Columbus & Lowndes County
Wife of murdered New Hope man sentenced to 25 years
The wife of a murdered New Hope man has been sentenced to 25 years in Mississippi Department of Corrections, ending a nearly six-year-long homicide case that saw a mother and daughter both sent to prison.
Site prep for Confederate monument relocation underway
The future home of the Confederate monument that was erected on the grounds of the Lowndes County Courthouse in 1912 is located in the southwest section of Friendship Cemetery, near the graves of unknown Confederate soldiers.
Community garden expanding at site on 31st Avenue North
Columbus is getting an expanded community garden for fresh-grown produce for residents to enjoy.
Vibrant pastor resigns amid harassment allegations
Vibrant Church lead pastor Jason Delgado has resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment.
The church announced the resignation through letters from both Delgado and Vibrant’s board of trustees posted on the church website.
Report: Deputy fired at moving vehicle after suspect rammed his patrol unit
A Lowndes County deputy Friday fired his service weapon at the moving vehicle of a suspect who had rammed into his patrol unit, according to a Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office investigative report.
Brooks: City needs stronger blight removal program, more data-driven policing
Trip Hairston, president of the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors, was skeptical of Columbus’ effort to form a Crime Prevention Task Force when he first read about it in the newspaper.
Hosemann: New federal funds should change state’s trajectory
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann covered all the tenses during his visit to Columbus Tuesday, noting the progress made during the 2021 legislative session, which ended on April 1, the plans he is working on presently and looking far beyond the present as state leaders ponder how to spend what he called the greatest infusion of federal money in Mississippi history.
CMSD paving projects could cost $1.4 million
New board president, old business.
In her first meeting as president of the Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees, Yvonne Cox considered an issue that first came before the board in 2018.
Smith staying in mayor’s race
Less than a week after Mayor Robert Smith announced he is working from home, he said Monday his re-election campaign operations are resuming.
Monday Profile: CHS sophomore fights stereotypes through poetry
Sitting in his 10th grade English class, Columbus resident Demarius Donelson watched a Tik Tok titled “the danger of a single story.”
No one injured in Lowndes officer-involved shooting
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is looking into a shooting involving a Lowndes County sheriff’s deputy, according to a press release the sheriff’s office issued Friday.
Mayor says he’s ‘feeling better,’ working from home
Columbus Mayor Robert Smith announced Thursday he is “feeling better every day” and working from home while he recovers from a brief hospitalization in February.
De-masking: ‘The next step for back to normal’
Gloria Herriott said business at Hollyhocks Gift Shop has been booming in just the last few days.
The change, she said, coincides with her ending the mask-wearing requirements in the gift store she owns on Fifth Street in Columbus.
Gavin embraces ambitious projects in mayor seat
Every week day by 9 a.m. since Feb. 22, Vice Mayor Bill Gavin has set up shop in the conference room just off Mayor Robert Smith’s office at City Hall downtown.
From there, he oversees meetings with city department heads, takes phone calls from citizens and addresses issues throughout Columbus whenever they cross his — temporary — desk.
DiCicco defeats Gavin to claim Ward 6 council seat
Starting July 1, Ward 6 will have a new representative on the Columbus City Council.
Columbus ends mask-wearing mandate
Columbus City Council lifted its citywide mask mandate at its regular meeting Tuesday night, though not without some tense back and forth between two council members.
Noon Tunes returns to downtown Columbus today
The Main Street Columbus Noon Tunes Concert Series will return for its 13th year on Wednesdays in April.
Brooks, Sanders clash over board appointments
During its Monday meeting, the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors made five board appointments, returning four of five current board members to their positions. But it was the one position that went to a new applicant that drew pointed comments from District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks over how the appointment process was handled.
City looks to federal funding for $3.5M in infrastructure projects
Columbus officials plan to make a pitch to congressional representatives for funding of up to four infrastructure projects that would improve streets and drainage in the city.
Monday Profile: Rico ‘The Sonic Guy’ brings fresh ideas to fast food mainstay
Many customers arrive at the Sonic Drive-In on U.S. Highway 45 in Columbus ready to buy a large Diet Coke or an order of mozzarella sticks. Inside is General Manager Rico Collins, not dictating his employees’ duties but instead assisting them in cooking, making drinks or whatever help they may need at the moment.
