Articles by Neal Wagner
Christian supply store celebrates third anniversary
Cheri Smith has been working to help Columbus and Lowndes County residents grow in their spiritual lives for the past 12 years.
Columbus officials eye Starkville controversy
As reports swirled that the state had rejected Starkville’s petition for Sunday liquor sales, Columbus City Council members on both sides of the issue said they were surprised by the ABC decision, and were unsure how it would affect the Friendly City.
‘Preserved forever’: Students encouraged to participate in Veterans History Project
Columbus High School students soon will have an opportunity to take part in a national program aimed at helping preserve veterans’ legacies.
City begins signup for curbside recycling
STARKVILLE — Thousands of Starkville residents soon will have a convenient method of disposing of household garbage while helping to save the environment, according to Ward 3 Alderman Eric Parker.
Columbus approves Sunday alcohol sales
Extended weekday alcoholic beverage sale hours and Sunday liquor sales soon could be coming to Columbus, as the City Council Tuesday night agreed to send a petition on the matter to the Mississippi Tax Commission.
The council agreed to mail the petition after Columbus Mayor Robert Smith voted in favor of the resolution to extend on-premises alcohol sales hours in the city.
Columbus approves Sunday alcohol sales, extends bar hours
Extended weekday alcoholic beverage sale hours and Sunday liquor sales soon could be coming to Columbus, as the City Council Tuesday night agreed to send a petition on the matter to the Mississippi Tax Commission.
Council set to vote on Sunday alcohol
It could aid Columbus’ economy or destroy the city’s future, nearly 40 speakers said Monday night of a proposed plan to extend the Friendly City’s alcoholic beverage sale hours.
Sports project’s future up to property owners
Lowndes County economic officials this week likely will learn if 31 property owners in Columbus’ Burns Bottom area will be willing to sell their land to use for a proposed six-field soccer complex.
Archivist: MUW case set the tone for gender integration
COLUMBUS — Although relatively unknown outside the area, a 1980 Mississippi University for Women gender integration lawsuit has heavily impacted higher education across the country, according to Columbus-Lowndes Public Library Archivist Mona Vance.
Golden Triangle dealers continue to benefit from clunkers program
A recently completed federal government program has left higher-than-normal customer traffic, back lots full of heavily used cars and patient dealership owners at several Golden Triangle car lots, according to area car dealers.
Officials say they have handle on dog attacks
COLUMBUS — Despite a recent spike in local vicious dog reports, dangerous animal incidents typically are uncommon, according to area animal control officers and humane societies.
‘My son, my soldier, my hero’
Hugs, smiles and many tears filled the air Tuesday morning at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport as several area soldiers departed Lowndes County en route to Iraq.
City sets hearing on Sunday alcohol
Columbus residents looking to voice opinions on a proposed plan to increase alcoholic beverage sale hours in the city will get their chance Aug. 31, members of the City Council announced during a Monday work session.
Expansion continues at GTRA
Work on a 6,000-square-foot terminal expansion at Golden Triangle Regional Airport has been progressing slightly slower than expected, airport Executive Director Mike Hainsey said during a Friday GTRA board of directors meeting.
School officials to combat low test scores
Administrators in the Columbus Municipal School District this school year will be taking steps to combat below-average test scores, CMSD officials announced during a Saturday morning conference.
CL&W customers face 9 percent rate increase
A recent announcement by the Tennessee Valley Authority could lead to a nearly double-digit rate increase for Columbus Light and Water Department customers.
Hood: Remember lessons of Great Depression
Ignorance of past mistakes may have led the nation into its current economic crisis, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood told a group of about 100 members of the Lowndes County Federation of Democratic Women.
A new face for marketing
Online friend requests and news feeds increasingly are working alongside sales brochures and phone book listings, as area business owners have been adding social networking to their marketing tools.
Money approved for 18th Ave. development
Columbus officials later this year may use a state transportation improvement grant to aid a local developer working to construct two hotels near the intersection of Highway 82 and 18th Avenue North.
Hotels, restaurant plan hinged on $2.5M bond
Columbus officials tonight may take a step towards solidifying a funding instrument to aid a proposed two-hotel development near the intersection of Highway 82 and 18th Avenue North.