Motorists urged to use caution around cyclists

While more and more cyclists are taking to the streets of Starkville, motorists are being urged to follow a new state law which sets a minimum space requirement when passing bicycles on the road.

Cal-Maine adds 800,000 eggs to recall

Cal-Maine Foods Inc., the nation’s largest egg seller and distributor, said it is recalling about 800,000 dozen eggs related to an expanded recall tied to a salmonella outbreak.

New chuckles debut on Dispatch’s comics page

The Dispatch is welcoming a few new characters to its funny page.

Paccar engine plant hires 90 new workers

Ninety new workers have been hired by Paccar’s Columbus plant, as the maker of engines for commercial trucks readies to begin production by the end of the year.

Columbus goes to the wire to edge Aberdeen

ABERDEEN — In the opener of the 2009 season it took two overtimes to decide the outcome of Columbus and Aberdeen

This year’s rematch also went down as an instant classic as the Falcons’ defensive heroics were again enough to hold off the Bulldogs 8-6 and give first-year head coach Tony Stanford the victory in his debut.

“It’s so important for our program,” Stanford said. “We’ve struggled over the last couple of years winning some so we need to get as much confidence as we can. Our kids don’t have a lot (of confidence) but wins is the only way you can get it and we’ll take them any way we can get them. It was sweet.”

Heritge leads from opening kickoff en route to beating Oak Hill

WEST POINT — Sophomore Miller Puckett took the opening kickoff return 82 yards untouched to help Heritage Academy lead from the start Friday night en route to a 28-14 victory against Oak Hill Academy in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools season opener for both teams.

“It is always good to win that first one,” Heritage Academy second-year coach Brad Butler said. “Miller Puckett played well. We have to make sure we find ways to get the ball in his hands more.

“We had too many penalties, but we overcame those with some big plays, but we still have to get mentally tougher so we can overcome these penalties.”

Hamilton routs Weir in season opener

HAMILTON — The Hamilton High School football team came on like gangbusters in the second half Friday night and pulled away to rout Weir 42-0 in the season opener for both teams.

The game was scoreless after the opening quarter and Hamilton led 7-0 at halftime before erupting for three touchdowns in the third quarter and two touchdowns and a field goal in the fourth quarter.

It was Hamilton’s highest-scoring game since beating Alcorn Central 48-14 on Sept. 29, 2006, as the Lions cruised past Weir, which has won six Class A state championships.

West Point opens defense of title in style

WEST POINT — The Mississippi High School Activities Association defending Class 5A state champions opened defense of their crown in style Friday night.

Senior running back Jacoby Lee and senior quarterback Justin Cox scored the first two touchdowns and helped lead West Point to a 39-14 victory against Shannon in the season opener for both teams.

Last year, Shannon beat West Point 27-20 in the first game of the season. The Green Wave then rolled off 14 consecutive victories en route to the school’s six state championship.

Southern Cruisers to host annual car extravaganza

The rally sports, T-buckets, coupes and muscle cars will all be lining up Aug. 28, dominating the East Bank of the John C. Stennis Lock and Dam in Columbus.

Help needed for relief efforts to Haiti, Ukraine

Operation Ukraine, the nonprofit humanitarian relief organization based in Columbus, has been busy filling containers for earthquake relief to Haiti and flood relief to the Ukraine.

MUW to offer educators’ workshop

The Roger F. Wicker Center for Creative Learning at Mississippi University for Women will present a workshop for educators titled Best Practices for Assessing Student Learning on Aug. 26 and 27 in Hogarth Dining Center, Pope Banquet Room, on campus.

More local businesses relying on digital tools

In the Digital Age, more and more organizations are taking their business online, and the result is a level of interaction with the customer that was unimaginable even two decades ago.

Columbus nurse charged with felony abuse

A Columbus nurse has been charged with the felony abuse of a vulnerable person for allegedly burning someone in her care with an iron, the state attorney general’s office said.

Prep Football season kicks off in earnest

Columbus, Heritage Academy, West Point, Noxubee County, and West Oktibbeha were among the local winners Friday night as the 2010 prep football season kicked off in earnest.

The Jacket Buzz: Several New Teachers Join SHS Faculty (link)

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Special events on tap Saturday, Sunday for Starkville schools

Education gets a two-day celebration in Starkville this weekend as parent organizations are holding events to raise money for education and to show off the new schools.

Barbour calls special session for $500 million economic development project

Lawmakers will return to the Capitol next week to consider an incentive package for a $500 million economic development project.

Starkville Academy edged in OT

ACKERMAN — The 2010 high school football season in the state of Mississippi nearly opened with a shocker.

But Dakota Brasher helped script the ending many expected — albeit it was much more difficult than expected.

Brasher’s 6-yard touchdown run and K.J. Woods’ conversion run in overtime helped Ackerman High School rally for an 8-6 victory against Starkville Academy on Thursday night.

Jay Leno’s Miss. coast show to benefit fishermen

The “Tonight Show” host and comedian will appear Saturday at the Beau Rivage Theater in a benefit performance for residents who have been impacted by the BP oil spill.

No foul play suspected in New Hope car fire

Foul play is not suspected in a car fire that broke out at the BP gas station at Highway 69 and Hughes Road near New Hope on Monday.