January
A line of strong storms caused damage to buildings in the county Jan. 2 although no one was injured.
The Marion County Board of Supervisors opened the year by electing District 5 Supervisor Calvin Newsom as president and District 1 Supervisor Randy Dyess as vice president for 2017.
Sadie Willis of Columbia High School was chosen Jan. 7 to represent Marion County as its Distinguished Young Woman for the year.
Leonia Bozeman, a kindergarten teacher at West Marion Primary School who also drives a school bus before and after school, was named the Marion County School District Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Marietta James, who led the Columbia School District for nearly 15 years as part of a 44-year education career, announced on Jan. 12 her retirement as superintendent effective June 30.
More than 40 entries marched in the annual MLK Day parade sponsored by the Marion County Branch of the NAACP to celebrate the 88th anniversary of the civil rights leader’s birth.
Rhonda Bankston Rawlings died of injuries suffered when she was struck by a pickup truck in the Columbia Walmart SuperCenter parking lot Jan. 20.
Students from area schools pitched it to help with recovery efforts in Hattiesburg after another tornado hit the Hub City on Jan. 21.
On Jan. 27, Judy Hilburn, 59, of Foxworth, a popular Walmart cashier, was killed and her husband critically injured in a crash on U.S. 98 near Mississippi 35 South.
February
Hundreds of people, including many students, had the opportunity to view a historic 20-star American flag and the original constitution for the State of Mississippi as part of a statewide tour that stopped by the Columbia-Marion County Museum and Archives.
The first phase of a major renovation project at the Columbia-Marion County Animal Shelter was completed with donations and volunteer labor, adding space for 12 to 14 dogs in new kennels.
More than 100 young sluggers laced up for the second annual Jr. Jays Baseball Camp with Anthony Alford — Columbia native and Toronto Blue Jays prospect — Feb. 11 at the Dean Griner Baseball and Softball Complex.
Kendarious Brister, 23, of Foxworth man was charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Calen Malek Shaw, 20, on Feb. 11 in Foxworth.
Members of the Marion County Historical Society unveiled the discovery of the gravesite of Dougal McLaughlin, a prominent Marion County citizen who played an instrumental role in forming Mississippi into statehood when he signed the state’s first constitution in 1817. The burial place is on private land in southern Marion County, not far from the John Ford Home.
John Mark Davis, 37, of Columbia was charged with murder, felon in possession of a firearm and taking away of motor vehicle in the death of Marcellus Christopher, 50, whose body was found in a ditch along Wesley Road Feb. 18.
Curtis J. Collins, 30, of Foxworth died in a single-vehicle Feb. 18 on Mississippi 44 east of Columbia.
Clarence Louge, a 50-year-old dispatcher for the Walthall County Sheriff’s Office, died in a fire in his mobile home on Poplar Street in Foxworth Feb. 18.
Christopher Rex Blansett, 30, of Columbia man died Feb. 20 in a two-vehicle crash near Franklinton, La., while driving a log truck on Louisiana 10 east of Franklinton, La.
From Andrew Jackson to a Civil War battle with more the 50 reenactors, Feb. 25’s annual John Ford Encampment offered a variety of experiences for the thousands of people who attended.
The trial for Kendle Simon, accused of murder in the 2013 Marion County death of Patrick Davis, ended abruptly Feb. 28 during jury selection with a mistrial after a potential juror spoke with a member of one of the families.
March
The Columbia Dialysis Center cut the ribbon March 2 for its new facility on Columbia’s east side, which had been destroyed by the 2014 tornado.
Columbia Academy hosted a massive archery tournament at the Columbia Expo Center March 6 to March 11 in hopes of securing funds to build a new building on campus specifically for archery use, with roughly 120 teams and 2,500 students around the state participating.
A bill sponsored by State Reps. Ken Morgan (R-Morgantown) and Brad Touchstone (R-Oak Grove) allowing Boards of Supervisors to change the way fire districts are drawn was signed into law by Gov. Phil Bryant March 13.
Marion County residents saw their garbage bills increase by $1 per month to $11 beginning April 1 to offset collection costs.
Gail Bracey, director of the South Mississippi Regional Library System, announced that she would retire after a decade leading the Columbia-Marion County Public Library.
The qualifying period for candidates seeking office in May's municipal election in Columbia ended March 3 with five candidates for mayor – Republicans Reed Houston, Justin McKenzie and Harry Griffith and Democrats Glen McKenzie and Calvin "Scope" Newsome – vying to replace Robert Bourne, who did not seek re-election. Four of the five aldermen positions were also contested.
April
A large crowd of church members and guests gathered in New Hope Baptist Church's new Fellowship Hall April 2 to give thanks for the project.
Former Columbia High baseball player Blake Broom, a 19-year-old freshman at Pearl River Community College, was killed April 10 in a wreck in Poplarville.
The Columbia School District named Jason Harris, 42, principal of Tupelo High School, as its next superintendent to succeed the retiring Marietta James. He was credited with raising graduation rates and getting the state rating to an A during his six years at Tupelo, one of the state’s largest high schools.
Eddie Oliver III, a retired Army officer, was named as the director of operations at the Zodiac Parachutes and Protection America facility in Columbia.
Dozens of foresters from around Marion County and beyond gathered in Morgantown April 29 to celebrate the annual Marion County Forestry Association's Field Day.
May
Republican Justin McKenzie and Democrat Calvin "Scope" Newsome won their primaries for Columbia mayor on May 2. In Ward 3, Democratic challenger Anna Martin Evans defeated incumbent Democrat L. Renee Galloway to win a spot on the board, and In Ward 4, Mike Smith topped Todd Pittman in the Republican primary to move on to face incumbent Democrat Gwendolyn Hammond in the general election. In Ward 2, Republicans Jason Stringer and Robert "Booger" Sandifer went to a runoff, which Stringer won.
Southeastern Grocers' decided to close Columbia's Winn-Dixie store on U.S. 98 in June.
The annual Marion County Relay for Life raised more than $40,000 to benefit the American Cancer on May 5 at Woodlawn Church.
Columbia-Marion County Airport held a public hearing May 9 about expanding the length of the runway to 5,000 feet, which can accommodate larger aircraft, with the FAA paying 90 percent of the nearly $10 million project.
The Marion County Board of Supervisors learned that the Pearl River Basin Development District, which helped 10 counties administer federal projects along the Pearl River since 1964, would be shutting down within a year due to a lack of funding. That transferred responsibility for the Columbia Water Park to the county.
On May 16, American Legion Post 90 honored its namesake, Horatio Rankin, a Marion County man killed in France during World War I with a celebration of his life at the Marion County BusinessPlex.
After more than 35 years with the Columbia Fire Department, Chief Larry Ratliff announced his retirement to the Board of Aldermen May 18.
Columbia Academy's baseball team captured the MAIS AAA State Championship May 18 with a win over Central Hinds in front of a large and raucous home crowd. It was the Cougars first title in 21 years, and they led the nation with an astounding 61 home runs.
Orchard Park, a new independent senior living neighborhood located near The Grove on Sumrall Road, hosted a Ribbon Cutting ceremony with members of the Marion County Development Partnership on May 18.
Marion County Sheriff's Office Deputy Lance Poirier suffered a broken leg and other injuries during a felony pursuit May 30.
June
Republican Justin McKenzie was elected Columbia’s next mayor June 6 by a 2:1 margin over Democrat Calvin “Scope” Newsome. In Ward 4, Republican Mike Smith toppled incumbent Democrat Gwendolyn Hammond, and for alderman-at-large incumbent Republican Edward Hough defeated Democratic challenger Chris Brumfield.
The Junior Auxiliary of Columbia, Columbia-Marion County Public Library staff, Friends of the Library and Marion County Development Partnership's Chamber Ambassadors dedicated the first of several planned "Little Free Libraries,” the first being in front of Friendship Park.
Columbia sculptor Ben Watts was on hand in Nashville as country music stars Ricky Skaggs and Brad Paisley unveiled statues of music legends Bill Monroe and Jimmy Dickens that Watts created for the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Vicki Boone, who was serving as assistant principal at Poplarville Middle School, was named the new principal at West Marion Primary School.
Sara Randall, a civil engineering student at Mississippi State University and daughter of Dee Dee and Michael Randall, was named Marion County’s Miss Hospitality for 2017.
Twenty Marion County residents faced drug charges following a 12-hour drug sweep June 16 that led agents from one end of the county to the other.
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant visited Columbia June 20, touring local manufacturer Helanbak and receiving one of the company’s rifles as wel as speaking to the Rotary Club.
Columbia Mayor Robert Bourne, 77, worked his final day in office June 30 in a career that included 24 years of service as both mayor and an alderman.
July
Aldermen promoted Lt. Johnny Barnes to captain to fill the position vacated when Justin McKenzie was elected mayor.
Carolyn Wilson of Sandy Hook, who spent more than two decades as executive director of the Mississippi Press Association, was inducted into the newspaper trade group’s Hall of Fame at its annual convention in Biloxi July 8.
The city hired Mike Slaughter of Slaughter and Associates, an Oxford planning firm, on July 17 to do a feasibility study about annexation. The city’s population is down about 1,000 from the 7,500 in 1970, while the county population has grown.
State, local and AT&T officials gathered July 19 at a new tower erected by AT&T along Branton Bay Road near Kokomo that will help provide high-speed internet to an area of Marion County that was previously under served.
The community welcomed new Columbia School District Superintendent Jason Harris with a reception July 25 at the Marion County Development Partnership’s offices.
August
The Board of Aldermen removed the interim tag to make 22-year veteran Jeff McKenzie (no relation to the mayor) as the fire chief.
Volunteers helped clean up the city during “Operation Clean Sweep” Aug. 5 organized by Mayor Justin McKenzie, city officials and members of Keep Columbia and Marion County Beautiful.
A massive blaze destroyed the home of former Columbia Police Chief Carroll Bryant and his wife house on Mississippi 35 Aug. 9.
The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department proposed property tax increases to add a sixth station near Lakeview and to replace aging equipment, which could go to a referendum vote in 2018.
Columbia aldermen voted to raise garbage rates from $10 per month to $15 per month after the city had been losing $7,000 to $10,000 per month on the service.
After months of study and weeks of going over departmental budgets line-by-line, the Marion County Board of Supervisors proposed a 4.58 mill property tax increase, which it later approved.
City officials honored local youth baseball teams that played in the World Series with a parade Aug. 19.
A bit of history was made Aug. 21 as the first total eclipse in decades took place and students across Columbia and Marion County had the chance to observe.
For the first time in more than a decade, Columbia increased its property tax rate, going from 22 mills to 26 mills.
September
Ramey’s, a Purvis-based grocery chain, announced Sept. 1 that it would be opening before Thanksgiving in Columbia in the building formerly occupied by Winn-Dixie.
Jeffrey Manning, 54, of Kokomo received a 20-year sentence with seven to serve after pleading guilty Sept. 2 to depraved heart murder (second degree murder) and apologizing in connection with the 2014 shooting death of his wife, Geraldine Manning.
Marion General Hospital announced it would be shutting down the Marion County Surgical Clinic as of Oct. 1 in a cost-saving move with Dr. Ronald Luethje, the lone surgeon at the clinic, to remain on the staff working in the Emergency Room.
On Sept. 11, Columbia was the starting point for a “Day of Hope” for all of Mississippi to honor 16 servicemen who lost their lives in a plane crash in the Delta.
A shakedown Sept. 14 at the Marion-Walthall County Regional Correctional Facility in Columbia unearthed everything from bags of tobacco to pink Nike shoes to tattoo ink.
Marion County raised garbage rates from $11 per month to $15.
Florida evacuees from Hurricane Irma stayed in Columbia for several days, many at Mimosa Landing Campground.
The City of Columbia voted to continue contracting its water department services with M.D. Electric, entering into a four-year contract worth $1.7 million on Sept. 19.
Chaneeta Denise Bryant, 28, pleaded guilty Sept. 29 to running over and killing James Edward Johnson, 63, in 2016 and received a mandatory life sentence on Oct. 13.
October
Katrina Earline Knight, 48, of Sumrall allegedly shot her husband, James Knight, in the back at the store they own in Improve on Oct. 4 and was charged with aggravated domestic violence.
The Mississippi Supreme Court decided to allow Zachary Stringer to present new evidence regarding the shooting death of his younger brother. The 21-year-old Columbia resident argues his manslaughter conviction should be overturned because manufacturing defects in the rifle that fired the shot that killed Justin Stringer can cause it to go off without pulling the trigger.
The Columbia School District fell to a C from a B in state ratings, but Marion County retained its B.
State data showed Marion County’s unemployment rate dropped to the lowest rate in September (4.8 percent) of any time since May 1998.
On Oct. 6, Handy Anthony Willis Jr., 48, of Foxworth allegedly fatally shot his girlfriend, Tamaneka Murree Alexander, 30, and was charged with murder. Willis also suffered a gunshot wound himself.
The 52nd annual Heritage Festival drew thousands to Columbia’s Friendship Park Oct. 7.
Three burglary suspects received maximum sentences in Marion County Circuit Court.
Marion County, which has the second-highest rate in Mississippi with 182.9 opioid prescriptions per 100 people, joined a lawsuit against painkiller manufacturers.
Gator Fest on Oct. 28 still drew strong crowds to the Water Park despite temperatures that plummeted and the threat of rain.
Scott Phillips, 56, an attorney and staple in the Marion County community, died Oct. 29 after battling cancer for more than eight years.
November
The Columbia High band finished fourth and West Marion sixth as both competed at the state competition Nov. 4 at Clinton High School.
The 14th annual Blessing of the Hunt, presented by Goss Baptist Church, brought thousands to the Columbia Expo Center Nov. 9 to kick off deer hunting season while thanking God for wildlife and the outdoors.
The Veterans Picnic Nov. 11 at the Water Park recognized local servicemen of the past and present.
Mississippi Power, which provides power in Columbia, announced it planned to raise rates in 2018, pending Mississippi Public Service Commission approval.
Pet food distributor Nelson Wholesale praised the community at a ribbon cutting Nov. 2 after opening in 2016 at a facility on Evergreen Street off Mississippi 13.
December
Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Ronnie Smith, 37, and Jarvis Conerly, 26, both of Kokomo, and charged them with murder in the death of 44-year-old Billy May of Tylertown on Dec. 1.
Spectators were lined several deep for miles along Main Street and Broad Street in Columbia Dec. 1 as the annual Kiwanis Club of Columbia Christmas Parade rolled through town with more than 100 cars and floats participated.
Schools closed across the region and power crews and fire departments battled the elements Dec. 8 as Columbia and Marion County saw a record 6 inches of snow, the most since the National Weather Service began keeping records in 1905.
The project to replace the roof on the Marion County Courthouse won the Mississippi Associated Builders & Contractors 2017 Excellence in Construction Gold Award.
The city and school district unveiled the sign changing the name of Bryan Avenue, which runs beside Columbia High School, to Wildcat Way.
Ronnie Herrington, the former Columbia High School Band director, was inducted into the Mississippi Bandmasters Association Phi Beta Mu, Delta Chapter Hall of Fame.
The Board of Aldermen approved a nearly $175,000 contract with Warren & Warren to begin street patching across the city.
Federal inspectors ordered six bridges closed with more expected as they targeted wooden-pile bridges throughout Mississippi.
Pictured Above: Members of the Columbia Academy baseball team celebrate their state championship. | Photo by Mark Rogers
