Articles by Grant McLaughlin
College Fair sheds light on trade-based career paths
As long as he can remember, 17-year-old Dawalyn Hunter has always loved cutting hair. Now a senior at New Hope High School, he must decide where to go to barber school.
Photo: Oktoberfest
Riley Wilson, 4, starts off the Oktoberfest 5K beer run in the front of the pack. The race began at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Munson and Brothers at 301 Second Ave. N. The event included live music and an arts festival and benefited the Columbus Arts Council.
Construction, operation of West Point solar plant gets nod from PSC
A $200 million solar power generation and storage facility in Clay County was approved for construction and operation in a Thursday ceremony, and while the timeline for the project has been pushed back, construction is expected to begin by mid-2023.
Goings On with Grant: Two online stores move under one Hwy. 45 ‘brick and mortar’ roof
It’s a common saying that two minds are better than one. Well, these two Columbus business owners tend to prove just that.
Columbus, Starkville show sales tax revenue growth
Columbus and Starkvilles’ yearly sales tax collections are up 3 and 7 percent, respectively, from the 2021 fiscal year, while West Point lags behind both year to year and its current fiscal year-to-date, according to a report by the Mississippi Department of Revenue.
Monday Profile: Selina Tabet sewing a business together one thread at a time
Selina Tabet held her grand opening of Sew Sister Sew, a fabric store at 620 Commerce St. in West Point, on September 10. Her goal? To bring the love of sewing she cultivated ever since she was a little girl to as many people as possible.
Kmart building slated for online auction in October
The former Kmart building that has sat vacant off Highway 45 for almost four years is scheduled to be sold through an online auction in October.
Virtual reality training coming to area classrooms
Students in Career Technology Education programs and workforce trainees traditionally learn the tricks of their trade in classrooms or in the field. But thanks to a $1.49 million grant to provide virtual reality headsets and education software, the Research and Curriculum Unit at Mississippi State University plans to add another option.
Goings On with Grant: Take 5 Car Wash acquires four locations in Columbus, Starkville
I don’t know about all of you, but I am awful at finding time to wash my car.
Area unemployment continues to improve
Local and state unemployment rates fell in August, while the national rate remained the same as in July and June, according to the latest labor market report by the Mississippi Department of Employment and Security.
Waterfront restaurant and seafood market waiting on lease
Red tape continues to delay the finalization of a lease agreement between Thomas Genin of Ajax LLC, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Lowndes County Port Authority, further pushing a deal to sell the former Woody’s on the Water building at the Columbus Marina.
Goings On with Grant: New Tampico Bay food truck now open in Columbus
The only thing better than the cool Monday weather was the discovery of Columbus’ latest food truck!
Lowndes Origis solar construction pushed to 2023
Supply chain issues are among many factors that have delayed the start of construction for two planned solar farms in western Lowndes County.
Downtown becoming regular target for bat removal
This spring, on a night like any other, Hollyhocks owner Gloria Herriott was fast asleep in her loft apartment above her downtown store when she felt something smack her in the head. She lifted the covers to find a bat hanging from the ceiling fan.
Goings On with Grant: Event venue opens in West Point
My first job was working at an event venue, where I often had a wonderful time hosting birthday parties and family events. It appears I’m not the only one.
CRA expects to court Burns Bottom developers by summer
Columbus Redevelopment Authority leaders say they will be ready to request proposals from developers for their Burns Bottom project by summer 2023.
Goings On with Grant: Five Below holding grand opening on Friday
The winds of retail savings have finally brushed against the faces of Starkville shoppers. Five Below, inside the Triangle Shopping Center where the old Garan
Sales tax collections show growth in Golden Triangle
August sales tax collections are up across the Golden Triangle compared with collections received in August 2021, according to a report by the Mississippi Department of Revenue.
IP’s Columbus mill celebrates 40 years
David Wells spent 42 of his 64 fruitful years working at the International Paper Columbus Paper Mill, starting there when the then Weyerhaeuser Pulp Mill was under construction in 1980.
Monthly unemployment rates see little improvement, steep fall from July 2021
Local unemployment rates remain flat after a June hike, coinciding with state and national levels, according to the latest labor market report by the Mississippi Department of Employment and Security.
Slimantics: Robotaxis beware: NYC eats hesitation for breakfast
June 24, 2025
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