Ok I have a few more questions if that's alright.

I have created 8 categories as per the example But do they go by the id or sort order in the new categories settings. I had set the test categories by id but I am seeing a weird effect.

you said category 6 appears on the right side which I set for the videos category but the id for that is 5 but the sort order is 4 and yet its showing on the right side so I don't know whats going on any ideas ?.

Again thanks.

The code in the theme_shortcodes.php, example:

{MENU: path=news/news_grid&limit=5&category=2&source=latest&featured=1&layout=news-grid-1}

You can select the category what you want.
Theme.php and grid_template for the layout and style.css for the style.
If you want change the category..open the theme_shortcodes.php file and change the category in the shortcode.

Ok I will look into this but just to make sure we are on the same page,I am talking about setting the ID of the category to make sure it shows in its pre-assigned spot on the page.

Do you understand ?

I Don't understand what you want, sorry.

You said :

The categories 1,2,3,4,5 appears in the center column.
The category 6 appears in the right column.
The categories 7,8 appears in the left column.

So how do I know which Category goes with each number ?.

Do you understand ?.

If not its ok I will ask for help at e107help on this issue.

You see it in the theme_shortcodes.php

{MENU: path=news/news_grid&limit=5&category=2&source=latest&featured=1&layout=news-grid-1}

The shortcodes in the Theme_shortcodes.php (category=2) and in the theme.php file you see the shortcodes and what shortcode in the layout.
And...in the theme_shortcodes.php I commented where the category:

<!-- News Grid Menu for Center Column 1. category -->

I thank you for this. I have another more questions

1.how do I stop the grey bar that has the search box on it from following when scrolling down.

Delete this from custom.js file (or comment this):

/* Settings of the sticky menu - fix on top the categories main menu */
  $('.header-bottom').sticky({
    topSpacing: 0,
    zIndex: 100 
  });