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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

Augusta closes in on hurricane reimbursement

Augusta is closing in on recouping the massive expense of Hurricane Helene cleanup from the federal government.

Group of people cutting ribbon at mural in downtown.

Arts Council celebrates new public mural, “Ours,” painted by locals

A little chill and rain didn’t stop the Greater Augusta Arts Council and Destination Augusta from celebrating the first iteration...

Evans High School to host fall band concert Thursday, November 6

The Evans High School Band will perform its Fall Band Concert on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. in the...

Aiken Tech, Rolls-Royce Power Systems launch pre-apprenticeship

Aiken Technical College (ATC) and Rolls-Royce Power Systems have partnered on a new pre-apprenticeship machine tool technology pathway set to...

Gold dome of Georgia Capitol in Atlanta. Photo from iStock

Political shutdown fight over food stamps comes to Georgia

The stalemate in Washington could cause gnawing hunger for more than a million Georgians starting Saturday, when federal funding for...

Columbia County man sentenced to 55 years for child sexual abuse

A Martinez man has been sentenced to 55 years for possessing child sexual abuse material.

Authorities identify body found in Augusta as missing man

The man whose body was found dead Tuesday in Augusta was a registered sex offender who was reported missing and...

Grovetown High student found with gun in bookbag, principal says

Grovetown High School officials say a student was found Wednesday with a handgun in his bookbag on campus, prompting a...

Deputies search for armed suspect in Hephzibah shooting that injured two teens

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Trey Wright, who is wanted in connection with a shooting that left...

Augusta weighs park sales, SPLOST projects as new deadline looms

Augusta commissioners returned to the topic of divesting underused parks Tuesday but stopped short of deciding which to attempt to...

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