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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

Holiday deliveries coming to some homes by air, without the ‘ho ho ho’

They will not be dropping packages down your chimney, but unmanned air couriers will be able to deliver to your...

Augusta man dies after electric scooter collision with pickup truck

A 55-year-old Augusta man has died following a crash involving an electric scooter and a pickup truck on Tuesday morning,...

Augusta stuck in budget stalemate as jobs, tax hike, services hang in balance

Despite more than seven hours of debate Tuesday, the Augusta Commission could not agree on how to balance next year’s...

Members of Columbia County EMA were recognized for being named the 2025 EMA of the Year. Staff photo by Stephanie Hill

Columbia County commissioners approve creation of data center ordinance

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved the second and final reading of the new data center ordinance (D-C).

Richmond County fifth graders pack Christenberry Fieldhouse for Richmond County Education Day

More than 2,000 Richmond County fifth graders packed Christenberry Fieldhouse on Tuesday morning for Augusta University’s annual Richmond County Education...

Lane closures scheduled Thursday at Furys Ferry and Blackstone Camp

Drivers should expect intermittent, temporary lane closures Thursday at the intersection of Furys Ferry Road and Blackstone Camp Road/Colony Drive,...

Evans Towne Center roads to close Thursday for Christmas event

Two roads in the Evans Towne Center area will temporarily close Thursday for this year’s Christmas in Columbia County event,...

No handing out food and drink at polling places, court rules

A federal appeals court has restored a state ban on giving food and drink to people waiting in line to...

Columbia County man accused of molesting girls repeatedly since 2020

A local man was arrested on two counts of child molestation after he admitted touching two twin girls on a...

Columbia County Crime Map: Nov. 23–30

During the weeks of Nov. 23–30, a total of 41 crimes were tracked by The Augusta Press from the Columbia County...

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