Articles by Jason Browne
Are you smarter than a fifth-grader? Rotarians tackle Mississippi Curriculum Test
Members of the Columbus Rotary Club went back to school Tuesday and learned a lesson in empathy.
Club members received an eye-opening glimpse of what fifth-graders have to deal with as Steve Rogers, assignment editor for WCBI news, asked them to answer a sampling of questions from the fifth-grade level Mississippi Curriculum Test 2. Local superintendents Dr. Del Phillips (Columbus Municipal School District) and Mike Halford (Lowndes County School District) were on hand to shed additional light on state testing.
New Justice Court judge says he’s confident in new role
Chris Hemphill officially was sworn in as Lowndes County District 1 Justice Court judge Tuesday at the Lowndes County Courthouse.
Lowndes County Chancery Court Judge Jim Davidson guided Hemphill through his oath of office in a small ceremony attended by Hemphill’s wife and children and Lowndes County District 1 Supervisor Harry Sanders.
West Point may cut health benefits, bonuses
WEST POINT — West Point city employees waiting to see if their benefits will be cut have to wait a little longer.
Discussions on cost-cutting measures yielded no results during Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting. Despite pleas from Mayor Scott Ross to take decisive action, the board voted to table the discussion until a hard copy of available cuts and corresponding savings could be provided to all board members. The board will meet again Friday.
Clearing the air: Schools unveil fleet of low-emission buses
Columbus schools recently spent $2.9 million to purchase 30 new low-emission buses.
Growth helps EMCC stave off budget cuts
At a time when Mississippi universities are considering major changes to academic programs to survive state budget cuts, East Mississippi Community College isn’t changing a thing.
Lowndes schools cancel more swine flu vaccines
The Lowndes County School District has decided not to complete its first round of H1N1 flu vaccine injections.
Amid unity message, W supporters oppose merger
Opposition to the proposed merger between Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi State University was in effect Thursday as the Columbus Town and Tower Club held its quarterly meeting on the MUW campus.
Warming up to charity
With the help of his teacher, his classmates and you, Ethan Perrigin wants to collect 100 coats by Dec. 18. Any and all clean, used coats will be accepted at Sale because Perrigin wants to put coats on “All the needy people of Columbus. Anybody.”
CPD cracks down on downtown panhandlers
Beautifying downtown Columbus recently took on a new meaning.
The Columbus Police Department chipped in to help clean up an unsightly and disruptive problem Nov. 24 when they picked up Hozzie Hawthorne, 71, of 1515 13th Ave. N.
Family asks for help finding missing Hamilton girl, 16
A Hamilton mother is asking for help finding her missing 16-year-old daughter.
On a mission: 9-year-old sacrifices birthday gifts for greater good
Andrea Cannady made birthday shopping easy on her friends and family this year. All she wanted was help spreading the gospel around the world.
Locally, Black Friday 2009 tops last year
Black Friday lived up to its name for a number of local retailers as merchants reported increased sales over last year.
West Point employee on leave for misuse of city car
WEST POINT — Another job may soon be open in West Point after an office manager at the Water and Light Department was suspended indefinitely Monday.
Silent protest speaks volumes: W students march against merger
Approximately 50 Mississippi University for Women students walked silently across campus Tuesday before standing arm-in-arm in front of Callaway Hall and Columbus Hall.
Get in the spirit: Holiday help wanted
If you’d like to volunteer this holiday season but don’t know what to do, don’t sweat. People are ready to help you help others.
Friends of The W ready to kick off fundraising
The Friends of the W formed to fight a proposed merger and raise money for embattled Mississippi University for Women, but half the battle may have already been won.
West Point steam rolls Pearl to advance in playoffs
WEST POINT — For the first time in weeks, it looked like the West Point High School football team would have had a game on its hands.
Zach McKee’s 1-yard touchdown run on Pearl’s first possession Friday night helped give the Pirates a 7-0 lead.
The lead didn’t last long.
West Point responded by steamrolling Pearl 34-7 in their Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North Half State playoff game at Hamblin Stadium.
Officials say despite altercations, Columbus High ‘very safe place’
Reaction has been minimal to possible student involvement in a recent drive-by shooting, according to officials at Columbus High School.
College Board head: MUW name change remains ‘focal point’
JACKSON — Thursday’s College Board meeting left more questions than answers, as the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning discussed Gov. Haley Barbour’s proposal to merge five of the eight state-funded universities.