Report: Oktibbeha studio schools a success

STARKVILLE — School officials Monday heard an update on the success of one semester of studio school at both Oktibbeha County high schools in a meeting where they also began the process of putting the district’s policies online.

MUW graduate starts job as state Supreme Court clerk

JACKSON — Mississippi University for Women graduate Kathy Gillis began working Monday as the clerk of the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

Budget: Gov. Haley Barbour says another tobacco tax possible

JACKSON — Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is poised to grab more control over the budget-writing process as top lawmakers warn they’re likely to end the on-again, off-again regular session without agreeing on a state spending plan.

Voters in all three Golden Triangle communities will elect mayors on Tuesday; we urge you to be part of the process

If you live in the city of Columbus, Starkville or West Point, you have a right and a responsibility to fulfill tomorrow; that is to vote.

Area Arrests 6-1-09

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

Despite historic election, Starkville officials skeptical about turnout

The general election in Starkville Tuesday is being hailed as one of the most important in the history of the city, but with primary and runoff elections already under voters’ belts, officials wonder how many people will show up at the polls?

Roses and thorns 5-31-09

Columbus-Lowndes Development Link, West Point/Clay County Arts Council, Camgian Microsystems Corp., Wilford and Mary Patterson, Frank Phillips YMCA and the Columbus Kiwanis Club, and Holly Travis

MUW’s summer science workshops: from aquatic plants to astronomy

The MUW Explorer will make waves again this summer on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.

Crime Report 5-31-09

The following incidents were reported by the Columbus Police Department:

Caledonia voters Tuesday will choose mayor, Board of Aldermen

CALEDONIA — Voters Tuesday will have a chance to cast their ballots for a pair of mayoral candidates and 10 residents who have qualified for the town’s Board of Aldermen.

Crawford mayor passing the torch after Tuesday’s election

Helen O’Neal, Crawford’s longtime mayor, will find out who will take her place on Tuesday, when the town will hold its municipal election.

Pressure mounts for lawmakers

JACKSON — State lawmakers return Wednesday for their stalemated 2009 session as pressure mounts for them to pass the state budget or be forced to give up and see Gov. Haley Barbour wrest control in a special session.

New Hope sweeps doubleheader in Dizzy Dean Baseball

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School’s summer team knew it was in trouble in the second game of a Dizzy Dean doubleheader Thursday when New Hope pitcher Jake Upton struck out four in the first inning.

Upton accomplished the feat when he threw a wild pitch on the third strikeout and then retired Blake Dawkins swinging to end the frame.

The Yellow Jackets could never adjust to Upton’s knuckleball and only got one hit in three innings.

Crime Report

The following incidents were reported by the Columbus Police Department:

CPD officers responded to Baptist Memorial Hospital–Golden Triangle at about 6:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a rape victim at the hospital.

Supreme Court: Suit against trooper wrongfully dismissed

JACKSON — The state Supreme Court ruled Thursday that U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock as a state judge wrongfully dismissed an automobile-negligence suit filed in Monroe County against an Alabama state trooper without letting a jury hear the case.

Lawmakers gain momentum in budget talks

JACKSON — The House and Senate have gained ground in negotiating a budget compromise.

Thursday, it seemed they had moved backward instead of forward.

This morning Rep. Cecil Brown, D-Jackson, one of the Legislature’s chief budget negotiators, said, “We’re very close.”

Blame it on the rain: Historic rainfall weighs heavily on farmers

CRAWFORD — Longtime farmer Glenn Mast noticed a duck swimming between rows in his soybean field this spring.

Withholding adjustment option available for pension plans

The Internal Revenue Service recently released new withholding adjustment procedures for pension plans. In February, the IRS issued revised withholding tables incorporating the Making Work Pay Tax Credit. The new procedure for pensions will make withholding more accurate for pension recipients.

Electric cooperative reaches safety milestone

Employees of 4-County Electric Power Association’s West Point office celebrated a safety milestone recently. Employees at the office completed 2008 without a single recordable safety incident. In fact, the cooperative office has now gone nearly four years without any lost-time accidents. Employees were treated to a luncheon May 21 in honor of their achievement.

Legislative negotiators separated by $103 million

JACKSON — About $103 million is separating the Mississippi House and Senate from a budget agreement as Democrats advocate spending more on education and health care while Republicans want to save money for later in case Mississippi encounters worse financial times.