Articles by Emma McRae
Seventh Avenue Heritage Festival returns, honoring entertainment district’s legacy
The Seventh Avenue Heritage Festival returns to Columbus next week, building on more than 40 years of celebrating the historic entertainment and business district.
No injuries after LCSD bus was rear-ended Thursday
A Lowndes County School District bus was rear-ended Thursday morning, marking the fourth time a school bus in the Golden Triangle was involved in an accident since the start of the school year.
W nursing students get head start at BMH through new apprenticeship program
Denier Dismukes hasn’t always wanted to be a nurse.
Board denies extended hours for Bird Scooters, citing safety concerns
Bird scooters are not available for use after 11 p.m., and that won’t change any time soon.
CMSD climbs to B accountability rating
Columbus Municipal and Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated school districts both moved up a letter grade in the Mississippi Department of Education’s 2023-2024 Accountability Ratings, while Lowndes County School District maintained its A rating.
Water, sewer rates to rise more modestly than originally proposed
Starkville Utilities has its rate increase, though the new rates are less than what was requested.
Ask The Dispatch: What are the cranes at the Stennis Lock and Dam doing?
For nearly two weeks, the John C. Stennis Lock and Dam has been closed as crews carry out inspections and repairs on the underwater infrastructure.
Oktibbeha plans to spend 82% of cash reserves in FY 25
Despite an additional $2.66 million in the county’s general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2025, supervisors will not increase taxes in Oktibbeha County.
Posting crime scene photos puts witness in handcuffs
A man who discovered a burned body claimed he was detained and threatened with charges after taking and posting photos of the crime scene on social media. Officials are claiming the man’s post could hinder future prosecution in the homicide case.
Election commissioners, incumbents fill Lowndes ballots for November
When voters choose the country’s president in November, they will also decide several state and local races across the region.
First phase of CMSD facility upgrades to start summer 2025
Plans for spending the $36 million bond voters approved in May are underway at the Columbus Municipal School District.
Incumbents running unopposed for Lowndes school board seats
Two incumbents will run unopposed for seats on the Lowndes County School Board in the upcoming election.
Education: Miss. State officials, students: DEI is about access, not ‘woke-ness’
When Nya Wiley started her freshman year at Mississippi State, she was admittedly shy.
Ludacris set to headline this year’s Bulldog Bash
Grammy-winning rapper Ludacris will headline Mississippi State’s Bulldog Bash on Oct. 4 this year, the university announced in a press release on Wednesday.
Tip leads police to busting illegal gambling operation in West Point
Police shut down an illegal gambling operation Monday, arresting two men who were allegedly running an unsanctioned casino with 14 machines.
Water, sewer rates won’t change … for now
Water and sewer rates are staying the same, for now at least.
Ask the Dispatch: What is The W’s economic impact?
During the 2024 legislative session, several bills were introduced that called Mississippi University for Women’s future into question.
Police seek convicted murderer’s cousin for witness intimidation
Columbus police are looking for a woman accused of threatening a witness in a murder trial, Public Information Officer Bryan Moore told The Dispatch.
Three deputies, two inmates hospitalized after fire at Lowndes jail
Three sheriff’s deputies and two inmates were sent to the hospital Friday night after a potentially deliberate fire broke out at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
Military families free to choose schools beyond district lines
Under a new state law, military families in Columbus have more flexibility when it comes to deciding where their kids will go to school.
