First Vote: A Dispatch special series

Jacob Craig registered to vote in spring 2015. The Brooksville native and Mississippi State University sophomore plans to vote in his first presidential election this November but said he isn’t keen on either of the two major party nominees.

Summer Jobs Series: From school work to yard work

John Neil Stanback of Columbus has seen his fair share of yard work.

First Vote: A Dispatch special series

Rising Mississippi State University sophomore and 2015 Columbus High School graduate Joshua Bridges registered to vote last summer. November will bring his first opportunity to cast a ballot in a U.S. presidential general election.

Summer Jobs Series: Columbus woman learning responsibility, budgeting

Summer jobs serve as rites of passage for many young adults who are learning the ropes of the “real world.” Yonesha James said she is earning money to help with college expenses and making friends along the way.

Yoder Meat Snacks: A family business

Three of Olen Yoder’s sons pour chunks of beef chuck eye rolls and Boston butts into a meat grinder, stuff sausage casings with the ground meat and hang the stuffed casings on a rolling wooden frame to transport the soon-to-be summer sausages to an outdoor smoker.

Bad Check Unit sees fewer cases

A district attorney’s office division that has operating for almost 44 years may be declining in relevance.

First Vote: A Dispatch special series

Katherine Maer Kerby of Columbus will vote in her first presidential election on Nov. 8. Kerby registered to vote in fall 2015, shortly after her 18th birthday and considers herself to be politically active.

Young baker starts business

Katelyn Lowe loves to bake. She also has a sweet tooth. The result: Magnolia Cakes by Katelyn.

United Way director addresses Exchange Club

Danny Avery has been hard at work during his three months at the helm for the local United Way.

State Rep. Smith speaks to Columbus Rotary

State Representative Jeff Smith addressed state budget issues, House Bill 1523 and gun control at the regular Columbus Rotary Club meeting Tuesday afternoon at Lion Hills Center.

First Vote: A Dispatch special series

SabriAnan Micha, 19, from Starkville, registered to vote in spring 2015, so this November will mark her first presidential election as a voter.

Oktibbeha Co. Barn Quilt Trail reaches fourth year, boasts 26 quilts

Vicki Burnett of Starkville put Oktibbeha County on the map. The Barn Quilt Trail map, that is.

“I went to a workshop one time, and a lady painted a barn quilt into one of her paintings,” she said. “It was just really kind of intriguing, and that’s when I first learned what a barn quilt was.”

‘Iron Cross of Honor’ donated to Lee Home

Columbus’ United Daughters of the Confederacy chapter accepted an Iron Cross of Honor from UDC “sisters” of North Carolina Tuesday morning at the Stephen D. Lee Home in Columbus.

MSU horticulture student gains experience at Smith Landscaping

Lauren Gamblin has always had a green thumb.

‘Programming is problem solving’: Local senior conducts STEM camp for girls

Rising Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science senior Mary Lee says technology and computers are pivotal subjects for students to learn and master in order to succeed in the future.

Mississippi graduation rates reach all time high

According to the Mississippi Department of Education, high school graduation rates for the state reached an all time high during the 2015-2016 school year with 80.8 percent of all students graduating within four years.

‘World Changers’ serves Golden Triangle for third year

Nine volunteers work on repainting Carmin Yannone’s home in New Hope Tuesday afternoon.

Yannone, who is 90-years-old, sat inside to escape the heat and casually visited with the workers as they passed through.

Mobile dental program provides free dental services to children

“If you look inside a person’s mouth, that will give you a pretty good picture of their overall health,” says Ashley Casey, co-founder of the Mississippi based mobile dental service Smiles To Go.

Summer Jobs Series: New Hope lifeguard helps family’s business for the summer

According to Kaitlyn Cox of New Hope, the best part about lifeguarding is the responsibility.

Local libraries play vital community roles

Local libraries have always been a source of information and creativity, but they have evolved into community centers packed with developmental programs and essential resources. As a result of budget cuts to the Mississippi Library Commission, many small, community libraries may struggle to provide those services on which community members rely.