Possumhaw: Of Cats and Dogs
At the age of 6 or 7 I was the only child at home.
Letter to the editor: Andrew Whitten
Lessons to learn from the Gestapo The reason I ask this question is that my 17-year-old granddaughter has never heard of the Gestapo. Really, that
Bobby Harrison: Democrats have found success in other states. Can they find it here against Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith?
One variation of an old saying goes, “If ifs and ands were pots and pans, there’d be no work for tinkers,” and another goes, “If a frog had wings he wouldn’t bump his backside when he jumps.”
Thom Caraccio: Barnacle Bob’s last day at work
Several months after I left Warner Brothers working three months on the Sean Connery film “Just Cause,” I got a phone call from a friend who had been hired by the art department at Universal Studios in Orlando. He was assigned to the fairly new TV show “Seaquest.”
Roses and Thorns: 1-10-26
A rose to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for renovating and improving facilities at Lake Lowndes State Park. Over the next few
Slimantics: Wanted posters: LCSO’s missed opportunity
It does not seem that terribly long ago that an organization with a social media presence was something of a novelty. Today, we can scarcely think of any organization, public or private, that does not use these profiles to engage the public.
Slimantics: A canine solution for our troubled land
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about dogs and their influence on interpersonal relationships.
Raymond Barranco: Making people care again and no “wasted” votes
In the 20th Century, entrenched warfare was confined to the battlefield. In the 21st, it has moved into the political arena.
Our View: Why Columbus’ fossil park is already a success story
Some things seem destined for success even when they are little more than an idea.
Possumhaw: The Cleaning Woman
Back in the 2000’s I wrote a few short stories published in short story books. Since I mentioned a few New Year’s Resolutions last week, I thought I’d share an excerpt about my friend Margaret.
Our View: America’s 250th comes at the right time
By now, saying our nation is bitterly divided has almost become a cliche, as obvious as noting that the sky is blue. Each news cycle seems to offer something new that further polarizes the people and inflames passions to the point that we are tempted to see each other as enemies.
Roses and Thorns: 1-3-26
A rose to our Salvation Army chapters in Columbus and Starkville, both of whom are expected to fall short in the annual Red Kettle campaigns.
Thom Caraccio: Blame the name game
Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal, Morocco, Germany, France, New Zealand, Sweden, Malaysia, and Japan.
Ask Rufus: A jigsaw puzzle of Columbus history
I am frequently asked where I find the details of the stories in my column.
Slimantics: A bold new plan for keeping New Year’s resolutions
We are now one day into the new year, often referred to as 2026, and I suspect those among you who make New Year’s resolutions are feeling pretty smug and confident at this point. Not to rain on anybody’s parade, but 90% of those who make New Year’s resolutions don’t achieve their goals. Most resolutionaries are setting themselves up for failure.
Jiben Roy: Columnist on columnist
I have been writing columns in The Dispatch since 2013, while Birney Imes was at the helm. In fact, he helped and encouraged me in my column writing. I have written hundreds of columns and am still writing in my mother tongue, as I have since my college days.
Slimantics: Stop the press: The end of an era
For most readers, when the presses in the bowels of The Commercial Dispatch fell forever silent Tuesday evening, the moment passed without distinction or emotion.
Possumhaw: Nearing the New Year
The next two days will go by quickly. Tomorrow will be New Year’s Eve, bringing in an entirely new year full of who knows what? Our Christmas was nice and quiet, and I hope your Christmas was a good one as well. The day after Christmas we drove north to spend a brief bit of time with a lovely family member who now lives far away.
Letter: Remembering Thomas Lee Sr.
Sometimes we have to go back to a point of reference to see how far we have really come. Thomas Lee Sr., I will surely
Roses and Thorns: 12-27-25
A rose to Memorial Funeral Home for its annual Nativity scene and the live sheep that have fascinated children for nearly 58 years. The Nativity
Deputies searching for two suspects in Sunday double homicide
June 29, 2025
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