Former police chief shoots neighbor’s dog, says he was justified

Amanda Pippins Brown was lounging at home after work March 19 when her children ran inside the house screaming.

Reunited Pilgrimage starts next week under CVB direction

While Spring Pilgrimage has been divided between two groups in recent years, the historic homes of Columbus are about to be on display together again.

Teen arrested following November school bus shooting

Another Columbus teenager has been charged in connection to a shooting that struck a school bus Nov. 18 on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Brooks outraises Jones 3-to-1 in mayoral primary campaign

Leroy Brooks has outraised his opponent by a near 3-to-1 margin ahead of Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary.

‘The Funeral is Cancelled’ looks to open eyes to cycle of violence

Brittany Wilson has felt the effects violence has had on youth in her family. From losing her godson to violence to counseling her child who was bullied at school, she understands how frustrating it can be to be stuck in that cycle.

93% of surveyed MSMS students favor MUW proposal

In a recent schoolwide survey gathering MSMS students’ feedback on the Mississippi University for Women’s and Mississippi State University’s proposals to house MSMS, a majority of responding Blue Waves said they preferred MUW’s plan.

Republican Ward 6 candidates want to fix drainage, connect with LINK

If there’s one thing Ward 6 Republican candidates Kimberly McCarty Davis and Jason Spears both want to do if they’re elected, it’s cleaning out the ditches.

Students prepare to step back in time for 35th Tales from the Crypt event

The past meets the present this year in the 35th annual Tales from the Crypt as students prepare to bring history to life at Friendship Cemetery.

Sim Scott shooting lands Stikky behind bars

A Columbus man wanted in connection to a Sunday night shooting at Sim Scott Park is in police custody.

Education: CMSD chief resource officer teaches students about dangers of drugs, violence

Natashea Brown, chief school resource officer for Columbus Municipal School District, has begun teaching the 10-week Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence program. L.E.A.D. is a nationwide nonprofit that works with communities to help students understand the dangers of drugs and violence.

Education: Exploring cybersecurity

Education: MSMS junior named to state Lions Band

Jimin Kim, a junior from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, has earned a coveted spot in the Mississippi Lions Band, an honor reserved for the most talented young musicians in the state.

Ask The Dispatch: Where can Lowndes County seniors turn following Dial-A-Bus closure?

The Lowndes County Council on Aging is closing Friday after 54 years of operations. With it, the Dial-A-Bus free transportation service and home-delivered meal programs will also cease.

Community Profile: Citizen looks to bring ‘pride’ back to Columbus

George Lowe Sr. was at the football field at Columbus High School a few years ago for a spring practice game when he saw a group of young men talking on the sidelines.

Thousands of cats saved by Operation Colony Cats, thousands more to go

For three days, a stray orange cat named Maisie limped through Hamilton with a raccoon trap clamped to her leg. By the time she was found on someone’s property, her leg was barely attached to her body.

MUW: Raising fees on MSMS to $1.3M reflects ‘actual cost’

Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science may not be in Columbus for much longer. But Mississippi University for Women wants more money from the state to host the school for the time it remains there.

Dispatch reporter recognized for her college journalism work

Dispatch reporter Cadence Harvey was recognized this week for work published in 2024 in The Reflector, when she was part of the student newspaper’s staff at Mississippi State University.

No disciplinary action taken yet for city employee who hit pedestrian at crosswalk

A public works employee driving a city-owned truck that hit a pedestrian at the intersection of Second Avenue North and Fifth Street North has not yet been disciplined, pending the results of an investigation.