Good morning Columbus! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Climate Week NYC and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Chief Stoney Mathis' tenure defined by crime reduction, officer controversy (nowgeorgia.com) — Columbus residents will soon say goodbye to Police Chief Stoney Mathis, whose tenure brought steep drops in violent crime, faster response times, and FBI recognition but also internal disputes and discrimination complaints. With his official departure set for December 31, mayor‑elect Isaiah Hugley and city council will oversee selecting the next chief to guide public safety in Columbus.
2. Record breaking fundraising for CSU (nowgeorgia.com) — Columbus State University just logged a record $23.6 million fundraising year, growth that leaders say directly boosts jobs and economic strength in Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley. Expanded endowments, major donor gifts, and new facilities are expected to support local students, healthcare training, technology careers, and the arts for years to come.
3. City takes down century-old downtown oak as urban tree canopy beginning to show age and signs of stress (wrbl.com) — Downtown Columbus just lost a century-old water oak on Broadway after city crews found dangerous splitting, decay, and bug infestation ahead of a big Uptown concert. Urban forestry officials say similar stress and unexpected limb failures across the tree canopy are causing outages and removals, even as Columbus works to maintain its Tree City USA status by replanting.
4. Nikki Sands (uga.edu) — A Columbus fine arts magnet school teacher shares how she builds a calm, creative classroom where local middle and high school students support each other's artistic growth. She describes her own quilting, painting, and sculpture projects, and explains how graduate studies at the University of Georgia will help her better address challenges facing art classrooms like hers in Columbus.
5. Little Boy Can't Stop Crying When He Meets An Abandoned Dog At A Gas Station (thedodo.com) — A family driving home to Atlanta stopped at a Columbus gas station, where their 6‑year‑old son begged them not to leave behind a friendly, abandoned pit bull. After learning the dog's owner no longer wanted him, they adopted the pup—now named Clark—who has quickly settled in as a beloved new member of their household.
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Ok Columbus! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
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