Articles by Zack Plair
Garbage collection rates will stay the same…for now
Residential garbage collection rates in the city will remain the same at least through August 2026.
Turnage to become in-house counsel for Columbus
Jeff Turnage announced this week he will leave the Mitchell McNutt law firm and become in-house counsel for the city.
Fifth Street North improvements could begin in Sept
Work should begin in September on a project that could make four blocks of Fifth Street North friendlier to pedestrians and cyclists.
Group distributes 528 backpacks, school supplies at Lock and Dam
About 15 volunteers wearing powder blue jerseys helped distribute 528 backpacks, along with various other school supplies, to community members in need Sunday afternoon at Columbus Lock and Dam.
Mold at fire station sparks concerns over firefighter safety
While the city works to reopen a fire station that has been closed for almost two weeks due to mold, some firefighters are concerned their working environment still isn’t safe and their labor is being exploited.
City grapples with whether to absorb garbage rate hike
Time is running out for the city to decide whether it will absorb a coming rate increase from Golden Triangle Waste Services or pass it on to customers.
High-tech assessment could give city better data on streets
A high-tech way of assessing streets could soon end the city council’s longtime practice of dividing money for paving projects evenly among Columbus’ six wards.
Public input to MDE heavily opposed relocating MSMS
An overwhelming majority of public comments the Mississippi Department of Education received about the future of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science favored leaving the school at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus.
New council names Stewart vice mayor
In a wave of unanimous votes Tuesday to start the new city council term, council members appointed Ethel Stewart of Ward 1 as vice mayor for the next four years.
Jones vows to harness city’s potential in inaugural address
When Colin Krieger moved to Columbus nearly 20 years ago, he was working for Papa John’s to improve the quality and reputations of struggling community restaurants.
Jones in line for big raise when he becomes mayor
When Stephen Jones takes office as mayor July 1, he’ll have the option to make 24% more than his predecessor.
PR firm could be tapped to help keep MSMS at The W
The Mississippi University for Women Foundation is trying to hire a public relations firm to help better cast the future location of Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science as a “statewide issue.”
Fire claims life of Oktibbeha man
An early morning house fire claimed a man’s life Friday morning on Curtis Chapel Road.
Pedestrian safety upgrades proposed for Fifth Street corridor
The city council will decide Tuesday whether to seek a more than $5.8 million grant to upgrade pedestrian safety infrastructure along Fifth Street.
Ask The Dispatch: How do GTRA stakeholders benefit from the airport?
For 53 years, Golden Triangle Regional Airport has offered commercial flight service from western Lowndes County, bringing visitors from all over the world and connecting travelers with flights in Atlanta and now Dallas-Fort Worth.
Nearly 4 inches of rain dump on area Sunday morning
A pair of severe thunderstorms ripped through the Golden Triangle on Saturday and Sunday, downing trees and causing power outages and flooding roads throughout the area.
Jones wins mayor’s race in Columbus
Stephen Jones stood smiling Tuesday night in the lobby of the Municipal Complex, sure his late mother was proudly looking down from Heaven. Though “just
Strauss primarily self-funding most expensive mayoral campaign
Democrat Stephen Jones may have raised the most third-party money among the city’s mayoral candidates, but independent Bill Strauss is, by far, running the most expensive campaign ahead of Tuesday’s general election.
Jones raises $27K in Columbus mayor’s race
Democrat Stephen Jones appears to have a commanding lead in fundraising among mayoral candidates, according to campaign finance reports filed with the city registrar’s office ahead of Tuesday’s general election.
City’s special fund for nonprofits tapped out this year
With 4 1/2 months left in the fiscal year, the city’s special fund that has largely helped fund project requests from nonprofits is tapped out.
Starkville duo, New Hope striker relish all-star opportunity
July 11, 2025
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