JANUARY
On Jan. 2, election qualifying began for countywide, regional and state races.
Heavy rains eroded a section of Mississippi 586 west of Foxworth near Water Valley Road, causing it to be closed.
On Jan. 4 Holly Ann McCraw Mitchell, 29, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her husband, Shawn “Chunk” Mitchell, 33, inside their home on Dale Street.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation on Jan. 4 closed two bridges on Mississippi 198 after a re-inspection showed decaying wooden piles under the bridges, part of a statewide crisis. That same day Willie Nell Smith, 83, of Foxworth died in a crash at the intersection of Old Foxworth Road and U.S. 98 that had been altered by the closure.
The New Year’s Eve celebration was pushed back to Jan. 5 because of flooding on Dec. 31 but still drew a crowd estimated at nearly 10,000.
The historic Lee family cemetery in Foxworth, the resting place for some of Marion County’s earliest settlers, was rediscovered in Foxworth.
Marcus Hull, 49, of Bassfield, the former president of the Mt. Gilead/Improve Water Association, was arrested and charged with embezzlement of more than $100,000.
Longtime Chancery Clerk Cass Barnes, who was first elected in 1995, announced that he would not seek another term in office.
The Pearl River crested at 20.28 feet during the second week in January, more than 3 feet above the flood stage of 17 feet, after heavy rains that began in late December.
Rebekah Martin of West Marion Primary School was named the Marion County School District’s Teacher of the Year.
On Jan. 14, the Columbia Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to fire Assistant Police Chief Rita Pickering, declining to give a reason for doing so.
On Jan. 17, Tennessee-based Fast Pace Urgent Care Clinic opened on U.S. 98, offering general medical care including after work hours and on weekends.
Ashlee Montgomery, interventionist at Columbia Elementary School, was named the city district’s Teacher of the Year.
Columbia and Marion County received more than $3 million for bridge replacements on Williamsburg Road, Columbia-Purvis Road and Old River Road South as part of a $250 million legislative bond package.
Graduation rates increased at Columbia High School from 88.4 percent to 94.4 percent and from 77.5 percent in Marion County to 91.1 percent.
The city celebrated MLK Day with the annual parade and program at John the Baptist Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Kevin Thomas, a Columbia native who now pastors in Florence, delivering the keynote address.
A Jan. 28 blaze destroyed the former Foxworth Recycling buildings on Mississippi 35 Service Road.
The Marion County Development Partnership awarded its Business of the Year award during its Jan. 24 annual banquet to Looks Great Services and Community Service Award to MD Electric, which had spearheaded the popular Christmas light displays.
On Jan. 31 Citizens Bank honored retiring Vice President Mack Davis with a ceremony and gifts.
Columbia Primary School won $25,000 for wellness programs through a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi.
FEBRUARY
Wendy’s closed in early February for a $300,000 renovation, reopening in late March.
The Junior Auxiliary of Columbia recognized Kristian Agoglia and Jacob Harrison, both of Looks Great Services and Experience Columbia, as its Citizens of the Year during its annual charity ball Feb. 9.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation took over a case of a man, Jessie Domenique Jefferson, who alleged an officer pointed a gun at him during an interrogation. Jefferson in June filed a federal lawsuit, which remains pending.
City officials found part of the cause of downtown flooding when a sewer camera discovered a huge void underneath a busted line underneath the road in front of the courthouse.
Hope Outdoors hosted hunts for disabled hunters during the second weekend of February.
On Feb. 13 the Columbia Board of Aldermen appointed Tabitha Nelson to the city school board to replace Donald Hales, who had retired the day before.
A Feb. 14 fire consumed the home of Jerry and Dwaynetta Tolbert on Columbia-Purvis Road.
Columbia School District employees rallied around their co-worker Jenny Maul, counselor at Columbia Primary School, after she was seriously injured in a Feb. 16 wreck.
Two Christian concerts came to the Columbia Expo Center with “An Evening of Praise Gospel Explosion” on Feb. 16 and contemporary Christian band “Big Daddy Weave” drawing about 1,700 on Feb. 17.
Columbia Academy hosted two big events in February, the MAIS AAA South State Tournament Feb. 12-16 and CA Cougar Classic archery tournament beginning Feb. 27.
Coach Charles Boston shared the history of Columbia High School’s integration with students during the school’s Black History Program.
Circuit Judge Tony Mozingo sharply rebuked Columbia real estate broker Richard Lokey during a Feb. 22 hearing where he dismissed charges Lokey filed against two police officers and warned Lokey to show respect for law officers.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office charged Henry Sammy Foil, 33, with murder after a body was found burning a car in Kokomo on Feb. 22. DNA analysis by the state Crime Lab later confirmed the body to be that of Martin Shane Lewis of Kokomo.
The sixth annual Ford’s Encampment at the John Ford Home in Sandy Hook was cancelled Feb. 23 because of heavy rains.
Electrician Austin Rucker, 22, of Bunker Hill was electrocuted while working Feb. 27 at the new National Guard Armory under construction on U.S. 98.
MARCH
The March 1 qualifying deadline saw 49 candidates run for offices in Marion County, and 88 percent of them were Republicans versus 52 percent in the previous election cycle in 2015.
On March 3 the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association and Marion County Historical Society unveiled a new historical marker in City Park recognizing the city as the “birthplace of Mississippi rodeo.”
Columbia aldermen announced plans to take back over garbage service from Waste Pro when their contact expired Sept. 30.
The Columbia Police Department received a $9,700 grant to equip police officers with body cameras.
The Cattlemen’s Associated hosted its annual rodeo at the Columbia Expo Center, and the Mississippi Rodeo Hall of Fame inducted rodeo judge Ronald “Buddy” Lytle of Byhalia and steer wrestler Bob Lummus of West Point.
The Marion County School District announced that registration would begin in April for a pre-K program that would serve 85 percent of the county’s 4-year-olds as part of a collaborative effort led by the county district.
Columbia High School’s baseball team hosted its annual Military Appreciation Night March 21 with World War II veteran Howard Bennett throwing out the first pitch.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office on March 21 seized $98,900 believed to be connected to the drug trade from a New York man, Michael Nave Vega, 26, after he fled from deputies trying to make a traffic stop.
On March 25 Champion’s Way gym hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening at the facility on Mississippi 13.
The Columbia Police Department launched an explorers program designed to give 16- to 20-year-olds real-life experience toward a career in law enforcement.
On March 26, the state Legislature approved a 3 percent tax on hotels and restaurants in Columbia, pending approval by 60 percent of the city’s voters in a referendum.
Marion County benefitted from several legislative earmarks as the annual session ended March 29, including $500,000 for Columbia water and sewer repairs to address downtown flooding, $350,000 for renovations to the John Ford Home and $100,000 to repair the bus route at West Marion High School.
Discount grocery store Save-A-Lot closed its doors March 31 at its location at 924 Mississippi 13 S. after 3.5 years in Columbia.
APRIL
Gator Fest returned April 6 with a new time of the year and a new location, City Park, and drew vendors and political candidates, as well as some live baby alligators.
Memphis-based Fred’s announced it was closing its Columbia store, which had been in the city for 49 years, by the end of May along with another 158 of its 557 locations
Walmart began work April 15 on a $5.4 million renovation that included adding online grocery ordering with curbside delivery.
The State Auditor’s Office charged Jessica Delancey, 34, of Foxworth with embezzlement for allegedly writing checks to herself for more than $68,000 while serving as secretary/treasurer of the Oloh Fire Protection District in Lamar County.
The Columbia School District announced a shakeup in its vice principal ranks, including adding Abigail Arnold and Ashley Haddox as vice principals at Jefferson Middle School in an effort to make improvements there.
A new pump on Main Street proved effective April 18 on relieving downtown flooding.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported Marion County’s population dropped to 24,715 in 2018 from 25,103 in 2017 and 27,088 in 2010, one of the 11th steepest drop among Mississippi’s 82 counties.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Department made 14 arrests on Good Friday as part of “Operation Real Deal,” an effort to remove drug dealers from the streets.
More than 30 people joined Pastor Terry Weems and his congregation from New Life Fellowship for their third annual Holy Walk on Good Friday, bearing a cross throughout the city.
The 2019 Marion County Development Partnership leadership class graduated and presented plans for a project to turn a city-owned parking lot on Second Street next to Houston’s Cleaners into a green space.
On April 29 a 19-year-old teen got lost at Red Bluff during a hike, sparking a widespread search, but eventually wandered back to safety on her own.
Mexico-native Claudia Davis of Columbia was sworn in as a U.S. citizen on April 29 in New Orleans along with 60 others from 40 nations.
MAY
Marion County observed the National Day of Prayer May 2 with a rally on the courthouse steps.
On May 6 76 percent of city voters who came out for a referendum approved a 3 percent tourism tax on dining and lodging with proceeds going toward a youth sports complex as well as tourism promotions and parks improvements. Mayor Justin McKenzie called it a “game-changer” that would give the city a boost as it worked to turn around the dynamics of the community following four decades of population loss.
Columbia aldermen approved purchasing a new garbage truck, as well as a used one for a backup, as the city prepared to take back over garbage collections.
Columbia High School senior Skylar Boyd won the 4th Congressional District’s annual art competition for the second consecutive year.
Greg Fleming, 58, was hospitalized with severe injuries following an attack on Oak Avenue near his home.
The Columbia Police Department flew flags at half-staff over his building and presented them to the families of slain officers during the annual Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial during the May 16 ceremony outside the courthouse.
Columbia’s Fire Department improved from a Class 6 to a Class 5 rating, which helps residents and businesses on their insurance rates.
Marion General Hospital handed out awards to employees as part of National Hospital Week, recognizing Nurse of the Year Carla Thornhill, Nurse Technician of the Year Michelle Fish, Provider of the Year Dr. Jeff Johnson, Leader of the Year Brooke McCain and We C.A.R.E. Employee of the Year Susan Murphree.
The Marion County Board of Supervisors approved a more than $313,000 project to rebuild Harmony Road.
Shasta Jackson, 46, of Jayess died after colliding with an 18-wheeler May 17 on Mississippi 586.
Derrick Dement, 29, of Lumberton was arrested May 19 at Walmart after allegedly pointing a handgun at vehicles in the parking lot.
Susan Amundson was named the C-P’s managing editor, returning to the newspaper in a different role after previously working there from 2009 to 2016.
Randy Merritt, 23, of Foxworth and his son, Bradley, 6, were hospitalized with critical injuries following an ATV accident May 22 at the intersection of New Hope-Kokomo Road and Shiloh –Firetower Road.
Third graders in Marion County did better than the state average of the third-grade gate exam, which featured more difficult standards for the first time, with 81% passing in the county and 78% in the city versus a state average of 74.5%.
Columbia police made five drugs arrests, including two felonies, on May 23 in an investigation that began with a purse snatching and led to an alleged drug house on East Street.
Columbia’s population fell in 2018 to 5,941, the Census Bureau said, the first time it had dipped below 6,000 since the 1930s.
Disc golf was stopped at the Columbia Water Park following disagreements between county officials and golfers. The Board of Supervisors later brought it out after lecturing golfers about following the rules.
JUNE
On June 3, the Columbia-Marion County Airport closed to air traffic as it began the latest phase of a $10.2 million project that included an extended and widened runaway and other upgrades designed to allow it to accommodate corporate jets.
Columbia High graduate Sarah Mason made plans to attend Dartmouth College, the Ivy League school in New Hampshire.
The Mississippi Municipal League on June 26 awarded Columbia its Excellence Award for Public Safety at its annual conference, recognizing police involvement with the community.
Gerrod Ball, 39, of Columbia was charged with first-degree murder after he allegedly shot and killed Jaron Burton, 30, of Columbia in the early hours June 11 at the Popetown home of an ex-girlfriend of Ball’s.
On June 22 the Marion County Republican Women and Marion County Republican Party hosted a candidates forum at the Columbia Water Park that drew the three GOP candidates for governor, Tate Reeves, Bill Waller Jr. and Robert Foster, along with other local and state office seekers.
Plans were announced for the November visit of the Wall that Heals, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
State contractors repaved a seven-mile stretch of Mississippi 35 north.
Columbia native Bailey Montgomery Alford, singing under the stage name “Elsie,” premiered a single June 21 on a big screen on Second Street.
Abby Morris, a rising senior at Columbia High School, was named Marion County’s Distinguished Young Woman for 2019 and competed for the state title in Meridian.
The Sheriff’s Office made 13 drug-related arrests as part of a multi-month investigation dubbed “Round Robin.”
Janekqua Henry, 24, of Columbia was charged with second-degree murder in relation to the June 21 fatal shooting of Joshua Woodson inside a trailer on Bacchus Road off Mississippi 13 South that officials described as related to a domestic dispute.
The C-P won 25 awards in the annual Better Newspaper Contest sponsored by the Mississippi Press Association and announced June 22 at the newspaper group’s convention in Biloxi.
