Jelly Roll to perform at Jeffery Simmons Community Fun Day

NFL star Jeffery Simmons confirmed in a Facebook post Thursday that rapper and singer Jelly Roll will be the surprise musical guest at this year’s Jeffrey Simmons Community Fun Day.

Traffic flow changes for Starkville, Columbus Fourth of July celebrations

With large crowds expected at Fourth of July celebrations in Starkville and Columbus, traffic patterns will be changed to ensure safe exits. 

BankFirst services restored after vendor issue

Customers of BankFirst Financial Services woke up Tuesday without access to their accounts, but by 6:15 p.m., all services were restored.

Multi-day celebrations planned for Fourth of July

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence, and in 1870, the anniversary of the signing became a federal holiday known as Independence Day.

May unemployment rates rise in Oktibbeha, Lowndes

Most counties in the Golden Triangle saw an increase in unemployment last month.

Sales tax collections soar in Starkville, falter in Columbus, West Point

Starkville sales tax collections soared this month while Columbus’ and West Point’s collections fell slightly.

Ask The Dispatch: Your questions answered about veterans’ services in the Golden Triangle

Earlier this month, a veteran found between 60 and 100 decorative flags in a dumpster at Friendship Cemetery days after they were placed on veterans’ graves in observance of Memorial Day.

TVA, local utilities ask customers to conserve energy during heat wave

Rising temperatures brings higher power demands, and local utilities and Tennessee Valley Authority are asking residents to help conserve energy.

Bigelow earns Outstanding Main Street Director

Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow received the top award a Main Street director can receive on Tuesday during the Mississippi Main Street Association’s annual awards luncheon, honoring her 12 years of service to her organization.

Drinks containing THC sold at gas stations. Is that legal?

A shopper walks into a convenience store at the end of a long day.
Between the sodas and the alcohol, the shopper picks up a seltzer that is labeled as containing hemp-derived Delta-9 THC.

Beard qualifies for House District 41 seat

Pierre Beard will face incumbent District 41 Rep. Kabir Karriem in a November special election for the state representative seat.

Columbus, Starkville plan multi-day celebrations for Juneteenth

Federal troops marched into Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865 – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed – to inform more than 250,000 enslaved people in the state of their freedom.

Lemonade Day returns to Golden Triangle this weekend

As the summer heat continues to rise, an event this weekend is looking to help cool people down, while also helping children learn about entrepreneurship and leadership skills.

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.

Starkville High School inducts 81 into ACT 25/30+ Club

Last week, Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District administrative staff hosted the annual Starkville High School ACT 25/30+ Club Luncheon, celebrating students who earned a composite score of 25 or better on the ACT college entrance exam during the 2024-2025 school year. Fifty-two students were honored for scoring at least 25 this year.

Photo: Last book before summer