SEC coaches want playoff plan to include top four

DESTIN, Fla. — The Southeastern Conference is looking out for No. 1 — maybe even No. 2.

Football coaches from the recently expanded league were in unison Tuesday that they want a proposed four-team playoff to include the best teams in the country — and not be tied to conference champions.

Smith named managing editor

Slim Smith has been named managing editor of The Commercial Dispatch.

Country Club board to submit second bankruptcy plan

After a year of toiling in a financial quagmire, Columbus Country Club board members are preparing to submit their second reorganization plan with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Mississippi. The club, which has operated at its present location since 1923, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 3, 2011.

Speculation over OCH sale already stirring emotions

There have been no formal talks and the matter hasn’t even made it onto the agenda yet.

Even so, the rumors and speculation surrounding a possible sale of the Oktibbeha County Hospital have already prompted an accusation and a rebuttal.

Bryants now living in Miss. Governor’s Mansion

Gov. Phil Bryant and his wife, Deborah, have started living in the renovated Governor’s Mansion, more than four months after he took office.

Oktibbeha County Hospital introduces Jack, the surgical robot

The Oktibbeha County Hospital last week hosted an open house to showcase one of the newest additions to the surgical staff and his name is Jack.

Crime report 5-27-12

The Columbus Police Department is investigating an attempted burglary. An officer Thursday was dispatched to 208 20th St. S, where Maria Bruce told them she

Breaking: Gardner sentenced to 20 years

Demonta Gardner sentenced to 20 years for burglary of an occupied dwelling

GSDP CEO search plan expected by mid-July

There was no white smoke drifting from the chimney above the offices of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership on Thursday afternoon.

SPD introduces two-officer motorcycle unit

In November, the Starkville Police Department was looking for a couple of good men for a new assignment.

Candidates could be assured of being miserably hot in the summer, chilled to the bone in the winter and drenched in rainy weather. In addition, the candidates were assured of performing a tedious, thankless job. Oh, and the job is potentially dangerous.

Crime report 5-25-12

The Columbus Police Department is investigating an alleged Wednesday morning shooting. An officer was dispatched to 300 Holly Hills Road, Rivergate Apartment Complex, at about

Arrest report 5-25-12

The following arrests were reported by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Police Department: Lorenzo Butler, 50, of 334 East Railroad Drive in Columbus,

Traina leads Alabama past Michigan

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The No. 2 University of Alabama softball team used a two-hit pitching gem from Jackie Traina and some clutch hitting to beat the University of Michigan 4-1 Thursday in game one of the Tuscaloosa Super Regional in front of 2,475 fans at Rhoads Stadium.

LSU eliminates Ole Miss from SEC tournament

HOOVER, Ala. — The University of Mississippi baseball team stayed within striking distance for most of the game, but LSU used a five-run eighth inning to break the game open en route to an 11-2 victory in an elimination game on day two of the Southeastern Conference tournament at Regions Park.

Jordy Snikeris homered, doubled, and drove in four runs to power LSU (43-15), which will play Mississippi State at 3 p.m. today in another elimination game.

Auto racing set for Columbus this weekend

The Columbus Motor Speedway and the Magnolia Motor Speedway will be in action on a busy Memorial Day Holiday weekend.

Police investigating shooting, burglaries

The Columbus Police Department are investigating the following: On Wednesday, 23 May 2012, at 12 a.m. an officer was dispatched to 300 Holly Hills Road,

School takes active approach to teaching Spanish

By the time Jack Fountain is in his mid-30s, a period generally considered the most productive years of a person’s life, his country will be a much-different place than it is today.

Researchers say that at the current pace, Hispanics will become the majority in the U.S. by 2040, which means more than half of the population will speak Spanish. Those who don’t speak Spanish will find themselves in a minority and likely facing a competitive disadvantage.

Bryant signs law to limit attorney general’s power

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant on Tuesday signed a law limiting the attorney general’s control of the state’s legal business.

OCSD promotes senior check-in service at annual picnic

Along with a free lunch and some entertainment, Oktibbeha County senior citizens were given the opportunity to sign up for a potentially life-saving program on Wednesday at the Fifth Annual Senior Day at the Park.

Mayers, Huber lead Ole Miss past Arkansas

HOOVER, Ala. — Mike Mayers pitched seven scoreless innings before giving way to Brett Huber in the University of Mississippi baseball team’s 2-0 win against the University of Arkansas on Wednesday in an elimination game at the Southeastern Conference tournament at Regions Park.

The win pushed Ole Miss (35-23) into a matchup against No. 2 LSU at 9:30 a.m. today.