Articles by Jessica Lindsey
In 2015, an unexpected drill at MSU revealed chaos, cooperation
A Maroon Alert dinged across the phones of students, faculty and staff on the Mississippi State University campus. There was an active shooter near Carpenter Hall.
Labat abruptly resigns as CMSD superintendent
Cherie Labat abruptly resigned Tuesday from her position as superintendent of Columbus Municipal School District.
Board mum after closed-door discussion of Labat’s job
With a little more than a year before her contract is up, Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent Cherie Labat’s employment was discussed during executive session of Monday night’s board of trustees meeting.
LCSD proposed $29.4M budget would cause tax hike
The Lowndes County School District is expected to pass a budget Friday that will mean a tax hike for residents if approved by the board of supervisors.
Man sentenced to 40 years for Propst Park killing
Before a jury retired to deliberate Friday in Lowndes County Circuit Court, District Attorney Scott Colom culminated his closing argument by displaying a photo to the courtroom.
In it was a young girl, wearing a pink shirt, standing and smiling in the sunshine.
Inaugural Raise the Woof event raises funds for new animal shelter
Patrons of Taste Italian Kitchen were greeted by wagging tails and happy dog kisses if they ventured from the main dining area to the veranda on Wednesday.
Photo: National Night Out
Akeah Graham, left, gives Aaliyah Jones, right, a temporary tattoo at Starkville Police Department’s annual National Night Out on Crime.
Expert: Realistic active shooter training has mixed results
In a drill that shocked employees across schools in the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District in 2019, school officers fired blanks in the hallways while teachers were told to practice safety protocols in their classrooms.
Identifying red flags, inclusion both key to curbing threats
With the reality that a school shooting could happen anywhere in the United States or anytime, there is also the reality many forget: The shooter could be anyone.
CAFB’s Silver Wings retiring its print edition
Silver Wings, the Columbus Air Force Base newspaper, has been known on base and in Columbus for nearly 80 years, though not always under this name.
Preparing for the worst: Area school districts discuss protocols in place to respond to, prevent active shooters
Jesus Gonzales has five children who attend Columbus city schools. Two are in middle school. Three go to Stokes-Beard Elementary.
If a shooter ever entered either of those schools, he said he would rather act on his own to save them than rely on school officials or law enforcement.
No tax increase expected for SOCSD
Oktibbeha County residents will not see a tax increase from the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District this year.
Two Labat trips axed after board questions their purpose
Nearly 20 minutes after Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent Cherie Labat spoke Tuesday about a June work trip to Chicago on the district’s dime, the board denied two other requests for her to travel out of state for conferences.
Millions more in FEMA money coming for Hunt campus
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has accepted an estimate on damages at the Hunt campus that could result in more than $10 million more in relief funds coming the district’s way for repairs.
DNA leads to arrest in West Point cold case
Almost 20 years ago, Nashedra Strong-Clay was robbed, raped and left for dead in her home.
Parents feeling financial stress preparing for school as prices rise
With the cost of gas, groceries and more skyrocketing, parents and teachers in the Golden Triangle are feeling the burn as they head to buy school supplies for the new school year.
$15K donation boons partnership between CLW, CMSD
In a presentation at its Monday meeting, the Columbus Municipal School District unanimously accepted $15,000 in a donation from Columbus Light and Water and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Monday Profile: Pen collector, W security dispatcher came to Friendly City for love
As people drive onto the Mississippi University for Women campus, they are often met by Art Reyes’ friendly demeanor and smiling face as he waves them through.
Photo: Bradford Freeman laid to rest
Bradford Freeman, 97, of Caledonia was laid to rest on this morning. He passed away Sunday. Caledonia residents lined the roads leading to Egger Cemetery off North Wolfe Road. Freeman was the last surviving member of the “Band of Brothers” unit from World War II’s “Easy Company” of the 101st Airborne Division, Second Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Shelters overflowing with animals this summer
Six-month-old Smooches was rushed into Oktibbeha County Humane Society last month suffering from extreme heat exhaustion, and she was given just a 25 percent chance of survival.
