EPA says flood control project not subject to previous veto

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not object to a revised proposal for a massive flood-control project to pump water from parts of the Mississippi Delta, a regional administrator for the agency says.

No local jury for Mississippi man’s trial in police killing

A judge ruled Thursday that a jury from a different part of Mississippi will hear the death penalty trial of a man charged in the 2018 shooting deaths of two Brookhaven police officers.

Mississippi National Guard promotes 2-star general

The Mississippi National Guard, in a ceremony Saturday, promoted Brig. Gen. John “Trent” Kelly.

Superintendents reflect on virtual learning, morale in fall defined by pandemic

Throughout the fall semester, public school districts throughout the Golden Triangle frequently adjusted learning models, equipment and just about everything else related to teaching and learning, all under the specter of a global pandemic that has infected millions of Americans.

23,000 fewer students are enrolled in state’s public schools; it’s unclear where they went

More than 23,000 fewer students are enrolled in Mississippi public schools this year than last year, and a spokesperson for the state Department of Education did not answer when asked where the students went.

Partial to Home: Streetcar

If there was ever a time to haul out the Christmas lights, this is the year.

Roses and thorns: 12/6/20

A rose to all those whose hard work in transforming a downtown Columbus building into “Whoville.” That effort was spoiled by the real Grinch –

Voice of the people: Walter P. Okhuysen

COVID-19 Fatigue I awoke this morning to another bad COVID dream wherein my wife and I encountered an obviously saddened lady while waiting at a

Voice of the people: Lee Roy Lollar

Hazard mitigation and city’s project manager I’ll say one thing about our fair city, we have a lot of over seeing the over seers. It

SAAC’s annual Winter Showcase — A hybrid show

Starkville Area Arts Council announces the return of its Art in Public Places annual Winter Showcase.

In the garden with Felder: Still time to prep plants for Old Man Winter

Wish I had taken my own sage advice last week, to bring frost-tender plants indoors before it was too late.

Photo: Holly Jolly

Main Street Columbus volunteers got in the holiday spirit as they readied Christmas trees to decorate the corners of Main and Fifth Streets in downtown Columbus. From left are Penny Bowen, Amber Brislin, Brooke Hill, Sally Frost, Morgan Galjour and Laura Catherine Yeatman.

Southern Gardening: Cold snap doesn’t have to catch gardeners unaware

Well, it happened again this week.

It seems every year, home gardeners get surprised by the first cold snap.

Community Calendar for the week of December 6, 2020

Saturday, Dec. 12 Whoville Cruisin’ — Cars, trucks, golf carts and gators are invited to decorate “Grinch-style” and join this cruise through downtown Columbus at

Our View: The Shameful Generation

As early as March, the COVID-19 pandemic was compared to war. President Trump called himself a war-time president as the nation battled an insidious, invisible enemy on our own soil.

Voice of the people: Stan Boden

Questions Dispatch’s statement on voting fraud Do the editors of The Dispatch still stand behind its stated position that there is no evidence of fraud

Voice of the people: Paul Mack

Appreciates Hardees worker and a correction I wish I’d known of the effort to collect money for Sonya Baldwin – I’d surely have donated. Count

Photo: Spears speaks on Franklin bicentennial

Columbus Municipal School District board president Jason Spears reminded Columbus Exchange Club members about the importance of Franklin Academy’s bicentennial celebration, set for 2021, during Thursday’s meeting at the Lion Hills Center and Golf Club.

Grinch Fest called off due to COVID concerns

Today’s “Grinch Fest in Whoville” event has been called off after new recommendations by the state’s health officer, Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow announced Thursday afternoon.

Our View: Expressing our pride in lights

There is no purely practical reason for people to manicure their lawns, plant flower gardens or pressure-wash their driveways, yet many people do it anyway.