Articles by Zack Plair
Ask The Dispatch: All your questions answered about the ‘shelved’ Hwy 45 bypass
Ten years ago, momentum seemed to favor building a Highway 45 bypass west of Columbus. Studies funded with federal dollars produced a route, along with
Just hours into new year, Oktibbeha marks shooting death of 2024
It took less than 2 1/2 hours into the new year for Oktibbeha County to record its first shooting death of 2024.
Oktibbeha’s Year in Review: MSU football changes leaders, Cornerstone Park opens, Amazon coming to NorthStar
A disappointing football season led to Mississippi State changing horses at head coach. Starkville opens Cornerstone Park while grappling with how to hang onto federal grant money for Highway 182 improvements. Amazon announced it will soon have a presence at NorthStar Industrial Park.
Home Base: Won’t you be my neighbor? If you are, I probably still don’t know you
Until I was almost 14, I lived on a dead-end street in a south Arkansas town not far from the Louisiana border.
Home Base: A very Veronica Christmas tradition
A couple of Sundays ago, my wife and I finally decided to clean out and reorganize our basement.
Rehab, decommissioning still options for county lake
There are people who want to repair the Oktibbeha County Lake dam and others who want to see the lake decommissioned.
Beard busted with meth, marijuana at his home
A Columbus councilman was arrested Monday after Lowndes County sheriff’s deputies allegedly found drugs at his home. It’s Pierre Beard’s second arrest this month, the first being a Dec. 1 traffic stop in Gordo, Alabama, where he was charged with drunk driving and marijuana possession. Both times, he was arrested alongside Quavis Betts, 29.
Starkville changing code enforcement procedures after claims officers trespassed
Photos of four properties on Ruth Road drew winces and looks of disbelief Tuesday during a board of aldermen meeting at City Hall.
Cuts to parks plan may keep coming
The hammer fell Tuesday night on the first casualty of the city’s $4.4 million parks revitalization plan.
Pheba woman found dead at home
A woman was found dead in her home Tuesday morning, and sheriff’s deputies have located her missing teen daughter.
Trustee walks out of Oktibbeha jail, still at large
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY – Sheriff’s deputies are still seeking a trustee who walked out of the county jail at about 8:40 p.m. Sunday. William Strohm, 47,
Weekend bets: Fun things to do in the Golden Triangle this weekend (Dec. 1-3)
This weekend has a variety of events to choose from including Wassail Fest, a Festival of Trees, a holiday art markets and more! There is
Lawsuit: Okt supervisor’s ‘search-and-destroy mission’ defamed ex-SPD officer
An Oktibbeha County supervisor’s “unrestrained rage” set her on a “search-and-destroy mission” against a former Starkville police investigator’s character and job security, according to a civil complaint filed in circuit court.
Amazon ‘last mile’ facility coming to NorthStar
Amazon confirmed Tuesday it will build a “last mile” facility at the NorthStar Industrial Park, according to a Golden Triangle Development LINK press release.
Stretch of Hwy 182 belongs to Starkville
The city is the proud owner of about a mile of former state highway.
Phelps wins sheriff’s race; Walker to become tax assessor
Shank Phelps will be sheriff in Oktibbeha County come January, and JoHelen Walker will be the tax assessor/collector.
Does filing campaign finance reports even matter? State law says yes.
General election day is Tuesday, when Mississippi voters will decide state and county races. For candidates, that meant the last pre-election deadline for filing campaign
Races for sheriff, tax assessor headline Oktibbeha general election ballot
After Tuesday’s general election, Oktibbeha County voters are guaranteed to have chosen a new sheriff, tax assessor/collector, supervisor and constable.
Weekend bets: Fun things to do in the Golden Triangle this weekend (Nov. 3-5)
This weekend has a variety of events to choose from including Art ‘N Antiques, Tailgate the Town, Downtown Christmas Open House and more! There is
Colom ramps up spending as DA election approaches
Donations have slowed for Scott Colom in his bid for a third term as 16th Circuit district attorney, but the incumbent Democrat has ramped up his spending as election day approaches.