Subscribe to Weekly Local Best Of COP feed
1 month 2 weeks ago
Sarah Elizabeth Alphonse, 34, Columbia, arrested by MDOC, charged with probation violation.
Leon Darrell Andrews, 20, Columbia, arrested by MCSO, charged with controlled substance: sale/manufacturing/possession with intent to distribute-marijuana (>1 oz. but <1 kg.); DUI 1st offense-(1)(b) under the influence of any substance that would impair.
Christopher Scott Bennett, 43, Bassfield, arrested by MCSO, court order.
By staff reports on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Wanda Lucille Barber Broom
79, Hattiesburg
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia for Wanda Lucille Barber Broom, 79, of Hattiesburg, who passed away on Thursday, Feb. 5, in Hattiesburg. Burial followed in Foxworth Cemetery in Foxworth. Rev. Tyler Chavis officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Hathorn Funeral Home.
By staff reports on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Julia Pittman
90, Columbia
Funeral services were held at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at Hathorn Funeral Home for Julia Levicie Pittman, 90, of Columbia, who passed away on Saturday, Jan. 24, in Columbia. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery. Rev. Tommy Stogner officiated at the services. Janeice Baughman, Len Cooke and Gilbert Jacobs provided special music. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until the time of the services on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Hathorn Funeral Home.
By staff reports on
1 month 2 weeks ago
West Marion show choir New Era continues to win competitions.
West Marion's show choir "New Era" continued its season with its second and third competitions of the year over the past two weeks at Pearl River Community College and Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham, Ala.
On Jan. 31, New Era competed in the Mississippi Show Choir & A Cappella Invitational at PRCC in Poplarville.
Competing against three other groups, New Era took home best vocals, best choreography, best show design and first place in the small mixed division.
By staff reports on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Ernestine Ford May
97, Columbia
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Columbia for Ernestine Ford May, 97, of Columbia, who passed away on Friday, Jan. 23, in Columbia. Interment will be at Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Columbia. Rev. Tommy Broom officiated at the services. Chris Turnage provided special music. Visitation was held from 9 a.m. until the time of the services on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Cedar Grove Baptist Church.
By staff reports on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Molly Sistrunk shoots a free throw after drawing a foul during the Jan. 27 game between Columbia Academy and Ben’s Ford.
The Columbia Academy Lady Cougars secured their place in the upcoming MAIS Class 3A Division I Tournament this week, finishing as runner-ups in the South Regional Tournament following a week of high-stakes basketball, the Lady Cougars (17-12) fell 46-25 to Amite School Center in the championship game Saturday after injuries depleted their starting rotation.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Halen Story and Bryson Robinson protect the paint on defense during the Jan. 23 game between Woodlawn and WCCA.
It was a week of high drama and shifting fortunes for area basketball programs. While one team found its groove with a dominant sweep to carry momentum into the postseason, other programs faced heart-pounding road losses and a pair of top-seeded squads saw their championship dreams come to a sudden halt.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Photo by Joshua Campbell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
West Marion’s Judd Harmon inks a scholarship with Jones College on National Signing Day Feb. 4 while surrounded by friends and family.
Trojans senior left tackle Judd Harmon has had to endure more than any teenager should, but he persevered to author a tremendous career at West Marion, which culminated in him signing a letter of intent on National Signing Day Feb. 4 with Jones College.
Following the first game of his junior season, Harmon’s mom, Kelli, died of breast cancer, a loss that not only permeated throughout the team but the entire community. Rather than be consumed by grief, Harmon dedicated his playing career to his mom and became a star anchoring West Marion’s offensive line.
By Joshua Campbell - Publisher on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Photo by Joshua Campbell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
West Marion’s Eli Smith inks a scholarship with Jones College on National Signing Day Feb. 4 while surrounded by friends and family.
There are very few long snapper positions available at the collegiate level, but West Marion senior Eli Smith has secured one of them. Smith, who also started for the Trojans at center, signed a letter of intent to play at Jones College on National Signing Day Feb. 4 to continue his playing career.
The 6-foot, 220-pounder said he’s very excited about the opportunity to play for the Bobcats.
“I’m very blessed,” he said. "The coaches — the entire coaching staff really — and all of the people over there are really welcoming.”
By Joshua Campbell - Publisher on
1 month 2 weeks ago
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Teammates lock in around Braylon Johnson during player introductions on Dec. 30. The gesture of support came just moments before the opening whistle of the home battle against the Petal Panthers.
Thanks to a breakout performance by Wildcats junior Braylon Johnson, Columbia is entering the Region 7-4A Tournament as the No. 1 seed on its home court.
By Joshua Campbell - Publisher on
1 month 3 weeks ago
Photo by Joshua Campbell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office leads a search warrant on Lampton Hilltop Road Saturday morning.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with the Columbia Police Department, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, DEA and District 2 Constable Robbie Gill, executed a sting operation that began on Saturday, leading to 27 arrests for major drug crimes.
By Joshua Campbell - Publisher on
1 month 3 weeks ago
Photo by Joshua Campbell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Columbia's BJ Lee inks a scholarship with Holmes Community College on National Signing Day Wednesday while surrounded by friends and family.
Columbia senior BJ Lee, who was arguably the most versatile player on the Wildcats in 2025, officially inked a letter of intent to continue his football and academic career at Holmes Community College on National Signing Day Wednesday.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 3 weeks ago
Onesha Virgil has been indicted for first-degree murder in the shooting death of Demyrean Virgil on Sept. 7, 2024.
Onesha Virgil was indicted Friday and arrested by the Columbia Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and is currently in transport to the Marion County Regional Correctional Facility.
Demyrean Virgil was shot and killed in the parking lot of The Grove, and Thomas Allen was arrested six hours later on second-degree murder charges.
By Joshua Campbell - Publisher on
1 month 3 weeks ago
Photo by Joshua Campbell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Columbia's Drew Bilderback inks a preferred walk-on contract with Southern Mississippi University on National Signing Day Wednesday while surrounded by friends and family.
Columbia standout tight end Drew Bilderback took the next step in a lifelong journey Wednesday, officially signing as a preferred walk-on to play football for the University of Southern Mississippi where his mom, Missy, is the women’s head basketball coach.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 3 weeks ago
Photo by Joshua Campbell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Columbia's Ashton Daniels inks a scholarship with Pearl River Community College on National Signing Day Wednesday while surrounded by friends and family.
Ashton Daniels, the versatile “Iron Man” of Columbia’s football program, joined his Wildcat teammates Wednesday in signing a letter of intent to play at Pearl River Community College, where he enrolled early and has already started practicing.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 3 weeks ago
A 39-year-old Columbia woman was arrested last week on multiple drug charges and tampering with evidence after claiming that she was driving erratically to deliver pizza faster.
On Jan. 28, Deputy Kopen Nightingale was on patrol in the area of S. High School Avenue and Church Street when a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed drove past, blew though a stop sign and nearly hit a vehicle. Nightingale pulled the vehicle over and made contact with the driver, Jennifer Smith, who said she was in a hurry because she was delivering pizza.
By Joshua Campbell - Publisher on
1 month 3 weeks ago
The vehicle of James Sims sustained significant damage Jan. 29.
A gruesome car accident near the intersection of U.S. 98 and Columbia-Purvis Road led to the arrest of a Sumrall man for possessing 29 grams of methamphetamine Jan. 29.
James Sims, 46, was involved in the accident and his truck flipped multiple times, leading to a pipe and methamphetamine being found on the ground outside his vehicle following the collision. Sims was also found to have methamphetamine on his person following the accident.
Although Sims had to be transported to the hospital to be checked out, no major injuries were reported from the crash.
By Joshua Campbell - Publisher on
1 month 3 weeks ago
Kyrstyn Rochelle Baum, 34, Sumrall, arrested by CPD, charged with controlled substance: possession of Schedule I-II drug (over 2 to 10 grams); controlled substance: possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle (less than 30 grams); controlled substance: paraphernalia-use, possession, possession with intent to use; requirement of use of safety seat belt system by operator and passengers in passenger motor vehicle, protection of children; tampering with physical evidence.
Qudarius Advante Brister, 27, Tylertown, arrested by CPD, charged with failure to appear-warrant x2.
By staff reports on
1 month 3 weeks ago
Photo by Nichlos Cutrell, © 2026 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
East Marion's Ayden Lewis signs a letter of intent to play college football at Millsaps.
East Marion’s Ayden Lewis signed a letter of intent to play football for Millsaps College during a signing day ceremony Feb. 4, citing the program’s family-oriented atmosphere as the deciding factor.
By Nichlos Cutrell - Reporter on
1 month 3 weeks ago
A 30-year-old Seminary man was arrested Jan. 29 for stalking and harassing multiple Columbia Walmart employees at all hours of the day and night.
Michael Miles, who was employed by Spark Driver, a company that delivers on behalf of Walmart, allegedly began stalking several Walmart employees for more than a week.
The Columbia Police Department reported that Miles was sending the employees text and social media messages nonstop and that the harassment got “out of hand” and “escalated very quickly.”
By staff reports on
