Articles by Zack Plair
Public works equipment purchases coming from city reserve funds
Public works will get needed new equipment next fiscal year, but the city will have to dip into its cash reserves to buy it.
Mixed signals from AG send county scrambling for new jail deal with city
Mixed signals from the Mississippi attorney general’s office has the county footing the lion’s share of the bill for housing Columbus inmates at Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
Republican chair seeks federal probe into Colom parody video
The chair of the Mississippi Republican Party is asking the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation to look into whether a social media post from District Attorney and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Scott Colom violated federal law.
Understaffed accounting office blamed for city audit findings
The city’s tardy audit report for Fiscal Year 2022 showed many of the same problems in city accounting practices as previous years.
CINCO debt payment could mean 4.6% tax increase for Lowndes County
A “cash poor” upcoming fiscal year means county property tax rates could increase 4.6%.
Two judges to fill in for ill Gary Goodwin in municipal court
Two temporary judges will preside over municipal court in September as Judge Gary Goodwin takes medical leave.
Spruill calls for LINK to reconsider Higgins ouster
An area elected official is calling on the Golden Triangle Development LINK to reinstate former CEO Joe Max Higgins.
Joe Max Higgins out as LINK CEO
COLUMBUS – Longtime CEO Joe Max Higgins is no longer with the Golden Triangle Development LINK. A press release issued Sunday evening said the LINK’s
Shooting on South Montgomery injures bystander in apartment complex parking lot
Police are seeking suspects in a shooting near The Social Block apartments that injured a bystander.
Officer who crashed into civilian resigns from CPD
A police officer who caused a vehicle crash that seriously injured a civilian has resigned.
Homes, shops coming to Burns Bottom by 2028 in $800K deal
Work should begin this fall on redeveloping the old Burns Bottom subdivision, with the first residential and commercial units available for sale by 2028.
CFO recommends no tax increase for Columbus
The city property tax rate is expected to remain the same next fiscal year.
Council to consider ex-WCBI reporter for PR position
The city council next week will consider contracting with a former WCBI reporter for public information officer duties.
Modified sentence keeps Clinkscales out of jail for contempt of court
A prosecutor found in contempt of municipal court will not have to spend a day in jail as part of her sentence after all.
Business owner appointed to redevelopment authority
The city council on Tuesday unanimously chose Robert G. Cooper to serve on the Columbus Redevelopment Authority Board.
City prosecutor sentenced to day in jail for contempt of court
Unprofessional conduct in court could see the city prosecutor, who is also seeking a municipal judgeship, spend a day behind bars.
CLW customers could see rate hike in October
City electric rates will most likely increase as of Oct. 1. A water rate increase could follow in January.
No candidates have qualified yet for CMSD’s elected board seat
Nine days into the qualifying period for an elected Columbus Municipal School District board seat, there’s still nobody running.
Community Profile: Singing pastor looks to bring ‘joy’ to Starkville FUMC
Music has played an outsized role in the life of Warren Coile, the senior pastor at Starkville First United Methodist Church.
ARPA drainage work to start ‘in a week or two’
A long-awaited, federally funded project to improve stormwater drainage in the city is slated to begin in August.
Starkville duo, New Hope striker relish all-star opportunity
July 11, 2025
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