Lowndes solar project to begin production in 2022

An executive with Florida-based Origis Energy confirmed Wednesday approval for a 200 megawatt solar energy project in west Lowndes County.

‘A godsend for us’: Area daycare provides care for medically fragile children

There are hundreds of daycare centers in the Golden Triangle, but none like PediaTrust in Columbus.

PediaTrust opened in June 2017 to provide daycare for an underserved group of children, as noted in its signage “Daycare for Medically Fragile Children.”

Slimantics: An easy way to combat isolation

It’s sometimes odd, the associations we make. Tuesday morning, I was a guest reader at PediaTrust, which provides daycare services for medically fragile children. There are 35 children from all across the Golden Triangle, enrolled in the center

Columbus leaders invite HGTV to celebrate city’s bi-centennial

Columbus will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2021, and Barbara Bigelow has a special present in mind.

Slimantics: Kobe Bryant: The man and the myth

I’ve been thinking a lot about Kobe Bryant since the tragic helicopter crash that took his life and the life of eight others, including his 13-year-old daughter, on Sunday.

New Caledonia water manager focused on infrastructure

Three months into his role as manager for the Caledonia Water Department, Brad Box confesses he still has some things to learn — which, he said, is one of the biggest appeals of the job.

YMCA brings in familiar face as new director

Attention, Kroger shoppers: There will soon be a familiar face in charge at the Frank P. Phillips YMCA.

Bain Nickels, board chairman for the Y, confirmed Wednesday the selection of Jimmy Woodruff as the organization’s new director. Woodruff, who succeeds Andy Boyd in the role, will start his new job on Feb. 17.

Columbus Social Security office reopens after flooding shuts it down for 8 days

By mid-morning Monday, it was business as usual at the Columbus Social Security office on Bluecutt Road.

Slimantics: Through the lens of Willie Nash’s cellphone, stories of contraband

Today’s topic is prison contraband and what happens to you when you’re caught with it — or rather what happened when Willie Nash got caught with it.

Veteran challenges civilians to better engage with military personnel

About two years ago, Jay Fisher started his transition from the military to the civilian work world.

What he has realized since is just how disconnected civilians and military personnel seem to be.

Young seeks reappointment to CMSD board

Two years ago, Telisa Clay Young emerged from a field of five candidates to secure a position on the Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees.

Anti-bullying program helps link Caledonia fourth-graders in atmosphere of kindness

They sat cross-legged on the floor, doe-eyed and innocent, listening politely to group of women from the Junior Auxiliary of Columbus during a special program at Caledonia Elementary School Friday morning.

The subject matter — bullying — seemed inconsistent for an audience of fourth-graders, whose exposure to bullying has been limited.

That’s the whole point.

‘Wonder Grove’: A story told well through the kids’ perspective

A few minutes into the premiere of “The Wonder Grove Wizard of Oz” at the Malco Cinema in Columbus one thing was clear: Only kids could have made this film.

Finding his passion: New Boys and Girls Club director trades in law aspirations for community service

As Ron Thornton entered his senior season at Ole Miss, his plans were to attend law school, thus fulfilling the dream of his brother, who had planned to become an attorney before dying in a car crash.

But a serious car accident of his own that year changed Thornton’s plans and led him to his passion.

The life and times of DeLois Price: Alabama advertiser, Tennessee actress bring car-selling character to life over 20 years

She stands there in a little black dress against the background of a darkened car lot, stares at the camera and coos seductively:

“DeLois Price is twice as nice on a weekend night.”

For 20 years now, one 30-second spot at a time, DeLois Price has been a staple of Carl Hogan Automotive television advertising, becoming one of the most recognizable names and faces in northeast Mississippi.

Southside homeowners seek local historic designation

For 40 years, a section of Columbus’ Southside has been recognized as a historic district by the National Register of Historic Places, a largely honorary distinction noted Meredith Massey of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Slimantics: Election challenge will tell us Legislature’s true intent

Every January when the 174 members of the Mississippi Legislature convene in Jackson, there is much talk of bi-partisan cooperation and a desire to represent all Mississippians.

Amphitheater could host free events by spring

More than four years after construction started, the first event at the Sen. Terry Brown Amphitheater could be held, perhaps in time for the Market Street Festival concert.

Call for leadership diversity denied by supervisor majority

Monday’s Lowndes County Board of Supervisors meeting began with an unfamiliar face seated at the end of the table, a space normally occupied by the board president.

Education, infrastructure debates to remain prominent in 2020 session

When the 2020 Mississippi Legislature convenes Tuesday in Jackson, the seven-member Golden Triangle contingent will feature some familiar faces — and one new one.