Lowndes supes to vote on mask mandate Monday
Lowndes County Board of Supervisors agreed it should issue some sort of mandate that citizens wear masks in public, particularly in businesses, at one of its rare work sessions on Friday.
City proposes alternate site for Confederate monument
Columbus City Council will offer Lowndes County supervisors an option between two parcels of land at Friendship Cemetery on which to move the Confederate monument outside the courthouse, after city officials became concerned the first parcel chosen would be too difficult for the monument’s movers to access.
Large PPP loans help local-based businesses ‘weather the storm’
In the middle of storm season, 4-County Electric Power has one principal job: to keep the power on.
Consequently, Marketing and Public Relations Director Jon Turner said, “the last thing you want to do is be understaffed.”
Area businesses receive more than $123 million in PPP loans
Roughly 2,000 small businesses in Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Clay and Noxubee counties were approved for more than $123 million in federal loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, according to an analysis of SBA data released Monday.
Lowndes supervisors vote along racial lines to leave Confederate monument at courthouse
The Confederate monument in front of Lowndes County courthouse will stay in place, following a 3-2 vote by the board of supervisors Monday morning against its relocation.
Lowndes County to pay $130K for computers in LCSO vehicles
Lowndes County supervisors unanimously voted Monday morning to amend this fiscal year’s budget to pay $130,000 to place 30 computers in the sheriff’s department vehicles.
Two multimillion-dollar solar energy projects could come to Lowndes County
Two 200-megawatt solar energy projects that would generate and potentially store power could come to Lowndes County after supervisors unanimously approved resolutions of intent Friday morning to enter fee-in-lieu agreements with each of the two companies pitching the projects.
County lifts curfew, local restrictions to follow state guidelines
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors voted Friday morning to strip all county-level ordinances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the county curfew, and simply sync with state guidelines.
Supervisors backed off motion to fire Billingsley in executive session Monday
At least two Lowndes County supervisors pushed for County Administrator Ralph’s Billingsley’s immediate firing in an executive session of Monday’s board of supervisors meeting, but they backed off after a heated argument, multiple sources confirmed to The Dispatch.
County moves to put computers in LCSO vehicles
Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office will start applying for a $58,000 federal grant to install computers in police vehicles for report filing, following the board of supervisors’ unanimous vote to approve the application Monday morning.
Supes add $92K to budget for LCSO, delay action on storm shelters
Lowndes supervisors on Wednesday added $92,000 to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office budget, including $65,000 for new uniforms and $27,000 to match a federal grant to buy bulletproof vests.
Fisher hired to replace Billingsley as county administrator
A majority of the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors voted to hire a replacement for Lowndes County Administrator Ralph Billingsley Wednesday, but the decision sparked protests from two supervisors, one of whom walked out of the meeting, after they questioned the nature of Billingsley’s retirement and the appointment process.
Supervisors OK $8,800 equipment purchase to livestream meetings
Lowndes County residents can soon watch livestreams of board of supervisors’ meetings online amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lowndes County administrator chooses to resign as of Sept. 30
Lowndes County Administrator Ralph Billingsley has opted to leave his position effective Sept. 30.
Billingsley said he submitted a retirement letter to the county board of supervisors Monday evening.
Lowndes supes enact curfew, restrictions on restaurants, gatherings
Lowndes County Board of Supervisors took action Monday to limit the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus by instituting a curfew, closing non-essential businesses in the county and directing restaurants to close their dining rooms to customers.
Supervisor: Lowndes administrator told to resign or be fired
A Lowndes County supervisor told The Dispatch on Saturday that some members of the board are trying to force County Administrator Ralph Billingsley out of his job.
Lowndes elections to return to paper ballots
It appears Lowndes County elections will return to paper ballots but not in time for November.
Lowndes solar project to begin production in 2022
An executive with Florida-based Origis Energy confirmed Wednesday approval for a 200 megawatt solar energy project in west Lowndes County.
Former teacher indicted for driving baby into a lake
A Lowndes County grand jury has indicted a former teacher in Hamilton for attempted murder.
Supes shell out $41K for additional firefighter radios
Lowndes County Volunteer Fire Services will receive 12 additional radios and pagers it requested for its new volunteer firefighters, the board of supervisors decided during its Monday meeting.