Students’ summer job season begins

With a slow and steady drop in unemployment rates, more Lowndes County residents are working this summer than since the recession of 2008. But the number of those seeking employment may be on the rise, as many are seeking summer jobs, while on a break from high school or college. And with six or more weeks to go before school begins, the job hunt for some students will continue.

New law may help curb metal theft

People looking to illegally traffic copper wire and other industrial materials may find it more difficult to find buyers for their goods. Beginning Sunday, a new state law goes into effect further restricting the buying and selling of industrial materials.

Columbus named one of the “Best Small Towns for Business”

The Friendly City has been named one of the “Best Small Towns For Business In America” by American Express’ website, openforum.com. The article, written by Barry Moltz, lists Columbus third on the list, behind only Columbus, Ind., Ponca City, Okla. and Prescott, Ariz.

Three arrested for railroad parts burglary

Three Columbus men have been arrested in connection with allegedly stealing parts from a Columbus railroad track.

Law gives churches tax break on utilities

After more than 10 years of lingering in legislative purgatory, state churches will soon be getting a break when it comes to paying utility bills. Effective Sunday, churches will no longer have to pay sales tax on utilities including electricity, water and natural gas.

Carpenter picks up board position

Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Nancy Carpenter has been appointed to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. She was appointed by the state Senate by a vote of 52-0 after her confirmation hearing.

Miss-Ala Club fight leads to arrests

The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a nightclub fight which led to the arrest of a Caledonia man and two men from Alabama.

CPD credits community’s help in murder case arrest

Sewell faces murder charge in Vaughn shooting death

Passions converge for symphony founder Boudreau

Robert Boudreau is a man of many passions including music, art, architecture and life itself. These passions will converge Saturday as he opens the 2012 concert season for his American Wind Symphony Orchestra on the banks of the Tombigbee River in Columbus.

Lowndes County plans for new fire stations, renovations

Some Lowndes County fire stations are in line to receive renovations, Fire Coordinator Sammy Fondren said this week. At the June 15 meeting of the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors, the board voted to allow Fondren to advertise the dismantling of a substation in District 3 and the main station in District 2.

Crime report 6-22-12

The Columbus Police Department is investigating the robbery of a local pizza establishment.

Sales tax receipts up over last year

Although sales tax figures have dropped slightly in Columbus over the past 30 days, Chief Financial Officer Mike Bernsen said the city is still posting higher numbers than predicted for the year.

“We collected $809,699 in the month of May and $728,609 in the month of June,” Bernsen said. “We are still doing better than we were doing a year ago.”

Columbus Council hikes up pants, makes sagging pants ordinance official

A month after approving a ban on sagging pants, the Columbus City Council voted 5-1 on Tuesday to implement the addition to the city’s indecent exposure ordinance. The new language was designed specifically to penalize those who wear their pants below the waist or hip. Commonly called the “sagging pants ordinance,” it was introduced by Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Box who said it was modeled after a similar ordinance in Tupelo.

New bids expected on old 82 bridge

The Old Highway 82 bridge project will once again be revisited the Columbus City Council. According to City Engineer Kevin Stafford, the board Tuesday will accept bids on the project. The board will vote to accept the lowest bid Tuesday night.

City paving projects to be completed this year

The re-paving of some city parking lots and streets is on the horizon for Columbus. City Engineer Kevin Stafford said several projects are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

County to help with city parking lot repaving

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors Friday unanimously passed a motion to assist the City of Columbus with some paving projects.

CPD uses spent ammo to fund make-over

The Columbus Police Department shooting range will be getting a makeover, thanks in part to some shell casings. Bill Smith, CPD Director of Forensic Chemistry, said he had an epiphany during a recent range clearing and cleaning.

A welcome change: Drop in gas prices has little effect on city’s budget

After months of grim forecasts and overwrought predictions, gas prices did the exact opposite of what was predicted and took a nosedive. According to gasbuddy.com the average price in Columbus is $3.27 a gallon, with the lowest prices being $3.23 a gallon at Murphy USA. The highest price was found at Sandfield One Stop with a price of $3.39 a gallon.

Columbus hires firm to explore energy-saving options

While the City of Starkville has started making waves across the state for its new energy efficiency methods, Columbus has begun its own process.

Suspect in pistol whipping still at large

The Columbus Police Department is searching for a suspect in an alleged pistol whipping (aggravated assault) and shots fired case.