Grant could help open new industrial site

A 100,000-square-foot spec building owned by the county may soon be a small industrial development site. Although details about the project are sketchy due to a confidentiality agreement, the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors is working with the Golden Triangle Development Link and Golden Triangle Planning and Development to see the project through by applying for a Community Development Block Grant to help lure the potential business.

Time to go a-wassailing!

Two or three at a time, in numbers that might reach 5,000, festival-goers will gather around the Christmas punch bowl Friday for the ninth annual Wassail Fest, presented by Main Street Columbus.

A mixture of both downtown holiday shopping and a beverage contest, the festival — which will be held from 5-9 p.m. — has become a favorite event for downtown Columbus.

Lairy to run for Turner’s senate seat

Like father, like daughter?

Angela Turner Lairy, daughter of state senator Bennie Turner, D-West Point, has announced she will run in the Jan. 15 special election to fill the seat left vacant by her father’s death Nov. 27, Lairy told the Dispatch Wednesday.

Columbus council pursues loan for projects

The Columbus City Council voted to accept bids on a loan for some equipment and a drainage project during Tuesday’s regular meeting. The city is looking to borrow up to $1.2 million to be paid back over a five-year period.

Higgins to supes: Silicor must put up or shut up

Golden Triangle Development Link CEO Joe Max Higgins didn’t mince words Monday when discussing the future of Mississippi Silicon with the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors.

Turner leaves legacy of integrity and courage

WCBI news personality Aundrea Self didn’t hesitate when asked to describe her former employer and friend, the late Sen. Bennie Turner.

“He always exuded a quiet confidence,” Self said Sunday. “He had a strong presence when he walked into the room.”

Foreclosure help coming to Columbus

Owning a home is part of the American dream. But for some, the dream can quickly become a nightmare of delayed mortgage payments and eventual foreclosure. To help those facing the reality of losing their home, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood is bringing the Mississippi Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Consortium to Columbus Dec. 5 from 10-1 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club on 14th Avenue North.

Monday profile: New Main Street director brings ‘big city ideas’

The new director of Main Street Columbus said she enjoyed the 2011 Wassail Fest so much she decided to move here.

Columbus Christmas parade set for Monday

The Columbus Christmas parade will feature the Columbus and New Hope high school bands, as well as dancers and elected officials. An appearance by Santa Claus will finish out the parade, officially kicking off the Christmas season.

Silicor may receive extension from Lowndes supes

With a Dec. 31 deadline looming for the beginning of phase one construction, Silicor Materials officials are expected to ask the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors for second extension.

Groups prep for holiday giving

The holiday season can be a time of joy and wonder, but for many, it can also be a time of despair and frustration for those in need of toys for their children, clothes, food and even shelter. To make their holidays a bit brighter, many Lowndes County residents are joining together to volunteer and give back to the community.

City ponders fate of rapidly shrinking landfill

The City of Columbus will soon have to a face decision regarding the dumping of waste in its landfill. A recent study by Neel-Schaffer Engineering shows the landfill will run out of space within three years.

Longtime legislator Turner dead at 64

A longtime member of the state legislature, who represented a portion of Lowndes County, has died at age 64. Bennie Turner, D-West Point, died Tuesday afternoon at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

Plans for automated meters moving forward

A $6-million energy efficiency program is under way for Columbus residents. Automatic meter readers will be installed for all of the electric company’s customers by the time the project is completed.

Area peanut growers produce bumper crop

Peanut butter is a staple food item for many Lowndes County residents. And if your favorite brand is Jif, there’s a good chance your peanut butter may have ties to Monroe County.

Brown: Education, health care will dominate budget talks

Columbus native Terry Brown, the Pro Tempore of the Mississippi Senate, has served in the state legislature since 1988 — a part-time job requiring full-time energy, as he describes it. Before heading back to Jackson, where he will serve a key role as the state puts together its budget, Brown took some time to meet with Dispatch reporter Jeff Clark for a wide-ranging conversation.

City Council approves bus line

An independent transportation company will be allowed to operate a bus line in Columbus.

CVB board clashes over finances

After 20 minutes of closed talks that board members insisted was not an executive session, the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau board convened Monday to engage in yet another contentious session, this time over finances.

Council to take closer look at bus deal

Discussions between an Indiana bus company and the Columbus City Council are expected to continue Tuesday night.

CVB to vote on first round of festival funding

Event organizers seeking grants for festivals taking place January through July of next year will present their proposals Monday to the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Board of Trustees.

The new model is part of an overhaul of the board’s festival grant guidelines.