Visitors bring Italian touch to city

Columbus got a taste of Italy this week. Or is it the other way around?

Charrette team suggests ways to beautify West Point’s downtown, Highway 45

Can it all be as simple as trees and signs?

The Mississippi Main Street charrette team that visited West Point this week seems to think so.

A smooth transition: Columbus elementary schools get ready for fifth-graders

Construction of 18 fifth-grade classrooms is right on time at three Columbus elementary schools.

West Point charts future with charrette

WEST POINT — A buzzing crowd packed the Ritz Conference Center Monday night to weigh in on the state of West Point.

Caledonia to add classrooms

Caledonia Schools are one step closer to building nearly a dozen new rooms throughout the district.

VIDEO: Bounds: MUW in trouble financially

As long as legislators in Jackson remain unwilling to budge and fractured supporters in Columbus remain unwilling to unify, Mississippi University for Women is in trouble.

Grant helps keep class sizes small at CHS

Columbus High School is the first school in the state to start thinking small.

The $1.3 million Smaller Learning Communities grant has helped CHS implement several programs aimed at tailoring learning to individual students. As Principal Craig Shannon and academic coach Lori Cargile explained to the Columbus School Board Thursday, the pilot program has been a success.

West Point gears up for charrette

West Point is gearing up to host the same charrette team that visited Columbus in September to offer comprehensive suggestions for improving and promoting the city.

Abderdeen leaders appeal for peace, healing

ABERDEEN — The crowd at the Tuesday’s meeting of the Aberdeen Board of Aldermen twice applauded appeals for peace and healing from city officials. Now if only they could stop arguing long enough to heal.

Old river bridge project in limbo

When city officials credited the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors as partners in procuring $2 million to renovate the Highway 82 bridge across the Tombigbee River at a press conference Wednesday, the supervisors were as surprised as anyone.

Volunteer leader begins new chapter

For the past five years, Meagan Coughlin has been the face of volunteerism in Columbus.

As director of the Lowndes County United Way’s Community Volunteer Center, Coughlin has been at the center of hundreds of efforts to connect those in need with those in a position to help. And as the first person to helm the CVC, she’s laid the groundwork for an exemplary clearinghouse of good will.

Aberdeen bribery case against mayor weak without witnesses

Aberdeen Mayor Jim Ballard is free on $5,000 bond after being arrested Thursday on charges of felony bribery. But a lack of eyewitnesses to the alleged bribery may derail those charges.

Relay for Life has special meaning for Caledonia Tornadoes

The 54 members of Caledonia schools’ Relay For Life team don’t have to look far for reminders of what they’re marching for.

Aberdeen mayor arrested on felony bribery charges

Aberdeen Police Assistant Chief Tommy Edwards confirmed reports Thursday that Aberdeen Mayor Jim Ballard was arrested on felony bribery charges. Ballard is out on a $5,000 bond.

Prospect of same-sex prom couple draws mixed reactions

The eyes of the nation are once again focused on Mississippi as a civil rights struggle plays out. But times have changed and so have the issues, and the question of lesbian students attending Itawamba Agricultural High School’s prom has local students buzzing about the topic.

‘It’s just sad’: More than $1,000 in damage at Propst Park; authority to install cameras

A group of vandals cost the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority more than $1,000 in damage late Saturday night as they tore through Propst Park, but the total cost continues to rise.

New bridges to aid Lowndes steel industry expansion

In troubled economic times, what Lowndes County needs is a bridge over busy waters. Or better yet, two bridges. At no cost locally. And for a Columbus contractor to win the job just as a Lowndes County industry expands.

VIDEO: Annual Friends of the Library sale goes by the book

On a warm Saturday afternoon, a small but steady crowd browsed shelves and tables lined with books in Leigh Mall during the Friends of the Library annual book sale to benefit the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library.

Group stresses need for early education

A need has been identified in Mississippi that affects education, business and economics. Awareness of the need is nothing new, but a deeper understanding of its impact has spurred a group of business and education leaders to hit the road and spread the word.

Lowndes United Way makes gains during down economy

It was a good year for the United Way of Lowndes County.

Despite a sluggish economy, the 55-year-old community service umbrella organization managed to raise $20,000 more than last year’s campaign total, and Allocation Chair Stewart Stafford says it will provide near-level funding to its 18 nonprofit agencies. But money is only half the story, so the United Way threw a party Wednesday to thank its better half.