Articles by Dispatch Editorial Board
EMCC to host Northeast Mississippi job fair Thursday
MAYHEW — Signs of the economic crisis are everywhere. Earlier this month, 800 people in Ohio applied for one job opening with a local school district. Cable news shows are running non-stop features about displaced workers as the national unemployment rate exceeds 8 percent. A widely released television commercial meant to reassure investors features budget tips — including one from a frequent business traveler who saves tiny bottles of hotel shampoo and comments, “I haven’t bought that stuff in years.”
Miss. schools get new rating system
Mississippi’s public schools will soon have a new accountability rating system, and officials say the top status will be harder to achieve.
The state Board of Education approved the new system earlier this month; it will be put into effect this fall.
We’re glad you’re here
It’s Pilgrimage time, which means visitors far and wide will descend on the Friendly City, filling up our bed-and-breakfasts and hotels and touring the city to see what we’re all about.
Child rearing
I grew up in the 1950’s 2-1/2 miles West of Brooksville, and everybody around, black and white, knew every other family’s children, aunts, etc. Even the families who lived in the town here felt a sense of security concerning public safety. Children were allowed to go anywhere in the towns they wanted. Their parents always knew where they were and what they were doing. If we got into mischief our parents knew it before we got home, and appropriate punishment often awaited us. Respect for and fear of the law was much greater in the days of “Leave it to Beaver” and “Andy Griffith”
School programs cause for optimism
We all have heard of the No-Child-Left-Behind Law introduced during The Bush administration. Unfortunately the program was left behind; children are not getting the early education they need to inspire them to want to learn and enjoy school.
Hundreds express gratitude to ‘Happy’
It was as if Columbus royalty had passed away.
Hundreds gathered at Missionary Union Baptist Church to celebrate the life and mourn the death of George “Happy” Irby.
The turnout was so large, in fact, the large sanctuary of the church could not accommodate them all and many had to watch the funeral via closed circuit camera in an adjoining building.
Visitors from near, far flock to annual event
The first day of the 69th Columbus Pilgrimage attracted people from all over North America to the Friendly City.
Crime Report 3-30
Police have arrested a juvenile who is believed to have been involved in a shooting last week. March 24 at 6:24 p.m., Carnell Brown of 132 Maple St. reported to the Columbus Police Department a disturbance in progress in which someone was firing a gun at an intersection in front of his house.
Local education, Head Start stalwart looks forward to new opportunities
The woman who has been the local director of the Institute of Community Services Head Start Program for nearly a decade is handing over the reigns of leadership in favor of new opportunities.
Animal officers praise program
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning is expected to pass a formal agreement confirming last year’s decision to combine the Columbus and Lowndes County animal control departments.
Residents: In West Point, it’s about jobs
WEST POINT — West Point citizens seem to agree on two things the city needs: jobs and change.
Will the cigarette tax rise from the ashes?
Legislators continue anguishing over a looming spike in car-tag prices taxes, but they’re still hoping to avert that by increasing the tax on cigarettes, even though the bill for that died last week.
Supports Matt Cox for Starkville mayor
I was raised in Starkville, attended Starkville Public Schools and also taught Art at Starkville High School during the 2003-2004 school year until budget cuts forced faculty reductions in the art program.
High school annuals
The Local History Room at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library is sending out a call for donations of Lowndes County High School annuals to fill in the gaps in the current collection of Lowndes County yearbooks.
Clean sweep
Amazed. That is the best word we can use to describe how The Link’d Young Professionals group feels after our first Clean Sweep Columbus. The weather may not have been perfect but we pushed forward and made the best of our day. We would like to thank everyone who participated. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we were able to make Columbus shine and look its best. Without the tremendous support we received from our local elected officials, local businesses, and the overwhelming support of you, the community, this event would not have been possible.
Betty Stone: It all depends on the point of view
Tom Hardy is a friend who is a good raconteur and who has a long history in Columbus. Recently he shared the following story with me. I could not improve on it, so I’ll let him tell it himself:
“Recently I was driving down Seventh Street South and saw an old water oak tree, between the street and the sidewalk, which brought to mind an incident that has remained in my memory for nearly 80 years.
Roses and thorns 3-29-09
Happy Irby, Columbus Police Department, Jasmine Murray, Starkville, Chris Jenkins and Lenore Prather
National guardsmen prepare for war
Hundreds of National Guardsmen from North Mississippi’s Alpha Battery are shipping out to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the coming weeks and many were in Columbus with their families Saturday.
Columbus gets a makeover
Despite overcast skies and intermittent rain, more than 400 people dedicated their Saturday and their elbow grease to putting a spit-shine on the Friendly City.