Missing woman’s stepfather has history of sex crimes

COLUMBUS — A Lowndes County man arrested Saturday on charges of possessing child pornography had past convictions of sex crimes in Mississippi and Louisiana.

New school calendar proving a ‘success’

Students and administrators reported a successful first week of Columbus Municipal School District’s “Success Academy” and enrichment programs for the new 11-month school calendar at Stokes-Beard Technology and Communications Magnet School and Sale International Studies Magnet School.

Dozens search, pray for missing woman

Volunteer search parties have “exhausted all avenues” in an effort to locate Kaila Morris, 21, said Morris’ uncle, Leslie Williamson. A part-time Mississippi State University student and employee of The Cookie Store in Leigh Mall, Morris has been missing since Sept. 17.

What happened to Kaila Morris?

So shy, Kaila Morris avoided “crowds” of more than two or three people.

So cautious, she would lock the door behind her stepbrother, with whom she shared a condominium in Starkville, when he would leave their residence to walk a very short distance to their mailbox.

Supervisors ratify Burns Bottom park plan

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors Wednesday ratified earlier decisions regarding a proposed soccer complex or downtown park in the Burns Bottom area, by voting to accept a donation of property and in-kind services from the city and to commit $3.25 million to the development of the soccer complex.

Walking through history: Sale students take tour of historic Columbus to learn about communities

To complement their studies in “community views,” 55 first-graders from Sale International Studies Magnet School Thursday were treated to a driving tour of various Columbus landmarks, with Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau Project Manager Nancy Carpenter as their tour guide.

Burns Bottom dispute continues to sizzle

Lowndes County’s District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks Thursday convened a meeting of Columbus’ African-American elected officials, ministers and community leaders to inform them of the city and county’s recent efforts to locate a soccer complex in the Burns Bottom area of downtown Columbus and to discuss needed improvements to the city’s neighborhood parks.

YMCA class teaches real-life skills to high school seniors

High school seniors in Lowndes County are learning to take care of and better themselves and their communities.

The Y Teens Life Skills class — offered through a partnership of the YMCA with the Lowndes County and Columbus Municipal school districts — currently is preparing students from Columbus, New Hope and West Lowndes high schools for life after graduation.

Heavy rains threaten crops, cause accidents

Rain, rain, go away and don’t come again another day soon.

Extremely high amounts of rainfall, unusual for September, adversely have affected many facets of life, from crops to cops and the accidents to which they respond.

Lee Middle School teacher Reed ‘making a difference’ after career change

In addition to teaching a reading comprehension program, Teen Biz, to Lee Middle School seventh graders, Angela Reed, 33, a native of Columbus and graduate of the University of Mississippi, teaches in the Crossroads after-school program at Mississippi University for Women, and is earning her master’s degree at Mississippi State University.

Couple renovates landmark building in heart of downtown

Years of painstaking effort finally have paid off for Billy and Cathy Coleman, who have been renovating three floors of the Bancorp South building at the corner of Main and Fifth Street, since purchasing the building in 2007.

Local students named Merit Scholarship semifinalists

A pair of Starkville High School students were among those recently named as 2010 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

Rain doesn’t dampen Hamilton Day; event draws record crowd

HAMILTON — Rain didn’t stop the people of Hamilton Saturday from showing appreciation for their community, while contributing funds for community improvements.

Council, supervisors commit to improve city’s ‘front door’ with soccer park

With an eye to improving downtown Columbus, city and county officials Thursday agreed to build a soccer complex at Burns Bottom and to start discussions to expand the Trotter Convention Center.

City donates land, services for Burns Bottom project

The Columbus City Council Tuesday unanimously voted to donate 14.9 acres of city-owned property at Burns Bottoms and in-kind services for a proposed six-field soccer complex to be located on 70 acres of property at Burns Bottom.

Supes OK aerospace theme for industrial park

An effort to build an aerospace industrial park progressed Tuesday with support from the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors.

Around the world in 14 books

Fourth-grade students at Sale International Studies Magnet School are visiting various Spanish-speaking countries through the work of Columbus High School International Baccalaureate Spanish students.

Illness-related school absences abound

Local school districts are reporting an increase in the number illness-related absences and taking precautions against the H1N1 (swine) flu, while educating students on good hygiene habits, as well.

Mississippi State, MUW boast enrollment increases

Attendance has increased across Mississippi’s university system, with Mississippi State University reporting record fall enrollment and Mississippi University for Women boasting one of the largest percentage increases.

Local districts tighten belts amid cuts

Local school districts took heavy hits under state budget cuts levied this week, but most school district officials said they expected and prepared for the cuts.