ESTABLISHED 1879 | COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI CDISPATCH.COM 75 ¢ NEWSSTAND | 40 ¢ HOME DELIVERY WEDNESDAY | JUNE 5, 2019 City to pay higher price for cemetery maintenance ed to negotiate cerns after two straight fiscal New bid could cost the city up to $36,000 more than previous years the company years when the city operated BY AMANDA LIEN Columbus Chief Operating but after the other company back down near at deficits exceeding $800,000. [email protected] Officer David Armstrong told dropped out, Armstrong told that amount, but Mike Crowder, a certified pub- councilmen during Tuesday’s the councilmen that Lawns, couldn’t negoti- lic accountant tasked with Columbus city councilmen regular meeting that the city Etc. “was our only option.” ate past the bid- reviewing city finances, esti- voted 5-1 to pay almost $1,000 had initially received two bids When Lawns, Etc. con- ded rate of $3,600 mated in March that the city’s more per visit for maintenance per cut, a number general fund will be more than for lawn maintenance services tracted with the city in 2013, it Armstrong at Friendship Cemetery despite at the cemetery, located on charged the city roughly $2,700 Armstrong said $338,000 in debt by the end of continuing concerns about the Fourth Street South. Lawns, every time a crew was sent to puts the city over budget for October if the city doesn’t curb city’s spending — an addition- Etc., the city’s contracted main- mow and trim the grass, pull that service, which is around spending. al cost that could add between tenance company for the ceme- weeds and remove fallen tree $3,000 per visit. “We were anticipating $31,500 to $36,000 per year to tery for the past five years, did limbs from the site. Armstrong The new costs comes in the $3,000 (per cut),” Armstrong the service. not offer the lowest per-cut rate, told councilmen he attempt- wake Columbus’ financial con- See COUNCIL, 3A Charge filed Women’s Amateur to bring exposure against former to Old Waverly, Golden Triangle KOA employee who threatened visitors with gun Howell charged with threatening exhibition of a weapon DISPATCH STAFF REPORT A former Kamp- grounds of America employee was arrest- ed on Tuesday after a viral video showed her threatening a black couple with a handgun. Howell Oktibbeha Coun- ty Sheriff Office Capt. Brett Wat- son said Ruby Nell Howell, 70, of Starkville, turned herself in Tues- day morning at the Oktibbeha County Jail. Howell is facing a mis- demeanor charge of threatening Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch exhibition of a weapon. The Old Waverly grounds crew is hard at work to prepare for August’s U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. The tournament is Aug. 5-11 and will feature 156 players from all around the world. A video, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views and national media attention, Preparations continue for August tournament expected to host 156 players shows Howell confronting Jessica and Franklin Richardson on May BY Slim Smith Point will host the USGA Women’s course located in a small market 26 at the KOA site at the Oktibbeha [email protected] Amateur Aug. 5-11, 20 years since such as West Point. Whatever res- County Lake. Howell, who is white, the club hosted its first national ervations the USGA may have had tells the Richardsons to leave the If mad dogs and USGA event, the U.S. Women’s about taking an event that draws campsite while brandishing a re- Englishmen go out Open in 1999. Tuesday, Old Waverly golfers from all over the world to volver, saying the lake is “private in the midday sun, Director of Golf Chris Jester visited West Point were emphatically put to property” and that they must have as Noel Coward sug- the Columbus Rotary Club to share rest in 1999. made reservations to be there. gested, who goes out details of the event. That was the year Old Waverly The Richardsons said they did to a Mississippi golf “August is probably not the ideal cemented its reputation as one of not realize they needed to make a course in August? time of year for a golf event here, but the country’s top golf courses after reservation and they would have The finest women we’re excited,” Jester said. “We’ll be hosting the U.S. Women’s Open, the Jester left if asked. amateur golfers in the ready and it will be a great event.” top event in women’s golf. While it’s unclear what trig- world, that’s who. Hosting a USGA Championship “It broke the record for atten- gered the confrontation, social me- Old Waverly Golf Club in West is no small honor, especially for a See OLD WAVERLY, 3A dia users suggested possible racial motivations. See HOWELL, 3A Starkville police chief announces planned retirement Nichols will depart SPD at end of year “I wanted ber,” he said. “He’s served a great num- five officers to the depart- to actually Mayor Lynn Spruill ber of years and the city ment, and SPD has made BY AleX HolloWay with Starkville Police do two more said the city will take of Starkville is better for strides in expanding [email protected] Department since 1992 years but time before beginning to it.” camera systems around and has been police chief after think- advertise for Nichols’ suc- Nichols said he’s proud Starkville that are used STARKVILLE — ing about, cessor. of the achievements SPD to assist in investigations since February 2014 Starkville Police Chief considering She added that Nich- has accomplished in his or monitor big events like Speaking to The Dis- Frank Nichols announced and praying ols’ service has been an time with the department. Bulldog Bash. his intention to retire at patch after Tuesday’s about it, and Nichols asset for the city. SPD moved into the first But Nichols credited the end of the year during meeting, Nichols said he listening to “Chief Nichols has building designed solely the work of his police de- Tuesday’s board of alder- came to the decision to God’s direction, I’m going been an incredible public for use as a police station partment and the other men meeting. retire after a lot of consid- to go ahead and be obe- servant and we will miss in the city’s history in city departments SPD Nichols has served eration. dient and do it in Decem- him greatly,” Spruill said. 2017. Nichols also added See NICHOLS, 8A WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS CALENDAR LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC 1 What crocheted gift did Martha MEETINGS Thursday June 6: Candi- Stewart receive while leaving prison in ■ Noxubee Nature Series: 2005, then turn into a sensation? dates Forum, 6:30 The Friends of Noxubee Refuge 2 What American artist created p.m., Caledonia present an indoor picnic and pieces including “Calla Lily Turned Community Center program at the Noxubee Refuge Away,” “Black and Purple Petunia” and June 17: Lowndes “Poppy”? Visitor Center in Oktibbeha County Supervi- 3 How does a vampire bat approach County. Picnic begins at Randy Brewer sors, 9 a.m., Coun- its prey — by dive-bombing it, silently 5:45 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., Joe Fifth grade, Heritage landing on it or walking up to it? ty Courthouse Bumgardner discusses photo- 4 What is Barbie’s full name? June 17: Colum- graphic techniques with phone 5 What Japanese-born Major League bus-Lowndes High 88 Low 69 cameras. Open to the public. Baseball player is often referred to as Convention and Vis- Chance of t-storms “Godzilla”? Noxubee Refuge, 662-323- Full forecast on itors Bureau Board Answers, 8B 5548. page 2A. regular meeting, 4 p.m., CVB office INSIDE Friday June 18: Colum- ■ Friday Night Jams: Enjoy bus City Council Classifieds7B NATS 5A Comics 4B Obituaries 4A live music at 7 p.m. at the regular meeting, Crossword 8B Opinions 6A Louise Campbell Center for the 5 p.m., Municipal Dear Abby 4B Scene & Seen 2A Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Harper Short works at New Hope Complex Court- 140TH YEAR, NO. 73 Food 5,6B Point. Free to the public. Middle School and enjoys shopping. room DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471 2A WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com DID YOU HEAR? White House tells 2 ex-aides to defy congressional subpoena Wednesday Trump has said he Robert Mueller’s report, along with former White House counsel Donald SUNDAY FUNDAY will fight ‘all A new season of monthly Sunday Fundays on University Drive in Starkville McGahn. The White began May 26 with live music, art and kids’ activities from 1-6 p.m. The of the subpoenas’ House has also directed Scene&Seen next Sunday Funday is June 30. — Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch McGahn to refuse to pro- BY MARY CLARE JALONICK vide documents or testify AND LISA MASCARO The Associated Press before the committee. Mueller’s investigation WASHINGTON — The concluded that Russia in- White House on Tuesday terfered in the 2016 elec- again directed former tion in hopes of getting employees not to cooper- Trump elected, though his ate with a congressional report said there was not investigation, this time enough evidence to estab- instructing former aides lish a conspiracy between Hope Hicks and Annie Russia and the Trump Donaldson to defy subpoe- campaign. Last week nas and refuse to provide Mueller emphasized he documents to the House Judiciary Committee. had not exonerated Trump The letters from the on the question of whether White House to the Judi- he obstructed justice — in ciary panel are the latest effect leaving it to Con- effort by the White House gress to decide what to do to thwart congressional in- with his findings.