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1 month ago
Lawanda Ann Alford, 51, Hattiesburg, arrested by MCSO, charged with DUI-child endangerment x2; simple assault-warrant; trespassing; controlled substance: possession of Schedule I-II drug (less .1 gram); controlled substance: paraphernalia-use, possession, possession with intent to use; DUI 1st offense-(1)(b) under the influence of any substance that would impair; SEC. 63-11-40 driving while driving license or privilege canceled, suspended or revoked.
By staff reports on
1 month ago
The West Marion girls powerlifting team won the Region 4-3A Championship Feb. 7 and will compete for South State on March 7 at St. Patrick.
On Saturday, Feb. 7, the West Marion girls powerlifting team won the Region 4-3A Championship. Eleven of the 12 girls who went to the meet placed in the top-3 of their respective weight classes and will advance to compete in the South State Championship in St. Patrick on March 7. The girls that placed and will advance to South State are:
Clara Blanco: first place — 114 weight class,
Amelia Coats: second place — 123 weight class,
Trinity Johnson: second place — 132 weight class,
Aliyah Graham: first place — 148 weight class,
By Submitted to C-P on
1 month ago
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
East Marion cheerleader Callie Newsome signed to cheer at Alcorn State surrounded by her family, peers and mentors on Monday. She is the daughter of Calvin and Cindy Newsome.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month ago
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Senior forward BJ Lee lines up for a free-throw after drawing a foul from Lawrence County during the Region 7-4A championship game Feb. 13.
Basketball has come to an end for Marion County following a week of postseason action that saw Columbia reach the second round for both programs while East Marion and West Marion exited in the opening stage.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month ago
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Reed Duncan launches a Mize pitch to outfield during the Feb. 16 matchup.
Through the first six games of the season, the Columbia Academy Cougars have showcased the talent that has them projected to return to the state championship in May, but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.
By Joshua Campbell - Publisher on
1 month ago
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Surrounded by the support of friends and family, CA’s Noah Fortenberry officially inks his National Letter of Intent to Belhaven on Tuesday.
Standing at the center of the Columbia Academy Fine Arts Building, surrounded by the teammates and coaches he led on Friday nights, Noah Fortenberry officially traded his Cougars orange for Belhaven University Green on Tuesday.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month ago
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
West Marion's Griffyn Harmon crushes the ball outfield during her first at-bat during the Columbia Jamboree Feb. 7.
Power hitting and early-season defensive tests defined a busy opening week for Marion County softball, as the Columbia Lady Wildcats and West Marion Lady Trojans combined for a 2-3 record across five high-octane contests.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month ago
Photo by Avery Lockwood, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The new behavioral program will start at the beginning of the 2026-27 academic year. Applications are now open for the lead teacher.
The Columbia School District is developing a new transition-based program for its youngest students with intensive behavioral needs, aiming to provide specialized support within the district rather than referring them to outside placements.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month ago
Willis Preston, right, donated his kidney Feb. 17 to save the life of his brother, Keith, left.
For eight years, Keith Preston lived in a world of gray, a world defined by the hum of dialysis machines, failing health and the constant shadow of severe diabetes.
Today the world is vibrant again, thanks to a “spare part” from a man who once joked he didn’t have any to give.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 1 week ago
Photo by Joshua Campbell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Marion County Youth Court Judge Renee Porter explains that the goal of the program is to connect children and families to resources prior to a situation escalating that would lead to a child being removed from their home.
The 10th District Chancery Court of Mississippi launched a first-of-its-kind program Tuesday afternoon at The Marquee. Thanks to a grant, Marion County will soon be hiring a family navigator whose role will be to connect families to key resources that keep children safe and bring an end to unnecessary Child Protective Services removals.
By Joshua Campbell - Publisher on
1 month 1 week ago
Columbia Academy once again dominated the Waldo Cleland Cougar Classic, placing first out of 60 schools last week at the Expo Center.
Local Archers from Columbia Academy outshot a field of 60 schools, securing the top overall score at the 11th Annual Waldo Cleland Cougar Classic held Feb. 10-13.
The event, which hosted more than 2,400 archers at the Expo Center, featured CA posting its highest competition score of the year with 3,364, led by Bella Rowell with a 290. The victory came during a “grand finale” shoot-off against D’Iberville, a powerhouse 7A program.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 1 week ago
Photo by Avery Lockwood, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Southern Jewelry owner Billie Kay Beets is the reigning Junior Auxiliary Citizen of the Year.
Junior Auxiliary of Columbia will be celebrating the 77th year of its chapter with its annual Charity Ball Feb. 28 at the Dogwood Venue in Sumrall, and JA encourages past Citizens of the Year to fly their flags beginning Feb. 21.
The annual ball is JA’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and this year is expected to draw quite the turnout. It will begin with a cocktail hour at 7 p.m., there will be both a silent auction and live auction and a DJ will be performing from 8 p.m. until midnight. The Citizen of the Year will be announced at 9 p.m.
By staff reports on
1 month 1 week ago
Micka Denise Abrams, 46, Columbia, arrested by MCSO, charged with sale of controlled substance.
Latoya Allen, 40, Columbia, arrested by CPD, charged with controlled substance: possession of marijuana (less than 30 grams); controlled substance: paraphernalia-use, possession, possession with intent to use; controlled substance: possession of Schedule I-II drug (.1 gram-less 2 grams).
Billy Wayne Beasley, 43, Lumberton, arrested by MCSO, hold for MDOC.
By staff reports on
1 month 1 week ago
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
James Stampley battles through defensive pressure while trying to get past Tylertown defenders during the Jan. 13 game against West Marion.
It was a grueling week for the West Marion Trojans and Lady Trojans as they battled through the district tournament hosted at St. Patrick. While both teams faced tough defensive matchups and fell short of the podium.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 1 week ago
There will be shows on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and on Saturday at noon. Tickets can be purchased on EventBrite up to three hours before each showing and at the door unless the show is sold out.
Columbia High School will be showing its annual musical in the Crystelle Ford Auditorium beginning Thursday. This year’s show is “Shrek the Musical,” which is proving to be a can’t-miss show.
There will be shows on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and on Saturday at noon. Tickets can be purchased on EventBrite up to three hours before each showing and at the door unless the show is sold out.
By staff reports on
1 month 1 week ago
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The Lady Wildcats hoist the Region 7-4A Tournament trophy after a gritty 26-22 defensive masterclass against Lawrence County on Friday.
The road to the Class 4A state playoffs officially ran through Columbia last week as the Wildcats and Lady Wildcats hosted the Region 7-4A Tournament. The high-staked week of basketball concluded with the Lady Wildcats securing a second consecutive district championship and the Wildcats battling to a narrow runner-up finish.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 1 week ago
Billy Smith
A Laurel man was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff's Office last week for allegedly beating a woman in Morgantown and chasing the victim into the street and continuing to strike her when she tried to get away.
On Feb. 11, deputies responded to a residence on Old Morgantown Road, where calls came in that a female could be heard screaming. However, when deputies arrived, they didn’t find anyone at the camper.
By Joshua Campbell - Publisher on
1 month 1 week ago
Photo by Joshua Campbell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
East Marion junior Ryan Mallory scans the floor in transition against Collins Jan. 23.
The Region 8-2A Tournament took place last week where they Eagles and Lady Eagles had a tough run against formidable opponents.
The Eagles (11-11) entered the tournament with high hopes, but their path was stymied by two physical, low-scoring affairs.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 1 week ago
Oneisha Virgil
A Columbia woman facing a first-degree murder charge in the 2024 shooting death of her husband appeared in Marion County Circuit Court Feb. 12 as the case against her continues to move forward.
Oneisha Virgil was arraigned in connection with the Sept. 7, 2024, death of her husband, Demyrean Virgil, that occurred at The Grove.
Circuit Judge Brad Touchstone presided over the hearing and formally advised Oneisha Virgil of the charge outlined in the indictment. Touchstone appointed Mike Kuykendall to serve as her public defender.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 1 week ago
Photo by Joshua Campbell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The Trojans celebrate beating Columbia on the road after Game 1.
For the first time in five years, West Marion swept Columbia in the annual two-game rivalry series to start the season, thanks to the efforts of Trojans senior Kolby Stringer. The superstar tossed 7 2/3 innings of one-hit baseball with 22 strikeouts to go along with four hits, a home run and 3 RBI in a Herculean effort.
By Joshua Campbell - Publisher on
