Articles by Garthia Elena Burnett
Lowndes Circuit Court 8-25-11
Sixteenth Circuit Court judges have processed several cases during the current session of court in Lowndes County. The session began on last Monday and continues through Sept. 2.
Teacher’s sexual-battery case continued
The case of a Lowndes County math teacher accused of sexual battery has been continued until the next session of Lowndes County Circuit Court in December.
Businessman, bank settle out of court
The Bank of Vernon, Ala., dropped its lawsuit against Columbus businessman David Shelton. The parties have agreed to settle, according to documents filed in Lowndes County Circuit Court. In its suit, the Bank of Vernon claimed Shelton defaulted on a $887,734.84 loan.
Sheriff’s race set: Arledge vs. McQueen
Leading up to the primary runoff, Lowndes County sheriff’s candidate Bo Harris was banking on getting voters to return to the polls.
Steens murder trial continued
The story unfolded like a bad made-for-TV movie. The neighbors heard gunshots. George Strickland went running across their front yard, retreating into a local body shop.
Low turnout expected for primary runoffs
In Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties, just more than a third of the voters cast ballots in the Aug. 2 primaries. Clay County boasted more than half of its registered voters turning out to the polls.
But this Tuesday likely will be a different story.
Attorney requests tourism board documents on behalf of community members
The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau board went into a half-hour executive session Thursday, during a specially called meeting, to discuss potential litigation.
The race for retail: Various retailers, restaurants locating in Columbus
The city of Columbus has seen a flurry of retail activity, and the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link says there is more to come. There have been several inquiries, and letters of intent signed, but the Link is keeping the projects hush until the companies either give the Link the green light to publicize them or release the openings themselves.
Line by line: Columbus dissects budget
The Columbus City Council spent much of their budget meeting Tuesday scrutinizing the police department, in an attempt to make a dent in the $1.58 million they needed to cut to balance the city’s budget.
Budget meetings scheduled for Columbus City Council
The Columbus City Council is holding budget workshops today and Thursday, as board members continue to work out the particulars on the $22.55 million budget.
Columbus, Lowndes seek funding for Soccer-park bridge
The city of Columbus and Lowndes County are closer to securing funding for a bridge to connect the Columbus Riverwalk to a downtown soccer complex, currently under construction.
Circuit court officials work to make case processing more efficient
The ladies at the Lowndes County circuit clerk’s office haven’t had much of a break — finalizing results from the Aug. 2 primaries and now gearing up for next Tuesday’s runoff elections.
Columbus schools seek community input on next superintendent
Columbus Municipal School District’s search for a new superintendent officially begins on Sept. 13.
Columbus hashes out budget; raises planned for city employees
The Columbus City Council doesn’t want to raise taxes this year, and they are working out a series of cuts to help them meet that goal.
Smiley, West to visit Habitat families
Broadcaster Tavis Smiley and Princeton professor Cornel West may not quite find the story of poverty they are looking for in Columbus.
Lowndes Sheriff’s runoff confirmed
So close but so far away. About a hundred affidavit ballots brought Mike Arledge up to 49.69 percent of the vote (4,339 votes) for Lowndes County sheriff, still not quite enough to keep from heading into a runoff with Bo Harris.
Chick-fil-A to open January in Columbus
It’s a rumor that’s been traveling the grapevine in Columbus for years. But Kenny Wiegel, building official for the city of Columbus has confirmed it: Chick-fil-A is opening a location in The Friendly City.
Republican runoff to decide who’ll face McQueen in Lowndes sheriff’s race
It looks like Mike Arledge and Bo Harris are headed to a runoff on Aug. 23, to determine who will face Selvain McQueen in the general election, to become the next Lowndes County sheriff.
Arledge and Harris narrowed Republican field of four, garnering 49.66 percent (4,317 and 36.06 percent (3,135 votes) of the vote, respectively.
Clay boasts largest voter turnout in Tuesday primary elections
Of Golden Triangle counties, Clay had the largest percent of voters head to the polls for the primaries.
Lowndes County District 2 has new supervisor
At about 11 o’clock Tuesday night, Bill Brigham was rounding up the last of his large campaign signs.
For Brigham, who outseated incumbent Lowndes County District 2 Supervisor Frank Ferguson, the anticipation is over.
Brigham beat out Ferguson, who is finishing his first term as supervisor, 1,404 (59.97 percent) to 936 (39.98 percent), in the Republican primary, to secure a seat at the Board of Supervisors’ table in January.