Decades later, still missing: A look at the longest-running missing person cases in the Golden Triangle
Troy Matthews describes his older sister, Shalunda Matthews, as a “feisty,” “adventurous” people person – one of the people that made him tough.
Macon church reopens on Christmas Eve in celebration of birth and rebirth
In the Episcopal Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve, the sounds of an organ echoed through the first notes of “Silent Night.”
Education: Local graduate students research honored in Mississippi State thesis competition
Mississippi State’s Graduate School is recognizing eight students for their superb research presentations given during the university’s annual Three Minute Thesis competition.
Education: EMCC celebrates fall graduates
East Mississippi Community College conducted a fall 2025 commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 12, in the Lyceum Auditorium on the college’s Golden Triangle campus.
Education: Local students honored at Belhaven University
Congratulations to Belhaven University student Mia Cade, of Starkville, who was named to Belhaven’s fall 2025 President’s List.
Education: Wilson named executive director for alumni and development
Mississippi University for Women is pleased to announce alumna Elise Wilson has been named executive director for alumni and development.
Ask The Dispatch: What happens to drugs seized by law enforcement?
In the last year, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office’s STING Unit seized more than 12 pounds of methamphetamine, eight pounds of cocaine and nearly three pounds of fentanyl while investigating federal-level cases.
Starkville, Columbus on pace to exceed FY 26 sales tax budget
Both Columbus and Starkville, now a quarter of the way through Fiscal Year 2026, are on pace to exceed their projected sales tax budgets.
Westlake Chemical closure in Aberdeen set to affect 99 workers
Dozens of workers are set to be affected by the impending closure of Westlake Corporation’s polyvinyl chloride plant at the company’s site in Aberdeen, including those commuting from the Golden Triangle.
Vape enforcement begins, removing products from shelves across Mississippi
Shelves that were once lined with vape pens and pods were nearly empty Tuesday afternoon at Exotic Smokerz in Columbus.
$8.5M outpatient pavilion to expand Noxubee hospital
Access to speciality care in Noxubee County is set to expand significantly as Noxubee Medical Complex moves forward with an $8.5 million outpatient pavilion set to open in 2027.
Ask The Dispatch: How are new murals added to the Golden Triangle?
Over the last few months, new murals and public pieces of art have been added downtown in Starkville, Columbus and West Point.
Education: SBE seeks high school sophomores to apply for 2026-27 junior representative position
The Mississippi State Board of Education is seeking applications from high school sophomores to serve as the new high school junior student representative on the board for the 2026-27 school year.
Detour ahead: Major weekend closure planned on Hwy 82 East
Travelers looking to get to Columbus next weekend will have to detour off Highway 82 East through West Point.
MSU librarian leads effort to honor Mississippi’s first Black legislators
DeeDee Baldwin, engagement librarian at Mississippi State University, has spent the last six years researching the first Black legislators in the state.
The Verdict: Circuit court rundown for Sept. 8-Oct. 17
Clay County Judge Lee Howard ■ Jeramy Oubre, grand larceny, five years MDOC, none to serve, five years suspended with probation; ■ Greyson Klutts, manslaughter,
New 471 area code to roll out in Mississippi as 662 numbers run out
Starting in the new year, new phone numbers in the 662 area code will start with 471 following an all services area code overlay approved by the Mississippi Public Service Commission.
Area law enforcement arrest 20 for DUI during holiday weekend
Local law enforcement agencies arrested at least 20 suspects for allegedly driving under the influence over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Thom Caraccio: Mission to Miami at Flipper’s house
June 21, 2025
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