Unemployment rates continue decline

September unemployment rates showed a gradual decline for counties in and around the Golden Triangle compared to last year’s statistics. According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, 22 counties in Mississippi posted unemployment rates below the state’s nine percent average.

Alabama emerges unscathed from unbeaten battle

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama football also believed it could emerge 8-0.

After a week of a “We Believe 8-0” campaign launched by Mississippi State University, Alabama proved it takes more than clever marketing to beat it. On Saturday, the Crimson Tide proved again why it is the defending national champion and the nation’s No. 1 team with a 38-7 victory against the No. 13 Bulldogs on Homecoming at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Laurel officials impressed with Columbus’ downtown

The City of Laurel and Columbus are approximately 150 miles apart, but the cities are very similar in terms of population and economics.

The Tide that binds: Family connection has MSU grad rooting for Alabama

West Point’s Donna Harris was a University of Alabama football fan before she enrolled at Mississippi State. A 1982 MSU graduate, she rooted for the Bulldogs from that moment on.

Until, that is, family ties intervened.

Comes A Time: Neil Young returns to Tuscaloosa after almost 40 years

Although his songs “Southern Man” and “Alabama” painted unflattering portraits of the South, veteran singer-songwriter Neil Young will be welcomed back with open arms on Thursday.

City Council votes to continue Catfish Alley improvements

Improvements on one of Columbus’ most famous streets will continue as additional funding has been made available for the project.

Marriott groundbreaking set for Nov. 5

“Hotel Row” in Columbus will soon be getting its second occupant in a three-hotel plan. Castle Properties and Peachtree Hotel Group of Atlanta announced Monday a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 5 to officially mark the beginning of construction of a new Courtyard by Marriott hotel.

Mistakes cost New Hope chance for victory

With mere seconds left on the clock, the New Hope High School football team had just scored a touchdown that would have sent its game against Clarksdale into overtime.

Officials study parking, restroom issues at soccer complex

As complaints continue about the parking situation at the Columbus Soccer Complex, particularly along the north end of the facilities, city and county officials are researching ways to find a solution.

A good year for pumpkins

There are probably easier ways to make a living, but farming pumpkins can be a lucrative business — lucrative if the temperature, weather, insects and other elements beyond man’s control decide to cooperate.

City council: Surplus funds mean more street paving

With a late November deadline looming, the Columbus mayor and council are in negotiations to spend the last of some general obligations bond money. The money will be used for street paving in some of the city’s wards.

Contractor disputes city’s version of ‘Dump-Gate’

The Dump-Gate saga continues.

In what is, at best, a misunderstanding and, at worst, a flurry of lies, the controversy over whether or not the city allowed the county to use its landfill took another turn Tuesday.

City disputes Sanders’ claims over dumping access

Harry Sanders’ running feud with the city of Columbus introduced new allegations during Monday’s Lowndes County Board of Supervisors meeting, a dispute that could wind up costing county taxpayers $25,000 or more.

Attorney’s fees draw scrutiny at CVB meeting

Bad blood between Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Trustees member Whirllie Byrd, who was once the treasurer of the CVB, and Executive Director Nancy Carpenter took a monetary turn during Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting.

Walker, Petty lead Columbus past DeSoto Central

The Columbus High School football team lived up to the Homecoming festivities.

The Falcons also made a point to impress their well-known guests.

Columbus comprehensive plan awaits approval

After more than three years of discussion, the Columbus Comprehensive Plan should be approved before Thanksgiving.

Diversity Day more than ‘black and white’

A week of learning more about people and their traditions and customs will culminate Saturday as Diversity Day will be recognized by Community Counseling Services at the request of the Department of Mental Health.

Seventh Ave. Festival honors unsung heroes

The Seventh Avenue Heritage Festival officially kicked off Thursday night with a reception in the penthouse of Court Square Towers. Several members of the community were recognized during an awards ceremony.

Dispatch panel offers variety of views on debate

The first presidential debate of the 2012 election season has come and gone, and most political pundits and news outlets are claiming Mitt Romney as the winner.

‘SOB’ comment strains relations as county asks city for waiver

Underlying tension between Columbus city councilmen and Lowndes County officials came to the surface during Tuesday’s meeting of the Columbus City Council.