‘Our Hero’: Late Aberdeen officer Johnny B’s bench dedicated at Leadership Plaza

Johnny Buster’s memory and story will live on next to his late son’s in downtown Columbus.

In early January, Buster passed away at 72 leaving a legacy of dedication to the military, his family and the citizens he protected.

Six candidates qualify for Ward 1

Six candidates have qualified so far for the Ward 1 city council vacancy.

Gibbs-Gray, Beard head to runoff in Ward 4 special election

Kegdra Gibbs-Gray and Pierre D. Beard Sr. are headed to a runoff in the special election for the Ward 4 Columbus City Council vacancy.

City carves out $805K in savings, new revenue

The city has shored up its financial position this fiscal year by at least $805,000, according to a report Mayor Robert Smith presented to city councilmen Tuesday evening at the Municipal Complex.

200th Lakota helicopter heads to Ft. Rucker

U.S. Army officials stepped off the Airbus tarmac in Columbus Monday morning to fly the 200th Lakota trainer helicopter to Ft. Rucker, Alabama.

Monday Profile: MSU retiree finds second career among horses

Walter Kilborn was not meant to retire.

The lifelong Starkville resident left Mississippi State University nearly a decade ago, but he said he was not made to sit on his porch and watch his days tick by.

Ward 4 candidates prioritize youth outreach

Cleaning up Ward 4 will likely start with helping the younger generation, Ward 4 candidates agreed during a forum Sunday night.

Fiber internet coming to Lowndes County

C Spire is slated to bring gigabit internet to homeowners and businesses throughout Lowndes County.

Lowndes County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved its franchise agreement with C Spire during its regular meeting Thursday morning in an effort to increase high-speed internet access to rural areas.

Ward 4 candidate forum Sunday afternoon

The six candidates vying for the Ward 4 council seat will have one last chance to speak to voters Sunday night before the special election on Tuesday.

Pellum purchases Elbow Room for event space

With The Elbow Room’s fate uncertain for the past year, patrons meandered in and out of the bar on Saturday for the last time.

Paulding hosts beginner, advanced workshops on investing

Ben Paulding, founder of Crown Financial, is hosting two workshops this week offering customers guidance and financial planning.

Lowndes sheriff’s candidates hit pavement for support in runoff

Right before the rain started to pour Friday afternoon, Lowndes County Republican sheriff’s candidate Eddie Hawkins walked through a New Hope neighborhood with a stack of pamphlets and a notepad in-hand.

Andrews: CFR reaccreditation costs city $250K

Columbus Fire and Rescue now has what it’s been seeking for the last five years — re-accreditation from the national Center for Public Safety and Excellence.

The price tag of remaining the only municipality in Mississippi to be accredited, has been about $250,000, according to Fire and Rescue Chief Martin Andrews.

Business Moves with Mary: Fresh homemade bread is back on Main Street

Starkville’s Main Street has a new bakery on the block, offering fresh bagels, baguettes and breads galore.

Wright, Hawkins head to sheriff’s runoff

Chief Deputy Greg Wright and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Agent Eddie Hawkins are headed to a runoff in the Lowndes County sheriff’s Republican primary.

Supes ask state auditor to investigate EMCC

Lowndes County supervisors are now asking the State Auditor’s Office to investigate the financial decline at East Mississippi Community College.

Mounting debt, deficit spending threaten to push city’s credit rating down again

The city of Columbus’ credit rating is tinkering on the brink of falling to the “moderate risk” category upon its next assessment, according to a spokesperson with Moody’s Investors Service — the corporation that sets the city’s credit rating.

Making $10 million disappear: Athletic spending, declining enrollment tank EMCC fund balance

Leadership at East Mississippi Community College is scrambling to reverse nearly a decade’s worth of deficit spending that has tanked the school’s general operating fund balance.

Documents provided to The Dispatch on Wednesday show EMCC’s general operating fund balance has fallen more than $10 million since Fiscal Year 2010 — from roughly $11 million to only $710,844 by the end of June 2018.

Citizen comment on EMCC sparks heated exchange

District 4 Supervisor Leroy Brooks had choice words for a citizen demanding the board remove the Lowndes County appointees on the East Mississippi Community College board of trustees.

Business Moves with Mary: New fabric store opens in Columbus Friday

Kathy Willcutt is determined to keep fabric work and sewing relevant in the Golden Triangle.