Letter: Separation of church and state
Our founders vividly understood the tyranny of religious government. For perspective, envision the Taliban or Iran’s supreme leader. Christians have not been immune. “No one
Letter: Response to Donahoe column
I’d like to take exception to some of the issues and statements raised by Barrett Donahoe in the Wednesday Commercial Dispatch. Mr. Donahoe seems upset
Our View: Why the library remains a community cornerstone
On Saturday, the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library will join thousands of other libraries in a program that would have delighted Benjamin Franklin.
Our View: Addressing the hidden roots of premature death
When Rosie Lee Harris of Columbus celebrated her 103rd birthday Monday, it prompted a familiar question: Why do some people live far beyond the normal life expectancy?
Slimantics: Ms. Rosie’s birthday makes her Living Black History
Friends and family gathered at Rosie Lee Harris’ Columbus home Monday afternoon to celebrate her birthday. It was a pretty good turnout. Columbus mayor Stephen Jones and police chief Joseph Daughtry even stopped by to honor the occasion.
Letter: Appreciates letter about Robert Smith
I want to thank Larry Watson for his letter on Robert Smith in the January 30 edition of The Dispatch. Robert E. Smith Sr. was
Possumhaw: A Quiet Winter
This column will be rather random since we spent the last few weeks being homebodies. We pulled out comforters, added warmer clothing, and covered large areas of glass windows with afghan blankets to help keep the cold out.
Roses and Thorns: 1-31-26
A rose to the organizations in the Golden Triangle celebrating Black History Month, which begins Monday. Communities across the country mark the month with educational
Local Voices: Group text
6:21 p.m.: Dr Zhivago here After 3 days no heat no water trees down ; having 2 dogs and two cats sleep in the same bed I can now have a hot bath and speak civilized ; and wear clothes fresh out of dryer
Thom Caraccio: Spoiled rotten we are
I overheard a friend of mine not long ago complaining about the sorry state of his finances. A big part of what triggered him concerned his outrage that his family would only be able to take one week’s vacation instead of the usual two.
Ask Rufus: Hunting memories
It’s that time of year when we’re leaving deer season and drifting toward turkey season.
Letter: Robert Smith’s athletic legacy
To those of you who may not be familiar with Coach Robert Smith’s résumé throughout his extraordinary career, please allow me to just say a
Our View: Autonomy is the key to securing MSMS’ future
Since it began operations in the fall of 1988, the Mississippi School for Math and Science has occupied an awkward place in the state’s public education system. Along with the other residential high school, the Mississippi School of the Arts, MSMS exists as a ward of the state’s Department of Education. It has no school board, no local funding source and owns no property.
Letter: Can you say ‘lawless’?
Lawlessness? A panicked woman swerves away from an agent she probably did not know was in front of her car, her attention being focused to
Our View: A delicate balance for Oktibbeha County’s future
One of the appeals of living outside the city limits is that property owners can do pretty much as they please with their land. That is also one of the negatives associated with rural life.
Possumhaw: Weather or not we’re together
Please don’t worry about the use of weather instead of whether the days have gone gray and cold outside, a bit of humor may lift the spirits.
Letter: Leftists and anarchy
You only need to turn the television on, read the paper or listen to the news on the radio to become aware of the lawlessness
Thom Caraccio: Win one for the gipper
The life of a bar band rock musician back in the Hedonism Era of the 70s had its major ups and downs.
Roses and Thorns: 1-24-26
A rose to Rep. Dana McLean of Columbus, who was recognized this week as an “Angel of the Year” by the nonprofit Center for Violence
Ask Rufus: Sounds of wrecks and rivers
Recently I watched a television special on the loss of the Edmond Fitzgerald on the Great Lakes and Gordon Lightfoot’s hit song about her. It made me think of another song about a wrecked boat.
Deputies searching for two suspects in Sunday double homicide
June 29, 2025
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