Articles by Ryan Poe
VIDEO: Blood, sweat and tears: Crime lab leads with forensic technology to test antibodies
The Columbus Police Department is the first department in Mississippi to implement new technology that will revolutionize forensics, according to Columbus crime lab technicians.
Columbus may sue security firm over Riverwalk cameras
After realizing some cameras along the Columbus Riverwalk are ineffective at night, officials said the city may sue for a refund.
Man arrested for May 23 BB assault, robbery
A 28-year-old man was charged Tuesday with shooting a woman’s eye with a BB gun, five counts of armed robbery and one simple assault.
Columbus tourism agency tightens reins on event funding
A leaner, meaner Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau board dissected festival funding Monday, putting a $16,000 grant for the Juneteenth festival on hold after a heated debate.
Police: Girls cut, beat 12-year-old in fight
Two girls, 14 and 12, broke into a Columbus house early Sunday and cut a 12-year-old girl’s hand with a knife after an argument about a boy.
Nancy Carpenter tapped as full-time director of Columbus tourism bureau
The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau board voted 7-1 Monday to give interim director Nancy Carpenter the top job at the CVB.
Copper burglars hit another Columbus business
A Columbus concrete-mixing business reported Saturday that it had been raided by copper burglars, according to police.
Man shot four times with BB gun during Columbus island robbery
Two suspects shot a man four times with a BB gun during an attempted armed robbery early Sunday at a Columbus island motel, according to police.
Tourism board to talk finances, festivals at Monday retreat
The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau board will review its finances and vote on upcoming festivals Monday at a retreat.
Columbus mayor: Compromise on ninth CVB pick near
Mayor Robert Smith said Friday he expected the stalemate over the vacant seat on the nine-member Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau board to end “soon.”
Profile: St. John to start private investigation, marketing businesses
He may be fired, but former Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John is nowhere near gone. When the City Council voted 5-1 to oust him July 18 for reportedly missing a Civil Service Commission hearing because of alcohol use, his supporters packed the meeting.
Columbus officials: Riverwalk cameras ineffective at night
Months after installing costly surveillance cameras along the downtown Riverwalk, Columbus officials said they’ve recently discovered some of the cameras don’t work at night.
Columbus to examine driveway valley work
After receiving numerous complaints, Columbus city councilmen voted Tuesday to take a closer look at how the Public Works Department decides which driveways get new street connections.
Teen convicted of rape ordered to get treatment
A 16-year-old boy who was recently convicted in Clay County Circuit Court of sexually assault a then-8-year-old West Point girl has “borderline intellectual function,” according to a court-ordered psychoanalysis.
Boy, 14, sentenced for molesting 8-year-old West Point girl
A then-14-year-old Amory boy pleaded guilty in Clay County circuit court July 20 to statutorily raping an 8-year-old West Point girl.
Lt. governor candidates argue game plans
Bringing a close to a heated and costly race, Republican primary voters go to the polls Tuesday to pick the next lieutenant governor.
Recording: Mayor was angry with police lt. prior to breaking tie to suspend him
Now-retired Columbus Police Lt. John Pevey released a recording Wednesday that, according to him, is evidence Mayor Robert Smith voted out of spite to suspend him Feb. 22.
Arrest Report 7-28-11
Local law enforcement agencies reported these felony arrests over the past week:
Stamped for review: Downtown Columbus post office in danger of closing
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloomy night — instead, technology is turning out to be the U.S. Postal Service’s Achilles’ heel. After losing $8.5 billion last year, the U.S. Postal Service is considering closing 3,653 locations nationwide, including the historic downtown Columbus office, the USPS reported Tuesday.
Copper burglars steal about $100,000 worth from Columbus company
Copper burglars struck again over the weekend at Columbus-based Air Control Engineering Inc., marking the fourth break-in in two months and bringing losses up to nearly $100,000 for the mechanical contractor.