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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.

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.

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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

Construction continues on the Wellstar Hospital in Columbia County. The hospital is expected to open in 2026. Staff photo by Stephanie Hill

Wellstar shows progress of Columbia County hospital

Construction of the Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center is well on schedule, said Wellstar officials. Friday morning, they showed it...

A tax hike, for police only: Would Augusta agree?

Would Augusta taxpayers support a 1.5-mill tax hike for law enforcement?

ADP donation provides professional uniforms for Columbia County job skills students

A $5,000 donation from ADP will help students in the Columbia County School District’s (CCSD) Job Skills Training Program prepare...

Intoxicating THC from hemp to be banned in a year, with implications for business and consumers

A year from now people in the hemp industry expect booming growth in a black market for marijuana and illicit...

Greenbrier teen’s arrest parallels September threat case at Lakeside High

A Greenbrier High School student was jailed Wednesday after allegedly threatening to shoot everyone in his class if he “didn’t...

Salvation Army launches Angel Tree Program to support more than 1,200 Augusta children

The Salvation Army of Augusta has launched its 2025 Angel Tree program, aiming to provide Christmas gifts and essential items...

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions to host “STEM Like a Girl” event at USCA

More than 70 eighth-grade girls from seven surrounding counties will gather at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center on Saturday,...

Fort Gordon soldier pleads guilty in North Korean remote-worker scheme

An Army soldier stationed at Fort Gordon and two other U.S. nationals pleaded guilty this week to allowing North Korean...

Augusta women jailed in alleged beatings of teen boys

Two Augusta women spent their fifth day in jail Friday for allegedly beating two teen boys with extension cords and...

Charter committee seat dispute unfolds as panel advances manager structure

An unexpected seat change and a few close votes marked Thursday’s meeting of the Augusta Charter Review Committee.

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