Articles by Zack Plair
Contested appointments for CVB, CLW on Tuesday council agenda
Two longtime members of separate public boards drew challengers to their reappointment, and the city council will decide those appointments Tuesday.
Community Profile: For Spencer, music continues a decade after cruises stop
As Superstorm Sandy pounded New Jersey in October 2012, J.D. Spencer was hunkered down and praying in a Carnival cruise ship sailing in the North Atlantic.
Gaskin pushes for capital fund as city reserves near $18M
The city’s accounting practices in Fiscal Year 2021 may not have been up to snuff, but the audit report released this week showed its cash position actually improved that year.
CFO: Improved internal controls will show in future audits
Despite nine findings of poor accounting practices in the city’s Fiscal Year 2021 audit, Chief Financial Officer Jim Brigham said Thursday that all but one had been corrected.
Home Base: Browbeating school children with the Ten Commandments does nothing for God
In the book of I Kings, Elijah stands supposedly alone against 450 prophets of Baal. The deal was simple: Each side was to build an altar, prepare a bull for sacrifice, pray to their respective god, and wait. The sacrifice to the true God would catch fire.
Lawsuit: Tax assessor gave favors to cops, then fired employee for reporting it
A former tax assessor’s office employee is suing her old boss and the county administrator, alleging she was demoted and later fired for reporting them to the state auditor’s office.
Fiscal Year 2021 audit report: Unbudgeted spending, lax accounting still issues in FY 21
The city’s audit report for Fiscal Year 2021 contained nine findings related to its accounting practices and three other failures to comply with state law.
Community Profile: Pit Pastor’s the name. Smoking meat is his game.
Outdoor, live-fire cooking played an outsized role in Rev. Andrew McLarty’s childhood.
Garbage Can City: Some unhappy with green cans downtown
One look along the sidewalks downtown reminds Bill Strauss of a new, not-so-kind nickname he’s heard given to his hometown.
Garbage Can City.
SOCSD slow to tell authorities of allegations against teacher
Scott Colom said he first learned about recent allegations of a Starkville High School teacher touching students from news reports.
More money brings renewed calls to use amphitheater
Another $1 million for the Sen. Terry Brown Amphitheater on The Island has come with renewed calls for the city to start hosting events there.
Man who killed teen at birthday party loses appeal
A Columbus man convicted of killing a 16-year-old girl after her birthday party at Propst Park lost his appeal this week.
Former councilman, man of many talents, passes away Monday
Former city councilman Bill Gavin was a lot of things to a lot of people.
Ask the Dispatch: All your questions answered about when county tornado sirens sound
At 5:56 p.m. May 9, the National Weather Service alerted the Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency of a severe thunderstorm bearing down on Columbus.
Man faces attempted murder charges for setting fire to home with 2 people inside
A Columbus man faces two counts of attempted murder for allegedly setting fire to a house with two people inside. William Mendoza, 45, was arrested
Council to Greene: Keep annexation out of your mouth
Rusty Greene wanted to discuss the city’s pending annexation plan at the Tuesday evening council meeting in the Municipal Complex.
Sexual battery suspect skips out on court before conviction
A man who testified at his own trial Tuesday is on the run after he failed to show up for closing arguments and his ultimate conviction.
Development group shows interest in Burns Bottom
Columbus Redevelopment Authority does not yet have a developer under contract for its Park View project near downtown. It does, however, have a prospect.