Family remembers Fort Benning soldier killed in Iraq accident

Two days after learning of the death of their oldest daughter in Iraq, the family of fallen Fort Benning soldier Spc. Lakeshia M. Bailey spoke about her passion for life and her love of the Army.

Man pleads guilty to trying to grab officer’s Taser

Gregory E. Gray was at The Medical Center last year for back pain when he tried to take a Taser from an officer, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors: Jurors should hear about‘extreme case of jealousy’ during trial

Prosecutors in the murder case of Mark Herrington want jurors to hear evidence of problems Herrington had with an ex-wife when they go to trial next month in the death of Karen Carter.

Sheriff's deputies find drugs, 19 loaded guns in home while serving warrant

A Columbus man was arrested Tuesday night after Muscogee County Sheriff’s deputies found nearly 20 firearms and $700 worth of methamphetamine in his house.

Muscogee student transfer requests plummet from over 600 to 219

Fewer high school students are seeking to transfer schools under the federal No Child Left Behind Act for the 2010-2011 school year, according to Muscogee County School District numbers.

Columbus area unemployment rate jumps to 10.4% in January

The Columbus metropolitan area unemployment rate jumped to 10.4 percent in January, the Georgia Department of Labor reported Tuesday, apparently reflecting a surge in both layoffs and more residents attempting to re-enter the work force.

Georgia senator's bill could affect judgeship opening

Probate Judge Julia Lumpkin was the final nominee for the vacant Muscogee County Superior Court judgeship that will be appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Woman says ex-boyfriend kept ramming her car

A Columbus woman was repeatedly rammed by another vehicle as she drove her car with her 3-year-old daughter Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Wetherington against proposal for city to give GBI crime lab $66K to keep it open

A proposal that would require the city of Columbus to help fund a state crime lab was met with a cool response from Mayor Jim Wetherington on Wednesday.

Man sentenced to 25 years in prison in pipe bomb case

Raymond J. Geoffrion, accused of assaulting officers with a homemade pipe bomb in his Cusseta Road apartment, was convicted on all counts by a jury Wednesday afternoon.

Ex-Christian Coalition leader Reed won’t run for Congress

ATLANTA— Former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed announced Wednesday that he has decided not to run for Congress in Georgia.

Columbus Council unamiously approves Seth Brown for crime prevention director

Seth Brown, an administrator at St. Luke United Methodist Church, was hired Tuesday as the city’s first crime prevention director to lead the mayor’s Office of Crime Prevention.

Man facing prison time testifies he made pipe bombs to burn trash

Raymond J. Geoffrion held a pipe bomb in one hand and a lighter in the other while threatening to kill sheriff’s deputies as they entered his Cusseta Road apartment to arrest him, a bomb technician testified on the first day of his trial.

Men rob couple, 3 children at gunpoint during home invasion

Columbus police are investigating a home invasion in which a family of five was violently awoken Tuesday morning by two gunmen.

Columbus Council honors police Capt. Renee McAneny for volunteer work

Columbus police Capt. Renee McAneny was recognized Tuesday by Columbus Council for being named Safe Kids Georgia Volunteer of the Year.

Shelnutt asks Judge Land to reconsider decision on attorney's fees

Columbus attorney Mark Shelnutt, who was denied his motion for attorney’s fees last month, has asked U.S. District Court Judge Clay Land to reconsider his decision.

Local BBB warns Columbus area of pyramid scam

The local Better Business Bureau is warning Columbus area residents of a pyramid scam that may be operating in the area.

Decision on Muscogee County poll changes expected in late April

The U.S. Department of Justice is expected to either approve or object to reducing Columbus precincts to 28 from 48 by April 26.

Nebraska college student on Spring Break trip dies in Auburn car crash

A single-vehicle wreck in Auburn, Ala., has claimed the life of a 19-year-old from Nebraska and left another teen with serious injuries, Lee County Coroner Bill Harris said.

Judge gives Alabama dealer until April 5 to reach agreement with Doll&Doll Nissan

A south Alabama automobile dealer moved a step closer this week to taking over Rob Doll Nissan and moving into the new dealership at the intersection of Whitesville and Whittlesey roads.

Basketball fever takes over LaGrange

LAGRANGE, Ga.— Like any good barber, Teddy Talley is a barometer for what his community cares about.

Columbus State's Phebe Smith a first-team All-Southeast Region selection

Columbus State women's basketball player Phebe Smith has been named a first-team All-Southeast Region selection.

Auburn basketball: Coach Jeff Lebo's future in limbo

Will he stay or will he go?

GHSA Class A basketball semifinals: Terrell County boys fall in overtime

Defending champion Whitefield Academy rolled into this year’s GHSA Class A boys state semifinals by clubbing its first three opponents by an average of nearly 33 points per victory.

Alabama football: Terrence Cody shrinks body, inflates NFL draft projection

Nick Saban chuckled when talking about the ever-shrinking Terrence Cody.

Georgia Tech basketball: Shumpert's future starts today at ACC tournament

There have been times this season after a defeat or some other near late-game debacle when Iman Shumpert has locked himself in Georgia Tech’s tape room and flipped on video of a relic of his not-so-distant past.

SEC tournament capsules

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama football: Rolando McClain cramps up from Crohn's disease at pro day

Doubled over the plastic grass in Alabama’s indoor football complex, an old adversary returned for Rolando McClain at an inopportune time.

Atlanta Braves:‘Exploded’ blister forces out Lowe after 1 inning

KISSIMMEE, Fla.— Derek Lowe could only stare at his foot in disbelief. Longtime Braves manager Bobby Cox said he had never seen anything like it.

Auburn basketball: Tigers must overcome history to defeat Florida today in SEC tournament

If Auburn wants to make an SEC tournament run in Nashville, Tenn., this week, it will have to do something no Western Division school has all season: beat one of the East’s best teams.

GHSA Final Four

GIRLS

Georgia basketball: Dogs need to step up big in SEC tournament

Mark Fox’s first season at the helm of Georgia’s basketball program has been all about small steps.

ACC tournament capsules

Boston College Eagles

Auburn football: Walt McFadden makes most of his pro day

AUBURN, Ala.— Walt McFadden was bummed he didn’t get an invitation to last month’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, the premier offseason showcase for potential draft picks.

College baseball roundup: Columbus State ties its 1986 record

Columbus State tied its 1986 record of 13 straight home wins, beating Auburn University-Montgomery 9-4 on Tuesday at Ragsdale Field.

Billy Wagner bounces back in Braves 7-4 loss to Philadelphia

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.— This time last year, Billy Wagner was facing little leaguers in Virginia and recovering from elbow surgery.

Columbus High baseball ekes out victory over Russell County

Russell County’s Jay Shaw couldn’t even see out of his right eye last weekend. But he was on the pitcher’s mound Tuesday night at Golden Park because he told Warriors coach Tony Rasmus he wanted to pitch against Columbus High.

Atlanta Falcons re-sign cornerback Brent Grimes, waive former Auburn wide receiver James Swinton

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga.— The Atlanta Falcons today signed cornerback Brent Grimes to an exclusive rights contract and waived former Auburn wide receiver James Swinton.

Georgia football: Justin Houston enjoying move to new position in new defensive scheme

ATHENS, Ga.— It’s safe to say Justin Houston is excited about his new role on Georgia’s defense. His job— mainly crushing a few quarterbacks— won’t change much, but he likes the new setting of the 3-4 defense, where he moves to outside linebacker from defensive end.

Auburn football notes: Ben Tate says he feels'underestimated'

AUBURN, Ala.— Ben Tate still feels underappreciated, and he still isn’t afraid to tell everyone about it.

Columbus State's Phebe Smith a first-team All-Southeast Region selection

Columbus State women's basketball player Phebe Smith has been named a first-team All-Southeast Region selection.

GHSA Class A basketball semifinals: Terrell County boys fall in overtime

Defending champion Whitefield Academy rolled into this year’s GHSA Class A boys state semifinals by clubbing its first three opponents by an average of nearly 33 points per victory.

GHSA Final Four

GIRLS

Columbus High baseball ekes out victory over Russell County

Russell County’s Jay Shaw couldn’t even see out of his right eye last weekend. But he was on the pitcher’s mound Tuesday night at Golden Park because he told Warriors coach Tony Rasmus he wanted to pitch against Columbus High.

High school roundup: Brookstone girls tennis tops Columbus High

Brookstone’s Gracie Straus and Rebecca Levy won 8-5 at No. 1 doubles to give the Lady Cougars a 3-2 win over Columbus on Tuesday at Brookstone.

Georgia High School Association Class AAA girls basketball playoffs: Kendrick rolls into state semifinals

The Kendrick girls basketball team poured all of its energy into defense Saturday and hardly wasted a drop.

Georgia High School Association Class AAA girls basketball playoffs: LaGrange staves off Northside in quarterfinals

Grangers prevail over Patriots in overtime

High school roundup: Columbus Blue Devils win Bearcat Invitational golf tournament

Brookstone finishes second among 15 teams

Georgia High School Association Class AAA boys basketball playoffs: LaGrange Grangers beat Dougherty to advance to state final four

Come back from down 3 at half

Georgia/Alabama Indoor Footbal Classic: Georgia 83, Alabama 48

Prep football game played in Columbus Civic Center

High school baseball: Columbus nips Russell County in cold, 4-2

Bobby Andrews homers for game’s key hit

High school basketball playoffs: LaGrange girls defeat Northside 66-64

LaGrange's Arneshia Williams put in a tie-breaking shot from under the basket with 7.6 seconds left in the game to lift LaGrange over Northside 66-64 in Saturday's GHSA Class AAA girls quarterfinal at Columbus State.

High school basketball playoffs: LaGrange boys stay unbeaten, advance to state semifinals

The LaGrange boys basketball team kept its composure in the final minute of Saturday's Class AAA quarterfinal against Dougherty, going 4-for-5 from the free-throw line and holding on for a 59-51 victory at Columbus State.

High school basketball playoffs: Kendrick girls defeat Spalding 61-28

The Kendrick girls basketball team has defeated Spalding to stay undefeated and advance to the GHSA Class AAA state semifinals.

Bobby Andrews'homer lifts Columbus over Russell County

Whether it was the cold—the temperature was 40 when the game started—or the early morning start (10 a.m.) or some other reason, there were plenty of defensive miscues by both Columbus High and Russell County.

Brown scores 26, but Spencer falls in state quarterfinals

DALTON, Ga.— Damion Brown did all he could for Spencer. It just wasn’t nearly enough.

Taylor County advances to Class A final four

Taylor County’s Shaniqua Holston broke open a close game and got some sweet revenge on Friday as she scored 12 points in three minutes of the third quarter and finished with a game-high 32 to lead the No. 3 Vikings over previously unbeaten No. 5 Emanuel County Institute 61-49 in a Class A quarterfinal matchup at Columbus State.

Phillips leads Hardaway to win

AMERICUS, Ga.— Brandon Phillips picked up his first win of the season as Hardaway ripped Americus-Sumter 11-1 on Friday afternoon.

Area seniors suit up one more time

The second annual Georgia versus Alabama Indoor Football Classic will have the feel of a family reunion for Chattahoochee County players with five of them playing what likely will be their last game together.

Arrington returns as Pacelli softball coach

Pacelli placed the reigns of its softball program into familiar hands on Friday when it announced it had chosen Lonny Arrington as its new head coach.