Articles by Nathan Gregory
Council mulls variance to fire sprinkler requirement
Renovation of a downtown mixed-use building could soon slow down while the city council decides whether to allow a variance bypassing installation of a sprinkler system.
Lowndes unemployment rate drops
Lowndes County’s unemployment numbers were down six-tenths of a percent from March, continuing a trend that has occurred yearly since 1996.
Yokohama contractor to be named at end of month
Plans remain on track for workers to break ground in September on the first phase of Clay County’s Yokohama tire manufacturing plant, Golden Triangle Development Link CEO Joe Max Higgins told the Link’s board of directors Wednesday.
Oktibbeha unemployment rate shows improvement
Oktibbeha County unemployment numbers continued improving, with April statistics showing a drop from 8.4 percent in March to 7.8 percent in April.
Turner unseats Stewart in close Ward 4 runoff
Five-term Ward 4 councilman Fred Stewart was unseated by challenger Marty Turner 433-409 in the run-off election Tuesday.
City Council approves Dollar General relocation
The Columbus City Council gave its approval Tuesday night to a developer’s request to re-zone a property from a general agricultural to a highway commercial district, paving the way for construction to begin on a larger Dollar General store to replace the one at 930 Tuscaloosa Road.
Turner leads Stewart for Ward 4 seat
Challenger Marty Turner appears to have beaten incumbent Fred Stewart in the run-off for the Ward 4 councilman seat in Columbus but 21 affidavit ballots remain uncounted.
CVB tables proposed ethics policies
The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors voted unanimously Monday to table two items related to the establishment of a conflict of interest policy and a new policy regarding teleconferencing as a means of attending meetings.
Columbus sales tax collection slump continues
The city’s sales tax collections for the month of May were $781,624.11, down $28,075.88 from the $809,699.99 collected in May 2012. That brings the eight-month fiscal year total so far to $4,985,880.44. By this point last year, the city had collected $5,120,771.57.
Rise in health premiums shouldn’t affect Columbus L&W customers
The implementation of a bridge plan two years ago will keep health insurance increases for Columbus Light and Water employees from affecting the pocketbooks of ratepayers and the employees themselves.
Study should expedite work on Magowah Creek
A long process of securing easements and proper documentation has caused delays in cleaning Magowah Creek, but landowners and farmers who have suffered as result of flooding may finally see relief as soon this year.
Sequester threatens production at Columbus Eurocopter
Earlier this week, Sean O’Keefe, American Eurocopter parent company CEO , said cuts to the Pentagon budget under the “sequester” budget reduction plan could force the company to slash production of the UH-72 Lakota helicopter, which is produced at its Columbus facility.
Trust fund board holds first meeting
A timeline has been set for financial firms to submit proposals to manage finances from Lowndes County’s hospital sale.
Turner says judgments don’t tell whole story
A public records search by The Dispatch shows that Turner Furniture LLC, which is owned by Ward 4 councilman candidate Marty Turner, has yet to satisfy a $56,023.84 judgment regarding failure to pay rent to former landlord and a cumulative $10,003.53 in other judgments.
Study shows good rapport between community, CAFB
The third and final public meeting designed to inform the public about the preparation of a joint land use study was held Tuesday at the Caledonia YMCA building.
Officials target mid-June for Catfish Alley ceremony
With street light replacement and paving already complete and sidewalk installation, completion of a mural and landscape improvements all set to be wrapped up by June 6, officials are on schedule for a mid-June ceremony to celebrate Catfish Alley.
Mentoring program plans expansion
In 2009, Angela Nash and her husband began opening up their home in New Hope each Friday night to feed and spend time with five young girls who were struggling in school.
County night club hours ordinance still in works
It will likely be June before Lowndes County authorities present a proposed ordinance to supervisors that would mandate night clubs close at 1 a.m., Sheriff Mike Arledge said.
Grant would provide funding for city hall renovation
The city has been working more than five years to secure funding to renovate the interior of its century-old City Hall, but a little help from the state may be on the way.
Council gets on board with CFD strategic plan
Unsurprisingly, a survey of customers and other stakeholders found that the core services offered by Columbus Fire and Rescue ranked at the top in terms of importance: Fire suppression, emergency medical response and fire prevention were the top three programs of priority among the more than two dozen, according to the department’s 2013-18 strategic plan.
Aldermen jeopardize massive project over business owner’s complaints
June 19, 2025
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