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In just its first year, the Columbia Food and Music Festival drew 5,000 people to downtown Columbia. | Photo by Brad Crowe

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Festival planning is quite the undertaking
By BETH RILES - Staff Writer
Tue,10/04/22-8:44AM , 2,058 Reads
Marion County has several festivals and yearly events that take planning and efforts that most attendees never know about. Two festivals that bring life to Marion County are the Columbia Food and Music Festival, which was held for the first time, and Cruisin' the Pearl, which is in its third year.
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Foodcademy owner Barrett Round flashes a big smile while demonstrating how to make a delicious BELT, a twist on the famous BLT. It is essentially a BLT but with a fried egg as well. | Photos by Brad Crowe

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Foodcademy makes cooking fun
By BRAD CROWE - Sports Editor
Sun,10/02/22-9:00AM , 1,698 Reads
From a young age, Barrett Round saw the importance of learning his way around the kitchen and how cooking seemed to have a special way of bringing people together.
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The Marion County Development Partnership held a ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 25 after Catchy Friday to celebrate the alliance of the Mississippi Small Business Development Center and MCDP. Front row, from left, are SBDC Assistant State Director Mitch McDowell, SBDC Business Counselor Rita Mitchell, SBDC Business Counselor Heather Emory, MCDP Chairman Donovan McComb, MCDP President Lori Watts, SBDC Associate State Director Judy Forester, Kathy Morgan of The Myrtles, and Stephanie Guidroz of First Southern Bank. Back row, Cory Magee of Trustmark Bank, Laura Hobgood of Looks Great Services, MCDP Past Chair Janette Nolan, Jill Spizale of The Barn at Hidden Oaks, Dawn Baughman of First Southern Bank, Benjamin Whatley of RedRover IT, Vicky Stringer of TMH, Todd Watts from the MCEDD Board, Kelly Williams of Empowerment In-Motion and Maria Temples from The City of Columbia.

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SBDC offers small businesses assistance
By BETH RILES - Staff Writer
Sat,10/01/22-8:30AM , 1,348 Reads
On Aug 26, a ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the alliance of the Mississippi Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) and the Marion County Development Partnership (MCDP). The new center is among more than 20 sites and centers of the MSBDC, which is headquartered at the University of Mississippi.
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Owner Keith Riley, Dottie Steele and Joanie Sanders are each members of the phenomenal staff that makes eating at R House a memorable experience. R House was voted to have Mississippi’s Best Burger in both 2020 and 2021, a remarkable feat for such a well-kept secret. | Photo by Brad Crowe

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From ‘R House’ to yours
By BRAD CROWE - Sports Editor
Fri,09/30/22-4:26PM , 4,956 Reads
In its earliest days of business, R House was regarded by many locals as one of Marion County's best kept secrets. Now, after winning the title of best burger in Mississippi two years in a row, it's safe to say that the secret is out.
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February 26, 2026

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Today's Weather

Columbia, 39429, MS

Current Temp

48°F

Sunny

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Sunrise: 6:26 AM
Sunset: 5:56 PM

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Wind Gust: 5 mph
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Sunny. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 74 in the afternoon. East northeast wind 0 to 5 mph.

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