Bad Santa?: Site features Kris Kringles who make children cry

Check out the site to find Santas to avoid this holiday season or to post your own “sketchy Santa” pictures.

Neither a pointer or a setter, (nor a flower)

I went running this evening. The sheep at the funeral (Memorial Funeral Home) home are a little bolder, and don’t run to the back of the cage anymore when Ponty comes.

Arrest of former city employee expected soon in electric department theft

ABERDEEN — Aberdeen police expect an arrest within the coming days in the case of a light meter stolen from the Aberdeen Electric Department warehouse.

Wounded West Point youth in hospital

A West Point juvenile is in the hospital in Tupelo recovering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Semifinal teams have co-coaches of year

It was a year to remember for the Lamar County and Pickens County high school football teams.

Both teams made runs for a state title and came up a game shy of playing each other in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 2A state championship game.

Lamar County tied a school record for most wins in a season in Ken Adams’ third season as coach. Pickens County made the state semifinals in Scott Marchant’s first year as a head coach.

Bradford was offensive leader for Lamar County

Michael Bradford’s goal was to be a leader on the offensive side of the ball for the Lamar County High School football team.

The senior quarterback emerged as that leader and led Lamar County to a season to remember.

With Bradford leading the way, Lamar County equalled a school record for the most wins in a season with 13 and made it to the semifinals of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 2A playoffs.

Curry was defensive leader for Pickens County

Going into this past high school football season, Pickens County coach Scott Marchant asked junior Deion Curry to play a demanding position on defense.

Marchant wanted to use Curry as a hybrid where he lined up at linebacker and safety.

Marchant wanted to exploit Curry’s talents in stopping the run and defending the pass, depending on the situation.

Land acquisition finalized for Plum Grove softball field

The community of Plum Grove, in western Lowndes County, got an early Christmas present, as details were finalized allowing Lowndes County to move forward on plans to build a softball field and park area on Minnie Vaughn Road West.

Starkville: Time to revisit municipal complex project

While the Starkville mayor and aldermen rehash past efforts to build a municipal complex, the community likely has lost all faith in the project ever coming to fruition.

Disappointed by media coverage

I am canceling my subscription to the newspaper. I can not stand to read it any more. My grandson, Brian, was convicted in the newspaper before his trial. I thought a person is considered innocent until PROVEN guilty. Brian did not purposely shoot his wife. It was an accident, but because of so much false media coverage prior to his trial and a change of venue not granted, Brian did not receive a fair trial here in Lowndes County.

Support for military families back home

During the holidays, national attention often turns to supporting our military men and women celebrating in lands far from home. In our generous spirit, let’s be sure to include support for their loved ones still at home. The recent decision to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan leaves thousands of families to face New Year deployments, as everyday Americans search for ways to help military families separated by eight years of war.

Appreciate Harper’s comments

I would like to offer a very different opinion from one of your reader’s negative comments about Rep. Harper’s comments at MSU graduation.

Jay Lacklen: Bomb run

When asked if I killed anyone during the Vietnam War, I have to answer that I don’t know. I may have, and probably did, since my B-52 bomber crew dropped several thousand pounds of bombs on the Cambodia jungle, but I will never actually know.

Nonprofit sets Tuesday toy giveaway

Columbus’ nonprofit Community Resource Connection will hold a toy giveaway Tuesday at the Columbus Municipal Complex.

Grant to help high schoolers learn work skills

Sixteen to 20 Columbus High School juniors will receive the chance to learn work skills and get college credit while in high school — and get paid to do it — thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Roses and thorns 12-20-09

Students at Immanuel Center for Christian Education; Chelsea Phillips; 4-County employees and customers; Julie Jordan; and Andrew Gaston

Shannon Bardwell: Liar, liar pants on fire

Isn’t it interesting that a guy can get arrested for asking for a dollar for a hamburger but any number of people can call you during the family supper hour and ask for money?

Deadline passes for firefighter appeal

The deadline for a fired Columbus Fire Department employee to file an appeal on his termination has passed, with no appeal filed.

Lowndes man facing cyberstalking charge remains in jail

A Steens man injured in what police are calling a “justified” shooting remains in jail after a Dec. 12 incident.

Woman arrested for assault

Columbus police made an arrest Thursday in a recent assault investigation.