SEC teams’ penalties for drugs not created equally

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Players testing positive for marijuana in the Southeastern Conference don’t face the one-year suspension that comes from getting busted by the NCAA.

In the most successful league of the Bowl Championship Series-era, players routinely get third, fourth, and fifth chances before they’re booted from the team; failed drug tests administered by the NCAA result in the automatic suspension.

SEC supports playoff that includes four best teams

DESTIN, Fla. — College footballs most dominant conference has its wish list for a playoff.

Southeastern Conference school presidents and athletic directors voted unanimously Friday to support having the four best teams play for the national title in a proposed four-team playoff. The league doesn’t want a playoff to include ties to conference champions.

SEC wants to learn more about concussions

DESTIN, Fla. — The Southeastern Conference is taking steps to learn as much as it can about concussions, ultimately hoping to make college sports safer for student-athletes.

Crime report 6-3-12

A Columbus woman faces up to three years in prison for alleged credit card fraud, Attorney General Jim Hood said Saturday.

The YMCA and The Dispatch offer the Third Annual Mile-a-Day Marathon

Continuing the journey to a more active community, the YMCA and the Dispatch again have partnered to offer the Possum Town Mile-a-Day Marathon this month. The goal is for participants to log 26.2 miles of walking or running, throughout the month. The event is a non-competitive effort to promote healthier lifestyles for Lowndes County residents.

Spurrier moves forward with plan to pay players

DESTIN, Fla. — Steve Spurrier is sticking with his plan to pay players.

Thunder will hit Columbus Speedway

The United Sprint Car Series Outlaw Thunder Tour presented by Goodyear winged sprint cars headline the 15th annual USCS Battle at the Bullring tonight and Saturday at Columbus Speedway.

Alabama beats Tennessee in WCWS opener

OKLAHOMA CITY — The No. 2 University of Alabama softball team had a big first inning that led to a 5-3 victory against the University of Tennessee in its opening-round game of the Women’s College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium on Thursday evening.

Special weather warning for Lowndes County

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS 540 PM CDT THU MAY 31 2012 A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PEA TO DIME SIZE

More new faces at Women’s College World Series

OKLAHOMA CITY — Is it possible for the man in charge of the nation’s top softball players to be considered a new kid on the block in one of his sport’s premier events?

Ken Eriksen fills that role this week. The coach of the U.S. National Team finally cracked the field of the Women’s College World Series in his 16th season in charge at the University of South Florida, and the Bulls will make their debut today.

SEC football coaches differ on scheduling plans

DESTIN, Fla. — With the addition of the University of Missouri and Texas A&M University, the Southeastern Conference is tweaking its football and basketball schedules.

Football coaches are having a tougher time deciding what changes to make.

Bryant advocates school prayer in speech to teens

First-term Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant told a group of teenagers that he believes it should be possible for public schools to have some sort of nondenominational prayer to open the day.

However, the Republican said he’s not prepared to take any legal action to push the issue.

Damage award to sexually abused youth upheld

The state Court of Appeals has upheld an award of $500,000 to a teenager who was sexually abused by workers at facilities operated by the Mississippi Department of Human Services in Starkville and Ackerman.

Arrest report 5-31-12

A pair of drug busts by the Columbus-Lowndes Metro Narcotics Unit, the Columbus Police Department and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office has led to the

Firefighters graduate

Firefighters Christopher Carter and Matthew L. Jones of the Columbus Fire Department recently graduated from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighter course held

Highfield elected

Michael Highfield, associate professor of finance and department head of finance and economics in MSU’s College of Business, was recently elected the American Real Estate

Marriages and divorces 5-31-12

COLUMBUS Marriages May 23- 30 Matthew Lawson Quinn and Shelbi Diana Richards James Dylan Hensley and Masa Kathryn Floore Divorces May 23- 30 Merida Emil

Building permits 5-31-12

Columbus May 22- 28 Viola Stewart Bell, est 1005; Second St. S.; Repairs; Same CB Jenkins; 1708 22nd St. N.; Repairs; Longhorn Flooring Bates Tire;

Columbus Krystal’s Closes Doors

The Columbus Krystal’s, 2121 Hwy 45 S, has closed its doors. A spokesperson at the local chain said Tuesday, May 29 was its last day

Three Rebels earn All-SEC honors

The University of Mississippi baseball team will head to College Station, Texas, for its NCAA tournament regional armed with several Southeastern Conference awards.

On Tuesday, Alex Yarbrough, Matt Snyder, and Bobby Wahl were recognized by league coaches on the All-SEC teams. Yarbrough was named a first-team selection at second base, while Snyder and Wahl were second-team selections at first base and pitcher, respectively. Yarbrough also was named to the All-Defensive Team, while Snyder also was named to the Community Service Team.