Articles by Mary Pollitz
Two downtown businesses up for sale
Barbara Swindol remembers sitting on an old barstool when she was 5 years old playing on a pinball machine in the corner of The Elbow Room while her father sat at the bar for a drink.
Business Moves with Mary: La Quinta open in Columbus; Starkville gets new Italian restaurant
Columbus’ newest hotel officially opened its doors to guests on Wednesday.
Sparking creativity: Teens write, produce three-act musical as part of decades-old Summer Scholars program at MSU
After her first day of camp for Summer Scholars, Randie Cobb, 18, immediately felt she could finally be herself among her peers without judgment.
Mississippi shows slight increase in child wellbeing
Mississippi ranks 48th in child wellbeing, the highest ranking in nearly 30 years, according to the Mississippi KIDS COUNT study.
Community a priority for incoming CMSD superintendent
This past school year, Cherie Labat looked at 15 different school districts that needed new superintendents — but only Columbus caught her interest.
CMSD board approves sale of Lee Middle property
Columbus Municipal School District’s board of trustees unanimously approved the sale of the former Lee Middle School property during a special-call meeting on Wednesday.
Sears Hometown Store scheduled to close soon
The Sears Hometown Store, located at 1404 Old Aberdeen Road in front of Leigh Mall, will reportedly close its doors later this year.
GEDs provide opportunities for 21 excited graduates
Roger Jones, 33, was set to graduate with honors from Maben High School in 2003, until he was arrested for a drug charge weeks before commencement.
CHS grad earns recognition, scholarships while overcoming personal tragedies
Tierra Ledbetter was a 4-year-old tee-ball player when she got the nickname “Firecracker” from her coach Cassandra Bogan.
CMSD incentive bonuses approved
Teachers at Columbus Municipal School District will see incentive bonuses based on state accountability ratings starting December 2019.
Honors program keeps state’s brightest challenged
When Ceana Palacio, 15, first moved to Gulfport from Texas she was worried she wouldn’t find a challenging educational curriculum.
Lowndes man arrested for domestic violence
A Columbus man has been arrested for alleged domestic violence.
Sounds of Summer concert preview: A hometown show
Robert Moore skipped football practice the summer of his junior year and picked up a dust-covered Yamaha, nylon-stringed guitar he found in his mother’s room.
State third-grade reading assessment scores released
More than 60 school districts in Mississippi had a 95% or higher passing rate on the third grade reading assessment this year.
GTR Coding Academy preps students for tech jobs
Right now there are 1,200 unfilled jobs requiring skills in computer coding in Mississippi.
Labat selected as CMSD superintendent
Cherie Labat is the new superintendent of the Columbus Municipal School District.
New CMSD superintendent announcement expected today
The Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees is expected to announce their selection for a new superintendent of schools Friday. The board was hearing final interviews and voting during The Dispatch’s deadline Friday.
Public forum for CMSD superintendent finalists tonight
Three finalists for Columbus Municipal School District’s superintendent opening will present their cases to the public at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Joe Cook Elementary School auditorium.
Area schools aim to feed 40,000 meals to children over summer
Columbus Municipal and Starkville-Oktibbeha school districts aim to serve more than 40,000 meals this summer, at no cost, to children 18 and younger.
Three finalists announced for CMSD superintendent spot
A former Joe Cook Elementary principal is among the three finalists for Columbus Municipal School District superintendent, board of trustees President Jason Spears confirmed to The Dispatch on Wednesday.
