Articles by Zack Plair
Mayor, council will get money in budget, but how much?
Ward 6 Councilman Jason Spears will get his fund for the mayor and each ward in the budget next fiscal year.
Budget proposals cause mayor, councilman to squabble
A few proposals from Ward 6 Councilman Jason Spears on Thursday to reallocate unused salaries and change the way the city budgets road money turned an already chippy work session into a direct confrontation between Spears and Mayor Stephen Jones.
Mayor wants free city flights for airline subsidy
Golden Triangle Regional Airport is looking to shore up a $300,000 subsidy to support the second year of westbound flights to Dallas/Fort Worth.
County, city officially settle dispute on jail bills
County supervisors and the Columbus City Council have finalized an agreement to settle debt related to housing city inmates in Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
City, county form committee to solve jail dispute
Neither the city nor county left a joint meeting Friday of the county board of supervisors and Columbus City Council with a check in-hand, but officials from both entities believe the financial disputes between them are well on their way to being resolved.
City grant writer resigns: toxic work environment
The city’s grant writer and administrator has had enough.
Heated council discusses job performance of multiple key positions
The bulk of Tuesday’s city council meeting at the Municipal Complex played out behind closed doors, with little action to show for the hour-plus executive session when it finally adjourned.
Could city’s public info officer position get shelved?
Some members of the city council are having second thoughts about whether there should be a public information officer on the city payroll.
‘Process error’ on film contract sparks council debate
A debate Wednesday on whether the city could pay for Carlos and Roberto Rosales’ meals next week in Denver revealed the documentarians have already received $18,750 in public funds for a contract the city council had not approved.
Woody’s sale hits snag as closing date delayed
Development of the old Woody’s on the Water property at Columbus Marina has hit a snag, with city council members voting at a Wednesday work session to extend the closing date to July 7.
Lewis becomes city’s first asst fire chief since 2022
Alan Lewis was passed over in March to be the city’s next fire chief, but on Tuesday he got the next best thing.
Community Profile: Salvation Army leader aims to help youth
If you walk into the rear of the Salvation Army building on 2219 Main St. in Columbus today, you’ll see a vast space in desperate
Columbus may lower minimum firefighter age to 18
The city council will soon consider lowering the age to work for Columbus Fire and Rescue from 21 to 18.
CAFB pilots safely eject from T-38 over west Alabama
Two Columbus Air Force Base pilots ejected safely from an aircraft Tuesday in west Alabama.
Vasey out, Fisackerly in as LINK CEO
Less than two months into his tenure as CEO, the Golden Triangle Development LINK has parted ways with Iain Vasey.
Man arrested for trying to rob church during Sunday service
A man is behind bars after he tried to rob the offering plate of a local church during Sunday services.
Amphitheater to be finished by March
The city council hired a contractor Tuesday to complete the third phase of the Sen. Terry Brown Amphitheater on the Island.
County, city squabble over $455K in unpaid jail, E-911 bills
Columbus and Lowndes County remain at odds on how to handle $455,000 in invoiced jail and E-911 costs the city has neglected to pay for more than a year.
New ordinance could require permits for utility repairs
A new city ordinance could require utility companies to obtain a permit before repairing any of their infrastructure buried under streets or sidewalks.
Colom raises another $600K for campaign, keeping pace with incumbent
Democrat Scott Colom continues to keep pace with incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith in fundraising, according to campaign finance reports from the first quarter of 2026.
Starkville duo, New Hope striker relish all-star opportunity
July 11, 2025
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