Articles by Zack Plair
Aldermen unlikely to pass proposed tax increase
A proposed tax increase in the city’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget appears to be headed for failure.
Dupree appointed interim superintendent at CMSD
A familiar face will lead Columbus Municipal School District for the majority of this school year.
Dupree named interim superintendent at CMSD
Dennis Dupree was named interim superintendent for Columbus Municipal School District on Thursday night. The board approved the hire during executive session of a special-call
CMSD superintendent resigns
Cherie Labat resigned today from her position as superintendent of Columbus Municipal School District. Labat’s resignation comes less than 24 hours after CMSD board held
Photo: World Series bling
Matt Jones, left, with the Atlanta Braves organization, shows Ray Timm, of Columbus, a replica of the ring given to the 2021 World Series champion baseball team. The Braves brought the World Series trophy to the lawn of the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center on Wednesday evening as part of a 151-stop tour across the Southeast.
City pays $42K in penalties after IRS agent’s surprise visit
A surprise visit from an Internal Revenue Service agent on Thursday forced the city to pony up about $42,000 on the spot in federal tax penalties related to shoddy bookkeeping.
Monday Profile: Second-year teacher brings his own style to class
Since his childhood, there have been no shortage of people telling Owen Brown to “dress for the job you want.”
Man found injured in overturned car, dies at hospital
Police are investigating an early Friday morning death in East Columbus that is being investigated as a homicide. Officers responded just before 6 a.m. to
Monday Profile: Estes returns to her roots in assuming Justice Court role
Come Friday, Lowndes County Administrator Jay Fisher will have to start answering his own office phone, at least for a while.
That’s the day Carley Estes, his administrative assistant and right-hand person for the past year, will move into her new role as lead clerk for Justice Court.
Photo: Downtown house fire
Starkville firefighters work Wednesday afternoon to extinguish a fire at a three-unit rental house at 204 South Washington St. across the street from First Baptist Church.
Indictment: J5 partners fraudulently received more than $2M in federal funds
Local business partners Jabari Edwards and Antwann Richardson have been indicted by a federal grand jury for multiple charges related to misusing more than $2
FBI, other agencies raid J5 office
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, and other unnamed agencies raided Court Square Towers on Thursday morning. FBI Media Coordinator Katie
Skyrocketing asphalt prices forcing tough decisions on area paving projects
Joe Williams sat Wednesday at the board table during an Oktibbeha supervisors’ work session grappling with limited options — none of them particularly pleasant.
City could add kiosks for paid parking in Cotton District
Hamp Beatty left Tuesday’s board of aldermen meeting with a half-victory.
Engineering firm wants work session with MDEQ over dam
County supervisors were hoping for a revised cost estimate from Mississippi Engineering Group on Monday for needed fixes to the Oktibbeha County Lake Dam. Instead, they got little more than another bill to pay.
Man killed, woman injured in Waterworks shooting
Columbus police are seeking a suspect in a Friday afternoon fatal shooting in an apartment on Waterworks Road. First responders were called to an apartment
Ex-SFD training officer charged with embezzlement
The former training officer for Starkville Fire Department is charged with felony embezzlement, according to a police press release issued Wednesday.
Wellington Place residents complain of sewer stench
Paul Cross stands under the canopy of the clubhouse in the Wellington Place subdivision watching it rain.
Trainer: Tax increase necessary to fix dam
A back-and-forth between two supervisors Monday over funding county lake dam improvements led to District 2’s Orlando Trainer saying the previously quiet part out loud: completing the project could mean more burden on the taxpayers.
Monday Profile: Undeterred by naysayers, pandemic, Carlisle realizes dream of opening Poor House Market
This time last year, a tractor and two Volkswagens sat inside an open-sided barn off Old Highway 25 near the corner of Poor House Road.
Group distributes 528 backpacks, school supplies at Lock and Dam
July 13, 2025
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