A rose to the Columbus police officers involved in the incident Wednesday morning involving local businessman George Young, who was taken by gunpoint from his Waterworks Road gas station, George”s BP, and forced to drive to local banks in an attempt to get money. Local convicted felon Demarquis Sentrell Tate, 21, is accused of the crime.
Within hours, officers were able to spot the car and foil the alleged kidnapping and robbery without firing a shot — this despite reports that Tate was armed with a revolver. (Officers did use a Taser on Tate, who did not point his gun at officers, when he attempted to flee.)
Columbus should be proud of the policework, professionalism, and grace under pressure exhibited by officers during this hectic search, chase and arrest.
A rose to the U.S. Air Force, and specifically to the Columbus Air Force Base”s 14th Flying Training Wing, for its Wings Over Columbus air show Saturday and today. In addition to the stellar show for the public, the military was spreading the love behind the scenes this week. Air Force Thunderbirds members visited students at Columbus High School his week, and also did a private aerial show for several Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi and Catch-A-Dream kids and their families on Friday.
We”d love to see the Columbus air show become an annual event.
A rose to Trooper James Burrow, of Shannon, who was named Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop G Trooper of the Year during a ceremony this week thrown by the Columbus Exchange Club at the Columbus Country Club.
At 55, Burrow has been a trooper only two years, realizing a lifelong dream of his after a career as a truck driver. He”s made up for lost time, earning “100 Club” honors both years for 100 DUI stops.
The Trooper of the Year is nominated and elected by fellow troopers. Troop G is based in Starkville.
A rose to the volunteers, vendors, shoppers and organizations that make area farmers” markets happen. Both the Hitching Lot Farmers” Market and the Starkville Community Market kicked off their 2010 seasons Saturday morning. And though the produce pickin”s are just starting to trickle in, there was plenty to see and do. In Columbus Paul Brady provided mellow sounds and Mississippi State University associate Extension professor Dr. Lelia Kelly Saturday gave a workshop on cooking with herbs. In Starkville, the market in its new downtown location at the corner of Jackson and Lampkin Streets has as its centerpiece a 20-by-20 foot pavilion donated by Gulf States Manufacturing. These markets not only provide a welcome source of healthy, locally produced food, crafts and entertainment, they offer an opportunity for people to mix and mingle in a wholesome environment. And our communities are better for it. The markets are well worth rolling out of bed for on a Saturday morning.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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