Lowndes County settles over alleged abuse of inmate

Lowndes County Board of Supervisors made quick work of its agenda Monday, moving through a short list of topics with little discussion and no dissent in a 25-minute meeting before going into closed session to discuss a settlement concerning possible litigation.

Slimantics: What we still get wrong about the Civil War

Sometimes the news of the day touches on the deep roots of our national story, and anniversaries of milestone moments cause us to reflect again on our history

Lowndes circuit clerk campaign spending eclipses $60K

When voters go to the polls Tuesday, they’ll mark ballots for six local races — three Democratic primary races and three Republican primary races, as well one state senate and a state house primary.

Pickering: Income tax paid on personal use of campaign funds

Two-term state auditor Stacey Pickering used Tuesday’s appearance at the Columbus Rotary Club to tout his office’s work in exposing misuse of taxpayer funds by public officials even as questions about his own use of campaign funds have been brought into question.

Unemployment stats hold steady over last month

While the unemployment rate in the Golden Triangle remained relatively unchanged over the past month, a look at the jobless picture a year ago shows reason for optimism.

County not likely to follow city in removing Miss. flag

The city of Columbus may have packed up the state flag, but Lowndes County supervisors are not likely to follow suit.

Statewide ‘Sales Tax Holiday’ set for July 31

Lex Jackson has owned Reed’s Department Store in Columbus for 42 years, including the past 18 at the store’s current location in Jackson Square.

Question of issues with absentee voting remains

For all the talk about voter fraud and ways to combat it, the most vulnerable aspect of the election process remains in the area of absentee voting.

The Mill can host occupants, but work remains

The Mill at MSU reached a major milestone earlier this month — it was certified for occupancy — but there was no ceremony.

Supes give new tax breaks to Steel Dynamics

Lowndes County supervisors approved two new fee-in-lieu agreements with Steel Dynamics during Wednesday’s board meeting, bringing the number of such arrangements with the steel company to four.

Local candidates raised $27K in May

Six Lowndes County candidates reported combined contributions of $27,173 during the latest campaign financing reporting period, which ended June 10.

Slimantics: Feels like a Mississippi summer

With Tuesday’s release of Harper Lee’s long-unpublished “first novel” — “Go Set A Watchman” — attention is almost equally divided between this “new” book and Lee’s great offering to American literature, “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

Lowndes Co. schools get construction update

One majority project is behind schedule and another may soon be.

Solar farms a go in Lowndes

After a slight change of venue — no more than 100 feet — Brandon Presley, northern district commissioner for the Mississippi Public Service Commission, signed the approval documents that will allow work on a pair of solar farms in Lowndes County.

MSU president: Time to talk about changing flag

Mississippi State University President Dr. Mark Keenum issued a statement Thursday calling for Mississippi to debate whether the state should change its flag.

Slimantics: Another brick in the wall

Of late, all of the talk about Mississippi’s list of “official” things has focused on the state’s flag, which features a burning cross in its canton. Or maybe it’s a Confederate flag. I forget which. It’s one of those wholesome visuals, though.

14th Ave project at finish line

What to do with remaining funds was the point of discussion at Tuesday’s Columbus City Council meeting after the council closed the books on one project and awarded the bid for the final phase of another.

Columbus pets took Fourth of July well — this year

See Dick light the firecracker. See Jane light the bottle rocket.

Bang, goes the firecracker! Whooosh, goes the rocket!

See Spot run!

Lowndes Co. supes restructure USDA loan

Lowndes County supervisors on Monday approved a proposal to restructure a $13 million U.S. Department of Agriculture loan that will save the county approximately $2 million over the life of the loan.

Slimantics: Does ‘History’ show us the need for Common Core?

It was once little more than an afterthought and what opinions there were of it were generally favorable. Now, it has become a pariah, an object of disgust and scorn.