Thom Caraccio: How we die in Dixieland

“If any of you cry at my funeral, I will never speak to you again.”

— Stan Laurel

I know, not exactly a cheery subject while you’re drinking your morning coffee, but it’s part of life for everyone. No exceptions.

Ask Rufus: The Dr. John M ‘Jack’ Kaye Cretaceous Fossil Park

At the Columbus City Council meeting last Tuesday, the Columbus fossil park being developed in Propst Park was officially named The Dr. John “Jack” Kaye Cretaceous Fossil Park.

James Lindsey: Officers have the toughest job they could love

I am a deputy sheriff with the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department and have been for the past 25 years. The reason I am writing this is because recently my wife and I were in a local restaurant in Starkville having dinner. I was off duty and in plain clothing.

Slimantics: When the world changes faster than your major

I met Kevin in the fall of 1980, when we were suitemates at Suttle Hall at Mississippi State. He was one of those people who planned their lives to the finest details. At this particular moment, his career path was his greatest priority. He was going to be a petroleum engineer, which seemed oddly specific to me.

Possumhaw: One deputy’s story

Years ago, I was chairman of the Oktibbeha County Salvation Army Advisory Board. The Starkville police chief was also on board. We came up with a program providing clothing, food, medicines, and other needs for inmates as they did their time and moved on.

Daniel L. Gardner: International relations is about business, not politics

Politicians and political movements are only interested in staying in power. President Obama didn’t care about President Putin’s move to take Crimea.

Thom Caraccio: Give me a sign… now!

From the world of movie production.

You probably think of the motion picture industry as a fairly modern thing, but in reality it’s a pretty old business seeped in all kinds of traditions with its own outdated jargon and words. Titles like “best boy” and “grip” date from the 19th century.

Ask Rufus: The theft of the Steamboat Alice

One of the more interesting river stories out of Columbus was the theft in 1880 of the steamboat Alice from under the nose of the Lowndes County sheriff.

Daniel L. Gardner: Mankind’s uneasy peace

Before his second term, President Trump had four years to clean shop and reload. Now we are well on our way to leading the world toward stability and an uneasy peace.

Possumhaw: The name game

Okay, most of my friends who are about my age or older confess how hard it is to remember all the names of people we know or people we have known for our entire lives. That can be pretty embarrassing if suddenly you can’t remember your neighbor’s son’s name who went off to college and now lives somewhere in Montana.

Thom Caraccio: Grandma’s long distance romance with Oral Roberts

The last thing I would ever do is disparage the name Oral Roberts.

Jiben Roy: Need a vaccine to make people civilized

Under the present Government, there have been changes in the U.S. vaccine program. Our Health Secretary is a longtime anti-vaccine activist. Thus, there were budget cuts, including pulling out of global initiatives.

Trump’s leadership is exemplary so far

During the 2024 campaign for president, “experts” predicted an avalanche of bad news for a Trump 2.0 presidency including health concerns for the Commander in Chief. As you might imagine before 2024 ended experts were predicting worldwide economic crises tumbling one after another due to Trump’s tariffs and deals. Of course, all the experts predicted soaring inflation and a worldwide recession.

Possumhaw: Heat wave warning, no rain

My goodness, it’s been a long hot summer. All summer long there’s been heat advisories and warnings for extended periods. The heat indices have ranged from 100F degrees to 120F in parts of Mississippi.

Possumhaw: Back at the Prairie

If you’re a nature person living in the Prairie, it’s a wonderful place to live. Every morning you can wake up to the sounds of birds singing. Looking out the windows or sitting on the porch you can watch birds flit from tree to tree.

Thom Caraccio: J.R. was a worse (censored) than you even thought

From my box of movie making memories.

Back in 1993, I was hired as a graphic artist / sign writer for what was to be a TV pilot Called “Staying Afloat” starring Larry Hagman (“Dallas”).

Ask Rufus: Buccaneers of the Black Prairie

When you hear the term “buccaneers,” visions of swashbuckling pirates of the Caribbean come to mind. However, that term is rooted in barbecue. Few people realize how close history and barbecue are tied.

Jiben Roy: Love, not hatred

I am starting my writing with relevant lines from Indian poet and actor Sabyasachi Chowdhury: