Thom Caraccio: Care and feeding of your musician
I remember the day I stood in front of the mirror – 14 years old – with the $15 pawn shop guitar I had just acquired, mimicking the Beatles who I had just seen on Ed Sullivan.
Ask Rufus: Ghost steamers of the Tombigbee
For 97 years, between 1823 and 1920, steamboats plied the Tombigbee between Columbus or Aberdeen and Mobile.
Jiben Roy: True happiness
Who doesn’t want to be happy? Happiness is not only for humans, but for the animal kingdom too. Human happiness, in general, can be based on different issues, outcomes, and sources.
Sid Salter: New non-fiction book: October is a busy month for Mississippi author John Grisham
A self-described “just about full-time grandparent” to three grandchildren, bestselling Mississippi author John Grisham is a few months shy of his 70th birthday – some facts that belie his packed calendar this month.
Possumhaw: Cotton pickin’
Last week Wilhelmina and I sat on the porch watching the crop duster sweeping over the cotton field. Wilhelmina is a scaredy cat; she thinks a big swooping yellow bird is going to get her.
Thom Caraccio: Time… it’s all about the math
I went to the doctor recently for the follow up to my physical.
He took me into a little exam room to speak privately.
Ask Rufus: The Vienna Landing
For those who are interested in history, there are some real gems to be found in the Billups Garth Archives of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library.
Jiben Roy: Die-hard supporters
There are pros and cons in becoming die-hard supporters of anything or system. I am not much active on Facebook. For the last three months I posted two dictums in addition to posting my column published in The Dispatch.
Slimantics: Do your own research on doing your own research
Years from now, when history has broadened our perspective on the COVID-19 epidemic, one of the greatest residuals of the event will be a broad rejection of science and expertise through platforms that promote and encourage conspiracies to refute unpleasant truths.
Sid Salter: Election-year rhetoric on U.S. crime doesn’t exactly match the numbers in crime data
On the stump and in the presidential campaign ad wars, crime remains a hot topic election-year rhetoric on crime doesn’t exactly match the numbers in federal crime data. And to no one’s surprise, both Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris have bent crime data numbers to fit their campaign narratives.
Slimantics: Fitch’s dangerous lie is an echo from history
As far as I can tell, there’s not much to be known about Deotis McMather, even though his photo is one of the iconic images of the AIDS epidemic. I looked around the internet and could not find any other information on him.
Possumhaw: Living with the wild
It was another early morning when I slipped out to the porch. In the distance there was a light fog on the lake and a haziness hanging in the air. The temperature was around 65 degrees and very pleasant.
Thom Caraccio: The Possum Town Tour of 2024
This is a different column than usual, but you’ll have to indulge me in this big flight of nostalgia. I’m kind of on a memory high.
Ask Rufus: Where’s that name from?
Sunday afternoon the Tombigbee pedestrian bridge will reopen with a ribbon cutting and celebration.
Jiben Roy: To live one day at a time
While standing in a checkout line at Walmart, I noticed a recent People magazine cover page. It featured a quote from singer Celine Dion: “I live one day at a time.”
Stephen Jones: What has The Old Guard done for you lately?
There is a dark cloud over Columbus and it has been present for more than forty years. That dark cloud is the embodiment of the term “The Old Guard.”
Gail Thompson: Take the time now to be prepared
Due to the devastation resulting from Hurricane Helene across the US, I encourage everyone to do the following: 1. Ready yourself and your loved ones to withstand a disaster for one week; 2. Volunteer to respond in your community during a disaster; 3. Volunteer to respond across the nation during a disaster.
Sid Salter: Serving in all three government branches, Pittman changed as Mississippi changed
Former Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Edwin Lloyd Pittman was an effective, honorable and influential Mississippi public servant whose views and actions changed – particularly on the issue of race – as those of his constituents changed.
Possumhaw: Where has the meadow gone
One evening last week at the edge of twilight where the sun was sinking beyond the tree line Sam stepped out on the porch. He leaned back inside and whispered, “Come see the deer in silhouette at the edge of the lake.”
Thom Caraccio: Old stars is the new stars
Yeah, I’m old. But I have grown to accept it.
Deputies searching for two suspects in Sunday double homicide
June 29, 2025
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