Registrar out of action for next year’s city elections

The city’s full-time employee who is tasked with running elections will be out of action for the 2025 municipal election cycle, Mayor Keith Gaskin announced at a press conference Wednesday at City Hall.

City pauses annexation fight, opens negotiations with county

The city is pausing its annexation effort while it negotiates a exit strategy with Lowndes County.

Photo: Charlie Box honored

Murder suspect tries to plead guilty without admitting to crime

A Columbus man came to circuit court Monday prepared to plead guilty to second-degree murder in the 2023 shooting death of his girlfriend.

Man injured, school bus hit in Northside shooting

A man is in the hospital and a school bus was shot during a firefight Monday afternoon on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Now, police

Citing spiritual epiphany, Brooks announces mayoral run

At some point last week, he couldn’t remember the exact day, Leroy Brooks was driving down Highway 45 trying to decide what he wanted for dinner when he had a spiritual epiphany.

Republican carries Oktibbeha in presidential race for first time since ‘04

For the first time in 20 years, the Republican nominee for president carried Oktibbeha County in a general election.

In memoriam: Former Y director, councilman remembered for character, service

When Rusty Greene started thinking about running for office in 2021, one option was definitely off the table.
He wouldn’t dream of running against Charlie Box.

Possible path emerges for killing Columbus annexation plan

A request for discovery in the city’s annexation case in chancery court led Ward 3 Councilman Rusty Greene on “one more attempt” Tuesday to get his colleagues to drop the effort altogether.

Part-time building inspector hired despite heated debate

Building Official Kenny Wiegel entered Tuesday’s city council meeting asking the council to approve his recommendation for a part-time inspector he could train as his eventual replacement.

Online auction could offload surplus city property

A backlog of surplus property could be headed for an online auction this month if city council members approve the move Tuesday.

Home Base: Trump’s hurricane of lies will only hurt the American people

In 1900, Galveston, Texas, was a booming city. Its population, and its prospects, rivaled Houston.

Residents asked to sound off on road safety concerns

City officials are asking residents to take an online survey that could lead to millions in federal grant money to make street conditions safer.

Strong absentee voting this election cycle points to new trend

Absentee voting for the Nov. 5 general election looks to be trending toward the second-highest totals ever in Golden Triangle counties.

Inaugural Camp and Jam packs Lake Lowndes State Park campground

Jeff Long sits on a swing holding an acoustic guitar, asking his bandmates what song they want to play next.

Ask The Dispatch: What’s going on with the old two-story house on Fifth Street North?

An effort that started in 2022 to renovate a historic two-story home at 225 Fifth St. N. is picking up steam, as work on the long vacant structure becomes more frequent and obvious.

Old fire station listed for sale with real estate broker

The city is still trying to sell the old Fire Station 4 building at the corner of Airline and South McCrary roads, turning now to a real estate broker for help.

Escaped boar caught at day care, returned to owner

Bobo, an escaped 700-pound boar that has eluded police for a week, is back with its owner and soon will head to a meat processor.

Community Profile: For Stafford, planning concerts is family tradition

The first concert Sally Stafford remembers attending was at the Market Street Festival when she was 7 or 8 years old.

Councilman calls out ABC group as ‘racist,’ ‘cancer’

Ward 5 Councilman Stephen Jones called out the advocacy group A Better Columbus on Thursday for what he believes are “openly racist attacks” he says have recently targeted his wife.