Locals prepare to phase out traditional light bulbs

“We’re selling cases.”

Helen Pridmore, owner of Lighting Unlimited, says her customers are buying “probably triple to four times as many” 60-watt, incandescent light bulbs now as they would have normally.

Those and traditional 40-watt bulbs will no longer be produced after Jan. 1 as part of phase-out regulations from the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

Columbus CVB, West Point revamp websites

Four local governing and tourism entities have overhauled their websites in time for the new year.

The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau, City of West Point, Clay County and West Point Community Growth Alliance have worked with web development company Marketing Alliance on new-and-improved websites.

Design stage for Trotter update nearly complete

The design process for a renovation of the Trotter Convention Center is almost done, and the 45-day bidding window for a general contractor will begin Jan. 6.

Jobless rates down from October, but still lag

Area unemployment rates for November were down from October but mostly up from November 2012, based on data released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

EMCC packed for Yokohama employment session

Yolanda Gillespie of Columbus has worked at a chicken processing plant in Noxubee County for 18 years. She hopes one day to get a higher paying job with better benefits.

Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi could be that avenue for her.

Eutaw low bidder for Yokohama Boulevard

Eutaw Construction Company already had the dirt contract for the Yokohama tire plant slated to open in West Point in two years. Barring a setback, the company will also build the road that leads to the plant.

Tax revenues up across Golden Triangle

Sales tax revenues for the three Golden Triangle cities have something in common this month: They’re higher than they were last December.

Committees to review billboard law, blight

Advertising on billboard signs in city rights of way is against the law in Columbus, but a committee appointed during Tuesday’s city council meeting will review the code and may suggest lessening restrictions.

City to seek AG opinion on vice mayor term limits

In July, Columbus councilmen voted to appoint Ward 1 Councilman Gene Taylor as vice mayor for one year.

Prior opinions from the Mississippi attorney general office, however, say that once a vice mayor is appointed, he holds the position through the end of his elected term.

Lee museum awarded grant funding for ADA work

The oldest property in Lowndes County to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places will soon be wheelchair accessible.

CVB, city to apply for development grant

The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau will join forces with the city council to apply for a grant that will help develop a vacant property east of the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center.

Voter ID equipment installed in Lowndes Co.

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann visited the Lowndes County Courthouse Monday to supervise the installation of voter ID equipment at Circuit Clerk Haley Salazar’s office.

Council could place 4-way stop at 3rd St., 3rd Ave. S

Right now, the intersection of Third Street and Third Avenue South has a two-way stop sign.

Ward 5 councilman Kabir Karriem said that hasn’t been enough to keep drivers from speeding through that area, causing a safety concern for pedestrians.

Highway 45 Alternate shut down Monday

Railroad crossing repairs will cause temporary lane closures next week at a major traffic artery in West Point.

County awarded $500K grant for road extension

Lowndes County supervisors agreed to match a grant that will fund paving and extending Charleigh D. Ford Jr. Drive during their meeting Friday.

KiOR inches near deal for Columbus II

KiOR’s plan to build a second refinery in Columbus is closer to being a done deal.

Lowndes County Port Authority director John Hardy said the Texas-based alternative fuel refinery has hired engineering firm Neel-Schaffer to survey some land officials could potentially purchase from the county to locate a second plant.

Officials approve funding for Yokohama infrastructure projects

On Tuesday, West Point selectmen approved the first invoices for wastewater and water extension to the site that will be home to Yokohama Tire’s first manufacturing plant in America.

At age 90, Winter remains active advocate for state museums

Mississippi turned 196 years old Tuesday. The goal of state leaders is to open a historical and civil rights museum under one roof by the time it turns 200. To achieve that, it is relying on a Mississippian whose experience in state government has few rivals: Former Governor William F. Winter.

E-911 hires from within, picks McCoy

The Columbus-Lowndes Emergency 911 communications board hired Melanie McCoy on Tuesday as the department’s director.

McCoy was an internal hire. She has served with E-911 in Lowndes County for more than 20 years.

West Point plans to renovate McClure building

Nearly four years ago, a Mississippi Main Street charrette team suggested a use for a vacant downtown West Point building donated to the city: Convert it into an artist studio and gallery.