Lowndes County passes Fiscal Year ’14 budget

Lowndes County residents living outside of Columbus will see a millage decrease when the 2013-14 fiscal year begins in October.

Riverwalk expansion should begin in spring

Conceptual designs for a pedestrian connection between the Riverwalk to the Columbus Soccer Complex have been completed and the project is on schedule to begin construction in the spring, project engineer Kevin Stafford of Neel-Schaffer Engineering said Thursday.

Island committee still weighing options

Committee members selected to brainstorm economic development ideas for the Island are forming a clearer picture of how to proceed, but they also want to hear from the public.

Council approves millage, sets budget for FY ’14

The Columbus City Council set the city’s operating budget and millage for the next fiscal year Tuesday.

City millage rates will remain 40.13 mills. The city also approved the millage for the school district, which is set at 65.87.

Reserves may not be needed to balance current budget

The city’s income during the last 12 months may not equal the amount officials thought it would last September.

So far, Columbus department heads also haven’t spent as much as predicted. That means it’s possible that officials won’t need to go to the city’s reserve fund to balance the 2013 budget.

Property dispute creates new situation for supes

A dilapidated property has morphed into a unique problem for Lowndes County leaders.

Thomas Kyle, who lives at 245 Belle Circle, threatened to sue a contractor trying to clean his property, which is littered with old tires, scrap, assorted junk items and trash. The contractor was there by Lowndes County board of supervisor order.

Accident causes power outage at EMCC

A dump truck accident cut power to 400 4-County Electric customers and canceled early afternoon classes at East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus Monday.

County could budget more for roads, EMCC

Lowndes County revenues are projected to increase by more than $6 million in the upcoming fiscal year, based on the budget county supervisors will consider later this week.

Longtime MUW art professor dies

Elizabeth “Betty” Jane Dice, whose tenure as an art professor at Mississippi University for Women spanned nearly 40 years, died August 22.

She was 94.

Historic commission tables bus shelter request

They like the idea of public buses. They don’t like the idea of bus stop shelters at the intersection of Fifth and Main streets.

That’s what downtown business owners and residents told the Columbus Historic Preservation Commission during a meeting Thursday. The commission was considering a request from Lawrence Transit System to construct four shelters at that intersection, as well as one at the intersection of 12th and College streets.

Officials unveil Catfish Alley memorial

Lifelong Lowndes County resident Charlie Smith, now in his 70s, admits he’s forgotten a few things about visiting Catfish Alley during his youth.

On Thursday, city officials unveiled a monument commemorating the area’s rich history as a commercial and cultural hub for African-Americans and a gathering place for all races. The sides of the monument list the names of those who ran restaurants, barber shops, dentist offices, drug stores and entertainment venues during the area’s peak eras in popularity and success.

Supes spar over Lindsey Ferry road request

A Lowndes County supervisor’s request that the board change an ordinance so the county could haul debris off a property owner’s land led to a debate over communication between county leaders on Tuesday.

Supes seek appraisal of Renon Lane land

Fourteen-year Renon Lane resident John Prevost has been advocating a solution to make the intersection of his road and Buck Egger Road in Caledonia safer almost as long as he’s lived there. Anything that can be done to curb speeding and the high potential for car accidents is needed, he said.

Two firms will manage hospital money

Two firms will watch over Lowndes County’s $30 million nest egg for a 30-month trial period.

After a day of hearing presentations from three financial consulting companies, the Lowndes County Reserve and Trust Fund Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to select Stephens Capital Management and Renasant Wealth Management to manage and invest the money from the county’s hospital sale.

Gavin, Karriem duel over travel request

Three Columbus council members are going to a Washington, D.C., conference later this month, but a dispute over whether taxpayers should pay for the trip took place during Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Council to hold public hearing on ’14 budget

The Columbus City Council will hold its first public hearing on its proposed 2014 budget at 5 p.m. today at the municipal complex.

Agencies, colleges to hold mock disaster drill

In the event that a disaster happens on a school campus, communication between all local agencies is key to helping those at risk get to a place of safety.

Yokohama groundbreaking set for late September

State leaders and Yokohoma officials will put shovels to the ground next month to begin constructing the Japanese company’s new Clay County plant.

Summer county road projects completed

Construction season may not be over, but all of Lowndes County’s road improvement projects budgeted for this year wrapped up last week.

Thirty-three roads were either overlaid, chip-sealed or given double bituminous surface treatment during the summer months.

Lawrence Transit to go before historic commission

When the Historic Preservation Commission meets next week, one of the matters they will take up is whether to approve the installation of five bus stops and shelters within Columbus historic districts.