Articles by Garthia Elena Burnett
MSU’s Mullen, Stricklin bring winning message to Columbus
The Bulldogs are headed to the top of the college football mountain. And on the heels of a season topped off by a Gator Bowl victory, they can’t afford to lose any momentum, Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen told Bulldog fans at the Columbus Country Club, Thursday morning.
Kior breaks ground, and draws customers, for Columbus biofuels plant
FedEx is the latest company to sign an offtake agreement with Kior, a biofuels plant slated to begin production in Columbus in 2012. FedEx plans to use oil produced from biomass, mainly wood chips, in its ground fleet.
Local entrepreneur looks for answer to Africa’s poverty
The disease malaria stunts social and economic development in Africa, costing the continent an estimated $12 billion a year in productivity, according to a recent study released by the Roll Back Malaria campaign.
Port readies roads, rails for Kior plant
The Columbus-Lowndes County Port Authority is preparing for the planned 2012 opening of the Kior biofuels plant, at the port.
PBS does detective work in West Point
WEST POINT — A young white man, donning a Confederate uniform, poses with his knife and revolver. Beside him, a young black man is seated, also holding his knife, and a shotgun, also in a Confederate coat.
Accounting firm moving into space in old Parker Furniture building; new downtown coffee shops planned
A storefront on College Street is being restored to its former glory. Mitchener, Crowder and Stacey Certified Public Accountants is moving into the space, formerly occupied by Parker Furniture.
At graduation, a mother’s life renewed: Mom, who inspired children to attend college, returns to school to earn her own degree
Behind a pair of black glasses are eyes that have seen a lifetime of pain and sorrow.
PetSmart joining T.J. Maxx in Columbus shopping center
T.J. Maxx and PetSmart will be neighbors in Columbus this fall. Both are slated to open in the old Goody’s shopping strip, where Burlington Shoes and Old Navy still are located.
Columbus’ Old Navy, Belk stores get renovations
Two local retailers are under renovations, in an attempt to make the stores more shopper friendly and merchandise more accessible.
Lowndes aids relief efforts in storm’s wake
While Lowndes County was spared from the wrath of Wednesday storms, neighboring counties were devastated. And Columbus and Lowndes County law enforcement, firefighters, charitable agencies and churches migrated to Clay and Monroe counties, as well as Tuscaloosa, Ala., to help with relief and recovery efforts.
Northaven Woods celebrates park’s opening Saturday
During a time when developers seemed to be snatching up prime real estate at neck-breaking pace, Northaven Woods subdivision claimed six acres of wooded area as a neighborhood park.
Paccar anticipates expansion as economy improves
Paccar started building engines at its 440,000-square-foot Lowndes County plant in December 2010. Since then, 2,200 engines have been assembled at the facility, and 600 have been delivered to customers.
Cookout to celebrate County Government Day
Lowndes County will host a hamburger and hot dog cookout Friday at the courthouse in honor of County Government Day.
Columbus schools boast National Merit Finalists
Each year, students wait with anticipation to find out who will be named National Merit Finalists.
New Columbus tourism board scrutinizes expenses
The new Columbus and Lowndes County Convention and Visitors Bureau board is being more careful with its budget dollars, requesting line-by-line budgets from those requesting funding for festivals and other special events.
New Fairfield Inn draws ‘good, strong occupancy’ — and a few jobs
Today’s official grand opening of the Fairfield Inn and Suites off 18th Avenue North in Columbus is part of the answer to a need for newer and higher-quality hotels in the Golden Triangle. And for the 20 new hires at the plush, new hotel, the business means much more.
Independent schools adjust to current financial times
School districts publicly have made budget and staff cuts over the past years, and they continue to brace for cuts, awaiting final allocations numbers from the Mississippi Department of Education.
Monday Profile: Pat Tuggle enjoys her role as the ‘go-to girl’ at the Lowndes Sheriff’s Office
It was 11 years ago. Butch Howard was hoping to win his first term as Lowndes County sheriff. NBC had just bought the First Federal Bank in Columbus, and Pat Tuggle, originally from Tuscon, Ariz., was working as a teller.
New classroom work on track in Caledonia
A $2.11 million classroom-addition project at Caledonia schools is on track for completion before students return to classes in the fall.
New Hope soccer field work set to begin
A facelift for the New Hope soccer field is scheduled to begin in the next two weeks.