Appalled by officers’ lack of concern

You know you hear a lot of bad publicity about our police department (Columbus) but Starkville Police Dept. takes the cake.

Backing into Burns Bottom

Before more money, time and energy are spent vetting site for soccer park, questions need to be answered first

When asked about the Columbus Country Club’s offer of land for the city and county soccer field plan last week, Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders made an interesting comment: “Unless something comes along that prevents us from getting the Burns Bottom land, I would say we are pretty much committed to it.”

Sanders is certainly committed to Burns Bottom as the location for soccer fields.

MUW campus buzzing with activity

Mississippi University for Women officials are reporting increased activity on campus with the opening of the semester.

“Registration is up considerably from where it was last year at this point, and the residence halls are at near capacity,” according to Dr. Bucky Wesley, vice president for student services.

Heaven on wheels: Thousands rumble through Oktibbeha County for annual festival

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY — The riders started trickling in to Village Cycle Center in Clayton Village Friday at around 4 p.m.

First they came in ones and twos, the chrome on their motorcycles gleaming under the hot summer sun. By 4:30 p.m., the flashing lights of Starkville Police Department Chief David Lindley’s car came into view, followed by nearly a dozen Mississippi Highway Patrol Officers on motorcycles. Then a line of bikers stretched as far as the eye could see down Highway 182 toward Starkville.

Time for more progressive leadership

Having read the story about the Columbus Country Club offering the nine holes on Military Road for the soccer complex, I have these thoughts. I applaud their offer and I hope the finances can be worked out because this is the best location for all and like the others, is much more desirable than Burns Bottom. I have reviewed the park Internet sites for both Tupelo and Starkville and Tupelo has 15 fields and Starkville has seven fields.

Omnova lays off 33 at Columbus plant

A recent sharp decline in business led to a large round of layoffs at Columbus’ Omnova Solutions plant in East Columbus.

Columbus toddler drowns in neighbor’s pool

A Columbus toddler drowned Thursday evening after wandering out of her home and into a next-door neighbor’s backyard pool.

Fire that killed child ruled accidental

Officials with the Mississippi Fire Marshal’s office have ruled a fatal Tuesday night fire that claimed the life of a 3-year-old child accidental.

Tax collector pays $15,000 ethics fine

Lowndes County Tax Assessor and Collector Greg Andrews has paid a $15,000 fine after the Mississippi Ethics Commission determined he violated state ethics laws.

West Point selectmen fire city police chief

The West Point Board of Selectmen Tuesday voted to fire West Point Police Chief Steve Bingham.

A new possibility: Country Club’s offer adds new twist to search for soccer park site

A new wrinkle has been thrown into the debate over the best location for a Columbus soccer field complex, with the Columbus Country Club’s offer to the county to sell its back nine holes — land amounting to between 65-70 acres — to the county for the project.

Lowndes tax assessor and collector pays $15,000 ethics fine

Lowndes County Tax Assessor and Collector Greg Andrews has paid a $15,000 fine after the Mississippi Ethics Commission determined he violated state ethics laws.

Child dies in mobile home fire

A fire that broke out Tuesday evening in a mobile home claimed the life of a 3-year-old child.

Why 50th?

I’d like to suggest you have John Coffey give us his estimation of why Mississippi is the 50th ranked state in many crucial measurements.

Seven day sales and public safety

In the debate of the sale of alcohol, ensuring public safety should be a point which must not be taken lightly. In reviewing the data available as well as reviewing historical evidence and perspectives from neighboring communities, it is clear that relaxing the restrictions on alcohol sales does not pose an increased threat to the public and there is evidence that less stringent regulation may reduce risk.

Culture of fear

The fear-mongering tactics employed by certain opponents of the proposed amendments to the alcohol ordinance are baseless and offensive. Starkville presently enjoys alcohol sales six days of the week. The idea that public health, safety, and welfare are endangered by an increase in the ability to purchase and responsibly consume alcohol on an additional day is completely unsubstantiated.

University Columbus

I’ll start with an apology for being so late. May I propose “ University Columbus” as the future name for our local university.

Local YMCAs offer gasoline giveaway

The Frank Phillips YMCAs are proud to announce the first-ever YMCA “Top Off Your Tank” Gasoline Giveaway. Tickets for the gasoline giveaway will be available from Aug. 13-27 at any of the four Lowndes County YMCA branches.

Bravos for Claudia and Sallie

Two people received standing ovations at MUW’s convocation Monday morning, both of them well deserved: Sallie Reneau and Claudia Limbert.

Going batty: Local enthusiasts say bats play important roles, including pest control

A bat paid a visit to the Dispatch offices Tuesday morning.

It hung itself upon an window muntin outside and roosted there through the afternoon, now and then changing positions. Some passers-by stared.