Facilities manager at YMCA spends spare time buying, trading antique glass

A souvenir from a Vicksburg business, the first to bottle Coca-Cola.

A poison bottle etched with ridges to prevent the user from picking it up and consuming it, by accident, in the dark.

Bittersweet goodbye: Longtime business to close its doors

After more than 60 years in business, Parker Furniture, located in downtown Columbus, permanently will close its doors.

City leaders plan for the future

“There’s always room for improvement, but it’s going to take all of us working together as a team,” Columbus Mayor Robert Smith told members of the City Council and the city’s department heads Wednesday, opening an all-day council retreat at Plymouth Bluff Recreation Center.

Settlement makes Johnson fourth highest-paid city leader

The Columbus City Council on Tuesday officially approved a settlement agreement with Columbus Police Department Assistant Chief Joe Johnson, bumping his salary past the city’s fire chief, chief financial officer and director of federal programs.

Relief charity secures food for Haiti

Thanks to generous donors, a local organization is preparing to ship hundreds of thousands of meals to earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

Neighborhood parks cleared for $1.7 million facelift

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors voted Friday to commit $850,000 to a $1.7 million plan to renovate neighborhood parks.

Gold rush: With prices high, residents have options for trading precious metals

Wondering what to do with the mate of a long-ago-lost gold earring? How about a gold bracelet that no longer fits or a broken necklace?

Severstal to beef up production in 2010

In the worst year of the industry’s history, Severstal’s Columbus mill operated at an astonishing 84 percent capacity in 2009, Severstal Columbus, LLC CEO Jim Hrusovsky told members of the Columbus Rotary Club Tuesday, updating them on the company’s business last year and goals for 2010.

21 and over: Some restaurants, bars respond to ordinance by restricting age of patrons

In an effort to accommodate smokers under the city’s new smoking ordinance, at least three Columbus bars and restaurants no longer will admit minors.

Council votes to fund neighborhood parks

In a 4 to 2 vote, the Columbus City Council on Tuesday committed to spending $850,000 on a $1.6 million plan to renovate neighborhood parks.

Supervisor: Recreation sites need attention

Funding Lowndes County’s neighborhood parks and recreation is as important as funding economic development, District 4 Supervisor Jeff Smith said Monday, repeating a request earlier made by District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks to the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors.

City Council expected to pass smoking ordinance

The Columbus City Council tonight is expected to issue final approval of a citywide smoking ordinance.

‘It’s not a sad mission’: Unity Hospice Care chaplain brings smile to faces of patients near end of life

A Starkville native who now resides in Sturgis, Melvin Mordecai, 59, spends his time brightening the last days of residents of Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Clay, Noxubee, Neshoba, Winston, Choctaw and Attala counties.

After the hunt: Halfway through season, deer processors in full swing

When the cousins of Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen meet their demise, area deer processors will be ready.

City: Terminated firefighter’s appeal missed deadline

The attorney of a Columbus Fire Department employee terminated by the Columbus City Council, for violation of the city’s zero-tolerance substance abuse policy, has filed an appeal on the firing. But the city, which claims the appeal was not filed in a timely manner to the Civil Service Commission, has moved to dismiss the appeal.

Councilman calls for transparency in appointments

Pointing to the recent appointment of Brandy Gardner, who served as Columbus Mayor Robert Smith’s campaign manager, to the Columbus Utilities Commission, Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem Friday issued a call for “transparency in government.”

Perks of city jobs are among the best

Mississippi municipal employees’ salaries comparatively may be low, but their benefits packages largely are among the best offered, say officials at The John C. Stennis Institute of Government, which compiles a yearly survey of the salaries and benefits packages offered by Mississippi municipalities.

Officials welcome federal funds

More than $15 million is designated for MSU and two Golden Triangle defense contractors in a $150 million spending bill.

A smaller holiday appetite: Local eateries report slower gift card sales, fewer holiday parties than last year

Many local restaurants aren’t immune from the lackluster holiday spending season, with most reporting declines in spending, holiday party bookings and gift card or certificate sales, compared to 2008.

Supervisors, council back airport for worker travel

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday passed a policy, in support of Golden Triangle Regional Airport, requiring county employees on job-related air travel to use the airport.