Lowndes County Sportsplex holds soft opening Saturday
The Lowndes County Sportsplex off Highway 82 held a soft opening Saturday, kicking off the completion of a $12 million project with a one-day baseball
Waffle House employee who allegedly stabbed customer charged with murder
Authorities have charged a Waffle House employee accused of stabbing a customer to death with murder.
Six local prep powerlifters punch tickets to state tournament
Cierra Crusoe didn’t look.
Food order argument leads to fatal stabbing of customer
Update: Authorities have identified the suspect and victim involved in a fatal stabbing at the Columbus Waffle House Wednesday morning.
Our View: Our school crisis is a community crisis
In times of crisis, it is important not to panic, but instead focus energy on a clear-eyed view of the circumstances with an emphasis on solutions.
Six local prep football players make NEMFCA All-Star Game roster
Starkville High School has three players competing, Columbus High School has two, and New Hope High School has one.
Pharmacies join effort to administer COVID vaccine
As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes increasingly available, several clinics and pharmacies in the Golden Triangle area are offering the vaccine to eligible residents.
Family Pharmacy No. 1, Family Pharmacy No. 2 and Southern Drugs are a few pharmacies in Columbus currently offering different types of the vaccine.
Gavin doesn’t expect Smith to drop out of mayor’s race; Smith mum on health status
Vice Mayor Bill Gavin publicly addressed rumors about Mayor Robert Smith’s health and extended absence from City Hall Tuesday, saying as far as he knows Smith’s health is improving and that he “doesn’t anticipate” Smith dropping out of the upcoming mayoral election.
No bad days: Local teacher, coach Kevin Stewart remembered for positive attitude during battles with cancer, COVID-19
Sitting in the truck, Kevin Stewart spoke first, breaking the short but potent silence in the cabin.
Council keeps masks, relaxes distancing restrictions
The Columbus City Council voted Friday to end social distancing and capacity restrictions for businesses and restaurants, though the city’s mask mandate will stay in place.
Judge dismisses wrongful termination suit against city by former investigator
A federal judge has dismissed without prejudice a lawsuit against the city of Columbus filed by a former Columbus Police Department investigator who alleged wrongful termination and violation of privacy.
Southsiders request more from CPD after shootings
Fourth Street South resident Japa Castro said his children have come up with a game they call “firecrackers or gunshots.”
That’s how prevalent the sound of gunshots has become in South Columbus, he told the city council at its meeting Tuesday.
He was one of a group of Southside residents who attended the meeting to raise concerns about what they said was an unprecedented increase in gun violence in their area.
Columbus COO to retire in June
Columbus Chief Operations Officer David Armstrong will retire at the end of June, he confirmed to The Dispatch earlier this week.
The city council accepted his letter of retirement and authorized Human Resources Director Pat Mitchell to advertise for his position, as part of the consent agenda at their meeting Tuesday night.
Council votes to keep mask mandate in Columbus
The city of Columbus’ mask mandate will remain in place until at least the next city council meeting in two weeks.
Council members voted 3-2 to keep the mandate and other requirements, including for businesses to post signage reminding customers to wear masks and adhere to social distancing guidelines, at their regular meeting Tuesday.
Council reappoints Shumake to school board in split vote
The city council reappointed Jo Shumake to the Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees in a 3-1 decision at its regular meeting Tuesday.
Shumake, who was first appointed to the school board in March 2016, was one of four applicants for the five-year position.
Pilgrimage canceled for second straight year
The 2021 Columbus Spring Pilgrimage has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Preservation Society of Columbus announced in a press release Monday.
Brothers wanted for questioning in Saturday shooting
Columbus police are searching for two brothers wanted for questioning in a weekend shooting that injured four people.
Four injured in Saturday shooting
Columbus police are investigating a shooting that injured four people in South Columbus Saturday afternoon.
The victims were all in a vehicle when they were shot on the 1200 block of Seventh Street South at 4:40 p.m., according to a Columbus Police Department press release.
Missed free throws cost Columbus girls in Class 5A quarterfinal against Holmes County Central
The Falcons couldn’t connect on 15 of their attempts at the stripe, and it spelled the end of a promising season.
In remembrance: Maranatha founder, pastor led fight for Kerr-McGee compensation, redevelopment
Steve Jamison built his legacy at Maranatha Faith Center in Columbus, the church he founded and served as pastor for 41 years. The section of Waterworks Road in front of the church bears the name: “Reverend Steven M. Jamison Way.”
But his broader impact in the city began not in the church, but in its parking lot, where a planned church expansion led to the discovery of creosote in the soil, confirming what people in the Memphis Town area of Northside had long suspected.