New COVID cases continue to decline in Golden Triangle
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, cases are steadily declining across Mississippi and the Golden Triangle area. This week alone, only 44 cases were reported in Clay, Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Noxubee counties.
COVID-19 numbers vastly improving throughout Golden Triangle
A year after the COVID-19 pandemic began, cases of the virus are significantly decreasing across the state and the Golden Triangle. Just more than 100 confirmed new cases total have been reported in the four-county area since Feb. 27.
School clubs adapt to pandemic limitations
On Wednesday, 18 fourth-grade students throughout Starkville sat at their computers in anticipation of what some parents say has become the highlight of the kids’ week this year — science club.
The club is a long-standing organization for fourth-grade students at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School. This year, it looks a bit different compared to previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that has not stopped club adviser and fourth-grade teacher Brooke Crosland from developing the students’ interest in STEM education through hands-on learning.
Bedz4Kidz gives children a safe place to rest and grow
“I’m a guy that believes God guides and God provides,” John Almond said with conviction. That faith has not wavered, certainly not since he was shocked to learn there were an estimated several thousand children in the Triangle area that had no bed to sleep in.
Utility companies: Brace for high bills following freezing temperatures
Starkville Utilities Department has already begun sending out some bills that charge for power used during last week’s freezing temperatures, and Director Terry Kemp said customers may be surprised by how high some of those charges are.
Bill to phase out state income tax, raise sales tax passes House
A bill that would phase out the state income tax in Mississippi and reduce sales tax on groceries, while raising the general sales taxes, is getting some pushback from local business owners and at least one local legislator who say it would seriously harm retailers.
Thousands without power in Golden Triangle, surrounding area
Nearly 9,000 of 4-County Electric Power Association’s members are without power after a second winter storm brought rain, light snow and icy conditions to the region Wednesday night.
Winter storm: One fatality, dozens of minor accidents reported on icy roads
After a quiet Monday of responding to only three accidents and several more calls of stranded motorists, Mississippi Highway Patrol officers are investigating two crashes and have responded to more than 40 calls for service since Tuesday morning, due to icy roads caused by the winter storm.
“All of a sudden, people kind of don’t want to stay at home or something,” said MHP spokesperson Sgt. Derrick Beckom.
COVID vaccinations rescheduled for mass sites
COVID-19 vaccinations at Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus and the Mississippi Horse Park in Oktibbeha County that were scheduled for today are canceled.
Weather Update: Area schools to continue virtual-only classes due to weather
Classes in the Columbus Municipal School District and the Lowndes County School District will be held virtually on Wednesday.
One death reported in wreck; utility companies continue dealing with outages during freeze
Update: The victim of a fatal car crash in Oktibbeha County Monday evening has been identified.
EMA directors report hazardous driving conditions, potential for power outages
By Monday morning, the impact of the winter storm was already emerging, Oktibbeha County Emergency Management Agency Director Kristin Campanella said.
“We have very hazardous road conditions everywhere in the county with wrecks reported on both the east and west sides of Starkville,” Campanella said.
A safe, socially-distanced Valentine’s rush
Just like the week of Valentine’s Day every year, the line ran outside the door Wednesday afternoon at The Flower Company on Lampkin Street in Starkville.
Flowers have always been a prominent part of Valentine’s Day, and this year is no different aside from everyone wearing a mask in line and only 10 people being allowed into the store at a time.
‘We need to talk’: Libraries help inspire conversations about race relations during Black History Month
As Youth Services Librarian Jayme Evans selected books to highlight in February at West Point’s Bryan Public Library, she kept in mind that Black History Month should mean more than simply knowing the names of some famous black people and being able to memorize a quote by Martin Luther King Jr.
Animal shelters trying to bounce back from ‘crazy’ 2020
It’s been almost a year since COVID-19 arrived in the Golden Triangle, a year Lowndes County Humane Society Director Karen Johnwick described as a journey from “crazy” to “normal” during her appearance Thursday’s Columbus Exchange Club luncheon at Lion Hills Center.
Area legislators split on alcohol delivery bill
State legislators are considering a bill that would legalize home delivery of some alcohol products.
Senate Bill 2804, if passed, would allow package stores and delivery service providers to purchase $500 permits from the Alcoholic Beverage Control under the state Department of Revenue to deliver “beer, light wine or light spirit products,” the bill says.
New COVID cases continue to drop in Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties
New COVID-19 cases are continuing to fall in parts of the Golden Triangle, in keeping with state and national trends.
Despite statewide issues, area LTC vaccinations ‘smooth’
While state health director Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Friday efforts to vaccinate the state’s roughly 51,000 residents of long-term care facilities has been sluggish so far, a sampling of local LTCs suggests much better results in the Golden Triangle.
Past week sees fewer new COVID cases in Golden Triangle
All four Golden Triangle counties are seeing fewer new COVID-19 cases per week after several weeks of sharp spikes, according to Mississippi State Department of Health data.
MLK Day in the year of COVID
In typical times, Martin Luther King Jr. Day would find Anna Jones circulating among a crowd gathered in West Point for a procession. When blessed with good weather, the march can draw up to 300 participants, Jones said.
