Photo: A birthday on the water

For Christmas Dave Deacon’s wife, Barb, gave him a drysuit, a one-piece garment meant to keep dry paddlers, divers and in the case of her husband, water skiers. Dave put his gift to good use Saturday afternoon, which also happened to be his 70th birthday.

Monday Profile: Baptist nurse practitioner recognized for leadership, patient satisfaction

Earlier this year, Francine Glenn was surprised to receive a call from the head of the health care collective she has worked with for years.

She didn’t know why he would call, she said, until he told her he wanted to be the first to congratulate her for SCP Health’s national Excellence in Leadership award.

Lowndes continues to outpace rest of Golden Triangle in COVID case numbers

The number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in the Golden Triangle, particularly in Lowndes County, where more than 4,000 total cases have been reported as of Saturday.

Analysis: Mississippi early voting needs veto-proof support

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves is making clear, even before the start of the 2021 legislative session, that he opposes any big changes in the way the state conducts elections.

Mississippi prisons to allow smoking, starting in February

The head of Mississippi’s prison system says inmates will be allowed to smoke, starting Feb. 1 — a move designed to break the trade in contraband tobacco that’s smuggled inside.

Education group: Automation means workers need new skills

Automation could displace thousands of workers in Mississippi and other parts of the South unless they learn new skills, according to a report from the Southern Regional Education Board.

Mississippi Mardi Gras celebrations dwindle amid virus surge

Several Mardi Gras parades in Mississippi have already been canceled because of a surge in coronavirus cases, and one more is likely to be added to that list soon.

Mississippi special-needs vouchers used more in metro areas

Many children using special-needs vouchers in Mississippi the past two years came from metro areas where more private or parochial schools are available than in rural areas.

Roses and thorns: 12-27-20

A rose to all those organizations, volunteers and donors who used this Christmas season as an opportunity to help those in need and, in doing

Voice of the people: George Hazard

Notes a loss for our community Our region lost a genial contributor with the recent death of Bob Reynolds. He combined business leadership with a

Voice of the people: Lee Roy Lollar

Our next President Less than a month to go, then that awful Trump will be out of office, and we’ll have a real president that

Sherry Ivy: Stand still and let God fight your battle

We face battles in our lives every day. However, many of us are not patient enough to allow the Lord to fight on our behalf.

Columbus police search for suspects in McDonald’s shooting

Columbus investigators are searching for a vehicle involved in a shooting at McDonald’s in East Columbus early Christmas morning.

More meetings of Mississippi Senate can be watched online

People are getting another way to watch Mississippi legislators as they conduct public business.

MEMA leader out of hospital after COVID-19 complication

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency director Greg Michel is back home after being hospitalized three days with pneumonia that developed after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Columbus library begins Winter Reading Challenge

The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System (CLPLS) will host its first Winter Reading Challenge via its Beanstack reading platform, to be held from Jan. 1, 2021 to March 1, 2021.

Oktibbeha monies announced for emergency program

United Way of North Central Mississippi has been awarded federal funds made available through the department of Homeland Security (DHS /Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program).

School news: ICC Honors List

Itawamba Community College released its honors lists for the 2020 fall semester. President’s List: Caledonia: Anna Elizabeth Brock, Gabrielle N. Glasgow, Leslie Jayden Ray. Columbus:

Military brief: Takerer competed

Army Spc. Anna A. Takerer competed in the Army Best Warrior Competition for the 441st Engineer Company. The week-long series of events, described as “the

Photo: Oh, no you don’t, Mr. Grinch