Articles by Zack Plair
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.
41 new police cameras proposed for Starkville
A fight breaks in the Cotton District with several parties involved. Many more are witnesses.
Mayor pushes for data-driven policy for placing police cameras
For Mayor Keith Gaskin, great police cameras come with great responsibility.
Farmers’ Market grand opening brings first-time vendors, steady traffic
COLUMBUS – It wasn’t too long into Saturday morning’s Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market Krystal Staats made her first sale. Her booth, Embers of Joy Clean
Future bill could push rural water areas into city systems
A local and private bill that would have made some rural water associations in Oktibbeha County vulnerable to city takeover died this legislative session without a vote.
DA urges feds to fully prosecute Noxubee corruption case
Sixteenth Circuit District Attorney Scott Colom has waited years to tell the backstory of how his office helped “root out the corruption and illegal behavior at Noxubee County Sheriff’s Office.”
Library HVAC still kaput as summer approaches
Philip Carter turns off the portable air conditioner in his office in the Starkville Public Library before joining a Zoom.
$200 a day for Mickens? ‘So moved. I’ll take that.’
After initially recusing himself from the discussion, Vice Mayor Joseph Mickens broke a tie vote Tuesday to pay himself an extra $200 a day to fill in for the mayor this week.
Redistricting could change boundaries in five wards
A proposed redistricting plan would redraw the boundaries for five of the city’s six wards.
Program for rescued sex-trafficking victims proposed for sheriffs ranch
If John Almond has his way, The Dream Center Golden Triangle could be operating a residential rescue program for victims of sex trafficking by the end of this year at the former Mississippi Sheriffs Boys and Girls Ranch off Motley Road.
Edible plant trail at The W has berries, nuts and … weeds?
A quick Google search for smilax, or greenbriar, pulls up a host of articles on how to control, kill or get rid of the “troublesome weed.”
119 street projects included on city’s upgrade plan
Portions of 119 streets are slated for upgrades through the city’s $6.9 million plan that will commence later this year.
Y to celebrate centennial with ‘carnival-like’ block party
If you see a giant slide on Second Avenue North this weekend, it’s supposed to be there.
Ask The Dispatch: All your questions answered about the LINK’s planned new office
The Golden Triangle Development LINK has been talking for 12 years about building an office at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport.
Construction for the facility will finally begin this summer.
Artists with disabilities showcase, sell their art
A blank, maroon canvas sits at the front of the room. It, and the expectant crowd gathered before it, are waiting for Kendrell Daniels. Painting
Lowndes jailer locked up for selling drugs to inmates
A Lowndes County correctional officer spent just two months on the job before landing on the other side of the bars.
Tougher penalties considered for firing guns in city
If you fire a gun illegally in the city limits, it could soon result in a higher fine, jail time or even losing your firearm.
Ex-MSMS director mass emailed students after he was fired. That spurred school to better secure its system
Donnie Cook’s tenure at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science may not have yielded the facilities he wanted, but because of him the school’s email system is more secure.
Could a Starkville High and MSMS mega campus be built at MSU?
Imagine Starkville High School and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science operating as sister schools on the campus of Mississippi State University.
Supes again take steps toward selling OCH
For the second time in seven years, county supervisors have started a process that could lead to privatizing OCH Regional Medical Center.
Holiday Handcrafts Bazaar accepting vendor applications
July 12, 2025
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