Presley to unveil new tool to request natural gas

Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley will unveil a new tool that people without natural gas as a home energy source can use to make their need known to his offices and state suppliers.

Settlement brings new hope for Kerr-McGee cleanup

Maranatha Faith Center Pastor Steve Jamison sees the $5.15 billion settlement from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation as a major turning point in the 15-year fight his East Columbus church has led to remediate the contamination from the Kerr-McGee site and protect the safety of those who live near it.

County to ask to rezone land near soccer complex

The short-term goal is to get new signs for the Columbus Soccer Complex. The long-term goal is to add fields.

Columbus L&W eyes new 5-year plan

The Columbus Light and Water Board of Directors tabled a proposed five-year work plan for water and sanitary sewer improvements Thursday.

Leaders approve speed curbing measures

County and city leaders are taking measures to increase safety and reduce speed on roads near churches and residential areas.

West Point sales tax returns up nearly $100K

Sales tax revenue in West Point was up significantly in February compared to that month last year, while Columbus and Starkville revenues were slightly down.

Supervisors grant Eka Chemicals tax exemption

Lowndes County supervisors Tuesday granted a 10-year tax exemption to Eka Chemicals for an $11.65 million expansion of its facility off Nashville Ferry Road.

Council moves closer to capital improvement bond issue

Columbus councilmen Tuesday passed a resolution of intent to issue a $5 million capital improvement bond.

That means that within the next 30 days the city must publish advertisements notifying citizens of its intention to raise taxes in order to pay back a $5 million loan aimed at improving infrastructure in Columbus.

Council could adopt millage increase resolution

Before a 1.1 mill tax increase for a capital improvement bond issue is set in stone, the city of Columbus must publish a notice of intent four times. City leaders could vote to issue the notices at the regularly scheduled council meeting today.

Hosemann forecasts successful Voter ID rollout

For the first time in the history of Mississippi elections, voters will need some form of photo identification to cast a ballot during June 3’s federal congressional primary.

City Hall makeover will come from unused grant money

Columbus’ Office of Planning and Community Development has secured between $75,000-165,000 in leftover money from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s Community Heritage Preservation Grant program for work on City Hall.

J5 Broaddus using study to assist public works

Columbus’ project managing firm will run the city’s public works department starting Monday.

The arrangement will last a month, according to J5 Broaddus senior project manager Robyn Eastman.

Residents question city’s approach for infrastructure

During a public hearing Thursday on a proposed millage increase for capital improvements in Columbus, more residents expressed concern over the lack of a defined plan and the approval of a long-term loan for short-term fixes than the tax increase that would be needed to fund them.

Clay supes resume night meetings after suspending them

After voting Monday to suspend night meetings until October, Clay County supervisors voted Thursday to go ahead and hold one night meeting a month for the next four months.

7th Mayor’s Unity Picnic set for Saturday

The public is invited to attend the Seventh Annual Mayor’s Unity Picnic 4 p.m. Saturday at the Columbus Riverwalk.

Trotter work still set to finish late this year

In February, Columbus councilmen agreed to make the city its own contractor for a $1.65 million Trotter Convention Center renovation after bids for a general contractor came in well above project budget.

Council seeks public input on capital improvement

While Columbus councilmen have a working idea of the most needed capital improvements in their wards, all said they plan to use Thursday’s public hearing to prioritize them if they choose to increase millage to pay for them.

Golding Road to close Thursday morning

Golding Road from Richardson Road to Golding Circle will be closed from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.

West Point changes residency rule for city employees

West Point selectmen voted Tuesday to strike language in their employee policy that required all city employees to reside in Clay County.

Weathers granted 30-day extension for CalStar work

It will likely be late next month before construction on the facility that will house CalStar Products is substantially complete.