Subscribe
LogIn
AU LogIn
Subscribe
Support
LogIn
AU LogIn

Featured Article: News

Project Azalea under review by Augusta Planning

The proposed development of what may be a new Amazon distribution facility in south Augusta is underway, according to city records.

The Columbia County Management and Internal Services Committee approved moving forward with the initial appointments to the Columbia County Library System. Those appointments are: • Connie Melear – countywide (Columbia County District 1 Commissioner) • Rusty Jarrett - District 1 • District 2 vacant • Secelia Brown – District 3 • John Luton – District 4 (Community Services division director) County Manager Scott Johnson said “As you know, now that Columbia County is going to have a standalone library board, we have to appoint new members. These members will need to begin work pretty soon, working on bylaws, the guidelines that are in place, we will need to hire a new regional director, so they do have some work to do.” The District 2 seat will remain vacant until after the District 2 Board of Commissioner seat is filled following the election on Nov. 4. Karin Parham, with the Freedom to Read Coalition of Columbia County, read a statement on their thoughts on the proposed library board members. “Our organization is concerned about the direction of the new Columbia County Library System,’ Parham said. “When county administration, through the Community Services division director, continues to manage library services operation while also placing that same position on the board that hires and oversees the library director, it creates a built-in conflict of interest. So even if direct supervision of staff changes, real control still rests with the county manager and the commission through the administrative link. That means the library’s independence only exists on paper and not in practice. So, we urge the county to establish a structure that keeps library government separate from county administration and political influence.” District 1 Commissioner Connie Melear said she wanted to be on the board to help guide it. “We felt like we needed somebody on the commission on there to help guide it and I’m looking forward to being a part of it. I haven’t participated much in the library aspect before and now this is my opportunity.” The committee approved moving the members to the full Board of Commissioners. Aa resolution to establish the Columbia County library fees fund was also discussed. “Historically, the Library Advisory Board had a fund that money would go into for late fees and other fees, with the sale of books and those sort of things. It’s grown into a pretty sizeable amount of money, so with the Library Advisory Board no longer in place, it’s incumbent upon the county now to establish a fund for that. Due to our fiduciary responsibility, I would ask that we would use this resolution to establish a special revenue fund that way those funds could continue to be earmarked for library operations and use.” The committee also approved moving forward with this resolution. The next Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at the Evans Government Center Complex.

Featured Article: News, Politics & Government

Columbia County to hold all committee meetings Tuesday

Tuesday will be a busy day for Columbia County government as all five committees will meet due to the Christmas holiday.

Featured Article: News

SRS Fire Department hosts DOE fire chiefs for three-day benchmarking visit

The Savannah River Site Fire Department hosted fire chiefs from across the Department of Energy complex for a three-day benchmarking and training visit aimed at improving fire safety practices and strengthening emergency response coordination.

Featured Article: Education, News, Politics & Government

All public schools to have naloxone by spring

In a nod to the spread of opioids, Georgia is installing overdose reversal kits at all 2,300 public schools in the state using money from a legal settlement with the pharmaceutical industry.

square ad for junk in the box

Follow @AugustaPress

Most Popular

Bribery charge filed after Augusta man tries giving flowers to judge in 2024 case

Richmond County Crime Map: November 26-December 2

List keeps getting bigger: SPLOST 9 climbs to $463 million

Columbia County Development Authority closes on property sale to Trammell Crow

Augusta University announces graduation speakers for December commencement ceremonies

Toy gun, bullet, and threats: Busy week for ARC and other county schools

Gun found at Westside High School after morning search

A firearm was confiscated at Westside High School on Tuesday morning after administrators intervened in an exchange of weapons between...

Columbia County Crime Map: Nov. 9–16

During the weeks of Nov. 9–16, a total of 57 crimes were tracked by The Augusta Press from the Columbia County...

Wimberly sworn in as District 4 commissioner after special election win

Lonnie Wimberly took the oath of office Monday as Augusta’s new District 4 commissioner after winning the Nov. 4 special...

Doctors Hospital celebrates new freestanding ER hospital in Evans

Doctors Hospital of Augusta cut the ribbon on its new freestanding emergency facility in Evans, Monday.

GBI agent Kaitlyn Payne speaks to parents at CCSD forum. Photo by Drew Wall.

Columbia County’s second “Let’s Talk” forum focuses on digital safety

Columbia County families gathered in the Evans Middle School cafeteria on Monday evening for the district’s second “Let’s Talk” informational...
Probate Court Judge Alice Padgett administered the oath of office to newly elected Columbia County District 2 Commissioner Jim Steed on Nov. 17. Photo courtesy Columbia County

District 2 Commissioner Jim Steed takes oath of office

Newly elected Columbia County District 2 Commissioner Jim Steed was sworn into office on Monday, Nov. 17. 

A Town Wings on thin ice for thawing methods

Check out this week’s health inspection scores.

Broad Street section to be closed till Dec. 15

A section of Broad street will be closed to all traffic starting Monday for about three weeks.

Lawmakers consider paring tax credits and exemptions to offset income tax cuts

A state legislative committee is eyeing cutbacks in $30 billion worth of tax credits and tax exemptions to offset the...

Suspect identified in 2024 killing of victim in his Augusta home

Richmond County authorities have identified a suspect in the shooting death of 50-year-old Chavious Kimmerlin, who was found dead inside...

Showing 111-120 of 12935 results