Public TV head touts learning program

Despite fuzzy reception of classical music on 89.9 FM, the Golden Triangle’s Mississippi Public Broadcasting station, on Tuesday, the Rotary Club of Columbus heard Marie Antoon, MPB’s executive director, loud and clear.

Drug, shoplifting cases processed in 16th circuit court in Lowndes Co.

The following cases were processed during the current term of the 16th Circuit Court in Lowndes County:

n Richard Foss, of 30154 Seymore Road in Nettleton, pleaded guilty to one count of perjury. He was sentenced to two years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections and five years of post-release supervision.

n Karen Wilde

YMCA ‘Healthy Kids Day’ this weekend

The Frank Phillips YMCA Saturday presents “Healthy Kids Day,” sponsored by the Columbus Kiwanis Club. From 9 a.m. until noon, the downtown YMCA will present the nation’s largest health day for children and families, featuring activities to promote wellness and healthy living.

Thomasson recognized as Noxubee’s Industry of the Year

The Noxubee Alliance recently held its annual Salute to Industry awards luncheon to celebrate Noxubee County’s business community, honoring the Thomasson Co./East Mississippi Pole as the Industry of the Year.

New buzzword as Legislature continues to drag on budget: ‘frustration’

JACKSON — The House and Senate still haven’t agreed on a state budget amid increasing frustration about the deadlock for funding state government services for the people that provide and receive them.

Rob Hardy: When sports and war collide

Sports and nationalism often clash, and did so memorably when Adolf Hitler was in power. The story of how the four gold medals won by non-Aryan Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics embarrassed the Fuhrer has often been told. Of somewhat lesser renown is the 1936 heavyweight fight between Max Schmeling and Joe Louis, of which a German radio announcer said, “It is every German’s obligation to stay up tonight. Max will fight overseas with a Negro for the hegemony of the white race!”

West Point football player Wallace dies in his sleep

The West Point High School football team lost one of its offensive lineman of the future Thursday when Tyler Wallace passed away in his sleep.

An autopsy report has yet to reveal the cause of death of the 15-year old Wallace, who would have been a sophomore on West Point’s football team this fall.

“Everybody is doing as well as can be expected,” said West Point coach Chris Chambless. “We were shocked. The response from the community as far as helping and praying has been greatly appreciated.”

Leaders plan to forge new vision for city

More than a dozen community members and leaders gathered Friday at Columbus’ Main Street office for the beginning phase of a September design charrette, an intensive planning session usually involving citizens, designers and others who collaborate on development of a vision, mission or goal.

Park ranger’s memo to Columbus police chief

The following is the memo written by Patricia Montague, a park ranger at the Vicksburg National Military park, to Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John, concerning the four police officers recently put on suspension for their behavior at the park on May 5.

Roses and thorns 5/24/09

A rose to Robert McAllister, who “dedicated his life” to helping others and to his family members, many of whom were on hand Thursday, as the Columbus Air Force Base fire station was named in his honor.

Disappointed by columns

I write this as a Roman Catholic Christian, a Roman Catholic Priest, and a citizen of the Columbus, Lowndes County community. Also, may I say that to my recollection, I have never written a public letter of a critical or condemning nature. I do not brag about that, but state it so that you are aware that I have no ax to grind or agenda to advance.

Vicksburg matter offers opportunity to get better

I appreciate the sentiments expressed in your May 21 editorial. The dialogue created by this incident, while at times painful, has been valuable both to the department and the community.

Steve Rogers: The Vicksburg 4: Anatomy of a witch hunt

Fifteen days is too long. That’s right, the Columbus City Council went to far when it suspended the Vicksburg 4 — the four Columbus police officers at the center of a misunderstanding at the Vicksburg National Military Park — for 15 days.

Local holiday closings

Dispatch offices will be closed Monday for Memorial Day, but the circulation department will take customer service phone calls from 7-10 a.m.

Crash downtown sends three to hospital

Three people were transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries early Saturday morning after a two-car wreck in downtown Columbus.

MSU students prepare for La. excavation

STARKVILLE — Archaeologists and students from Mississippi State University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe are joining for a summer dig next month at the nationally famous Poverty Point State Historic Site.

Hospital tax talks stall

JACKSON – Legislative negotiations worsened Friday as lawmakers gave up reaching a House-Senate compromise on a hospital tax and now head into a budget conflict that will be hard to reconcile.

A new mayor for Starkville

With city-funded curbside recycling pickup, a “green” city building ordinance, bike and walking paths (and plans for more) and a smoking ordinance, Starkville leads the Golden Triangle in innovative movements.

Reserve officer arrested on rape charge

A Columbus reserve police officer was fired Wednesday after he was arrested in Oktibbeha County on statutory rape charges.

Body of missing teen retrieved

The body of a teenager missing since May 15 was recovered around 7:30 this morning, Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley confirmed. The body was discovered around 6:41 a.m.