Articles by Mary Pollitz
State tells AMS to improve writing scores for SPED students
Armstrong Middle School is now state mandated to improve its students with disabilities on English Language Arts.
Principal Julie Kennedy presented an improvement plan to the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday night, which unanimously approved it.
CMSD combats ‘gang’ activity on school campuses
Gang-related activity in the city is spilling into Columbus Municipal School District hallways and classrooms, Superintendent Cherie Labat told school board members Monday evening.
4-County Foundation awards $47K in grants to nine area nonprofits
The Starkville Area Arts Council relies heavily on 4-County Electric Power Cooperative.
Town hall discussions focus on school funding
Mississippi Rep. Jeff Smith believes claims the Legislature under-funds public education are inaccurate.
Smith was one of four legislators who took questions Thursday night at the education town hall, hosted by The Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee at the Courtyard-Marriott in Columbus.
Heritage students pen 1,725 cards to soldiers
Last year, seventh grader Shannon McElhinney’s parents received a letter in the mail from one of her classmates.
McElhinney’s father, a squadron commander at Columbus Air Force Base, got the letter during Heritage Academy’s Veteran’s Day project, where students wrote thank you cards to local military men and women.
Business Moves with Mary: New restaurant open in Columbus
There’s a new home-cooked country restaurant open in Columbus.
Maker-movement gains headway in Starkville
When Samantha Furby works in her Makerspace, she’s unknowingly learning life skills while she has fun.
Breaking ground at Annunciation: New school building to accommodate growth
Kyle McConnell still remembers sitting in the first grade classroom of Annunciation Catholic School the year it opened in 1963.
Now, McConnell sits on the school’s building committee, which worked with contractors and architects for the school’s next expansion.
Business Moves with Mary: Waukaway completes renovations downtown
Downtown, Waukaway Springs Bottling Company, 400 College St., has restored its building back to its former glory.
Local businesses set themselves apart during holiday shopping opening weekend
Sarah Barefield was pleased with her weekend, if not a little amazed.
As manager for The Purple Elephant on Wilkins Wise Road in Columbus, she saw crowds of customers during Black Friday and Shop Local Saturday move through the registers with holiday gift purchases, mostly Mississippi-made pottery items.
Country Pumpkins’ final season ended this month
When Jean Colson and her husband Dwight opened Country Pumpkins for the 2018 season, they didn’t know it would be the final season.
Business Moves with Mary: Black Friday shopping starts Thanksgiving Day
Columbus retailer Belk will start Black Friday sales at 4 p.m. today.
Planning Commission delays discussion on North Haven Woods assisted living facility
Columbus Planning Commission tabled discussion Monday on whether to permit an assistant living facility to operate in the North Haven Woods subdivision.
LCSD Career Tech students do mock interviews with real employers
When Thomas Harper, 16, prepared for school Thursday morning, he dressed in a blue blazer ready for his first interview.
Good Thanksgiving fellowship: City holds 12th annual Thanksgiving luncheon at Trotter Convention Center
Sitting at a table in Trotter Convention Center Thursday, Ruthie Armistad patiently waited for her lunch plate. When it came, right on time, it was filled with all the trappings of a Thanksgiving meal.
Failing no more: How principals, teachers at two area schools led their campuses out of MDE’s ratings basement
In August, Franklin Academy Principal Tawan Williams walked into the school library where her teachers sat waiting.
With a sense of pride and optimism, she delivered the long-awaited news — Franklin, an elementary school in the struggling Columbus Municipal School District, was a C-rated campus.
Area high school juniors show improvement on ACT
Columbus High School juniors increased ACT scores in spring 2018, while Starkville High School and Lowndes County School District record higher scores than the state average.
Business Moves with Mary: Idea Shop opens in Starkville
Mississippi State University students and upcoming Starkville businesses can find their next step on Main Street.
SOCSD invites parents to Thanksgiving: More than 1,800 adult guests expected to eat with students today
Before students were served their lunches on Tuesday, the Henderson Ward Stewart cafeteria staff was still busy putting the final touches on today’s menu.
The 12-person team stacked trays of pecan pies, hot dinner rolls, gravy and cranberry sauce for the busiest meal of the year.