Fire ratings, stopping sex-trafficking all in day’s work for Chaney

When most folks consider Mike Chaney’s job as Mississippi’s insurance commissioner, it’s a sure bet they probably never think of firetrucks and sex-trafficking stings.

Lowndes officials honor deputies, local basketball players

Five minutes before the start of Monday’s Lowndes County Board of Supervisors meeting, the board room was packed and the search was on for additional chairs.

Hickman claims board subjected him to ‘pattern of abuse’

Testimony from Philip Hickman on Friday dominated the final day of the termination hearing of the former Columbus Municipal School District superintendent.

Hickman hearing reveals phone ‘threat’

A recording of a telephone call in which the attorney for the Columbus Municipal School District said then-school superintendent Philip Hickman threatened a board member with a lawsuit if the board member didn’t vote to extend Hickman’s employment contract highlighted Thursday’s opening day of Hickman’s termination hearing at Brandon Central Services.

Slimantics: Supervisors suffering from a fiscal hiccup

For some time now, the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors has prided itself on its sound fiscal policy.

Restaurant tax: CVB looks at budget amid cuts from two-percent tax loss

It’s the nature of the job for tourism officials to look ahead and in the aftermath of this week’s failed effort to extend Lowndes County’s 2-percent restaurant tax, that is what Nancy Carpenter was doing Wednesday morning.

Slimantics: Another ‘successful’ session

The Mississippi legislative session ended Wednesday not with a bang, but with a whimper, to borrow a line from T.S. Elliott.

Restaurant tax: Legislators fail to reach tax agreement for CVB

The bill to extend Lowndes County’s 2-percent restaurant sales tax is all but dead, as local business, government, economic development and tourism officials begin to absorb the bleak consequences.

La Quinta looks to open in mid-May

The construction of the new La Quinta hotel on the site formerly occupied by the Ramada Inn will soon be completed, with the opening of the hotel quickly to follow.

Slimantics: Our community will pay a staggering price for Smith/Chism obstinance

The Mississippi legislature ends its 2018 session as soon as today and Rep. Jeff Smith and Rep. Gary Chism will come home to Columbus.

They can stay home, as far as I am concerned.

Restaurant tax: CVB funding in limbo as Legislature argues over tax

The fate of Lowndes County’s 2-percent restaurant sales tax hangs in the balance after a conference committee failed to agree Sunday evening on whether the new legislation should extend to all businesses that sell prepared meals, as was requested by both the City of Columbus and Lowndes County.

No shortage of Pride

It was a Pride parade, but proud was the operative word Saturday as a crowd estimated at easily more than 1,000 people marched Saturday in the inaugural event in Starkville.

‘Jesus, freedom and Dr. Holzhauer’

It was a little after noon on Friday and a couple of dozen people milled about, waiting for the arrival of the man of the hour, who had promised to stop in during his lunch break.

Pride, police prepared for parade

This was not what Bailey McDaniel expected.

Slimantics: The news from Lake What-the-heck

It’s been a quiet week here in Lake What-the-heck, also known as the Mississippi Capitol.

Pioneers in their field: Local women discuss their challenge-laden paths to success

Judge Dorothy Colom began a program Wednesday at Airbus Helicopters with a folk tale about an old wise woman.

The biggest organization no one has heard of

Since its founding almost 150 years ago, the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) has grown, with 20,000 members in 700 chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada, raising more than $300 million in grants, scholarships and loans, mostly through small fundraising such as bake sales.

An answered prayer: Schaefer’s seniors win last game at Hump

There were just 24.6 seconds left when Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer sent in his final instructions from the sidelines.

After a back-and-forth first half, the Bulldogs had created enough of a margin for a bit of ceremony.

Realtors unhappy with governor over broker bill veto

On Feb. 28, Realtors in the state were in a mood to celebrate.

The final days of The Victorian Era: Only one goal remains for Bulldogs in ‘Queen Victoria’s’ final season

Last October, Victoria Vivians was chosen as homecoming queen at Mississippi State and she’s embraced the title of “Queen Victoria” ever since.

It suits her, probably more than she realizes.