Articles by Yue Stella Yu
Community leaders, public officials in Columbus join citizens in rally to pray for justice
Marching down Main Street, R.J. Matthews pulled off his blue cloth mask and held up his left hand in the air.
Toddler infected by COVID-19 after teacher tested positive at Vibrant Kids Academy
A child at Vibrant Kids Academy has tested positive for COVID-19 after a worker at the same facility tested positive last weekend, according to a prepared statement from the child care facility issued Thursday night.
Karriem, Smith join calls for AG Fitch to explain dropping charge in Ball death
Two Columbus-based public officials issued statements this week asking Attorney General Lynn Fitch to release the evidence backing her decision last Friday to drop the manslaughter charge against white former police officer Canyon Boykin, who fatally shot Ricky Ball, a black man, in 2015.
$6.5M street paving bond moves forward in Columbus
Columbus City Council voted 5-1 Tuesday night to signal its intent to issue a $6.5 million general obligation bond to pay for capital improvements, despite concerns from some council members over the city’s existing debt and the financial outlook amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starkville activist group aims to form citizen-led board to review police conduct
In the wake of recent violence against blacks and a national outcry against racial injustice and police brutality, activists in Starkville are hoping to create a citizen-led board to review police conduct and vet police officers in the city.
Protesters in Columbus urge overturn of Ricky Ball decision, call for unity
Sweat was pouring down David Horton’s forehead under a scorching sun as the temperature in Columbus reached 90 degrees Monday afternoon.
Crowds gathered around him. Cars flew by him, some honking in support.
So he kept on rallying.
Lowndes County to pay $130K for computers in LCSO vehicles
Lowndes County supervisors unanimously voted Monday morning to amend this fiscal year’s budget to pay $130,000 to place 30 computers in the sheriff’s department vehicles.
Testimony concludes in LCSD teacher hearing
The second day of the hearing surrounding Lowndes County School District teacher Melissa Suddith’s ability to keep her job has drawn to an end after three more witnesses testified on the non-renewal of her contract Thursday morning.
Possible illegal recordings, child exploitation claim at center of teacher’s fight to get her job back
A would-be open hearing for a Lowndes County School District teacher trying to keep her job was largely held behind closed doors Wednesday as much of the testimony dealt with private matters involving at least two students.
Profile: Mother, daughter make best of daily visits during nursing home lockdown
Betsy Brackin pressed her face tightly against the double-layered glass window at the Trinity Healthcare Center in Columbus Thursday afternoon.
Some area churches prepare to reopen, others not as eager
Angelia Collins’ two daughters lay in bed in their pajamas on a Sunday morning, shoulder to shoulder.
Lacey Collins, 4, stares at the TV quietly, her 2-month-old sister still fast asleep.
Watching her children, Angelia Collins imagines what would be like if everything had stayed the same. If not for the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, she would already be on her way to church, like she had always been, avidly, since she could remember.
Local developer Chris Chain appointed to CRA board
Columbus City Council unanimously voted to appoint local developer Chris Chain to the city’s Redevelopment Authority board Tuesday evening.
Church leaders in Columbus concerned about reopening too soon
Roughly a dozen church leaders who sit on a city-formed committee on reopening Columbus expressed reluctance to open their doors too soon amid the COVID-19 pandemic at a meeting with city leaders Monday.
Two multimillion-dollar solar energy projects could come to Lowndes County
Two 200-megawatt solar energy projects that would generate and potentially store power could come to Lowndes County after supervisors unanimously approved resolutions of intent Friday morning to enter fee-in-lieu agreements with each of the two companies pitching the projects.
County lifts curfew, local restrictions to follow state guidelines
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors voted Friday morning to strip all county-level ordinances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the county curfew, and simply sync with state guidelines.
Yokohama furloughs workers days after reopening
Yokohama Tire Corporation has furloughed some of its employees at its West Point manufacturing plant until further notice, according to an internal email from the company obtained by The Dispatch Wednesday evening.
Rec sports leagues poised to open for practice on June 1, kick off league games mid-June
Recreational sports leagues in Columbus, Caledonia and Lowndes County could gather for practices as soon as June 1 and kick off seasonal games on June 15 following a discussion among members of the Restart Columbus Parks and Recreation Subcommittee Thursday afternoon.
Supervisors backed off motion to fire Billingsley in executive session Monday
At least two Lowndes County supervisors pushed for County Administrator Ralph’s Billingsley’s immediate firing in an executive session of Monday’s board of supervisors meeting, but they backed off after a heated argument, multiple sources confirmed to The Dispatch.
CPD officer suspended 3 days for threatening to kill dog that attacked her
A Columbus police officer will be suspended for three days without pay for misconduct, city officials confirmed to The Dispatch on Tuesday.
Parks, restaurants in Columbus allowed to reopen with restrictions
Restaurants and parks in Columbus will be allowed to reopen with restrictions beginning Thursday at 8 a.m. following Gov. Tate Reeves’ executive order Monday, Mayor Robert Smith announced at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.