Articles by Zack Plair
Lowndes supervisors argue over city work, parking lots
In-fighting among Lowndes County supervisors over two minor agenda issues dominated about half of their meeting Tuesday as issues of board protocol and assisting the city of Columbus took center stage.
CLW wants to borrow $8.7M for fiber, other projects
Columbus Light and Water wants the city’s approval to borrow up to $8.7 million for various major electric and broadband infrastructure projects.
Numbers show wage, education gap between CMSD, LCSD
Where you live matters when it comes to educational, career and socio-economic opportunities.
Photo: Eye on crime
Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin and Police Chief Fred Shelton unveil one of the city’s new neighborhood watch camera systems during a press conference Wednesday at City Hall.
City steps in to improve conditions at apartment complex
Mayor Keith Gaskin stood on the grounds of Cypress Park Apartments on Aug. 1, a Sunday, waiting for good news. It wasn’t forthcoming.
Verdell presents plan for first 90 days at CLW
Angela Verdell officially started Monday as the new general manager for Columbus Light and Water, but she told the utility’s board she feels like she’s been in the position far longer.
Gaskin to recommend forensic audit of city books
Mayor Keith Gaskin plans to recommend a forensic audit of the city’s finances in an effort to get a “clean slate” for his new administration.
County agrees to assist city with debris removal
Lowndes County has agreed to help Columbus’ chronically understaffed public works department haul away hundreds of piles of brush that have accumulated along city roadsides.
Mask-wearing required again inside Lowndes facilities
In separate measures on Monday, Lowndes County supervisors effectively mandated mask-wearing for anyone inside county facilities and amended their policy to offer extra paid leave for employees with COVID-19 to exclude those who haven’t been vaccinated against the virus.
Lowndes schools to require masks
Two weeks after deciding to start the school year with masks optional for students and staff, Lowndes County School District will now require mask-wearing indoors on all its campuses for at least the next month.
County seeks court judgment to reclaim Sheriffs’ Ranch
Lowndes County is seeking a court judgment to regain control of the old Mississippi Sheriffs’ Boys and Girls Ranch off Motley Road.
Ruling to likely mean tax hike for Lowndes
Lowndes County School District won a major court victory Friday in its effort to secure more local tax funding for operations.
The unclaimed dead: When family doesn’t take responsibility for burying a body, it often ends up cremated; ashes stored at funeral home, coroner’s office
Alone in a Lowndes County residence, a woman in her 70s died in March. No one will attend her funeral. In fact, there won’t even be one.
Local businessman, grandson die in plane crash
A local businessman and his grandson died in a plane crash Wednesday afternoon in Oktibbeha County, officials confirmed.
Aldermen abandoned plan for scooter ordinance
A much-anticipated ordinance to regulate electric scooter riding in the city failed to move forward Tuesday after no alderman would sponsor it.
Lowndes splitting tax assessor, collector offices in 2024
Lowndes County will have separate offices for tax assessor and collector as of 2024.
Disagreement over county school funding spills into new fiscal year
An advertisement that appeared in The Dispatch each of the past two weeks has Trip Hairston ready to attend the upcoming Lowndes County School District board meeting.
Chisholm sentenced to life for capital murder
William Thomas “Tommy” Chisholm was sentenced to life without parole after an Oktibbeha County Circuit Court jury found him guilty Friday of capital murder. Chisholm,
Lowndes schools: No mask requirement
Lowndes County School District Superintendent Sam Allison stepped to the podium of the central office board room Thursday evening prepared to discuss his recommendations for a “safe return to in-person instruction” for the fall semester.
Parking spots dedicated for internet purchase exchanges in memory of Micheal Jones
On May 20, 2020, Micheal Jones clocked out after his shift at Steel Dynamics west of Columbus and drove to Bessemer, Alabama, to pick up an iPhone 11 he agreed to buy through the Letgo app. He never made it back home.
Group distributes 528 backpacks, school supplies at Lock and Dam
July 13, 2025
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