Monday profile: ‘Big Red Bus’ puts Meady in spotlight

Robert Meady is a man of few words who prefers to keep to himself. For two weeks each spring, he makes an exception, however.

He is the guy who drives “the big red bus” during the Columbus Pilgrimage. In that role, he is surrounded by people, most of whom want to know all about the bus.

Columbus chapter celebrates National Boys & Girls Club Week

The Columbus chapter of the Boys and Girls Club is celebrating National Boys and Girls Club week with week-long festivities.

Nadia Dale, director of the local club, said she is excited about the week ahead.

Downtown buzzes with activity on ‘Super’ Saturday

It is nothing rare to hear residents complain there is nothing to do in Columbus.

Anyone who was guilty of making that comment this weekend clearly didn’t walk around downtown Saturday.

Columbus man charged with aggravated assault

A Columbus man has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault after driving his vehicle into his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle as she sat in her driveway.

Tip leads to armed robbery arrest

Thanks to a Crimestoppers tip, a Brooksville teen suspected of robbing a Columbus convenience store is behind bars.

Columbus choirs prepare for spring concert events

As the school year comes to a close, most high school students are counting down the days until the bell rings for the last time. But for more than 50 choral students from Columbus Middle School and nearly 100 students from Columbus High, there is work to be done.

Scourge of meth remains despite new laws

For someone addicted to methamphetamine, the cost of using the illegal drug goes far beyond the price of getting high.

Known as Ice or crystal meth, just one hit of the drug can have lifelong effects on the user.

Chase leads to multiple charges for local man

A local man is in custody after fleeing from the Mississippi Highway Patrol and then running into a home on Bell Avenue in Columbus.

Prayer & Facebook

It used to be that support groups were most often confined to community centers and church basements.

That was before social media.

Lightning strike causes five-hour power outage

Almost 1,000 Columbus residents were without electricity for more than five hours Easter Sunday after officials believe lightning struck a power pole.

Students show their stuff in Dispatch Design An Ad contest

The inaugural Design An Ad contest winners appear in today’s edition of The Dispatch. Complied of hand-drawn and computer generated advertisements, poems and short stories from local students, the young winners did an excellent expressing their creativity.

Gavin, Byrd make pitches for councilman position

Candidates for Ward 6 Councilman spoke to members of the Columbus Exchange Club on Thursday at Lion Hills Golf Club in hopes to educate voters about how they could best serve the city of Columbus if elected.

CAFB simulator instructor plays key role in teaching next generation of pilots

When Gregg Havens retired as a lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Air Force after 22 years as a pilot and more than 5,000 hours of flying time, he figured he would spend the rest of his life on the ground.

He was right. Sort of.

2 arrested on drug charges near school

Two women were arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with drug-related offenses when their car was pulled over less than 100 yards from a school.

Hundreds turn out for benefit fish fry

A benefit fish fry for Columbus Police Department officer Kelvin Lee raised more than $6,000 on Thursday.

Officer Rhonda Sanders helped organize the event and said almost 1,000 plates were sold in a show of support for Lee, who is fighting stomach cancer.

Local schools getting head start on Common Core curriculum

As school districts around the country prepare to make the switch to Common Core, a new type of math- and language arts-based curriculum, the Columbus Municipal School District is taking steps to ensure that students, parents and teachers are prepared for the change.

Teen shooter held on $500K bond

Arthur Lee “Slim” Whitfield, 17, of Kalamazoo, Mich., appeared before Justice Court Judge Peggy Phillips Monday afternoon for arraignment on charges of aggravated assault and armed robbery.

Whitfield was arrested last Friday afternoon after authorities believe he shot postal worker Douglas Edward Aldridge during a robbery.

Local charities can receive rewards points

Customers with CSpire Wireless now have the opportunity to donate to their favorite charities.

The cell phone provider implemented a new rewards program last week that allows customers to give money to nine charities.

Furloughs looming for CAFB

As furloughs loom for 800,000 of the nation’s government contract workers, one Columbus man is bracing himself for the financial hit.

Carmine Muscarella, a life coach at Columbus Air Force Base, said he expects the furlough notices to begin this week. For Muscarella and the other 472 contract workers employed through CAFB, that means a 20 percent reduction per pay period due to sequestration.

Backlash prompts Heritage Academy to keep its old name

Heritage Academy has rescinded its decision to change its name.

The school announced earlier this week that it intended to rename Heritage Academy to Columbus Heritage Academy.