Residents giddy with enthusiasm over arrival of new industry

The excitement in the air at Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi’s ground-breaking ceremony in Clay County was almost palpable Monday morning as executives, lawmakers and Clay County residents gathered on the hundreds of acres of farm land that will soon house a booming tire manufacturer.

Drug raid leads to seizure of $40K

A series of search warrants and raids led to the seizure of nearly $40,000 in suspected drug money.

Assistant Commander Archie Williams with the Lowndes County Narcotics Division said agents seized more than $37,000 in cash along with cocaine and marijuana from three homes in Lowndes County over the past week.

Caledonia school employee on leave during embezzlement probe

A Caledonia high school guidance counselor has been placed on paid administrative leave amid embezzlement allegation.

Columbus man arrested on child exploitation charge

A Columbus man has been arrested and charged with one count of exploitation of a child. Robert Alton Ming, 26, of 139 Beck Dr., was

Couple arrested on drug charges after high-speed chase

A Lowndes County couple was arrested Monday after they led law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Columbus.

Passport to Wellness program targets student health

A community-wide health initiative will soon be taking place in Lowndes County.

Passport to Wellness is a year-long initiative sponsored by Mississippi University for Women that partners with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation and local schools.

CMSD extends contract for interim superintendent

Columbus Interim Superintendent Edna McGill’s contract has been extended. However, the school board is not yet releasing the terms of her contract.

Power outage sends Caledonia students home early

All Caledonia Schools will dismiss early today after a transformer blew this morning, leaving some of the buildings without power. School will dismiss at 1:15 p.m.

Cross tour arrives in Columbus Wednesday

Motorists driving on Highway 45 in Columbus may pass an unusual sight Wednesday — hundreds of high school students carrying a glowing cross down the side of the road.

13 arrested in Columbus drug sweep

A Columbus drug roundup put 13 people behind bars Friday with police still searching for 36 more.

Chief of Police Selvain McQueen said the roundup, titled “Operation Three Choices,” went well.

“It was part of an initiative to make Columbus a better place to live, to work, to visit and to play,” McQueen said.

Lowndes changes time on early release

The Lowndes County School District is changing the time of their early release Wednesday, effective immediately.

MDE ratings: ‘D’ for Columbus, ‘B’ for Lowndes, Sale, Fairview, Columbus High improve; Caledonia Elementary earns area’s only ‘A’

For the second year in a row, the Columbus Municipal School District has been rated a “D” by the Mississippi Department of Education. The Lowndes County School District maintained its “B” rating.

Starkville volunteers pay tribute to first responders

In commemoration of 9/11, Starkville groups are teaming to pay tribute to local first responders.

Mississippi State’s Maroon Volunteer Center and Volunteer Starkville are hosting events today and Wednesday in an effort to give back to those they say already give so much.

Columbus woman dies in Saturday crash

Florence Little McCully, 53, of Columbus, died at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle after she was involved in a head-on collision just after 10:20 p.m. Saturday, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Harris convicted in 2010 shooting death; receives life

A Columbus man was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of murder Friday morning.

Ranzino Ahmad Harris, 25, was convicted in the 2010 shooting death of Justin Murray on Schoolhouse Avenue.

Army brings mobile tech lab to West Lowndes

West Lowndes High School students experienced real world scenarios when they toured a mobile technology lab Friday.

Murder defendant claims self-defense

Ranzino Ahmad Harris took the stand Thursday to testify in his defense.

He is charged with murder in the 2010 shooting death of Justin Murray. He is also charged with aggravated assault for shooting Michael Brewer in the hand during the same incident.

School board association director briefs CMSD board

The Columbus Municipal School Board held a special meeting Thursday night to discuss several upcoming issues in the district.

Executive director of the Mississippi School Board Association, Dr. Mike Waldrop, spoke to the board about changing legislative policies, charter schools, testing and the ongoing search for a superintendent and chief financial officer.

‘Clerical error’ almost led to prisoner’s early release

An inmate will remain behind bars after a Mississippi Department of Corrections mistake almost released him to house arrest.

In August, the MDOC parole board granted John Murphy early release and sentenced him to house arrest, even though he was not eligible for action because he had been convicted as a habitual offender.

Friend of victim takes stand in murder trial

A man who suffered a gunshot wound during a deadly 2010 shooting took the witness stand during a Columbus murder trial Wednesday, wiping tears from his eyes as he recounted the events that took his best friend’s life.