Nine coders graduate from inaugural GTR Coding Academy

When Kingdom McGee had to withdraw from Mississippi State University, he didn’t know his next step.

McGee, 23, was diagnosed with severe blood clots and never thought he would walk again. The Crawford native said he saw a newspaper on his table advertising 11-month free tuition for a coding academy in Columbus. McGee’s health started to improve and he decided to take a chance.

Video games: Mississippi’s new high school sport

When Lucas Rader, 14, downloaded the video game League of Legends, he never imagined he would end up playing it on a school-sanctioned team.

Heritage regains Apple Distinguished School status

Heritage Academy almost wasn’t recognized as an Apple Distinguished School this year.

Nearly missing the deadline, director of instructional technology Janet Lewis and teacher Brad Kidder called Heritage Academy’s Apple representative and submitted the school’s paperwork last-minute.

Golden Triangle gears up for day of service

When Taquanda Walker Turner started volunteering, she always had her children by her side.

This Monday at 9 a.m., Turner will have her two sons, Tyzir and Tristen Turner, and daughter, Taraya Walker, helping load teachers’ vehicles with school supplies.

Business Moves with Mary: New restaurant opening in old Pizza Hut building

After nine months of extensive renovations, a new coffee house served its first cup of coffee on Monday in the old Pizza Hut building on Highway 45.

Local Airbus plant shows operations to European guests

Steffen Weyer visited America for the first time Tuesday afternoon, receiving his visa just last Thursday.

Weyer, a journalist in Germany for dpa-AFX, toured the Columbus Airbus facility as a part of the North American Airbus Tour. He was one of more than 30 European journalists and Airbus representatives worldwide who visited the facility.

CMSD, others to get back taxes from Sanderson Plumbing

Columbus Municipal School District plans to use more than $125,000 from a Sanderson Plumbing bankruptcy case for the district’s capital improvement plan and maintenance plan.

CMSD: Final decision on Shannon slated for Jan. 29

A final decision on whether Columbus Municipal School District’s former deputy superintendent Craig Shannon will get his job back will come by the end of the month.

Motorcycles, beer and travel: LaFrance always finds something to do

When Robert LaFrance was 22, he got a hefty speeding ticket.

Rather than paying an exorbitant amount of money for his car insurance, the Starkville resident, who was attending Clemson University at the time, said it was cheaper to buy a motorcycle. That infraction created a love for both riding and repairing motorcycles.

MUW names new vice president of administration and CFO

Mississippi University for Women has announced Mark Ellard as its new vice president of administration and chief financial officer.

CMSD could tackle up to $2.6M in capital improvements over 5 years

Columbus Municipal School District could spend more than $2.6 million on capital improvements over the next five years.

Business Moves with Mary: Lee High development underway

The former Lee High School property redevelopment looks to be underway with luxury lofts coming to Columbus this fall.

West Point native places third in the world for steer wrestling

Will Lummus, 26, doesn’t second guess jumping off a running horse to wrestle a 600 pound steer to the ground.

If he did, he wouldn’t be the third placed steer wrestler in the world.

Business Moves with Mary: Columbus Barber Shop celebrates 50 years of business

Bobby Jordan started shining shoes in his father’s barber shop nearly 50 years ago.

Now, Jordan’s Barber Shop is celebrating 50 years in Columbus with one chair dedicated for shoe shining.

Shannon appeals termination from CMSD

During a termination appeal hearing for former deputy superintendent Craig Shannon at Columbus Municipal School District Tuesday, Superintendent Cherie Labat said she did not trust Shannon to be honest with her.

Vibrant Church’s $14M expansion nearly complete

The Vibrant Church congregation will meet for the first time Sunday in its new, 1,500-person worship center.

Without a hitch: High schoolers build Rube Goldberg machines for annual competition

For the past three weeks, Starkville High School junior James Fairley’s ping pong table at home was covered with marble tracks, books, boxes and a remote-control airplane.

Fire rating could reduce home insurance rates

Columbus Fire and Rescue now boasts a Class 3 rating from the Mississippi State Rating Bureau, city officials announced in a press conference Wednesday at Regal Hall.

The new rating improves CFR from a Class 4 department and places it among the five highest-rated fire departments in the state. Most notably, the new rating could save city homeowners up to 20 percent on insurance premiums.

Business Moves with Mary: Cadence Bank building in Starkville listed for sale again

Starkville’s Cadence Bank main branch building, located at 301 E. Main St., is again listed for sale.

The more than 30,000 square-foot building is listed for $2.5 million.

Columbus turns to consultant for leadership building

Benjamin Wax has spent the last six months trying to build stronger leaders among Columbus city employees.