Benefit Rodeo ropes in community support
On Friday night, the bleachers at the Lowndes County Extension Service Arena were packed for the first night of the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo.
Dispatch brings home top editorial, ad awards
The Dispatch staff took home 61 awards, including first in General Excellence in its audience class in both editorial and advertising, during the Mississippi Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest.
Panola sheriff, wife sue Columbus Substacker for libel
The Panola County sheriff and his wife are suing a Columbus-based Substack writer for libel.
Imes takes gavel as press association board president
Peter Imes, publisher for The Commercial Dispatch, has been elected president for the Mississippi Press Association Board of Directors for 2026-27.
Letter from within CPD calls for chief’s removal
Some officers at the Columbus Police Department have called for Chief Joseph Daughtry’s removal, citing a pattern of retaliation, favoritism and declining morale in the department – allegations Daughtry said he has not heard before.
Learning the law: Sheriff’s Academy aims to steer students away from trouble early
Austin Minor, a seventh-grader at New Hope Middle School, has dreamed of one day becoming an attorney and working in tandem with law enforcement.
Golden Triangle Theatre summer camp brings ‘Grease’ to Columbus
More than 25 Golden Triangle Theatre campers glided across the stage of Lyceum at Lee Wednesday afternoon, practicing synchronized choreography for “Grease Lightning” in anticipation of their weekend performances of “Grease.”
Speeding concerns become focus at Ward 2 town hall
James Rice, who has lived on Maple Street for 26 years, said he’s tired of seeing cars racing in front of his home in East Columbus.
Community Profile: Caledonia coach hangs up whistle after 25 years
Not everyone winds up spending their entire career doing what they love, and Jason Forrester, a longtime teacher and coach at Caledonia, said he’s glad to be a part of that small group.
Bodycam shows passenger tried to exit car before fatal crash
At a Tuesday traffic stop on Airline Road, the 16-year-old unlicensed driver was not following instructions to keep his hands where a Columbus police officer could see them.
Colom prioritizing lower costs, good jobs, affordable health care in state
In 2025, about 27 million people in the United States were medically uninsured, a number that is expected to increase by 10 million in the next decade due to tightened Medicaid eligibility, changes to enrollment processes and a loss of enhanced Affordable Care Act plan subsidies.
Green joins Dispatch staff as general assignment reporter
Paloma Green has joined The Dispatch newsroom staff as a general assignment reporter.
City, county form committee to solve jail dispute
Neither the city nor county left a joint meeting Friday of the county board of supervisors and Columbus City Council with a check in-hand, but officials from both entities believe the financial disputes between them are well on their way to being resolved.
Man behind bars after allegedly holding girlfriend hostage for four days
A Columbus man was arrested Thursday for allegedly holding his girlfriend against her will in his residence for four days. Emerson Samel Rodriquez, 33, is
Extra tax break for solar farms could cost Lowndes $840K in lost revenue
Officials are raising the alarm about a 2025 tax law regarding solar developments that could cost the county – and nearly 30 other counties across the state – hundreds of thousands in lost tax revenue.
City grant writer resigns: toxic work environment
The city’s grant writer and administrator has had enough.
Kids Entrepreneur Con provides marketplace for aspiring entrepreneurs
Savannah Lewis has big plans for the prize money she might win by selling her homemade sourdough and handmade jewelry and paintings: to advance her business and save money so she can do mission work.
1 dead, 3 injured after car allegedly flees CPD traffic stop
A Columbus man died and three others were injured in a single-vehicle crash Tuesday night after the driver allegedly fled a Columbus Police Department traffic stop.
Above the Clouds: My ride in the sky with ‘Slick’ the CAFB pilot
Surprisingly, the takeoff in a T-6 Texan II from Columbus Air Force Base doesn’t feel too different from the rumble of a commercial airline’s ascent.
Heated council discusses job performance of multiple key positions
The bulk of Tuesday’s city council meeting at the Municipal Complex played out behind closed doors, with little action to show for the hour-plus executive session when it finally adjourned.
