Columbus lands big soccer tournaments

Two of Mississippi’s largest youth soccer tournaments are coming to the Columbus Soccer Complex.

Officials with Columbus-Lowndes Parks and Recreation Department won bids against other soccer complexes in the state to host the 2013 Coaches Cup Tournament and the 2014 Presidents Cup Tournament.

To frack or not to frack? Safety concerns, impact on infrastructure complicate debate on drilling method

It is easy to make the argument that a hunger for land and an insatiable appetite for the resources it contained were largely responsible for the settling of the North American continent.

These movements have not always been proud chapters in American history, when the treatment of Native American peoples or the ravaging of land for the extraction of natural resources are considered.

Annunciation restorations continue as church anticipates 150th

Since 1863, Annunciation Catholic Church has been an anchor of downtown Columbus. The beautiful arches, delicate craftsmanship and intricate stained glass windows are a familiar part of the city and have made the church a historic landmark.

Search for suspects continues in drug sweep

Agents with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department Narcotic Division are still looking for seven people after a Wednesday drug round-up that resulted in the arrest of 10 people.

Lowndes County drug sweep targets 17 suspects

Agents with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Narcotics Division conducted a major round-up this morning, issuing 44 warrants for 17 people, including a city employee.

Pay can be deterrent in municipal elections

With the municipal elections fast approaching, incumbents and challengers will battle for mayor, council and aldermen positions. But the perks of the job are not always financial.

Area schools enhance security as classes resume

It has been almost a month since the Newtown, Conn., school shootings and the ripple effect is evident in schools across the country.

In its first response after the shooting, a spokesman for the National Rifle Association called for armed officers at every school and some schools seem inclined to follow that advice

Monday profile: Whitcomb will leave job, but not her work

For Judy Whitcomb, the idea of public service extends far beyond her part-time job as town and court clerk in Caledonia.

Ask any resident of the small town and you will be quickly informed that if Whitcomb isn’t at her official job, she’s either visiting someone in the hospital, sending a card to a friend who’s down and out, or taking care of someone in need.

Gun sales boom as enthusiasts fear ban

As the debate over gun rights rages around the nation in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., tragedy, gun enthusiasts are snatching guns off the shelves as quickly as dealers can stock them.

Business owners have personal role in deterring embezzlement

Do desperate times call for desperate measures? At least one area accountant suggests there may be a link between tough economic conditions and a recent rash of embezzlement cases in the Golden Triangle.

One arrested in New Year’s shooting

A Columbus man has been arrested and charged in connection with an early morning shooting on New Year’s Day that injured three people with gunshot wounds.

Caledonia signs lease to allow fracking

The Caledonia Board of Alderman signed a lease Wednesday night allowing Fletcher Petroleum Corp. to begin the hydraulic fracturing process — commonly referred to as “fracking” — on a small parcel of town-owned land.

Three shot at gas station on New Year’s Day (Video)

The Columbus Police Department is looking for the man responsible for shooting three people at a gas station early New Year’s morning.

Profile: Arledge puts emphasis on communication during first year as sheriff

For Lowndes County Sheriff Mike Arledge, putting on his gun and his badge every day is almost second nature. Although he just finished his first year as sheriff, he has been donning a badge and a gun for more than 30 years.

Michigan charity cries foul on Columbus ‘Angels’ group

The director of a Michigan-based charity says a Columbus charity is claiming an association with her group that has never existed.

Terry Bazin, director for Angel Mission in Calumet, Mich., says the people who are running the Columbus charity have lied about their experience and affiliation with the Michigan charity.

Experts offer advice on end-of-year financial planning

With only days left before the end of the year and questions surrounding the looming fiscal cliff local financial experts are weighing in on ways to protect your investments and see the best return on 2012 income taxes.

Rigged fireworks caused death of Clay County man

A Clay County man died Christmas night after sustaining injuries from a fireworks explosion.

Ralph “Bubba” Elliott, 60, died Tuesday night around 10 p.m. at his home off Highway 46 West in Clay County.

Four arrested in Broken Spoke robbery

Four Monroe County men were arrested last week and charged with the robbery of a Lowndes County bar patron.

Profile: EMCC puts Labensky back in the kitchen

For chef and restaurateur Sarah Labensky, the culinary world isn’t just a profession: It is a lifestyle.

Labensky is known to many throughout Columbus for her role as the founding director at the Mississippi University for Women Culinary Institute and, most recently, as the owner of the Front Door Back Door restaurant, which she sold in September.

Latimer resigns as CVB attorney

Chris Latimer, the board attorney for the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, has resigned.