Repairs and construction bond dies

A bond package that would have provided funding for repairs and new construction across Mississippi died when a Saturday deadline passed, though the legislature continued making strides Sunday to finish the budget process.

Mississippi observes Confederate Memorial Day

Mississippi government employees are starting this work week with a holiday honoring the old South.

Smithville focuses on recovery

A majority of the Smithville population was in attendance at Saturday’s Smithville Memorial Day when Governor Phil Bryant presented Mayor Gregg Kennedy with a check for $13,732.16 to help pay debris removal costs.

Colleges schedule spring graduations

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and an Air Force deputy chief of staff will speak at graduation exercises May 11-12 at Mississippi State University.

Noxubee Wildlife Refuge gets new manager

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has named a new manager for a national wildlife refuge in Mississippi and one in Alabama.

Cleveland smacks walk-off grand slam to beat Caledonia

CLEVELAND — There are a lot of ways to lose a baseball game.

A walk-off grand slam is one you don’t normally see. Unfortunately, that’s how the Caledonia High School baseball team saw its season end Saturday.

Three Columbus United teams advance to state tournament

The Columbus United Under-12 and U-14 boys and the U-16 girls soccer teams qualified for the Mississippi Soccer Association State Championships May 5-6 in Meridian.

MSU’s Ballard, Mitchell; Ole Miss’ Massie drafted

NEW YORK — Mississippi State University’s Vick Ballard and Charles Mitchell and the University of Mississippi’s Bobby Massie were selected Saturday on the third and final day of the NFL draft.

Ballard was selected in the fifth round by the Indianapolis Colts, while Mitchell was taken in the sixth by the Atlanta Falcons. Massie, an offensive lineman, was selected in the fourth round by the Arizona Cardinals.

Ravens take Alabama’s Upshaw; Sims will transfer

NEW YORK — The University of Alabama football team had its fifth player selected in the 2012 NFL draft Friday evening at when the Baltimore Ravens used the No. 35 overall pick, the third pick in the second round, to select senior linebacker Courtney Upshaw.

Link plans for replacement of Chamber VP

The Columbus-Lowndes Development Link will be adding new staff members in the coming months.

Arrest report 4-29-12

The following were arrested by officers with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Police Department. Nathan Kyle Coleman, 26, of 3107 Tabernacle Road in

Deal reached in Deuce McAllister/Nissan lawsuit

A federal judge approved a deal Friday in which a $1.5 million judgment against former Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister will be settled in accordance with a confidential agreement with Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.

National Day of Prayer observance set for Thursday

In conjunction with the National Day of Prayer May 3, the privately-funded Christian Community Organization invites citizens of Columbus and surrounding areas to join in an observance Thursday outside the Lowndes County Courthouse at 502 Second Ave. N.

Area arrests 4-27-12

The following were arrested by officers with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Police Department. Anthony Lawayne Seals, 22, of 906 17th St. N.

Voter ID bill gets final approval in Miss. House

A Mississippi voter ID bill is headed to Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, who has said he supports it as a way to protect the integrity of elections.

Child porn scam linked to bogus Bieber

An Alabama man was indicted Thursday on child porn and extortion charges after authorities say he posed as pop sensation Justin Bieber online and convinced young girls to send him inappropriate photos, federal prosecutors say.

Mayor’s son fined for weapon

Sherman Smith, son of Columbus Mayor Robert Smith, had his initial appearance in municipal court Wednesday.

Bryant says left’s mission is to abort children

Mississippi’s Republican governor had some new harsh words for proponents of legalized abortion this week, saying, “their one mission in life is to abort children, is to kill children in the womb.”

Columbus recognized by development magazine

Southern Business & Development has recognized Columbus as one of 10 Southern markets considered “no-brainer” locations for manufacturing in the South.

Area arrests for 4-26-12

The following were arrested by officers with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Police Department. Tyree Shaquille Sparks, 19, of 806 8th St. S.