Columbus choir set to sing at Carnegie

The Columbus Choral Society is heading to Carnegie Hall.

Conductor Alisha Toy said the choir would be performing at the famed concert hall in June.

Lowndes County to have alternative school

The Lowndes County School District will soon have its own alternative school.

Board members voted 3-0 during Monday night’s school board meeting to create an alternative school at West Lowndes Middle School.

Narcotics unit seizes $40K in gambling raid

The Lowndes County Narcotics Unit discovered an underground illegal gambling ring Wednesday.

DUI charge against mayor’s son dismissed

The DUI case against Robert Earl Smith Jr. has been dismissed.

MUW begins dorm improvements

Mississippi University for Women residence halls are getting a facelift.

The enhancements will begin at Callaway Hall this summer and hopefully be completed by fall, school officials said.

Columbus biofuel plant to resume operations in spring

KiOR’s biofuels plant in Columbus will likely be up and running again in April, according to CEO Fred Cannon.

The Texas-based alternative fuel company’s 500-ton per day facility on The Island has been shut down since the beginning of January for maintenance, Cannon said.

School officials mum on employee’s status following arrest

Columbus school officials would not comment Tuesday on whether a school employee charged with enticement of a child to meet for lustful purposes had been placed on paid leave.

Charges reduced in MSU student death case

A teenager will avoid the possibility of 25 years in prison after a grand jury reduced his aggravated manslaughter DUI to a misdemeanor charge.

Columbus Schools choir director charged with child enticement

Columbus Municipal School District Public Relations Officer and choral instructor Michael Jackson has been arrested and charged with enticement of a child to meet for lustful purposes.

To the big screen: A Columbus native gets a ‘ride along’

If you’ve seen the new blockbuster hit movie “Ride Along,” then you’ve seen the work of Columbus native and stuntman Justin Evans. If you haven’t yet seen the action flick, you’ve probably seen other examples of Evans’ work without even realizing it.

Sheriff’s department dealing with retirements

The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department is losing four of its senior ranking officers to retirement.

Narcotics Commander Bobby Grimes and Jail Administrator Billy Pickens retired from the department on Friday. Seasoned investigator Travis Robertson will leave in coming months, as will patrol supervisor Steve Hatcher.

Lewis, Turner apply for school board appointment

Aubra Turner’s term on the Columbus Municipal School Board comes to an end in February. So far, only two candidates — Turner and Columbus Lowndes Recreation Authority Programs Director Greg Lewis — have applied for the position.

With treatments behind him, Brown focuses on duties

Terry Brown said his battle with cancer isn’t affecting his job as Mississippi Senate Pro Tempore.

“I feel real good and I’m staying at it,” Brown said. “I’m coming back and forth some, getting some rest.”

Louisville man facing felony burglary charges

A Winston County man has been arrested after authorities say he broke into several vehicles and a work shed at Severstal.

EMCC license plates available

East Mississippi Community College license plates may soon be available.

Columbus schools see increase in drug-related incidents

Drug incidents are up on five of nine city school campuses, including an elementary school, according to statistics recently released by the Columbus Municipal School District.

City schools hoping for ‘industry education’ grant

The Columbus Municipal School District is applying for a $7 million grant that would bring “industry education experiences” to local high school students.

New Hope football players’ protest draws suspensions

More than half of the New Hope High School football team received a day of detention after they skipped a football practice.

Of the approximately 60 players on the team, 35 football players ranging from freshmen to seniors skipped a mandatory football practice as a show of support for their fired coach, Shawn Gregory.

Columbus group files charter school paperwork

A Columbus group has filed a letter of intent to open a charter school in Lowndes County.

The Columbus Coalition for Educational Options filed a letter of intent with the state last week to establish an elementary school and a boys’ academy.

Missing Lowndes woman found in Texas

After vanishing without a trace, Shondra Rice has been found alive.