Outgoing council OKs conference travel for incoming officials
City and county officials both approved travel requests this week for upcoming conferences, but the decisions sparked pushback about missed deadlines and increased costs.
Man flees deputies, hides fentanyl on store shelf
A Columbus man was arrested Tuesday after fleeing a drug-related traffic stop and hiding fentanyl powder in a nearby store shelf.
City backs down in legal tilt with AT&T over tower
The city is backing down from the lawsuit AT&T filed against it earlier this year, clearing the way for the company to build a 5G cellular tower at Moore Creek near the Roger Short Soccer Complex.
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.”
Two earn promotions at Dispatch; new reporter joins staff
Two Dispatch reporters recently earned promotions, and a new reporter has joined the newsroom.
Mother claims 3-year-old was left alone in day care van for 45 minutes
Columbus police are investigating an incident in which a 3-year-old was reportedly left alone inside a hot van Thursday for nearly an hour.
Girls learn tools of the trade at FORGE construction camp
Across the country, women make up only 11.5% of payroll employees in the construction industry.
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.
Friendship flourishes at Mississippi Governor’s School
How do you make a boat out of pool noodles, cardboard, other scraps and some duct tape in 90 minutes?
Students cast in Civil Rights-era film set in Lowndes County
Columbus Middle School theater teacher Chelsea Petty was teaching class one day when she got a message from the front office.
CMSD appointed board seat converting to elected position
The Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees is set to turn one of its five appointed seats into an elected one come November due to an increase in the number of students living outside city limits but inside the district’s territory.
Klosterman invests in local history with antiques, antebellum home
Columbus is home to a lot of history and beautiful buildings, but also to potential.
Black Men’s Mental Health Conference to return to Columbus
Since losing her father to suicide in 2019, Camillia Harris has dedicated her life to breaking the silence around the mental health struggles Black men face.
Incumbents qualify for re-election in special House races
Two state House districts in the Golden Triangle will hold special elections this fall as part of a court-ordered redistricting effort to ensure Black voters are fairly represented.
Rotary Club of Columbus donates $15K toward area youth programs
May was Youth Services Month for Rotary International, a global network of more than 1.2 million community leaders and problem-solvers whose motto is Service Above Self.
Lightning strikes twice: Second winning lottery ticket sold
For the second time in a week, a ticket purchased at a Columbus convenience store led to a win in the Mississippi Match 5 lottery.
What does it mean to a city’s identity when its institutions are lost?
Empty desks stacked in pairs line the walls of a classroom. Boxes labeled with black marker and packed with end-of-the-year clutter fill the corners, destined for another school. On the whiteboard, “Good bye Franklin” is written in looping letters.
$1.2M lottery ticket sold at Columbus store
Five lucky numbers on a ticket bought at a Columbus convenience store scored someone $1.2 million in Wednesday night’s drawing for the largest Mississippi Match 5 lottery.
Veteran finds flags in trash at Friendship Cemetery
About 30 people gathered at Friendship Cemetery on May 24 to place small, decorative flags at veterans graves in commemoration of Memorial Day.
Jelly Roll to perform at Jeffery Simmons Community Fun Day
July 3, 2025
By
