Brittany McGee

2 weeks ago | ledger-enquirer.com | Brittany McGee

An urban farmer and Columbus chef has found a niche growing mushrooms that he promises will not serve as a precursor to a " The Last of Us " kind of zombie apocalypse. Marcus Smith, owner of Marc's Gourmet Mushrooms, began growing mushrooms during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he told the Ledger-Enquirer. What began with a few grow kits, grew into a lab and evolved into a larger "grow room.""(Growing mushrooms) slowed down around 2022 when COVID was kind of ending," Smith said.

3 weeks ago | ledger-enquirer.com | Brittany McGee

Georgia state Sen. Jason Esteves, owner of The Flying Biscuit locations in Columbus and Macon, is running for governor in the 2026 election. @markmorinii Georgia state Sen. Jason Esteves (D-District 35 in metro Atlanta), who owns The Flying Biscuit in Highside Market in his hometown of Columbus, plans to use what he has learned about challenges facing the Columbus community to inform his policies and decisions as he runs for governor.

3 weeks ago | ledger-enquirer.com | Brittany McGee |Kelby Hutchison

Columbus residents can renew their business licenses at the city finance office in the City Services Center off Macon Road by the city's public library. ledger-enquirer file photo There will be no more charges coming from the Towaliga Judicial Circuit District Attorney's investigation into the Columbus Consolidated Government Finance Department, Towaliga deputy chief assistant DA Wayne Jernigan told the Ledger-Enquirer on Wednesday.

3 weeks ago | ledger-enquirer.com | Brittany McGee

Columbus drivers will have to navigate around another detour soon, as the Georgia Department of Transportation plans to shift traffic this weekend for construction on the Diversion Diamond Interchange at US 80 and Bradley Park Drive. Scheduled for the weekend of June 7, the shift is part of efforts to improve traffic flow and facilitate construction on the interchange, GDOT and the city said in a news release.

3 weeks ago | ledger-enquirer.com | Brittany McGee

When Columbus Council voted last week to fire then-city manager Isaiah Hugley, Councilor Charmaine Crabb (District 5) indicated that he would continue to be paid his salary and benefits through the end of 2025. The payments will continue because of Hugley's employment contract with the city, Crabb said during the May 27 council meeting. The city will pay Hugley $137,756.58 - $127,967.10 for his salary and $9,789.48 for benefits - between May 28 and Dec.