one of the 16 sites for NCAA regionals is likely to go
Our View: A remarkable act of grace and reconciliation
For Columbus residents, the arrival of the Memorial Day weekend has a special dimension. Columbus is one of 25 cities that have laid claim as the “birthplace” of what is now known as Memorial Day, a topic that local historian Rufus Ward continues to explore in his column.
Our View: We’re encouraged by Burns Bottom development progress
It would be premature to say the Columbus Redevelopment Authority has found a developer for the Burns Bottom property, but a proposal from a pair of local businessmen sure seems to check an awful lot of boxes on both sides.
Roses and thorns: 5-18-24
A rose to organizers and vendors at our two major community markets. The Hitching Lot Farmers Market in Columbus and the Starkville Community Market are
Letter: SCOTUS to lower courts: Solve less, exempt more
July 17, 2025
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