Supes approve funding for major retail development

Lowndes County supervisors agreed to their end of a tax increment financing project today that would bring two major retail chains to Columbus as early as next October.

Future of bus system in dark

Early last month, Lawrence Transit System officials told Columbus councilmen a public transportation system would begin operating in the city in three to four weeks.

A ‘Major’ opportunity: Trotter Center renovation is a big step for young homegrown architect

Major Andrews IV is a third of the way through the design process for what will be a refurbished Trotter Convention Center.

E-911 board seeks new director

Columbus and Lowndes County Emergency 911 is seeking a new director to replace Sheri Fancher, who will retire from her post in January.

TVA gives Severstal $2.5M for energy efficiency efforts

Severstal’s big efforts to become more energy efficient were rewarded with a big check Tuesday.

Tennessee Valley Authority officials presented the automotive steel manufacturer with $2.5 million for reducing its usage 25,251,390 kilowatt-hours.

KJACS gets water/sewer project for Yokohama

West Point selectmen awarded Missouri-based KAJACS Contractors the contract for water and sewer extension to what will be the Yokohama Tire Company site in Clay County during their meeting Tuesday.

City officials: Railroad closures likely shelved

It is unlikely that Columbus councilmen will consider a proposal to close railroad crossings on Southside this year, but options remain on the table and the situation may be re-addressed in 2014.

Coretta Street extension could open at end of Oct.

Lowndes County supervisors on Monday approved paving the Coretta Street entrance to the Columbus Soccer Complex over Moore’s Creek.

CVB picks up award for tourism research

The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau was one of seven tourism entities across the state to receive Research-In-Action awards at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism held in late September.

Old West Point Road improvements finally going forward

Funds set aside by the state for a Lowndes County road can be put to use now that the county can acquire an easement needed to proceed with improving the road.

Seventh Avenue festival to honor Alva Temple

The 31st installment of the Seventh Avenue Heritage Festival will honor late Columbus resident Alva N. Temple and highlight his accomplishments in the air and on the ground.

Chancery clerk warns of deed ‘scam’

A company operating as “Record Transfer Services” based out Wilmington, Del., has been mailing notices to people who have just purchased property in Lowndes County to sell them copies of their deeds for $83.

Vote: Councilmen must get permission to travel

Columbus councilmen will have to fill out a travel request application and have it approved by the board prior to traveling on the city’s dime moving forward.

Supes get pay bump after county value eclipses $1B

Lowndes County’s total value has gone up. Now its supervisors’ salaries will also.

Supervisors will receive a $1,000 raise and make $45,700 a year now that the county’s total assessed value is more than $1 billion.

LINK TIF request pushed to mid-October

A tax increment financing project request related to a retail development possibly coming to Columbus was pulled from today’s Lowndes County Board of Supervisors meeting agenda and will also be removed from Columbus councilmen’s Tuesday agenda.

TVA increase forwarded to CL&W customers

Columbus Light & Water customers will pay an extra 1.5 percent per month starting Oct. 1.

For a residential customer paying a $100 utility bill each month, the increase adds $1.50 to the bill.

West Point, LINK chip in on Yokohama’s ‘Forever Forest’

As part of its “Grand Design 100” strategy, Yokohama Tire Company has a campaign called Forever Forest, a pledge the corporation has made to plant 500,000 trees around each of its worldwide locations by 2017.

Road sign theft, vandalism present safety issue

A couple of years ago, when Lowndes County road manager Ronnie Burns was driving around near Caledonia doing routine checks, he kept noticing an unusually high number of road signs missing.

Someone told Burns a vehicle often parked near the spots where the markers disappeared.

Bids for Yokohama water, sewer expansion opened

Sealed bids for water and sewer system expansions on East Hazelwood Road in Clay County where Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi is locating its plant were opened during Wednesday’s West Point Board of Selectmen meeting.

Tombigbee bridge to open next month

It’s official. The city will cut the ribbon on the Old Tombigbee River Bridge on Old Highway 82 at 10 a.m. on Oct. 18.

The city issued a press release Wednesday verifying the pedestrian walkway would be ready in time for the BBQ & Blues Festival scheduled to begin an hour after the ceremony.