Columbus annexation goes to court next week

Columbus’ 2011 annexation plan will go before a judge next week.

Judge Kenneth Burns will hear the case next week in Lowndes County Chancery Court beginning Monday at 9 a.m.

Columbus native at Pentagon on 9/11 recalls attack

Forgetting that day is what Marie Hood Lewis has been trying to do for 13 years.

Investigation of gun buyback program clears city

The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor has determined that the gun buyback program held by the city of Columbus last year was not illegal.

West Point selectmen fire Water & Light superintendent

West Point selectmen fired the city’s water and light department superintendent Tuesday.

West Point applying for grant funds for City Hall

West Point selectmen have agreed to apply for grant funding to renovate City Hall, which is more than a century old.

Childers talks health care, minimum wage

If he unseats Thad Cochran in the U.S. Senate, Travis Childers said he would focus on three objectives: Expanding health care, raising the minimum wage and ensuring equal pay for equal work.

Airbus awarded another helicopter contract

Airbus Helicopters has landed another contract.

The latest in a series of contracts the company, which has a large-scale production facility in Lowndes County, has been awarded is for up to 15 AS350 AStar helicopters.

Gains continue for Lowndes County hospital sale fund

Three months ago, Lowndes County supervisors withdrew $922,000 from the gain on the $30 million hospital trust fund.

The principal has been split evenly between and managed by two financial firms for almost a year now.

City Council holds hearing, sets FY 2014-15 millage

Columbus councilmen adopted a millage rate of 107.08 for the city and school district effective Oct. 1 after holding a public hearing Thursday on its proposed budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year.

Navistar nabs $38M contract to upgrade Army fleet

After more than a year of being idle, the Navistar Defense assembly plant in West Point will be up and running again early next year.

Turner disputes use of I.C. Cousins proceeds

The Sim Scott Park community center is getting some new exercise equipment and one Columbus councilman is claiming the funding for the upgrades is going to the wrong part of the city.

Council to hold public hearing today on budget

The public will have an opportunity to speak with city leaders about a proposed 1.1-mill tax increase today.

City, county officials attend annual Tenn-Tom Conference

Nine public officials from Columbus and Lowndes County attended the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Opportunities Conference last week. The trip — which seven city officials and two county officials made — cost roughly $9,850.

Sanctions may delay Severstal sale

The sale of Russia-based Severstal may be slowed down due to sanctions the United States currently has on the country.

Public works employees fired for misconduct

Columbus councilmen fired two public works employees for misconduct Tuesday.

The identities of the two employees terminated during the council meeting were not revealed because the move was a personnel matter discussed in executive session.

Development Authority to pitch in for Columbus firing range

The Mississippi Development Authority will contribute $110,165 more than it was going to initially to help Lowndes County and the city of Columbus pay for a firing range for Columbus Air Force Base

A year in, is J5 Broaddus saving Columbus money?

How much money J5 Broaddus may have saved the city during its first year as Columbus’ project managing firm isn’t known, but the man who runs the company says the savings exceed the $90,000 flat rate paid to it during its first 12 months of work.

Clay Co. moves forward with Airport Road project

Clay County supervisors accepted a bid to widen and overlay Airport Road during their meeting Thursday.

Long-time Columbus GNC franchise owner retires

Thirty years ago, after working a series of small jobs, often multiple ones at a time, Jo Ann Walk-Ferguson helped open the GNC in Leigh Mall in Columbus.

Now, she has retired.

CalStar anticipating growth as it gets started

CalStar threw the switch on its brick and paver manufacturing plant in June to test equipment. In July, employees began making product.