New Hope to get technology upgrade

New Hope High School is due to receive a technology upgrade thanks to a Department of Education grant.

What’s not on the agenda? MUW president search

Haley Barbour’s recent budget proposals have given the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning plenty to discuss at their meetings today and Thursday in Jackson.

But a replacement for retiring MUW President Claudia Limbert may not be one of them.

MUW merger plan: State wouldn’t see savings until 2012

Merging Mississippi University for Women with Mississippi State University in 2011 will save $35 million … in 2012.

As expected, Gov. Haley Barbour recommended in his Monday budget proposal the two state universities be merged to save on administrative costs.

Keeping her eye on the ball: Columbus’ Amy Martin passes love of athletics to elementary children

A basketball coach might have 12 players to keep track of. A softball coach could be responsible for 20 players. Coach Amy Martin has more than 600 players on her team.

Martin, the physical education teacher at Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School, is tasked with keeping 668 kindergarten-through-fourth graders active and involved on a daily basis.

W alumni join forces to fight merger

Members of Mississippi University for Women’s two opposing alumni groups are coming together to face a common enemy.

Group to recommend district for accreditation

The Lowndes County School District received more than approval from a visiting regional accreditation team Wednesday.

Dramatic changes on the horizon for MUW

One way or another, sweeping changes are on the way for Mississippi University for Women.

$1.95M street bond could be used to finance collapsed bridge

WEST POINT — West Point took its first step toward repairing a major traffic problem during Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Selectmen.

Barbour expected to push for W merger

Gov. Haley Barbour is expected to recommend Mississippi University for Women be merged with another school, possibly Mississippi State University, as a cost-cutting move when he submits his proposed budget to the Legislature this Monday, according to sources briefed on the plan.

Board agrees to allow church services at residence

The Starkville Planning and Zoning Commission granted a request Tuesday to allow church services at a Louisville Street single-family residence.

Students made ill by vaccine back at school

With all nine Caledonia High School students affected by an injection of H1N1 flu vaccine administered Wednesday back in school Monday, the Lowndes County School District was able to return its attention to pursuing its goal of higher accreditation.

West Point football team finishes unbeaten in district

WEST POINT — After routing its fourth opponent in a row, the West Point High School football team is ready for its first challenge of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North Half State playoffs.

“We just want to take care of business each week, regardless what the competition is,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said

West Point completed a 7-0 district march Friday night with a 37-7 victory against Hernando.

Columbus shoppers hit stores, but spend less

If the economy is fixed, nobody told Columbus. While shoppers have been kind to some downtown retailers, many continue to feel the effects of sluggish spending.

Columbus pays tribute to veterans with parade, ceremony

Columbus paid tribute to its fighting men and women Saturday by putting them front and center for its annual Veteran’s Day Parade and Celebration.

Caledonia parents reconsider vaccine

CALEDONIA — Parents of Caledonia elementary and middle school students are re-evaluating whether or not to allow their children to receive the H1N1 vaccine after nine high-school students went to the hospital Wednesday with complications from the vaccine.

Students treated for reaction to H1N1 swine flu vaccine

Ashley O’Mary will be home from school through Friday, a precaution her guardian is taking after O’Mary had a reaction to the H1N1 vaccine she was administered at Caledonia High School, Wednesday.

American Power supplying Air Force uniforms

Getting a job through the Air Force doesn’t always include working on base.

Twenty employees were hired at American Power Supply in Columbus in September, pushing the total number of employees to 95, after the clothing manufacturer began assembling the Air Force’s new physical training uniforms.

Cooke, Hemphill in runoff election for Justice Court judge

The race for Lowndes County District 1 Justice Court Judge will continue as candidates Ron C. Cooke and Chris Hemphill move on to a Nov. 24 runoff election.

West Point department head cleared of charge

WEST POINT — A not-guilty verdict in the trial of one of West Point’s Water and Light Department heads has sparked allegations of favoritism.

United Way halfway to the goal

The United Way of Lowndes County is more than halfway to its campaign goal of $600,000, despite the weekend rain causing a change of venue for one weekend fundraiser and the cancellation of another.