Articles by Isabelle Altman
SPD chief: Auto burglaries ‘at heart’ of city’s juvenile crime problem
Starkville Police Chief Mark Ballard said juveniles are the ones behind the majority of the auto burglaries in Starkville and drew a direct link between the guns they’ve stolen from cars and the increase in violent crime that has occurred over the past months.
Carrying on ‘dreams from the past’
Standing under the tree in the center of Sandfield Cemetery Wednesday afternoon, Jaylin Jones stepped forward on the stage and said: “I thought about what I have to prove today.”
Chief: Officers followed CPD policy during incident circulated on social media; no disciplinary action
Three Columbus police officers who were filmed slamming a civilian to the ground in an attempt to subdue and arrest him for indecent exposure did not violate department policy and will not face disciplinary action, the city council decided during the closed session of a special-call meeting Thursday.
Public works employee assaults coworker with weapon
One city employee was arrested and another sent to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries after an on-duty argument turned violent, a Columbus Police Department press release said.
Three arrested in murder of missing Columbus man
Lowndes County investigators have arrested three people in what they believe to be the murder of a man missing since last summer.
CPD investigating Facebook video of three officers slamming arrestee to ground
Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton said he is investigating the incident recorded in a video posted on social media that appears to show Columbus police officers slamming a civilian to the ground during an arrest, and has promised to release body camera footage of the incident later today.
More noise complaints lodged against Patio 45 at council meeting
For the second city council meeting in less than a month, residents of the Holly Hills neighborhood off Highway 45 raised concerns about the noise they claimed was coming from Patio 45 Restaurant.
OSHA levies $17K in fines against Alabama company for Starkville trench collapse
An Alabama construction company is facing a roughly $17,000 fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration following a workplace accident that killed two construction workers in Starkville last year.
Task force proposes youth input, events to help prevent crime
Members of the community Crime Prevention Task Force had plenty of suggestions for community improvements when they met for their regular meeting at Trotter Convention Center Thursday night: from planning town hall-style meetings with community members, to partnering with organizations like Boys and Girls Club to hold events and recreational activities for youth, to hosting a community-wide festival celebrating Columbus.
Parents dead, adult child hurt in domestic shooting
Two people have died and their adult child was flown to an out-of-area hospital in what authorities described as a domestic shooting in southeast Columbus Wednesday night.
Smith ‘easing back in’ to mayoral duties after 8 weeks out of office
Columbus Mayor Robert Smith is back to working at City Hall a few days a week after taking several weeks off recovering from a brief stint at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle Feb. 21 for an undisclosed illness.
Public works employees fired for fighting on job
The city council voted Tuesday to terminate two public works employees for allegedly fighting while on the clock.
City, county law enforcement sued for 2020 fatal shooting
The father of a man killed in an officer-involved shooting last year has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Columbus, Lowndes County, Sheriff Eddie Hawkins and multiple officers from Columbus Police Department and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.
Vehicle pulls out in front of ambulance, causes wreck
Three ambulances were dispatched for the sake of one 911 call after the first ambulance collided with a private vehicle on Gardner Boulevard Monday morning.
Vibrant minister accused of sexual harassment
She used to be a “five, five and five girl” — five minutes each of prayer, worship and reading her Bible every morning.
Faith leaders: More outside investigations of misconduct needed
Former church members and employees of Vibrant Church in Columbus say church officials turned a blind eye to sexual harassment by lead pastor Jason Delgado, prompting one of the employees to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Gavin embraces ambitious projects in mayor seat
Every week day by 9 a.m. since Feb. 22, Vice Mayor Bill Gavin has set up shop in the conference room just off Mayor Robert Smith’s office at City Hall downtown.
From there, he oversees meetings with city department heads, takes phone calls from citizens and addresses issues throughout Columbus whenever they cross his — temporary — desk.
DiCicco defeats Gavin to claim Ward 6 council seat
Starting July 1, Ward 6 will have a new representative on the Columbus City Council.
Columbus ends mask-wearing mandate
Columbus City Council lifted its citywide mask mandate at its regular meeting Tuesday night, though not without some tense back and forth between two council members.
City looks to federal funding for $3.5M in infrastructure projects
Columbus officials plan to make a pitch to congressional representatives for funding of up to four infrastructure projects that would improve streets and drainage in the city.