Articles by Dispatch Editorial Board
Lowndes included in Miss. Hills Heritage Area
A 30-county region in North Mississippi, which includes Lowndes County, has been designated as a national heritage area.
County Tax assessor’s wife resigns
Alicia Andrews, wife of Lowndes County Tax Collector and Assessor Greg Andrews, resigned last week in what may be a move tied to a Mississippi Ethics Commission nepotism complaint brought in February against Greg Andrews.
EMCC salutes industry at annual luncheon
East Mississippi Community College representatives were joined by politicians, educators and community leaders at the college’s Golden Triangle campus Wednesday afternoon to send out thanks to local industry.
Column brought back fond memories
Dear Birney,
As I do every Sunday, I look for your article. You didn’t disappoint this week (Tupelo honey at the Silver Spur). I felt I should respond.
Baucom helps revive Central Arkansas
Rachel Baucom is accustomed to winning when it comes to playing softball.
She played on six state championship teams at New Hope High School and back-to-back state championship teams at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala.
Baucom isn’t on a team that good this season, but she’s helping revive the softball program at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark.
125 years and counting: MUW hosts Homecoming ’09
As Mississippi University for Women continues to celebrate its 125th anniversary, the university will welcome alumni to campus this weekend with many special events planned for Homecoming.
DePriest faces tax troubles, lawsuits
Don DePriest, the Tennessee Valley Authority board member from Columbus who resigned abruptly last week, owes more than $1.1 million in back taxes and faces lawsuits in a Lowndes County court for allegedly reneging on the repayment of millions of dollars in loans and misleading investors in his telecommunications companies.
As lawmakers squabble, car-tag fees poised to rise
JACKSON — State legislators are trying to take steps to ensure car-tag prices don’t increase like what’s being feared.
Summer vacation already too short
In 1963, I took my first trip to the north side of town, to R.E. Hunt High School. Of course, I was only in junior high, but it was a big deal. That summer, we went to visit folks in the country, picked plums, chased cattle, rode horses, and sometimes, we just got up at 5:30 just to see the sun rise, and the critters crawling. In those days, the summer seemed to be a whole year long.
First letter
I was born, grew up, and educated through high school in Columbus. From the time I was old enough to read, I read The Commercial Dispatch and its comics. Since returning to Columbus after retiring in 1985, I have been a regular subscriber to the same newspaper. I don’t believe that I have ever before written a “Letter to the Editor.” Now, though, I have a complaint.
Pilgrimage organizers ‘thrilled’ with attendance
Between 6,000 and 7,000 people from all over the world attended the 69th annual Columbus Pilgrimage.
First Baptist gets construction OK
The Columbus Planning Commission Monday approved plans presented by First Baptist Church of Columbus to continue construction of a new church on Bluecutt Road.
Legislature’s tax measures a mixed bag
JACKSON — People toiling to have their income-tax returns done by Wednesday’s deadline can look ahead to a variety of changes the state Legislature recently made for Mississippi’s tax structure.
Refund? What refund?
Most people say they plan to use this year’s tax refund to pay bills, deciding in this sour economy to be more frugal with their annual windfall.
A victim of political correctness
Well, so much for Reneau and Waverley as names for Mississippi University for Women. In the case of Reneau, it’s a shame. We’re not sure how Waverley, the name of a Sir Walter Scott novel and, subsequently, the Clay County antebellum mansion, made the cut other than it begins with a “W,” a pet name some want to preserve.
Roses and thorns
A rose to Alma Turner as the longtime educator opens a new chapter in her life. After heading the Golden Triangle chapter of the Institute of Community Services HeadStart program for nearly a decade, Turner is leaving the post to spend time with her family.
‘Welty University’ gets ok from family
As the debate continues to over what Mississippi University for Women eventually will call itself, one person, whose opinion might matter greatly down the road, has weighed in.
Betty Stone: Another take on the point of view
In my last column I passed along a story of Tom Hardy illustrating how an incident can be seen from two points of view. Coincidentally, about the same time Linda Lodato shared with me an illustration of how time can produce two different points of view.
Flood of applicants for empty Starkville school admin seats
STARKVILLE — The process is under way to find new principals for the middle and high schools in Starkville as both top positions are open for the coming school year. Superintendent Judy Couey said there have been “quite a lot of applicants” for the positions. She said many apply for both, and applicants bring a wide range of experience.