Fowler joins race to fill Turner’s seat

Former West Point business owner Kenny Fowler has entered the race for the 16th District Senate seat left vacant by the death of Bennie Turner, D-West Point. Fowler will be facing Turner’s daughter, Angela Turner Lairy, prosecutor for Clay County.

October sales tax receipts down $14K from 2011

For the second month in a row, sales tax receipts are down for Columbus. According to Chief Financial Officer Mike Bernsen, the city’s sales tax check for the month of December is down almost $14,000 from December 2011.

Council approves $1.2 million loan; proposes new welcome sign

The Columbus City Council is moving forward with a $1.2 million loan needed for the purchase of some new equipment and the completion of a drainage project. Stephen Edds of Jackson-based Baker Donelson appeared before the council Tuesday night, bringing some good news about the loan with him.

“Christmas has come early for Columbus,” Edds said.

City begins search for new CFO

The search to find the replacement for Columbus Chief Financial Officer Mike Bernsen is officially under way. The Columbus City Council accepted the resignation of Bernsen during Tuesday’s meeting.

Byrd will run against incumbent Gavin for Ward 6 seat

With the first day to officially qualify about two weeks away, some candidates are getting a head start on their campaigns in the 2013 municipal elections.

Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau board member Whirllie Byrd has announced her intent to challenge vice-mayor Bill Gavin for the city council seat in Ward 6.

Brooks rejects CVB funding: Supervisor says stipulations to grant money are unacceptable

District 5 Supervisor and Juneteenth Festival organizer Leroy Brooks turned down $15,000 in festival grant money in front of a room packed with city and county elected officials during the regularly scheduled meeting of the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Trustees. Brooks initially turned down $14,000 for the 2012 Juneteenth Festival before changing his mind and taking the grant money.

Brooks to protest funding process at CVB meeting

Festival grant funding has been a contentious issue between Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau board members for most of 2012.

Today’s meeting, the last one of the year, looks to be more of the same.

Health department demolition underway

A North Columbus eyesore is being demolished after remaining vacant more than two years.

The old Lowndes County Health Department building on Military Road is being torn down by an independent contractor.

Supervisors work to eliminate soccer park congestion

Eliminating problems with traffic and parking at the Columbus Soccer Complex has been a main objective for the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors since the park opened in September. Friday, the board took a major step forward in approving a new project that will extend Coretta Street on the back end of the complex.

Talks stall with Mississippi Silicon

With a Dec. 31 deadline drawing near, talks between the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors and a silicon company have stalled.

Mississippi Silicon was given until 12 a.m. New Year’s Eve to place $150,000 in escrow or lose a prime industrial site in Lowndes County, along with millions of dollars in incentive money.

Work on stalled drainage project to resume in 2013

Work on a stalled drainage project will hopefully resume in early 2013, according to District 4 Supervisor Jeff Smith. The Pickensville Road/Pickens Drive project came to a halt when engineering changes had to be made in November.

Shands retires from library

Columbus-Lowndes Public Library Director Alice Shands is retiring after serving the community for about four years. Shands made her announcement during Wednesday’s meeting of the library’s board of trustees.

Messiah just one more ingredient in my ‘best Christmas ever’

I live in a world of superlatives, just ask my wife. But when every day is “the best day ever,” I find I’m rarely disappointed. You would think that with high expectations, I would be let down more often than not. But I tend to keep my expectations realistic; it’s what happens along the way that I find most exciting.

CVB to finalize festival funding Monday

Festival grant funding for the first half of 2013 will top the agenda Monday at the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau’s monthly board of trustees meeting.

Tamale time: Caledonia’s Fork N Road starts tamale tradition

Tamales or tamaladas are as much a part of Christmas traditions in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries as bacalao (salted cod), pizole (hominy soup) and a nice roasted pavo (turkey). And why wouldn’t they be especially popular during Christmas as tamales are one of the only foods that come already gift wrapped.

Christmas shopping trip leads to drug arrest

A Sunday afternoon Christmas shopping expedition landed a Columbus man behind bars, as well as removing approximately four ounces of marijuana from the city’s streets.

New church awaits zoning approval

A former Columbus community center deemed surplus property may get a new life as a worship center.

Smith announces run for third term as Columbus mayor

The 2013 Columbus municipal election season has begun, with mayor Robert Smith announcing his plans to seek a third term in office. Smith, a Democrat, made his announcement during a press conference at City Hall Monday morning.

Blue Christmas: For many, the holidays trigger depression

Judy was a successful business owner, mother and wife at the beginning of 1994. Her life was as close to perfect as it could get. But then, without warning, she was struck with a debilitating disease just as she was at the top of her game, both personally and professionally.

Grant will help Columbus residents restore contaminated properties

A project aimed at identifying possibly contaminated properties for renewal will be implemented in Columbus sometime in 2013.