Area business people share challenges of forging ahead during pandemic

On Monday, the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce hosted the first of a series of virtual network luncheons, with local business people sharing their experiences on how they have adapted to the challenges of COVID-19.

Slimantics: A matter of Black and Blue and which really matters

Whenever racists are confronted with indisputable evidence of police brutality against black people, they seek the protection of a mighty fortress: Blue Lives Matter.

Demonstrators gather peacefully in front of Leigh Mall in light of Ball decision

When David Horton heard the news Thursday that the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office had dismissed the manslaughter charge against former Columbus Police Department officer Canyon Boykin in the 2015 shooting death of Ricky Ball, he started driving.

Professor: African Americans taking COVID-19 precautions, especially in urban areas

Dr. Anthony Neal lives in Atlanta, but in his role as an assistant professor of philosophy at Mississippi State University he makes the almost 300-mile trip from his home to Starkville twice a week.

Highway projects at 18th Avenue and Military Road nearing completion

With just a few minor tweaks remaining, work on one part of the project to improve traffic flow near the heart of Columbus’ retail corridor will be completed while the other part is expected to be finished by summer’s end, said Mississippi Department of Transportation project engineer Michael Miller.

Farmers’ markets operate with caution during pandemic

Even by the usual standards, business has been slow at the Golden Triangle’s two largest farmers’ markets, as market directors, vendors and customers are taking a cautious approach during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New CAFB commander to take reins in July

Shortly after he was installed as Wing Commander of the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus Air Force Base, Col. Seth Graham sent an email to the CAFB Base Community Council, explaining one of the reasons he’s most excited about the new assignment.

Slimantics: The wrong wolf is winning the fight

Today Mississippi casinos will be allowed to re-open. Chances are by Sunday, some people will be attending live church services.

‘Mother Goose’ brings Storytime to Facebook during quarantine

Since March, Americans everywhere have struggled with the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic, some with grace, others with grudging compliance, some even with defiance.

New Baptist chief medical officer takes unorthodox path to becoming doctor

On Wednesday, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle announced that Dr. Jamie Martin had been elevated to the position of chief medical officer.

CMSD weighing plans for operating its transportation system

Six days after ending its four-year contract with Ecco Ride to provide its bus transportation, the Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees knew only a couple of things for sure.

Area restaurants see tepid customer response with reopened dining rooms

On Thursday, Mississippi restaurants were allowed to open their dining rooms to customers for the first time since Gov. Tate Reeves announced a statewide order limiting service to carry-out and delivery on April 3.

United Way hopes to distribute food to 750-plus households Friday

Renee Sanders has two pieces of advice for those who participate in Friday’s United Way of Lowndes County food drive distribution: Bring an ID that proves you are a resident of Lowndes County and make sure you have enough room in your car.

Local legislators expect scaled-down agenda when session resumes

When Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn announced last week that the Mississippi Legislature will reconvene on May 18 to complete its 2020 session, members of the local delegation were left to wonder how much of the roughly 40 days remaining in the session would be addressed.

Slimantics: The Silent Majority is unarmed

Over the past few weeks, we have seen television images of protests at state capitols that any rational person would find disturbing.

Legislature heads back to session amid debate over who has authority to distribute CARES Act funds

Hours before the Mississippi Legislature was abruptly called into session, local legislators who were being interviewed by The Dispatch said they were pretty sure they would be called back early.

They just didn’t know how early.

‘All I need are customers’: Local retailers begin reopening after some have been shuttered since March

One of the major concerns Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves had about his decision to allow retail stores to reopen was whether retailers could ensure social distancing.

Area organizations still helping hungry, homeless

The nightly news brings images of hundreds of cars waiting in line to pick up food items as COVID-19 continues to disrupt normal life across the country.

It is a scene that hasn’t been duplicated in the Golden Triangle.

Food, faith, friendships: Mary ‘Ma’ Peek, 87, leaves a loving legacy

Mary Peek, an Alabama sharecropper’s daughter who spent most or her working life as a domestic worker for a Columbus family, died of congestive heart failure Thursday at age 87 in a Columbus nursing home.

Gas prices likely to continue to fall during pandemic

Audrey Gregory stood at the gas pump at Kroger in Columbus Thursday afternoon filling up her SUV.

She doesn’t expect to be back for a while, she said.