Higgins: Tax legislation could help area development

With a possible $50 million worth of tax cuts on the line, LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins is hoping some of those proposed cuts will positively affect the Golden Triangle. The Mississippi House has passed multiple bills with millions of dollars worth of tax cuts. Those bills are now being presented to the Senate, with some speculation the cuts won’t make it off the Senate floor.

Public defender accused of double-dipping

A Columbus woman said she will file a complaint with the Mississippi Bar Association after she paid thousands of dollars to her son’s court-appointed attorney.

Sellers flock to gun buyback event; CPD exhausts available funds within 3 hours

What was scheduled to be a three-day event lasted less than three hours as the Columbus Police Department received an overwhelming response to their gun buyback program.

Monday profile: Huggins thrives in new role

There’s a new sheriff in town. Figuratively speaking, that is.

Mary Huggins is the new full-time sheriff’s deputy at the Lowndes County Courthouse and her no-nonsense attitude lets people know she means business.

CMSD board reviews finances, accounting procedures in workshop

The Columbus Municipal School District is changing the way it tracks travel expenses, board members learned Saturday during a two-hour budget workshop at Brandon Central Services.

CAFB braces for sequestration cuts

Nearly 500 civilian employees at Columbus Air Force Base could lose up to 20 percent of their paychecks in the coming weeks if the White House and Congress fail to reach a deficit reduction deal by March 1.

Old crash sends deputies scrambling

An “old” crash created a new buzz Wednesday in Monroe County.

Confusion over wreckage seen from the air had law enforcement looking for a plane crash Wednesday morning.

Severstal investing cutback won’t affect Columbus

Despite a report that Severstal will scale back its investments, officials within the steel mill giant say the Columbus facility will not be affected.

Reuters News Service reported this week that Severstal plans to cut its investments by 24 percent, which amounts to $1.3 billion.

Bridge renovation should be finished by May

The much-delayed and highly anticipated restoration of the old Tombigbee River Bridge is on track to be completed by May.

Kevin Stafford with Neel Schaffer Engineering, said the project is 30-percent complete, with both the underwater portion of the project completed and the center pier now successfully on solid footing.

Coleman gives wife-beater a slap on the wrist

On Aug. 15, 2011, John Alan Redden got into an argument with his wife that quickly escalated into a savage beating. Redden beat his wife, Ginger Redden, with a belt, jabbed her with a golf club, then kicked her as she collapsed on the floor. Then he climbed on top of her and began choking her with his bare hands. When Ginger Redden broke free from his choke hold, he told her he would kill her if she left him.

Probation revoked, years added to murderer’s life sentence

Convicted murderer Joe Earl Smith’s probation was revoked and three years were added to his life sentence during a probation violation hearing Friday in Lowndes County Circuit Court.

One dead, three injured in Valentine’s Day shootings

Two unrelated Lowndes County shootings, both by juveniles, left one man dead and three injured within less than 24 hours Thursday.

Colom trial ends in another hung jury

For the second time in five years, the trial of a Columbus man ended in a hung jury.

Charlton Aaron Colom, 35, on trial in Lowndes County Municipal Court for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, was free Wednesday after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Colom trial begins with officers’ testimony

The trial of a man from a prominent Columbus family is underway in Lowndes County Circuit Court.

Charlton Aaron Colom, 35, is charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. After a motion hearing Tuesday morning Judge Jim Kitchens moved that Colom be tried as a habitual offender.

New suitor emerges in Lee Middle School talks

A new prospective tenant has shown interest in the much-debated Lee Middle School property, but the future of the vacant school remains uncertain.

Crawfish season means big business for Crissey

In the South, there are few aromas more inviting than the rich smell of perfectly seasoned crawfish coming to a boil. People wait all year for the few short months when they can pop a succulent piece of the flavorful crustacean into their mouth.

Heritage system gives parents real-time link to grades

Heritage Academy is taking strides to stay up to date with technology while fostering a relationship between parents and teachers.

The private school is entering its second year of utilizing the Power School program, a web-based system that allows parents to check on their child’s academic progress in real time.

VISTA workers making a difference as

In nearly two years as executive director of the Columbus Arts Council, Tina Sweeten has revolutionized the way the organization operates. Known for her grant writing skills, Sweeten garnered enough grant money to fund 10 Volunteers In Service In America (VISTA) workers. VISTA not only helps the Columbus Arts Council but other local agencies as well.

Bigelow picked for Main Street post

Main Street Columbus has a familiar face as its new director.

Barbara Bigelow, who already serves on the organization’s board of directors, will begin her new duties as director on Feb. 25. Announced via press release Wednesday afternoon, the decision comes less than a week after former director Nickie Nicholson was fired.

Six arrested on meth charges, second bust in two days

A Wednesday afternoon traffic stop resulted in the arrest of nine people, six on methamphetamine charges.

Agents with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Unit pulled over a vehicle driven by Stephen Knight in front of Country Mart on Hwy. 82 in New Hope. A search of the vehicle produced a quarter-ounce of crystal meth and various drug paraphernalia.