Building Permits 6-8-11

Columbus and Lowndes County building permits April 26 – May5

Johnson rallies for win at Magnolia

Hall of Famer Ronnie Johnson put on a late-race clinic Saturday to overtake David Breazeale with five laps remaining and win the Governor’s Cup at Magnolia Motor Speedway.

The victory helped Johnson become the first repeat winner of the Governor’s Cup.

Times set for MSU-Florida Super Regional

The NCAA baseball tournament Super Regional between Southeastern Conference rivals University of Florida (48-16) and Mississippi State (37-23) at McKethan Stadium will begin at 11 a.m. Friday (ESPN2).

The second game of the best-of-three series will be at 11 a.m. Saturday (ESPN). The third and deciding game will begin at noon Sunday (ESPN) if necessary.

North Columbus business owner fashions concrete headstones

Gregory Gates makes people into angels … literally. The owner of Gifts for All in north Columbus, a “whotnots” shop near Columbus Air Force Base, makes concrete sculptures for burial markers including headstones, babies, hearts, teddy bears, benches and of course, angels.

West Point man accused of shooting son

A 69-year-old West Point man is at the center of an investigation into the murder of his 48-year-old son.

Alabama will try to rally vs. Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The NCAA tournament game between the University of Alabama baseball team and Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional was suspended because of severe weather Sunday night, with the Seminoles leading 8-1 in the top of the sixth inning.

The game will resume at 11 a.m. today.

Hallaway leads by 2 at Atwell Atkins golf tournament

Zac Hallaway shot a low round of 68 Saturday to take the lead in the championship flight at the annual Atwell Atkins golf tournament at Green Oaks Golf Course.

The Dispatch to introduce Saturday edition

Starting in July, The Dispatch will begin printing a Saturday morning edition of the paper, which will include up-to-date local sports, community events and — back by popular demand — a TV guide.

The Dispatch currently publishes Monday-Friday, and on Sunday. Starting July 2, the paper will discontinue its Monday print edition.

North, South meet again at Table Talk

Elizabeth Heiskell, co-author of “Somebody Stole the Cornbread from My Dressing,” is the featured speaker at the June 8 Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library and the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market Table Talk series.

Williams’ 100th birthday materials archived at library

Staff members of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library have received archival documents from the Tennessee Williams Tribute Committee for preservation of artifacts connected with the Columbus-Lowndes County celebration of the 100th birthday of Columbus native and America’s great playwright and poet, Thomas Lanier “Tennessee ” Williams.

Spurrier, Mullen want to pay college football players in SEC

DESTIN, Fla. — Steve Spurrier has a plan to pay football players — and it wouldn’t cost schools or conferences a dime.

Alabama softball wins Women’s College World Series opener

OKLAHOMA CITY — Senior Kelsi Dunne and freshman Jackie Traina combined to allow just one hit Thursday in the University of Alabama softball team’s 1-0 victory against to down seventh-seeded California in the opening game of the Women’s College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

Ecolab grants nearly $30,000 to local schools

Ecolab/Microtek Medical granted $29,991 to Lowndes County School District and Columbus Municipal School District teachers who applied for the Vision for Learning Award for projects and materials to further the education of their students.

Nunnelee to host Columbus town hall meeting Monday

First District U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo, will host a town hall meeting Monday in Columbus.

The meeting will be held at the Columbus Municipal Center at 6 p.m. Monday.

Monroe coroner: Man found in field died of natural causes

A Hamilton man found dead on Monday died of natural causes, said Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley.

Columbus Rep. Smith to run as Republican

Longtime state Rep. Jeff Smith of Columbus switched to the Republican Party just before Wednesday’s qualifying deadline for legislative races, and he said he still plans to run for the open spot of Mississippi House speaker in January.

Choctaw Coroner: Inmate killed after attacking officer

A Choctaw County fugitive who overpowered an Ackerman police officer and stole her cruiser at gunpoint is dead following a pursuit.

Three Starkville teens arrested in attempted burglary

Three teenagers were arrested Wednesday for attempting to break into the Army Navy Store on Highway 12 in Starkville.

Racing returns to Magnolia Motor Speedway on Saturday

Columbus’ Magnolia Motor Speedway returns to action Saturday with the Eighth Governor’s Cup.

Fresh off a barn-burner last weekend at the Southern All Stars Super Late Models, Magnolia Motor Speedway’s latest event will feature the RockAuto.com Super Late Models in a 50-lap, $5,000-to-win showdown.

Missing Hamilton man found dead

HAMILTON — Authorities say an 81-year-old Monroe County man was found dead in a field behind his home Monday by two neighbors.