Bond set for Dutch Village suspect Posted yesterday in Columbus & Lowndes County | Bond has been set for the man involved in a Saturday night incident which injured a county Metro Narcotics agent and landed a Columbus police officer on leave pending investigation. Marvin Dale Kyles, 25, of 75 Glynis Road in Steens, was issued a $50,000 bond on the felony charge of aggravated assault on a police officer.
Columbus school district explores fundraising foundations Posted yesterday in Columbus & Lowndes County | It's always nice to have a little extra money in the coffers, and city school leaders are hoping they may have hit upon a partial solution to a longtime budget crisis. Many districts have organized educational foundations to serve as the fundraising arm of schools, and the Columbus Municipal School District is exploring the option.
Columbus wants more from economic development arm Posted yesterday in Columbus & Lowndes County | When Columbus-Lowndes Development Link CEO Joe Higgins first arrived in Columbus, his only mandate from city officials was to get the town a movie theater. Nearly nine years later, Higgins received another mandate from the City Council in a special meeting Tuesday morning to discuss retail, economic and regional development.
Turner appointed to Starkville school board Posted yesterday in Starkville & Oktibbeha County | Jenny Turner is the newest member of the Starkville School District board of trustees.
The Starkville Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday to name Turner, who has two children in the district, to the five-member board. Turner will replace board member and former board president Pickett Wilson, whose term expires in March.
City to Harry Sanders: We want an apology Posted yesterday in Columbus & Lowndes County | Members of the Columbus City Council retaliated Tuesday night against recent remarks made by a county supervisor. During the general comments section of the meeting, Ward 6 Councilman Kabir Karriem called for Lowndes County Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders to publicly apologize for comments made during a speech at a local civic club.
Columbus schools cut 59 positions Posted yesterday in Columbus & Lowndes County | Tuesday was grim across the Columbus Municipal School District, with approximately 59 teachers and support staff learning their contracts will not be renewed. Only a few members of the public were present for an afternoon press conference at Brandon Central Services, where Interim Superintendent Dr. Martha Liddell made the announcement.
Murder, assault cases continued in Oktibbeha Circuit Court Posted yesterday in Starkville & Oktibbeha County | The high-profile cases of the January term of Oktibbeha County Circuit Court were continued Tuesday.
The defense team of George Johnson, 21, or Weir, filed a motion to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial. Johnson will be evaluated at the state hospital in Whitefield. Johnson's case was continued to the April term.
Police push for internal promotions Posted yesterday in Columbus & Lowndes County | An ongoing debate within the Columbus Police Department continued Tuesday during the meeting of the mayor and City Council. Police Chief Selvain McQueen appeared before the board seeking approval for updated policies regarding lateral hiring and departmental promotions.
Details remain sparse in MSU student's death Posted 2/7/2012 in Starkville & Oktibbeha County | STARKVILLE -- Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt expects to have autopsy results for Mississippi State University student Teresa Ann Veal by Wednesday afternoon. Veal, of 100 Camden Court, Madison, was found unresponsive at Dawgs Landing Apartments on Louisville Street shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday.
Officer on leave as MBI looks into Saturday-night shooting Posted 2/7/2012 in Columbus & Lowndes County | There were few signs Monday afternoon of the Saturday-night shooting at the Dutch Village Shell station at the corner of Lehmberg Road and Highway 50 in Columbus. A foot-long segment of police tape dangled from a post on the Lehmberg side of the station, but otherwise, it was business as usual. For the Columbus Police Department and the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office though, Monday was a time to reflect on the incident, which resulted in a suspect being taken to the hospital, a metro narcotics agent being injured and a city police officer under investigation after firing his weapon.
Lowndes' Co-op Road reopens to residents Posted 2/7/2012 in Columbus & Lowndes County | After months of wrangling between the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors and residents of Co-op Road, the board reached a unanimous decision Monday morning: The county will abandon the road and remove all barricades, reopening it to residents.
Columbus concerned about development Posted 2/7/2012 in Columbus & Lowndes County | The Columbus City Council met this morning in a special meeting to discuss economic development, retail development and regional economic development. The council called the special meeting at City Hall to question Joe Higgins, CEO of the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link, about the issues.
Soccer park on track for September opening Posted 2/7/2012 in Columbus & Lowndes County | Construction on a water well for the downtown soccer complex will be under way soon. The Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority approved the water project at its meeting Monday night. The board awarded the project to the Donald Smith Co. of Headland, Ala. for $203,000.
Board to decide between McInnis, Holloway Posted 2/7/2012 in Starkville & Oktibbeha County | STARKVILLE -- The interviews are done. Now, the five-member Starkville School District board of trustees must decide who'll take the district from good to great. Dr. Lewis Holloway and Dr. Michael McInnis met Starkville educators, parents and community members Monday night, starting the first public portion of the superintendent search since it began.
Giants edge Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI Posted 2/5/2012 in National | INDIANAPOLIS -- Take that, Brady. You too, Peyton.
Eli Manning is the big man in the NFL after one-upping Tom Brady and leading the New York Giants to a 21-17 victory against the New England Patriots on Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI -- in older brother Peyton's house, at that.
Oktibbeha supervisors to continue discussion on bonding projects Posted 2/5/2012 in Starkville & Oktibbeha County | STARKVILLE -- The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors will have further discussion on funding mechanisms for infrastructure projects at its Monday meeting.
District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer is keen to see the board pursue a bonding package for road work, economic development and recreation. Roads, a common thread amongst all residents, will be the focus, Trainer said.
Oktibbeha County school board to hear achievement update Posted 2/5/2012 in Starkville & Oktibbeha County | The Oktibbeha County School District board of trustees will receive an update in student achievement goals at their meeting Monday. The district has administered two rounds of practice tests similar to what students will see on state exams. All grades that are state-tested have taken the practice exams.
Fire extinguished quickly at vacant house Posted 2/5/2012 in Columbus & Lowndes County | A rental house on 20th Street North in Columbus caught on fire early Thursday morning, but firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, according to Capt. Brett Thomas of Columbus Fire and Rescue Station 1.
Lowndes payroll going paperless Posted 2/5/2012 in Columbus & Lowndes County | County employees may soon see a change in the way they are paid if the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors approves a paperless payment system during their meeting Monday at 9 a.m.
Board President Harry Sanders said the current system of paying the county's around 330 employees is causing confusion and becoming a nightmare.
Dispatch brings home advertising awards Posted 2/5/2012 in Columbus & Lowndes County | The Dispatch advertising staff won multiple awards in the Mississippi Press Association's 2011 Better Newspaper Contest for Advertising. The awards ceremony was this past Saturday in Jackson. The paper competed with other newspapers with a circulation between 9,000 and 15,000.
MSU student found dead Posted 2/5/2012 in Starkville & Oktibbeha County | A 20-year-old college student was found dead in an apartment Friday night, but so far there are few clues as to what caused her death.
Schools face deep budget cuts Posted 2/5/2012 in Columbus & Lowndes County | The news wasn't pretty at the Columbus Municipal School District's budget planning session Saturday morning, but it wasn't altogether unexpected either. Financial woes have plagued the district for years, and the pecuniary prospects are equally grim for the 2012-2013 school year.
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