Aberdeen inspector suspended over bribery charge

The Aberdeen Board of Aldermen has suspended a city building inspector charged with soliciting a bribe from a contractor.

The board voted 4-1 Tuesday to suspend Terry Lenoir without pay for an indefinite period.

Barbour cuts nearly $54.3M from budget

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said Thursday the sluggish economy and disappointing tax collections forced him to shave $54.3 million from the nearly $6 billion state budget.

Sulligent wants to develop Alabama-Mississippi rivalry

The Sulligent High School basketball coaches have visions of grandeur when it comes to the Blue Devil Classic.

Sulligent boys coach Tommy Chism and girls coach Ronnie Hubbert would like to expand the one-day classic and have teams from Alabama play teams from Mississippi.

The inaugural Blue Devil Classic will tip off Saturday with the Caledonia and Baldwyn boys from Mississippi, and Sulligent, Curry, Dora, and Hamilton boys and girls from Alabama.

A vote for Dexter

I am writing this in regards to a football player (Dexter McCluster) from Ole Miss who deserves more credit for his performance on (and off) the field. This young man has performed outstandingly for his school and his team.

The war in Afghanistan

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West Point police probe robbery at Radio Shack

West Point police are still looking for answers after a man robbed Radio Shack at gunpoint Saturday night.

Columbus native brings Christian bands to Trotter

After 10 years in Orlando and Miami, Fla., Ben Inman, a Columbus native, relocated his company, ZONG Music Partners to Nashville, Tenn.

Runaway Hamilton teen returns home safely

A runaway Hamilton girl reported missing Sunday is safe at home with her family.

Jasmine Howard, 16, was picked up by Columbus Police Department officers around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday after calling police from the Plaza Motel on Island Road to say she wanted to go home.

Trial set for man facing child porn charges

ABERDEEN — A Lowndes County man arrested during an investigation into his missing stepdaughter pleaded not guilty to child pornography charges Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

Tate contributing as freshman at EMCC

East Mississippi Community College women’s basketball coach Sharon Thompson is relying on freshmen in order for her team to have a successful season.

Twelve of EMCC’s 15 players are freshmen. Of the team’s sophomores, only one — Martika Hull — is a returning starter, while the other — Eryn Gray — is a transfer from Meridian Community College.

One player who is contributing in her first season with the Lady Lions (5-4) is guard Natalie Tate, of Columbus.

Program offers officials shelter from storm

Columbus and Lowndes County officials have the option of applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency saferoom grants, to build emergency shelters for government officials.

Arrest report 12-1-2009

The following people were arrested on felony charges, according to reports released from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office:

Shannon Bardwell: Straight shootin’ Sarah

I want to tell you about my aunt, the one that always said, “Geet?” meaning, “Did you eat?” I’m only going to say that she lived in a Southern town that had an annual pilgrimage, and she lived in one of those old houses downtown and the house was said to have a ghost. My mother always said, “That Aunt Sarah is a bird,” which meant that she was eccentric or a “character.”

Roses and thorns 11-29-09

Andrea Cannady; Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority, Concerned Citizens of Ward 1, the Columbus Police Department and all area volunteers who helped bring Thanksgiving to more than 1,000 area residents; Mississippi State University students; West Point and the Aberdeen high school football teams; and East Mississippi Community College Lions

Too many ‘alpha dogs’

The hoopla surrounding the MUW controversy and Burns Bottom has really gotten old. It’s like going past a wreck on the highway. You’re sorry it’s happened/happening; you don’t want to look, but you can’t help yourself.

Angels in scrubs

While visiting the Joe Thompsons in Columbus, I had a bad fall. We called 911. What a blessing!

Dr. Sam Morris guest speaker at Town & Tower Club meeting

Dr. Sam Morris, pastor of the Columbus First United Methodist Church, will be the guest speaker for Town & Tower Club’s holiday quarterly meeting and luncheon on Thursday.

Police focus on downtown during holidays

With holiday shopping in full swing, Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John is focusing officers on the downtown area.

MSU hosts holiday bazaar

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University is welcoming the holiday season with a two-day arts and crafts fair Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. -7 p.m. both days, at the Joe Frank Sanderson Center.

Rep. Harper to address MSU graduates

STARKVILLE — Third District Rep. Gregg Harper will deliver Mississippi State’s 2009 fall commencement address.

The first-term Republican from Pearl will be featured during the university’s single Dec. 11 graduation program, which begins at 7 p.m. in Humphrey Coliseum.