Columbus police start new campaign to collect outstanding fines

Columbus police teams made four arrests Thursday, a slow start for the city’s three-month campaign to collect misdemeanor court fines. The campaign accompanies a Municipal Court amnesty, which runs from Feb. 1 to April 15.

Hotbed of activity as pickup truck catches fire at YMCA

Andy Hill had just parked in the back parking lot of the downtown YMCA at about 8 a.m. today when he looked behind him to see flames engulfing his truck bed.

Arrest report 1-27-11

Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers tips led to four arrests last week, two for an Artesia armed robbery and two for a Columbus burglary.

For West Point minister Cochrane, patience is a virtue

When she was a young girl living in Tallahassee, Fla., the Rev. Rita Cochrane told her grandmother she wanted to preach. Maybe someday, she was told, but not now. But that desire to be in the pulpit was always in the back of her mind.

Kitchens: Without courtroom, ‘no benefit’ from third circuit judge

Lowndes County has a third judge – now it needs a courtroom for him.

Interim CVB director allowed to apply for permanent post

The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau voted Tuesday to remove the restrictions keeping Interim Director Nancy Carpenter from applying for the permanent position.

Bringing it all together: Landscaping plan unifies Williams home, park, new condos

The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau unanimously approved landscaping plans Monday for its properties between Main and College street, just east of Third Street South.

Man hit over head with beer bottle at local nighclub

A 23-year-old man suffered minor injuries early Friday when he was hit in the head with a beer bottle at the Grey Goose nightclub.

Jury finds Clay County man was killed in self-defense

WEST POINT — After a four-day trial, a Clay County jury returned a not-guilty verdict Friday in the manslaughter trial of Jeremy Barnhill.

West Point man accused of manslaughter takes stand

When two men attacked him on a dark, dead-end Clay County road, Jeremy Barnhill decided to kill to protect himself, he testified Thursday.

Manslaughter or self-defense? Jury deciding Clay County man’s fate

Under the watchful eyes of Clay County jurors, witnesses slowly recreated the drama surrounding the 2010 shooting death of a Cedar Bluff man. Jeremy Barnhill, 26, of 9157 Deer Run in West Point, faces a charge of manslaughter for the Jan. 2, 2010, shooting.

Arrest report 1-20-11

The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office has reported the following felony arrests.

New eateries tempt palates in Columbus

As he traveled the country working as a Thai restaurant chef, Lloyd Chanachai was saving his money and collecting recipes. Chanachai, part-owner and chef of Bann Thai on Military Road, is one of several restaurateurs who recently braved the economy and opened an eatery in the Columbus area.

Shipley’s Thompson remembered as sweet, caring person

Mark Thompson was almost as sweet as the Shipley’s donuts he served for 21 years, according to his family and close friends.

Former West Point softball coach sues district for sex discrimination

The former head coach of girl’s softball at West Point High School has sued the school district for alleged sex discrimination.

West Point man on run after guilty plea

A 40-year-old man is on the run from the Clay County Sheriff’s Department today after missing his circuit court sentencing hearing Wednesday.

Man charged with robbing convenience store

A 28-year-old man has been charged with the Dec. 29 robbery of the Airbase Hill Sprint Mart.

Police on lookout for peeping Tom

Columbus police were on the lookout this week for a peeping Tom who has been spotted twice in the past two weeks peering through windows.

Columbus man charged with hitting mother’s boyfriend with hammer

A 37-year-old man has been charged with the Jan. 4 hammer assault of his mother’s boyfriend.

Dennis Levell Mitchell, 37, of 712 14th St. N., used a hammer to hit 50-year-old Jimmie Henley on the head during an argument about missing money at about 3 a.m. Jan. 4.

Fire destroys Columbus home

A Columbus house burned down Sunday afternoon while 11 firefighters with three engines worked three hours to clear the scene.