Slimantics: MSU women’s basketball has become ‘a thing’

The first thing you notice about Bob Shearer is his shoes. They are maroon high-top Chuck Taylor All-Stars.

Sweet kicks, Bob.

Slimantics: Why Black History Month matters

Since 1976, February has been designated as “Black History Month” in the United States.

Board approves new equipment for E911 Center

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors approved $541,780 in new equipment for its new E911 Center, which is currently under construction.

Slimantics: The tale of the reluctant handy-man

It was a Saturday morning, maybe a couple of months ago. Tess was standing in the kitchen, looking up at the ceiling.

“Uh-Oh,” I thought.

I had seen this look before.

GTRA to host ‘Drones 101’ seminar

With skyrocketing usage of unmanned aircraft, or drones, by the public within the last year, local officials are looking to educate the public so the remotely piloted aircraft can be safely incorporated into the skies.

Slimantics: Phil Bryant’s Hunger Games

It was November, and the people who run things in Mississippi, including those not working out of the offices of ALEC in D.C., were breathing a collective sigh of relief.

Tagert: Time is now for road/bridge repairs

Mike Tagert likened the current condition of Mississippi’s highway and bridges to a leaking roof during his visit Tuesday to the Columbus Rotary Club at Lion Hills Center.

Lowndes supervisors approve county road plan

While the Mississippi legislature debates a proposed $375 million project to repair the state’s bridges and highways, Lowndes County will have to wait only until late spring to begin its work on improving county roads.

Local legislators land committee assignments

Although the Legislature has been in session for two weeks, the real work begins today.

Roberson jumps into spotlight with committee assignments

The Mississippi House of Representatives completed its committee assignments on Friday. For most legislators, the assignments figure to be low-key tasks not likely to draw much public scrutiny.

Slimantics: Tupelo owes an enduring debt to Jack Reed Sr.

In Tupelo, Elvis is king.

In fact, he is more prominent in death than he ever was in life. Up until his death in 1977, the only homage paid to the entertainer in the town of his birth was a small park in East Tupelo, which was home to a swimming pool, youth center and the small two-room shotgun house where he was born in 1935. There were no celebrations or festivals in the city to celebrate him.

Higher jobless rate may mean more in workforce

The unemployment rate in Mississippi and in each of the four Golden Triangle counties is higher than it was a month ago, according to labor market statistics released Wednesday by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

Slimantics: Two meetings, two perceptions of police

On Tuesday, Columbus interim police chief Fred Shelton spoke at the Columbus Rotary Club at Lion Hills Center. Although he has made numerous public appearances in the roughly three months he has served as interim chief, this was just the second time I had heard him speak.

Colorful canoeist left his mark along the rivers

In February 2010, Mickey Brislin was walking along the Columbus Riverwalk when he was approached by two men near the small boat dock.

At first, Brislin was wary.

Slimantics: The new police chief: a bewildering choice

Eighteenth Century British essayist Samuel Johnson once observed of a friend who was planning to re-marry a few years after his first marriage ended badly, “It is a triumph of hope over experience.”

Brooks, Smith abstain from voting during supes meeting

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors held their regular board meeting Friday. All five supervisors were present, but just three voted.

Karriem: First weeks in Legislature have been about learning

It’s been almost two weeks since Kabir Karriem was sworn into the Mississippi House of Representatives.

Solar farms up and running in Lowndes Co.

The juice is flowing.

Barge removal complete at Lock & Dam

About 2 p.m. Wednesday, the towboat James Garrett moved the second barge away from the John C. Stennis Lock & Dam, pushing it against the west bank of the Tombigbee River approximately 19 days after the barge and another became lodged against the dam, creating a brief tourist attraction.

Barge removal underway

One down, one to go.

Work began Tuesday on salvage operations at the east bank of the John C. Stennis Lock & Dam in Columbus, where two run-away barges came to rest after colliding with the dam on Dec. 26.