Lowndes absentee balloting questioned by Miss. secretary of state

An abnormality in absentee voting during Lowndes County’s November circuit court elections caught the eye of the secretary of state’s office.

West Point sends nine on to next level

WEST POINT — Wednesday was a big day for the Class 5A champs.

The West Point High School football program saw nine players from its 2010 Mississippi High School Activities Association state championship team sign to play football in college level. The signings included three to Division I schools.

Council members split $2 million for road work

Columbus City Council members will have their eyes on the streets for the next two weeks as each decides how to spend $333,000.

CVB: Despite losing half of board, tourism business goes on

Despite having its board of directors cut in half, everything at the Columbus Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau is “business as usual,” the group’s interim director said.

Columbus contractor appeals license suspension

A Columbus construction firm is embroiled in dueling lawsuits while it appeals the suspension of its license.

Supervisors vacate CVB board members

The 2 percent restaurant tax utilized by the city and county to fund the Columbus Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau could be in danger.

OMG! State considers texting ban for all Miss. drivers

A texting-while-driving ban is working its way through the state Senate and the bill has widespread support, but local police say there are no clear guidelines on enforcement.

Madison Central eliminates Starkville

STARKVILLE — The Starkville High School boys soccer team’s first trip to the second round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A playoffs stalled at home Saturday against a tenacious Madison Central team.

The Jaguars (19-2-3) outhustled the Yellow Jackets (16-2-1) to a goal in each half and weathered Starkville’s attempts to creep back into the game to earn a 2-0 victory.

Move to unite Highway 45 businesses gains steam

Bill Gavin’s Highway 45 merchant association is moving forward, but both he and the organization will do well to practice patience.

Summit to spotlight black leadership in Columbus

A Lowndes County supervisor hopes to introduce future African American leaders to the community and vice versa with a day-long summit.

County goes to court for remaining soccer park land

Five properties totaling less than two acres are all that remain to be purchased at Burns Bottom for the long-awaited soccer complex.

State of the Union leaves local politicos skeptical

Immediately following President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night, local Republican and tea party members offered skepticism of the president’s commitment to bipartisanship.

Columbus radio show to feature controversial minister

Local callers will have an opportunity to question Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan next month. Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem will host Farrakhan on his radio program, Karriem & Co., Feb. 9 on WTWG AM 1050.

Severstal ramps up for expansion

The time is approaching for Severstal to begin hiring for 100 new positions to staff its Phase II expansion.

Columbus man turns self in after shooting incident

A Columbus man suspected in a Northside shooting turned himself into authorities Thursday.

Columbus man who died of hypothermia wasn’t renting apartment

A Columbus man who died of hypothermia Jan. 14 was squatting at the 13th Avenue North apartment where he was discovered.

New candidates file for Lowndes schools superintendent, sheriff

Dismissed former New Hope High School principal Lynn Wright has qualified to run for superintendent of the school district he is currently suing.

A man in need of help, who too often refused

To many, he was just a bum. But to those who knew Hozzie Hawthorne, he was a warm, if not enigmatic, man. And he was loved. Hawthorne, 72, was best known around downtown Columbus for resting on the benches in front of the post office and the Lowndes County Courthouse, asking passers-by if they could spare some money.

Council votes to reduce tourism board to six members

An amendment to permanently reduce the Columbus Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors to six members passed despite Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin reversing his position from the council’s Dec. 21 meeting and supporting the pursuit of a local and private agreement from the state Legislature.

Governor hopeful Dupree: Hope rests with all of us

A gubernatorial candidate visiting Columbus for an event celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said America isn’t ready for another civil rights icon.