A rose to United Way of Lowndes County, its affiliated volunteers, the East Columbus Lions Club and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office for its wildly successful food drive distribution, held Friday at the sheriff’s department. Despite a steady rain/drizzle, the food drive provided large food packages for 762 households (more than 3,000 residents). Recipients began lining up along Airline Road at 5 a.m. Friday and by mid-morning the line extended all the way down Airline Road to Highway 69 and north to Gardner Blvd. We congratulate organizers and all the rain-soaked volunteers for a project that exceeded expectations in meeting the needs of our community.
A rose to Columbus Air Force Base for Saturday afternoon’s flyover. CAFB pilots flew in formation over six northeast Mississippi hospitals — including Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus, Oktibbeha County Regional Medical Center in Starkville and North Mississippi Medical Center in West Point — to honor medical personnel on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19. CAFB used the flyovers as part of its pilot training program so it served a dual purpose. And while the flyovers were staged in honor of our health care workers, the impressive spectacle served as a source of inspiration to all of us. It was a much-needed shot in the arm for our entire community.
A rose to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office for its handling of a potential tragic standoff Wednesday afternoon at a residence on Jess Lyons Road. The sheriff’s department responded to a call of a reported shooting at the residence. While there was no shooting, a person had been assaulted and the suspect had barricaded himself in the residence. After more than three hours of negotiations, members of LCSO’s SWAT team convinced the man to surrender. Neither the suspect nor officers were injured. Too often, these kinds of situations escalate into violence and tragedy. We commend LCSO for its skill in ensuring a safe outcome. Well done!
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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