The Dispatch
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Local print and digital media company serving Columbus, Starkville and the greater Golden Triangle area of Mississippi.
Starkville Playtopia, an indoor playground for children up to age 12, is set to open in the coming months. The new venture is led by owner Kelsey Anderson, alongside her husband Bryan, friend Kelsey Griggs, and a group of angel investors.
Mary Means Business: Indoor playground facility coming to Starkville
After sitting vacant for two years, the former Tuesday Morning location in Starkville is finally getting a playful, new lease on life.
cdispatch.com
August 7, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Starkville Playtopia, an indoor playground for children up to age 12, is set to open in the coming months. The new venture is led by owner Kelsey Anderson, alongside her husband Bryan, friend Kelsey Griggs, and a group of angel investors.
Running backs Davon Booth and Fluff Bothwell have both been named to the 2025 Doak Walker Award preseason watchlist, which was released Tuesday. The annual award honors the nation's top college running back.
Booth and Bothwell named to Doak Walker watchlist
Two Mississippi State players were named to another preseason watchlist this week.
cdispatch.com
August 7, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Running backs Davon Booth and Fluff Bothwell have both been named to the 2025 Doak Walker Award preseason watchlist, which was released Tuesday. The annual award honors the nation's top college running back.
Far from being closed, Hawkins said the case was in fact being treated as a potential criminal investigation at the time, dependent on whether Bankhead survived his injuries.
Sheriff, hospital refute mayor’s narrative of officer-involved crash
In a press release issued Monday, Mayor Stephen Jones seemed to claim credit for the sheriff’s office reopening a crash investigation and deflected blame for a mishandled drug test of the city police officer involved in the crash.
cdispatch.com
August 7, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Far from being closed, Hawkins said the case was in fact being treated as a potential criminal investigation at the time, dependent on whether Bankhead survived his injuries.
The program has everything you could want for automotive training. Everything, that is, except for an instructor.
August 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The program has everything you could want for automotive training. Everything, that is, except for an instructor.
Up next for the Cavs is a 6 p.m. match today at Ripley, a team that Brooks said is solid, but her Cavs are in a groove. The Yellow Jackets also see action today when they play at Northwest Rankin at 6 p.m. looking for their third win of the year.
Volunteers erase early deficit to capture 5-2 win over Calhoun Academy
Starkville Academy showcased some grit and comeback savvy as it climbed out of an early 2-0 deficit against Calhoun Academy Tuesday to best the Cougars, 5-2, for the team’s second win of the early season.
cdispatch.com
August 7, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Up next for the Cavs is a 6 p.m. match today at Ripley, a team that Brooks said is solid, but her Cavs are in a groove. The Yellow Jackets also see action today when they play at Northwest Rankin at 6 p.m. looking for their third win of the year.
A Caledonia teenager could face felony charges after allegedly threatening and hitting another minor with a gun while recording a video that has since gone viral on Facebook.
Teen to face grand jury after assaulting 13yo with a gun on video
A Caledonia teenager could face felony charges after allegedly threatening and hitting another minor with a gun while recording a video that has since gone viral on Facebook.
cdispatch.com
August 7, 2025 at 5:21 PM
A Caledonia teenager could face felony charges after allegedly threatening and hitting another minor with a gun while recording a video that has since gone viral on Facebook.
Both Jackson and Reese have noticed how an improved defensive line – a major weakness in 2024 – has led to increased competition in the trenches during camp.
Jackson and Reese providing senior leadership for new-look offensive line
Mississippi State football is in its second week of fall camp ahead of the 2025 season, and many of head coach Jeff Lebby’s team leaders have had their turn speaking to the media about their return to practice.
cdispatch.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Both Jackson and Reese have noticed how an improved defensive line – a major weakness in 2024 – has led to increased competition in the trenches during camp.
Between 3,000 and 10,000 attendees are expected for this year's three-day rally starting Aug. 14, which will include rides throughout Oktibbeha County, concerts and around 15 vendors.
Little Sturgis Motorcycle Rally returns next week
Motorcycles will once again be driving through the streets of Sturgis to support the city at this year’s Little Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
cdispatch.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Between 3,000 and 10,000 attendees are expected for this year's three-day rally starting Aug. 14, which will include rides throughout Oktibbeha County, concerts and around 15 vendors.
The city council on Tuesday unanimously chose Robert G. Cooper to serve on the Columbus Redevelopment Authority Board.
Business owner appointed to redevelopment authority
The city council on Tuesday unanimously chose Robert G. Cooper to serve on the Columbus Redevelopment Authority Board.
cdispatch.com
August 6, 2025 at 11:45 PM
The city council on Tuesday unanimously chose Robert G. Cooper to serve on the Columbus Redevelopment Authority Board.
Disgraced former Baylor head coach Art Briles was at a Mississippi State football open practice session on Monday.
Disgraced former Baylor coach Art Briles attends MSU open practice
STARKVILLE — Disgraced former Baylor head coach Art Briles was at a Mississippi State football open practice session on Monday. Briles, who is the
cdispatch.com
August 6, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Disgraced former Baylor head coach Art Briles was at a Mississippi State football open practice session on Monday.
The Volunteers used 14 hits and 19 RBI to wallop Hebron Christian 22-3 in Pheba for a bounce-back win that improves the team to 2-1 on the season.
Vols, Raiders claim wins on diamond, Patriots open season with setback
Oak Hill Academy and Starkville Academy both added another tick in the softball win column on Monday, and Heritage Academy got its season started on the
cdispatch.com
August 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM
The Volunteers used 14 hits and 19 RBI to wallop Hebron Christian 22-3 in Pheba for a bounce-back win that improves the team to 2-1 on the season.
Rep. Kabir Karriem, who was first elected to the seat in 2015, earned 1,309 votes (83.8%) to defeat former Columbus councilman Pierre Beard, who received 248 votes (15.87%) in the primary, according to unofficial results.
Karriem retains District 41 seat, beating Beard by wide margin
Rep. Kabir Karriem will retain his seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives after winning Tuesday’s special primary election for House District 41.
cdispatch.com
August 6, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Rep. Kabir Karriem, who was first elected to the seat in 2015, earned 1,309 votes (83.8%) to defeat former Columbus councilman Pierre Beard, who received 248 votes (15.87%) in the primary, according to unofficial results.
CCSO believes there are at least three suspects who were involved in the assault of the victim. Deputies are still searching for the suspects.
ATV rider hospitalized after being assaulted on trail
A male victim was found in critical condition at Mudslingers Offroad Trails near the county’s border with Chickasaw County.
cdispatch.com
August 6, 2025 at 6:52 PM
CCSO believes there are at least three suspects who were involved in the assault of the victim. Deputies are still searching for the suspects.
The board will approve a budget during its upcoming regular meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Rogers told The Dispatch. Once approved, the city will set the number of mills – or the tax rate – necessary to fund the budget.
CMSD may request an additional $180K for operations
Columbus Municipal School District trustees are weighing a request of $180,104.14 more in ad valorem taxes this fiscal year in a proposal that would not result in an increased tax rate for property owners in the district.
cdispatch.com
August 6, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The board will approve a budget during its upcoming regular meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Rogers told The Dispatch. Once approved, the city will set the number of mills – or the tax rate – necessary to fund the budget.
For most of my life, I've always believed myself to be younger than I am, despite all the evidence to the contrary. For example, I no longer make purchases of items on bottom shelves, and I am sometimes startled by my own image in a mirror.
Slimantics: Revenge of the old me
On July 9, 1948, Satchel Paige, already a legend in the Negro Leagues, made his Major League debut with the Cleveland Indians amid much speculation about his age.
cdispatch.com
August 6, 2025 at 5:05 PM
For most of my life, I've always believed myself to be younger than I am, despite all the evidence to the contrary. For example, I no longer make purchases of items on bottom shelves, and I am sometimes startled by my own image in a mirror.
None of us wanted to eat the freezer pizza. We all wanted the pizza with chicken as a crust over real, bona fide bread. It was delicious. And so, this recipe has entered my food rotation.
Hear me out on chicken crust pizza
I like pizza with chicken for the crust.
cdispatch.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:59 PM
None of us wanted to eat the freezer pizza. We all wanted the pizza with chicken as a crust over real, bona fide bread. It was delicious. And so, this recipe has entered my food rotation.
A teenager was arrested after allegedly threatening and hitting another minor with a gun while recording a video that had amassed more than 63,000 views on social media since it was posted Sunday.
Teen arrested after assaulting another minor on video
A teenager was arrested after allegedly threatening and hitting another minor with a gun while recording a video that had amassed more than 63,000 views on social media since it was posted Sunday.
cdispatch.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
A teenager was arrested after allegedly threatening and hitting another minor with a gun while recording a video that had amassed more than 63,000 views on social media since it was posted Sunday.
Jaheim Woodard, 20, is charged with one felony count of fleeing or failure to stop when an officer signals, two felony counts of contributing to the neglect of a minor and one count of drag racing, a Starkville Police Department press release said.
Driver arrested for drag racing after crashing into apartment complex
A Weir man was arrested Saturday morning for allegedly drag racing on Highway 182 and fleeing police before crashing into an apartment complex.
cdispatch.com
August 5, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Jaheim Woodard, 20, is charged with one felony count of fleeing or failure to stop when an officer signals, two felony counts of contributing to the neglect of a minor and one count of drag racing, a Starkville Police Department press release said.
The temporary shuttle will leave from Bridgeway Church on North Jackson Street each day at 7:30 a.m. as the city continues construction to revitalize a one-mile stretch of the highway, which includes Henderson Ward Stewart.
Morning shuttle available for Henderson carpool students during road construction
To help parents avoid the construction-related traffic on Highway 182, Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District has launched a morning shuttle for Henderson Ward Stewart carpoolers.
cdispatch.com
August 5, 2025 at 8:33 PM
The temporary shuttle will leave from Bridgeway Church on North Jackson Street each day at 7:30 a.m. as the city continues construction to revitalize a one-mile stretch of the highway, which includes Henderson Ward Stewart.
Mississippi State football got back to work last week with a month to go before the start of the 2025 season. Head coach Jeff Lebby and his staff all had their turn to speak to the media, and the players took their turn on Friday.
Week 1 recap: What the players said after Bulldogs’ return to practice
Mississippi State football got back to work last week with a month to go before the start of the 2025 season. Head coach Jeff Lebby and his staff all had
cdispatch.com
August 5, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Mississippi State football got back to work last week with a month to go before the start of the 2025 season. Head coach Jeff Lebby and his staff all had their turn to speak to the media, and the players took their turn on Friday.
Nicole Clinkscales was sentenced Wednesday to one day in Lowndes County Adult Detention Center and ordered to pay a $100 fine after Judge Gary Goodwin found her in contempt of court for an incident July 24.
City prosecutor sentenced to day in jail for contempt of court
Unprofessional conduct in court could see the city prosecutor, who is also seeking a municipal judgeship, spend a day behind bars.
cdispatch.com
August 5, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Nicole Clinkscales was sentenced Wednesday to one day in Lowndes County Adult Detention Center and ordered to pay a $100 fine after Judge Gary Goodwin found her in contempt of court for an incident July 24.
The transfer wide receiver hasn't played a single down of football yet for Mississippi State, but he's already considered one of the main leaders on offense. He may have only arrived in January, but he knows the playbook as well as anyone.
Oklahoma transfer Thompson embracing leadership role with Bulldogs
“I've never seen a person with my own eyes that fast on the football field.” Mississippi State wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis has had plenty of
cdispatch.com
August 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM
The transfer wide receiver hasn't played a single down of football yet for Mississippi State, but he's already considered one of the main leaders on offense. He may have only arrived in January, but he knows the playbook as well as anyone.
Sightings of lost dogs and cats in the Columbus area have raised questions regarding what locals should do if they find lost or injured animals. What should you do if you find a lost domesticated animal? What about if it is a wild animal?
Ask The Dispatch: Who do I contact about lost or injured animals in the Golden Triangle?
Editor’s note: Do you want answers to questions about the Golden Triangle? Each week, Dispatch reporters set out to explain or update a timely, practical
cdispatch.com
August 5, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Sightings of lost dogs and cats in the Columbus area have raised questions regarding what locals should do if they find lost or injured animals. What should you do if you find a lost domesticated animal? What about if it is a wild animal?
Columbus Parks and Recreation director Greg Lewis said the new courts will be open for play from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, people can play from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Jones overcomes slip and fall to win first-ever pickleball game at Propst Park
A steady pour of rain on Friday afternoon didn’t stop the first-ever pickleball game ever played at Propst Park. More than a dozen spectators, many of
cdispatch.com
August 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Columbus Parks and Recreation director Greg Lewis said the new courts will be open for play from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, people can play from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
By his own admission, Kenneth Anthony is not a historian, so when he was chosen to update the Mississippi history textbook the state's junior high and high school students are using this year, it may have seemed an odd choice.
Community Profile: Anthony uses ‘heart of a teacher’ to update state history textbook
By his own admission, Kenneth Anthony is not a historian, so when he was chosen to update the Mississippi history textbook the state’s junior high and high school students are using this year, it may have seemed an odd choice.
cdispatch.com
August 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
By his own admission, Kenneth Anthony is not a historian, so when he was chosen to update the Mississippi history textbook the state's junior high and high school students are using this year, it may have seemed an odd choice.