Photos: Candlelight vigil in Artesia
Tessie Poindexter, the mother of Mauricio Nance; Christina Bell, Mauricio’s sister-in-law; and other community members gather with candles during a vigil Friday at the Community Center in Artesia for the victims of a Tuesday triple homicide victims.
Photos: Christmas in the Golden Triangle
Lucia Tofts, 7, decorates a gingerbread house Wednesday afternoon at The Haven, an antebellum home in downtown Columbus. The house’s owner Vonnie Moody hosted Gingerbread Houses at The Haven.
Photos: Columbus Christmas Parade
The Grinch made an appearance in the annual Columbus Christmas Parade to the delight of groups of screaming, excited children.
Photos: Halloween fun
Bryson Parker, 3, gets candy from Janie Ashcraft during the Boo Parade in downtown Columbus Wednesday morning. Bryson is the son of Ashely Parker. He attends St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Photos: Kerr-McGee silent march
A group of about 75 Columbus residents participated in a silent march Thursday evening to protest the handling of the Tronox/Kerr-McGee settlement.
Photos: A football weekend in Starkville
The All-American Rejects take the stage in front of thousands of fans at Starkville’s annual downtown festival, Bulldog Bash, Friday.
Photos: Sturgis Bike Rally
Luke Thomas, of Louisville, sits on a motorcycle belonging to his grandfather, David Metts, during the Sturgis Bike Rally on Saturday. Hundreds of people were drawn to the rally on Saturday, despite poor weather that lingered through the day.
Photos: Island Paddle Fest
About 25 participants in the Island Paddle Fest cross under a bridge on the Tombigbee River Saturday morning. The Lowndes County Imagination Library hosted the 5.5-mile kayak, canoe and paddle board race at the Columbus Riverwalk.
Photos: Eighth of May Emancipation Celebration
Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science junior Samantha Anderson of Terry sings “Feeling Good” during the annual Eighth of May Emancipation Celebration at Sandfield Cemetery Tuesday. The production of the MSMS African-American History class and MSMS Voices in Harmony choir performed historical stories and songs that explored 19th- and early-20th-century African-American leaders in Columbus and the surrounding area.
Photos: Field of Dreams
Mississippi University for Women softball player Katlyn Duke, left, runs next to Ethan Weeks, 7, and David Phillips as they make their way around the bases at the new handicap-accessible Field of Dreams at Propst Park. Ethan and David are both players for the Challenger League and the team played their first game at the new field Saturday. Ethan is the son of Matt and Meredith Weeks. David is the son of Martha Phillips of Columbus.
Photos: Market Street Festival 2018
Brody Snider, 7, serves a beach ball back into the crowd at the Columbus Riverwalk during the Tropical Paradise concert to kick off Market Street Festival Friday. Attendees arrived in their best beach attire to hear the Mississippi Lions All-State Band and the official and original Jimmy Buffet Tribute band, A1A, perform. Brody is the son of Billy and Roxanne Snider of Columbus.
Photos: Women’s basketball celebration
Mississippi State University senior women’s basketball player Victoria Vivians waves to fans after arriving in downtown Starkville on top of a city fire truck for the MSU women’s basketball team celebration parade Friday during the Hail State Family Party.
Photo: ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’
Annunciation Catholic School student Paulina Leyva, 14, daughter of Armando Leyva and Samantha Olivares, sings during a performance of “The Wizard of Oz” Thursday at the school’s gym. ACS will put on another showing tonight at 6:30 p.m. At left, playing Toto, is Delia Lochala, 12, daughter of Lacey Sherman and Brent Lochala of Columbus. At right, as the Scarecrow, is Sarah Hippensteel, 14, daughter of Steven and Lyn Hippensteel of Columbus.
Photos: International Fiesta
Zheng Jane Guo, 6, pulls her arm warmers over her traditional Chinese clothing before going on stage to perform a dance during the 28th annual International Fiesta at Mississippi State University’s Drill Field Saturday. Zheng is the daughter of Rui and Li Guo. The event invited the public to celebrate world cultures and experience live performances, national attire, children’s games and international cuisine.
Photos: Victory Celebration Parade
Columbus High School basketball players carry their trophy during the Victory Celebration Parade in downtown Columbus Thursday evening. The parade celebrated the state championship boys’ basketball teams from CHS and Heritage Academy.
Photos: A hero’s welcome
Mississippi State University women’s basketball senior guard Morgan William hugs Owens Cade, 6, Monday during the team’s welcome home after playing in the NCAA women’s national championship game in Columbus, Ohio. Owens is the son of Willy and Jessica Cade.
Photos: Happy Easter
Living Pictures cast members perform the Easter story during a dress rehearsal at Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus Thursday evening. This is the thirty-first year the church has put on the program. It will be open to the public at 6:30 p.m. today.
Photos: Patriotic send-off
Supporters, family and friends of local National Guard members gather alongside Highway 12 in Starkville to say their goodbyes to those leaving for deployment from the National Guard Armory Monday. Kennedi Jones, 6, watches as her father’s bus drives by. “I love my dad. I’m gonna write him lots of letters,” she said. She is the daughter of Constance McFarland and Childon Jones of Aberdeen.
Photos: A night of music and dancing
Rebecca Leftwich is dipped by her husband, Chase Leftwich, during a concert put on by Gill Harris and the Big Band Theory at Trotter Convention Center Friday. “We are a little rusty but we were excited to come here to dance together again to a live band,” Rebecca said. The couple, who live on Columbus Air Force Base, met while taking dance lessons when they lived in Utah and have been swing dancing ever since.
Photos: Keeping Christmas
Tonight there may not be a creature stirring, but in the days leading up to Christmas, the young and young-at-heart have been active. Excitement has filled the air at parades, tree lightings and special events that lit up smiles and often touched the heart. Enjoy these few moments of the season captured by camera. And don’t forget to put out a little something for the reindeer.