Articles by Emma McRae
Abandoned home partially destroyed in Friday fire
No injuries were reported in a Friday morning fire that left an abandoned house partially destroyed.
Boyfriend charged with woman’s murder
A Columbus man has been charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend, Neshieka Dobbs, according to a Columbus Police Department press release.
Body found Thursday believed to be that of missing woman
Police are questioning two persons of interest after a body, presumed to be that of a missing woman, was recovered Thursday.
Council, supes push for stronger collaboration, regular dialogue
Columbus council members and Lowndes County supervisors met Tuesday for a joint session focused on improving communication between the two boards and identifying ways the city and county can work more closely together.
Ask The Dispatch: Your questions answered about the new short-term rental ordinance in Columbus
From mandatory permits to safety postings and a 2% tax, a new ordinance passed in October brings new rules to operating a short-term rental within city limits.
Public’s help requested in search for missing man
Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a man who has not been seen in more than a week.
Five suffer gunshot wounds in Saturday shooting
CLAY COUNTY – At least five people were injured in a shooting Saturday night in Clay County, Chief Deputy Steven “Woody” Woodruff told The Dispatch.
Habitat for Humanity hands Starkville family the keys to a new chapter
Danyell Latham wiped away tears Saturday as volunteers with Habitat for Humanity handed her and her sons, Robert and Kasen Kelly, the keys to a new home they helped build.
Aggravated assault conviction upheld in fatal ATV crash
Mississippi Supreme Court justices upheld the aggravated assault conviction of a Starkville man sentenced for his role in a 2022 four-wheeler crash that killed a 9-year-old girl and injured two other children.
Economic Development: Response times to industrial park emergencies cut in half with new fire and rescue station
When two contractors were critically injured last week in a fire at Steel Dynamics’ Biocarbon Solutions plant, firefighters and paramedics from the new industrial fire and rescue station at the Lowndes County Industrial Park made it to the scene in less than nine minutes.
Columbus teacher arrested for possession of weed, meth
A Columbus High School teacher was arrested Monday on drug charges following a traffic stop.
SNAP pause strains families, sparks wave of community support
Makayla Rose hesitated last week before she posted on Facebook, asking if anyone knew where she could find food for her family.
Plans stalled for monument honoring Black WWI soldiers
Officials are still working to finalize plans to honor 12 Black soldiers and two white soldiers whose names were omitted from the World War I monument at the Lowndes County Courthouse.
From parades to luncheons, Veterans Day festivities begin today
Each year on Nov. 11, Americans pause to honor those who have served in the nation’s armed forces.
Hwy 182 revitalization nearly halfway finished
The Highway 182 revitalization project is nearly halfway complete.
7th Ave soccer park entrance to close permanently as Parkview moves forward
A portion of Seventh Avenue North will permanently close at the beginning of the year as construction ramps up for the Parkview development in Burns Bottom.
Officers threaten ‘blue flu’ amid morale complaints at CPD
Amid claims of communication issues and dwindling trust in leadership, some Columbus Police Department officers say a policy requiring them to be “on standby” without compensation during scheduled days off has further drained morale at the department, though officials dispute any problems exist.
18,000 in the Golden Triangle set to lose food funds if SNAP goes undisbursed next month
Unless the federal government intervenes, more than 15,000 people in the Golden Triangle are set to lose access Saturday to funds they rely on to buy food.
County mapping project saves Columbus big on street study
A countywide mapping project that used high-tech sensors to capture every crack, curb and sign in Lowndes County will save Columbus about $110,000 on a proposed street assessment.
