County supervisors implement mask policy they admit has no teeth
Lowndes County residents will be required to wear a face mask in public settings through the end of April, the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors decided during its regular meeting Monday.
Or will they?
Solar farm nearly doubles plans, bringing millions in tax revenue
Thirteen months after awarding a contract for a 200-megawatt solar facility in west Lowndes County to a Florida-based company, TVA has awarded another contract to the same company for another 150-megawatt solar plant.
County grapples with over-budget bids for soccer complex walking path
In 2015, work on a 900-foot concrete pathway connecting the Columbus Riverwalk to the Lowndes County Soccer Complex was completed to the tune of $600,000.
It won’t cost nearly that much to extend a new concrete “walking path,” the Riverwalk/Soccer Complex connector, across the soccer complex’s northern section to its terminal point near Corretta Street.
Supes OK immediate raises for 64 of lowest-paid employees
A plan to close pay disparities and bring all Lowndes County employees to at least a $15 per hour pay rate over three years won partial approval during Monday’s board of supervisors meeting.
The board voted 3-1 to provide 50-cent pay raises for 37 employees and 75-cent pay raises for 27 others — all of whom are making less than $15 per hour — effective immediately.
Three juvenile passengers injured in weekend collision with train
Three juveniles were severely injured Saturday afternoon after the car they were riding in collided with a train southwest of New Hope, Lowndes County authorities said.
Supervisors approve bids to remove Confederate monument
Lowndes County supervisors approved an approximately $80,000 bid with local companies to complete the first phase of relocating the Confederate monument in front of the courthouse.
Columbus man indicted in fatal summer shooting
A Lowndes County grand jury has indicted a Columbus man for murder in the fatal shooting of another man last summer.
Supe proposes $15/hour wage for Lowndes employees
During a discussion about road maintenance at Monday’s Lowndes County supervisors meeting, District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks mentioned disparities in wages between some road department employees.
North Atlantic ends security contract with Lowndes County Justice Court
Lowndes County is looking for full-time security for the Justice Court building after North Atlantic Security ended its contract with the county in January.
Making the best of it: Activity planning goes into overdrive during pandemic
Adaptability has been a keyword of the COVID-19 pandemic; that is as true of senior living facilities as it is of every household, workplace, school or church around the globe. When the novel coronavirus abruptly curtailed most in-person family and community interaction last March, staff at such places as Garden Hill Assisted Living in Lowndes County were challenged to help provide reassurance, guard health and enrich daily life during an unprecedented period of isolation.
6 companies with total $2.3B investment eyeing Lowndes
The Golden Triangle Development LINK will ask the Lowndes County supervisors Friday for a sewer line extension at the county’s industrial park, in preparation for an automotive company to potentially make its home there, LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins said.
C Spire sues Lowndes for allegedly violating internet agreement
C Spire Fiber has filed a lawsuit against Lowndes County over the county’s alleged violation of a franchise agreement the two entities signed in 2019 allowing C Spire to lay fiber optic cables and provide internet to parts of the county.
Lowndes County approaching 5,000 COVID cases
COVID-19 cases in the Golden Triangle continue to pile up in light of the holiday season, with Lowndes County still increasing at the highest rate.
Supes approve extending extra leave policy for COVID-quarantined employees
Lowndes County supervisors took the weekend to explore their options for changing one of the county’s COVID-19 policies, but on Monday opted to accept the recommendation made at Friday’s meeting by Lowndes County Administrator Jay Fisher.
Local leaders reflect on 2020 as year of record-level advocacy against racism
The day the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to relocate the Confederate monument in front of the county courthouse, District Attorney Scott Colom’s parents could not believe it.
LCIDA asks supes for $750K annually for three years
Following a unanimous vote, Lowndes County Industrial Development Authority (LCIDA) board members approved Monday morning a draft agreement to ask the county for an annual funding of $750,000 for three years.
Sanders attends supes meeting despite possible exposure to COVID
One member of the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors has tested positive for COVID-19. Another, who told The Dispatch he may have been exposed, attended a public meeting in person anyway.
What is LCIDA?
Created under a 1974 state law, Lowndes County Industrial Development Authority (LCIDA) was formed as a Lowndes County subsidiary that oversees economic development efforts.
Supes remain divided, confused over LCIDA’s annual funding request
Lowndes County Board of Supervisors further delayed actions Monday on an agreement that would set up an annual funding stream toward the county’s Industrial Development Authority (LCIDA), which helps the county recruit business and maintain the Lowndes County Industrial Park near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport.
Warming Center will not open due to COVID concerns
A Monday afternoon phone call to Columbus Mayor Robert Smith confirmed what Glenda Richardson had already suspected: The city’s warming center will not be open this winter because of the threat of COVID-19.