MSU professor arrested on sexual battery charge

Yoginder Dandass, 45, of 701 Sherwood Road in Starkville was indicted by the grand jury in Oktibbeha County for one count of sexual battery earlier this month. He was arrested Monday by the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department.

BankFirst moves corporate office to Columbus

Columbus will be the new corporate headquarters for BankFirst, the company announced Wednesday.

BankFirst president and CEO Moak Griffin said he was excited about the change and saw it as a move in efficiency to benefit BankFirst stakeholders.

Policy expert sheds light on charter schools

With the arrival of charter schools quickly approaching in Mississippi, local residents are learning how area public schools could be affected.

Dr. Laurie Smith, Education Policy Advisor to the Governor, spoke about “Education Works 2013” to Rotary Club members Tuesday.

At-need districts to receive state reading coaches

The Columbus Municipal School District will have to wait another two months before it learns if it will receive the help of one of the 24 reading coaches recently approved to help failing districts.

Heavy rains are blessing, curse to local farmers

For thousands of years, farmers have studied the sky, wondering when the next rain will fall. This growing season, Lowndes County farmers haven’t had to do much wondering.

Columbus schools may add colors to uniforms

During Monday night’s school board meeting, board member Aubra Turner suggested students be able to add the option of wearing a purple or gold polo shirt to their uniform choices. Turner also suggested students be allowed to wear T-shirts proclaiming their individual school’s logo.

Ex-Columbus, Ole Miss star faces sexual battery charge

Vernon Studdard, 65, of Amory, was arrested last week by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and charged with two counts of sexual battery.

Columbus firefighter charged with cyberstalking

Billy Ray Clark, 45, of 1057 West Bank Access Road, was arrested by investigators with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office Thursday morning and charged with cyberstalking.

CMSD board approves 74 personnel changes

When Columbus students return to school Aug. 7, they will see a variety of new faces — including principals, teachers and staff.

During Monday night’s meeting of the Columbus Municipal School Board, the board voted 4-1 to approve 74 personnel moves.

Fisher files grievance against CMSD

Columbus Municipal School District board member Currie Fisher has filed a grievance against her fellow board members.

Fisher read the grievance during Monday night’s regular board meeting, voicing her concerns over the way she was removed as school board president.

Man charged for carrying machete into restaurant

A Columbus man was arrested at a local restaurant Monday night for carrying a concealed weapon.

The Columbus Police Department responded to a call at Zaxby’s restaurant Monday around 6:30 p.m. for a disturbance with a weapon.

Vaccines: A choice or requirement? Some moms say they should have more of a voice in process

With last week’s announcement that students entering the seventh grade must have a Tdap vaccine, most parents simply shrugged their shoulders and added the shot to their school “to do” list. But some moms are digging in their heels.

Caledonia drowning victim identified

The victim in Saturday’s drowning in Caledonia has been identified.

The body of Bernardo Lopez, 30, of Columbus was discovered this morning, Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant said.

Tuitions continue to rise at state’s public universities

Despite the rising price of college tuition, local universities insist the rewards exceed the cost.

The eight public universities across the state of Mississippi will increase tuition rates by an average of 6.4 percent to $6,329 per school year.

Judge throws out Liddell lawsuit

A Chancery Court Judge has ruled to dismiss a lawsuit filed against the Columbus Municipal School District by former superintendent Dr. Martha Liddell.

Three arrested for Starkville car wash murder

Three people have been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with the Friday morning shooting death of a Starkville man.

Lowndes School Board considers change in meeting time

The Lowndes County School Board will consider moving its monthly morning meetings to the afternoon.

Friends of local artist hold benefit concert

In the South, helping others is a way of life.

Saturday, friends of local artist Chris McDill are continuing that tradition by hosting a concert to benefit the Columbus native who is being treated for a brain tumor.

Body found at Stark Road carwash

Chief of Police David Lindley said a call came in at 5:27 a.m. reporting a dead body at the Dawg Wash car wash on Stark Road adjacent to Dollar General.

Local teens compete in Distinguished Young Women pagaent

Two local teenagers are heading to Meredian to compete in the Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi pagaent.