Change your headlines section display for the block style. This presentation type permits display content blocks. It makes all the difference in a 2 column-type display.

You'll still find all your classical functions in order to highlight your articles in the blocks:
- display or not your thumbnails
- choose the number of articles
- display or not date, comments, etc...

In order to use this presentation type, see you in the Functionnality menu > display, and choose the "block" display type.