Dan Camp, ‘Mayor of the Cotton District,’ passes at age 79

Dan Camp was a one-term mayor in the city of Starkville, but he will forever be remembered as “Mayor of the Cotton District.”

Life Church pumpkin patch open through Halloween even as ‘big’ pumpkins have yet to arrive from New Mexico

Linda Brown, event coordinator for Life Church, said the church’s motivation for its pumpkin patch is to bring the community together, but first they’ll have to bring the pumpkin patch together.

The “patch” is all set up at the church’s property on Frontage Road just east of the Highway 82 exit for Golden Triangle Regional Airport. The “pumpkins,” however, are in New Mexico.

Downtown business cited for mask violations after owners publicize their opposition to city order

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves allowed the statewide face mask mandate to expire on Sept. 30. In three weeks since, local mask requirements that remained in place since the governor’s action have generally been accepted as a fact of life among businesses in Columbus and Starkville during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Monday Profile: William ‘Jack’ Smith celebrates 103rd birthday amid second major pandemic of his lifetime

Wayne Smith isn’t sure how aware his dad is aware of COVID-19.

It wouldn’t be the first time William “Jack” Smith was unaware of a global pandemic.

Born in 1917, Jack Smith was a year old when the Spanish Flu devastated the United States and Europe, claiming an estimated 50 million lives.

Independent auditor finds minor ‘timing issues’ at CMSD

The Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees approved an independent audit for the year ending on June 30, 2019, during Wednesday’s meeting, a report that listed a handful of minor irregularities that have been addressed.

Hyde-Smith touts Trump’s economic, ‘America First’ agenda

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith allowed no political space between her and President Donald Trump during her speech at Tuesday’s Lowndes County Republican Women luncheon.

Voters return to polls today for legislative runoffs

When the final tally came in from the special election for District 37 House of Representatives, Lynn Wright had finished tantalizingly close to winning the seat outright, falling just 47 votes of a majority in the three-candidate race. Instead, he’s meeting David Chism in a runoff today.

LCSD to explore refinancing its debt

At a meeting that barely had a quorum, the Lowndes County School District Board moved briskly through a light agenda but did take the first steps in reducing its bond debt.

Isolation proving tough challenge for addicts during pandemic

The effects of COVID-19 are not limited to illness or death, but manifest in ways that impact even those who never test positive.

Voter registration booms ahead of Nov. 3 election

Lowndes County Circuit Clerk Teresa Barksdale was not surprised by the large volume of new voter registrations ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

“It’s always like that in a presidential election year,” Barksdale said.

Slimantics: Tilting at the windmills of reason

The voice in Ben Carver’s head must be an awesome thing to behold.

Juvenile arrested for setting fire at church

A juvenile male has been arrested in connection with an early-morning fire that destroyed a church on North Lehmberg Road in East Columbus, as well as the burglary of two other nearby churches.

Slim Smith: Supervisors’ actions will speak louder than their words

During Monday’s meeting of the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors, Harry Sanders and Leroy Brooks engaged in a tiresome exchange about which of the two is the “real racist.”

Monday Profile: High school football official can ‘feel’ difference of pandemic atmosphere

Albert McBrayer misses the big crowds at high school football, which seems a bit counterintuitive, given his connection to the game.

McBrayer is a game official, part of a seven-member crew responsible for enforcing the rules of play, often to the consternation of fans.

New Hope YMCA to close Oct. 17

The New Hope YMCA will close on Oct. 17, Frank P. Phillips YMCA Director Jimmy Woodruff confirmed Saturday.

Union Academy: A significant part of Columbus’ education story

In February, Columbus Municipal School District will celebrate a milestone in public education — the 200th anniversary of Franklin Academy, the state’s first public school.

The city of Columbus has long taken pride in its status as the birthplace of public education in the state.

But the city’s historic connection to public education does not end there.

CMSD pitches in per-diem fund to feed student-athletes on game days

It’s been a tough year for the Columbus High football team. Limited to just three home games by a COVID-19 truncated schedule, the Falcons stumbled out to an 0-3 start.

But things are looking up, lately.

MSU’s win over LSU produces boost in merchandise sales

By about 6:30 Saturday evening, what had been low expectations for Mississippi State were suddenly soaring.

And we’re not just talking about what happened on the field, where Mississippi State had just finished off a stunning 44-34 victory over sixth-ranked and defending national champion LSU on its own field in Mike Leach’s MSU coaching debut.

‘Legacy’ of pine plantations falls short of projections

For the uninitiated, it might be assumed the terms “timber” and “lumber” are interchangeable, different words to describe the same segment of the forestry industry.

Work on Wolfe Road bridge expected to finish by end of year

Chances are few people have been more directly affected by the bridge replacement project on Wolfe Road near Caledonia than Frank Lockhart.