Articles by Emma McRae
Referendum for CMSD bond issue set for May 14
Columbus Municipal School District trustees unanimously passed a resolution during a special-call meeting Tuesday to hold a special election for a bond that would fund $36 million in facility improvements.
New program looks to repurpose unused food
In Oktibbeha County, more than 8,700 residents are food insecure, lacking consistent access to enough food necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, according to Feeding America, a nationwide nonprofit network of food banks and meal programs.
Community Profile: Starkville student shines showing dogs
When Starkville High School junior Kennedy Bearden was just 10 years old, she went to her first dog show. At first, she didn’t know what to expect.
MSU solar facility opens door to future phases
A solar facility at Mississippi State University will save the university money while laying the groundwork for potential solar expansion projects in the future, Ryan Burrage, state director of Mississippi for Entegrity Energy Partners, told the Starkville Rotary Club Monday.
Panelists offer advice for women seeking degrees in male-dominated fields
It’s time to stop molding women to fit the confines of male-dominated career fields, Dana Morin said Thursday. That starts with the career fields appreciating the diversity women have to offer.
Caledonia High teacher named finalist for MDE Teacher of the Year
Melanie Counts believes any student can learn when they have the support of a teacher who knows and cares about them.
Six CMSD schools lack fire alarms, other safety basics
Six facilities that house students in the Columbus Municipal School District lack safety measures as basic as a working fire alarm system.
CMSD officials continue to raise awareness of pending bond issue
Safety is the district’s number one priority when it comes to updating facilities, Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent Stanley Ellis told the Lowndes Community Foundation on Wednesday.
Area districts to better benefit from INSPIRE model
A House bill aiming to make public education funding more equitable would provide more state funds to each school district in the Golden Triangle, according to numbers compiled by Mississippi First, an education public policy advocacy organization.
New CMSD board member seated while wife still works as teacher
The newest Columbus Municipal School District trustee will serve at least 3 1/2 months on the board while his wife is employed with the district.
Bill to study W, MSMS dies on Senate calendar
A bill proposing a viability study of Mississippi University for Women and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science died on the Senate calendar Friday.
Bill to reconsider study of MUW, MSMS losing steam
A motion to reconsider a Senate bill proposing a feasibility study for Mississippi University for Women and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science appears to already be losing steam.
Bill to merge MUW and MSU fails in Senate
Mississippi University for Women isn’t merging, and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is staying put, at least for now.
Woman wakes up to burglar in her kitchen
A Columbus woman woke up Tuesday morning to find a man rummaging through her kitchen. The suspect is now behind bars.
CMSD facility plan still $8M too expensive
The Columbus Municipal School District board has whittled its highest priorities for facility upgrades to $38.8 million, still a bit rich for the bond issue it hopes voters will approve in May.
Ask The Dispatch: What services would the city provide annexed areas?
Last week, the Columbus City Council voted 4-2 to file an ordinance annexing two areas located south and east of the city.
CRA gets $2.2M in federal funds for Burns Bottom
The Columbus Redevelopment Authority has $2.2 million more to put toward the Burns Bottom redevelopment project thanks to a $460 billion funding package Congress passed Friday.
Citizens against annexation speak out at City Hall
Tonya Beemster and her husband moved into their home on Winston Road in 2020. They chose the area at the time because it was a quiet and safe place to land, with plenty of open space for activities like hunting, fishing and riding four-wheelers.
Music by Women Festival creates a space for women composers
When Julia Mortyakova started working as chair of the music department at Mississippi University for Women, she was thinking of ways to raise awareness of the contributions women have made to the classical music canon.
CMSD narrowing list of planned improvements
The Columbus Municipal School District still has a long way to go with updating its facilities, but the board of trustees made progress during a special call work session Wednesday evening.
