Turnout high in West Point, low in Columbus; Starkville in middle

In the Golden Triangle, the number of people who participated in their city’s respective primary elections varied greatly in the three cities.

Sandfield Eighth of May celebration to feature music, family entertainment

Area residents this weekend will have a chance to celebrate a more than 150-year Columbus tradition in the city’s Sandfield neighborhood.

Ross handed landslide in West Point

WEST POINT — In a landslide victory, West Point Mayor Scott Ross claimed the Democratic nomination for West Point’s mayoral seat. And at least one incumbent will not be returning to the West Point Board of Selectmen’s table for the next four years.

Local letter carriers partner with Lowndes County United Way to ‘Stamp Out Hunger’

The National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct the nation’s largest food drive to combat hunger Saturday. On that day, letter carriers in over 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states will collect non-perishable donations from homes as they deliver mail along their postal routes.

Despite cig tax compromise, lawmakers still far apart on budget

JACKSON — The state Legislature ended its five-week recess today and returned with plans to easily approve a cigarette tax increase to raise more revenues and relieve car owners from higher taxes, but passing a state budget will be a struggle.

Orioles promote Columbus’ McCrory

Bob McCrory got an unexpected birthday present this weekend when he learned he will get another opportunity to pitch in the major leagues.

The Baltimore Orioles recalled McCrory, 27, on Sunday, and he rejoined the team in Toronto on his birthday.

Partner details business ventures

Cross examination began this morning in the clash between Columbus businessmen Oliver Phillips and Don DePriest, after a day of testimony from Phillips, who detailed a friendship he said ran sour after nearly three decades of unpaid debt.

Independent vo-tech classes for Oktibbeha not feasible this year

STARKVILLE — Oktibbeha County schools will continue to send students to the Millsaps Career and Technology Center, but they asked officials to gather data on what it would take to run their own program.

Columbus man arrested in drive-by shooting

Columbus Police have arrested the man they believe is responsible for a drive-by shooting last week.

Police have charged Jason Lemarcus Lafayette, 23, of 16 Watling Way in Columbus, with five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Sandfield festival on Council agenda

The Columbus City Council Tuesday night likely will approve a motion to block off areas of the Sandfield community, for the 10th annual Sandfield Community Homecoming Festival, slated for Friday and Saturday in the 2400 block of Fourth Avenue South.

Ex-partner’s suit against DePriest begins

NULL

Roses and thorns

Roses to the citizens of Columbus who have shown up at debates to educate themselves about city candidates before they make a decision.

Thinks Burns Bottom site a bad idea

When I moved here three years ago with my husband and two sons, it took me less than an hour to realize that this was the town for me. I am a southern girl, but have never lived this “deep” in the South.

Columbus was an exotic, enticing town to me. It was spring, and my first encounter in this city was exhilarating.

Birney Imes: Paul Thorn’s sermons

Friday evening around 6:30 Paul Thorn and his band were relaxing and eating sandwiches in the mayor’s conference room at City Hall. Thorn is an intense and muscular ball of energy who at 44 looks as though he could go a few rounds with a middleweight boxer.

New Hope bid to sweep series put on hold by the rain

The New Hope High School baseball team’s quest to sweep its third consecutive series in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A playoffs was put on hold Saturday.

New Hope was scheduled to play at Saltillo in the second game of the best-of-three third-round series, but the game was postponed due to rain.

The game has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at Saltillo.

The Trojans are seeking another sweep after beating Hernando and Pontotoc in the first two rounds.

New Hope took a 1-0 lead in the series Friday with an 8-3 victory at Trojan Field.

Kindergartner getting ready for school? Mother Goose rhymes a valuable tool

Lowndes County schools are asking parents of incoming kindergartners to help their children learn Mother Goose nursery rhymes before August.

100 Black Men to celebrate youth achievements

The 100 Black Men of Columbus and the Golden Triangle May 8 will celebrate the achievements of about 15 of its teen protégés during the group’s annual scholarship banquet and fundraiser.

MUW terminates new campus police chief

Mississippi University for Women Friday terminated its new Campus Police Chief John Harris, MUW Director of Public Affairs Anika Perkins confirmed that afternoon.

MSU police: Suspected baby powder shut down auditorium

STARKVILLE — The suspicious white powder found April 23 in a Mississippi State University auditorium turned out to be nothing more than a mistake, police said Friday.

Cloudy skies don’t dampen crowds

Despite overcast skies and threats of rain, the 14th Market Street Festival in downtown Columbus was a rousing success. Vendors, musical acts and visitors from a few blocks over and a few states away all enjoyed a good Southern time.