Local architect Major Andrews thought in-kind services would earn him no-bid contract for Hunt

For the past six months, architect Major Andrews has worked with the Columbus Municipal School District planning improvements at the Hunt campus, giving him the impression he would continue those services after a Feb. 23 tornado badly damaged the building on 20th Street North.

HBO documentary to feature area African-American history event

Cameras and microphones circled Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science students during their dress rehearsal for the school’s Eighth of May production in Sandfield Cemetery.

SHS freshman scores 36 on ACT on first try

Battling a cold, Amy Zhang walked into Starkville High School in July to take the ACT for the first time.

Though just a rising ninth grader, Zhang carried with her unusually lofty expectations for a college entrance exam newbie.

Area school boards ask MDE to send GTECHS scores to home districts

Area school board presidents are fighting for their districts to receive test scores from Golden Triangle Early College High School’s students.

Superintendent: ‘Disrespectful and disruptive behaviors’ have become commonplace at AMS

“Blatant disrespect” by students toward staff at Armstrong Middle School has prompted Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Superintendent Eddie Peasant to email parents that if the behavior continues, law enforcement will be called to remove students and even parents from campus.

Business Moves with Mary: Columbus Cook Out is officially open

Cook Out in Columbus is open and busy.

After nearly two years, the long-anticipated fast food restaurant opened its doors Tuesday at 503 18th Ave. N.

EMCC: Tuition assistance program will remain intact

“An exchange of erroneous information” led to unnecessary panic over the future of East Mississippi Community College’s tuition assistance program for area high school graduates, president Scott Alsobrooks said.

Yokohama blames local workforce, facility for anemic production

West Point’s Yokohama Tire Company plant met only about half of its expected tire production goal in 2018, with company officials pushing the blame primarily to employee turnover and facility issues.

The Golden Triangle Development LINK, however — which helped recruit the plant to the region — is pointing the finger back at the company.

First class at GTECHS prepares to graduate

Twins Kierra and Krystal Hayes, 17, do everything together.

They started kindergarten together and now they will graduate high school together. But before they receive their high school diploma, the two will graduate with an associate’s degree from East Mississippi Community College.

Area districts vow all teachers will get their raises

A Mississippi Department of Education math error could cost three area public school districts nearly $500,000 next school year to fund teacher raises.

Business Moves with Mary: Refrigeration Company ‘back to normal’ after fire, tornado

At 2 a.m. Nov. 4, Dennis Jones received a call from the alarm company that protects his business. A window at Refrigeration Supply Company on Tuscaloosa Road was broken, the call reported, and Jones dutifully went to check on it.

Turns out, there was a lot more to it than that.

Fairview Elementary receives 5K grant for technology

Fairview Elementary students will begin next year building their understanding of computer technology from the inside-out. Literally.

‘We will be proficient’: Stokes-Beard Elementary students create video for upcoming state assessment

There’s a video on social media that depicts two Columbus Municipal School District students as animated characters, cheering about the upcoming end-of-year state assessments.

Business Moves with Mary: Two Brothers Smoked Meats to expand in Cotton District

Right now, Two Brothers Smoked Meats can seat about 35 customers at its restaurant on Rue Du Grand Fromage in Starkville’s Cotton District.

Citizens, mayor plead to keep Fred’s open

Delakes Lang, 50, spent her childhood Saturdays walking downtown to shop at Fred’s.

Monday profile: A mother’s trip back to her daughter

Mary Lou Benton and her daughter, Crystal Rutherford, sat in their monogram shop Thursday afternoon, with nearly 40 customer orders behind the counter.

Business Moves with Mary: Fred’s closing three stores in Golden Triangle

Three Fred’s stores in the Golden Triangle will close shop by the end of May.

CMSD to use $200K audit windfall to help fund employee pay incentives

Columbus Municipal School District will use nearly $200,000 of excess funds found in its 2018 audit to help fund its Teacher Incentive Pay Plan.

Labat: LCSD ‘deliberately’ enrolling city students

A complaint filed with the Mississippi Department of Education alleges Lowndes County School District is willfully enrolling students who live within the Columbus Municipal School District boundaries.

LCSD enrolling city students, taking MAEP funds, then sending students back to CMSD

Columbus Municipal School District has been left on the hook for educating dozens of former county students for which they have no state funding, and for testing those students without what some officials consider a fair opportunity to prepare them.