Lowndes schools make another bid for unitary status

Caledonia schools are growing and have been, consistently, for years. The simple solution was to add 11 classrooms. But even the simplest of solutions isn’t as simple as it could be.

Unhindered growth: Away from federal oversight, school district freely makes changes

Columbus Municipal School District is teeming with activity — from dance and aerospace classes and a new middle school to 11-month school calendars. Anyone watching for the past couple of years might think the changes happened overnight. Longtime district employees and past superintendents know otherwise.

Noxubee Republican Women to host visit by Harper

The Noxubee County Republican Women and Executive Committee are hosting a barbecue to welcome Mississippi 3rd District Rep. Gregg Harper to the Macon-Noxubee County Civic Center on Monday.

Brigham spreads ‘good news’ about The W

Mississippi University for Women has more than an interim president in Allegra Brigham — it has an avid cheerleader. And Brigham is looking to recruit the entire community to “tell the story of MUW” and help it thrive during the most massive budget cuts in the history of higher learning in Mississippi.

Downtown resurgence: Few Columbus storefronts without tenants or prospects

Days can pass, and Angel Kilgore’s car doesn’t move from its downtown parking space.

Final public hearing set for Columbus soccer complex

Project visionaries want to give the community more than soccer fields at Burns Bottom.

Ex-Packet employee out of jail after arrest

Former Columbus Packet Advertising Director Aimee Houtman Shaw is out of jail today, after posting a $15,000 bond Monday afternoon.

Seventh Avenue Heritage Festival – A new boom

Young Kabir Karriem had a front-row seat as the business and entertainment district along Seventh Avenue celebrated the community, with a humble street festival.

Ex-Packet employee arrested for embezzlement

Former Columbus Packet Advertising Director Aimee Shaw, who was arrested late Saturday night for embezzling from the weekly newspaper, remained in jail this morning.

Garthia Elena Burnett: Where is Kaila Morris? A year later, still a mystery

A year ago, Kaila Morris’ room was adorned with clouds and carousels and all things girly.

Two weeks later, as Kaila’s family talked to the media about her disappearance, her room remained just as she left it.

UNSOLVED: As time passes, arrests in homicides more elusive

The critical information in a murder case is gathered within the first 72 hours. From there, the case begins to get cold. As the years drag on, witnesses move or die; some evidence is not preserved. But an unsolved case is never closed.

Tronox fire rattles neighbors

A thick dark cloud rose behind Cadence Bank on Old Highway 45. It took a few moments for workers at the Hamilton bank to realize it was smoke, and there was only one place it could be coming from.

Garthia Elena Burnett: Tried and convicted by public opinion

A family member describes Robert Warren Triplett Jr. as a loving father, who would never do anything to hurt Kaila Morris, whom he treated like his own daughter.

Schools fight slim budgets

Throughout the state, school districts are faced with cutting areas they never have in the past. And one thing is clear as school leaders struggle to preserve the classroom: Nothing is sacred.

Garthia Elena Burnett: Open casting call

We pulled in to the Kohl’s store parking lot in Roswell, Ga., Saturday at 5:20 a.m. It was still dark.

Garthia Elena Burnett: End-of-the-school-year blues

As her friends and cousins are well into their summer break, it’s a sad day, as Kyla declares, “June will be summer!” (I don’t have the heart to remind her it’s already June; she’s one of only about 674 kids still in school full time around here.)

Garthia Elena Burnett: More than I bargained for

In the past several weeks, I have driven a police car with sirens blaring, was shot twice (with toy cap bullets), conquered a lifelong fear and shot a fully automatic assault rifle (with real bullets).

Remembering John Thomas

For blacks who saw police as the enemy, John “BB” Thomas was on the wrong side of the law. The badge and uniform he wore with pride somehow was a sign of betrayal to some. Fellow officers also didn’t think fondly of having the first black policeman among their ranks.

Garthia Elena Burnett: Making sense of the world through poetry

A coworker challenged me once, to write a poem every day of the year.

Though I tried mightily, I didn’t quite make it. But it was a lesson in self discovery.

Weeks later, Omnova, strikers still at odds

Today marks the two-week point for workers on strike at Omnova Solutions Inc.’s Columbus plant.