Hotel death suspect pleads guilty to manslaughter

A Columbus man charged with second-degree murder in 2016 has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Burkhalter Rigging files bankruptcy

Columbus company Burkhalter Rigging has filed for a multi-million dollar bankruptcy in a federal court in Texas.

Man faces federal charges in stalking, blackmailing case

A Columbus man has been indicted on federal charges after authorities say he harassed people

Wright named chief deputy at LCSO

Greg Wright has been named chief deputy of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.

Man indicted for three counts sexual battery of a child

A Lowndes County grand jury has indicted an Alabama man for multiple felonies after he allegedly sexually abused two children under 14 over a period of two years.

Last three suspects in Bankhead case plead guilty

The last three suspects arrested for their involvement in a fatal shooting of a disabled man nearly eight years ago have pleaded guilty and been sentenced — with one suspect who attorneys said helped get the others convicted free from custody.

City’s crime lab looks to expand by next year

There are plans underway to expand the Columbus Crime Lab within the next two years, director Austin Shepherd told the Columbus Police Department citizen overview committee Thursday.

Advocate: Kratom ‘should be regulated,’ not illegal

C.M. Haddow knows a Georgia narcotics officer who once entered a convenience store in north Georgia and asked if the store carried kratom, a substance commonly found in convenience stores and which many people use as pain relief medication.

A quiet, ‘get-it-done’ community servant

In 1980, Brenda Laws Comer’s grandfather, John Laws, was one of the first people to receive the Book of Golden Deeds Award from Columbus Exchange Club.

Victim in child exploitation case sues CMSD

A former Columbus Municipal School District student is suing in federal court the district and the ex-teacher convicted of exploiting him.

EMCC hopes to have Communiversity open for classes in fall

East Mississippi Community College officials are hoping the Communiversity will be ready for an estimated 350 students this fall.

Monday Profile: Columbus resident recalls unusual Air Force career

When Hal Bullock was three days into a mission on a Navy vessel in the Pacific in the mid-1990s, China began firing missiles into the Taiwan Strait — turning what had been a training mission into planning a potential war.

Artesia murders may be related to attempted drug deal

Lowndes County court documents show the man arrested for killing three people in Artesia Tuesday may have been involved in an attempted drug deal.

Suspect charged with capital murder for Artesia killings

An Oktibbeha County man has been arrested for the murder of three people in Artesia Tuesday afternoon.

Artesia residents lean on each other to cope with triple homicide

Sitting in the front yard of her Artesia home Wednesday, Latecia Shelton was keeping one eye on her two of her three children as they drove a toy truck around the yard. Just down the street from her residence, crime scene tape still fluttered in the wind where it was blocking off 23 Mobile Dr. — the scene of a grisly triple murder the day before.

Baptist trauma surgeon teaches Heritage students how to aid blood loss victims in emergencies

On Wednesday, the juniors and seniors in Heritage Academy’s Anatomy and Physiology class learned their ABCs.

That is, Alert, Bleeding and Compression, which Dr. Brad Beckham, director of trauma services at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, told them was the way doctors with trauma experience recommend remembering how to control bleeding in life-threatening situations.

Retail Coach: Developers interested in Leigh Mall

Members of a firm tasked with recruiting retail for Columbus indicated multiple developers have expressed interest in buying Leigh Mall.

Kirkland’s closing at Leigh Mall

Leigh Mall is losing another store.

Kirkland’s, a retailer selling home-decor items and gifts, has plans to close its doors on Jan. 28, according to store manager Michelle Gray.

Community Counseling Services to take on Recovery House’s programs

As of this week, Community Counseling Services will take over the running of Recovery House.

Area schools’ ‘unsung heroes’ honored with a vacation away from the house

In the 21 years she’s worked as a custodian for Columbus Municipal School District, Cynthia Lewis never expected to be chosen as one of the district’s “heroes.”