Commercial Roof Repair in Columbus, GA

By the end of this month, five new principals are expected to be approved this for Columbus area schools.

The Harris County School District announced Monday that Jennifer Taylor, an assistant principal at the high school, has been appointed as principal of the middle school, effective March 6. She succeeds Melissa Gates, who became an assistant principal at the high school.

“In working with these two leaders and their aspirational goals, this change seemed to work for them and the district,” HCSD superintendent Roger Couch told the L-E in an email.

Four new principals are on the agenda for approval at next week’s Muscogee County School District Board meeting. Superintendent David Lewis has recommended the following appointments:

The board is scheduled to vote on the recommendations during its March 20 meeting, starting at 6 p.m.

Freeman has told the Ledger-Enquirer he is retiring.

Myers told the L-E Monday she is resigning, effective March 31, to pursue unspecified opportunities. “I’ve loved my time here,” she said. “It’s been a most rewarding position.”

The L-E didn’t reach Sellers and Stone for comment before publication, but Lewis told the L-E in an email Tuesday that they are retiring.

Deloatch would take over at Rothschild on April 10, after spring break, and all the other promotions would be effective July 1, Lewis said.

Asked why he is recommending these candidates, Lewis said, “All four recommended candidates have completed our district’s principal preparation program, are currently assistant principals in their respective schools and received the endorsements of their supervisors, and each conveyed solid, aspirational visions for their school communities.”

They were selected among 25 applicants, from which six were interviewed, Lewis said.

Here’s some background information about the new HCSD principal and the recommended MCSD principals:

Taylor has worked in HCSD for 15 years.

“My passion for teaching and learning has led me to become a school administrator, and I am confident that my experience will be an asset to this amazing school,” Taylor said in HCSD’s news release. “I believe every child has unique abilities, and my goal as a principal is to create a learning environment where each student can thrive and become a better version of themselves each day.”

Before beginning her career in education, Taylor served for four years in the U.S. Air Force as an F-15 avionics specialist. She taught science for 13 years at Harris County Carver Middle School. For three months, she was the district’s Multi-tiered System of Supports coordinator. She became an assistant principal at Harris County High School in October 2021.

Taylor is a 2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year finalist.

At Columbus State University, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in middle grades education and Tier I Educational Leadership Certification. She is on track to earn in May a specialist’s degree in educational leadership and Tier II Leadership Certification.

Patterson has worked in MCSD for 22 years, including the past nine as assistant principal at Spencer.

After teaching physics for one year at Pacelli Catholic High School in 2000-01, Patterson taught math and science from 2001-07 at Marshall Middle and math from 2007-10 at Blackmon Road Middle School. From 2010-13, she was a school improvement specialist in math and science at Eddy Middle School.

Patterson earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Howard University in 1999, a master’s degree in math education from Columbus State University in 2009 and a specialist’s degree in education leadership from CSU in 2012.

Lawrence has worked in MCSD for 13 years, including the past five as assistant principal at Aaron Cohn. He previously taught English at Carver High School from 2010-18.

He is the 2016 MCSD Teacher of the Year and a 2019 Georgia Teacher of the Year finalist.

Lawrence earned a bachelor’s degree (2009) and a master’s degree (2012) in English/secondary education from Columbus State University and a doctorate in education leadership from the University of Georgia in 2017.

Deloatch has been an educator for 16 years, including the past four as assistant principal at Rothschild.

She started her career as a teacher from 2007-13 at Chattahoochee County Middle School, where she was head of the English department. After serving as assistant head of the social studies department in 2014 at Spencer, she was an academic coach there from 2014-17, then academic dean from 2017-19 at Midland Middle School.

Deloatch earned an associate’s degree in secondary education from Chattahoochee Valley Community College in 1998, bachelor’s degrees in political science and African American studies from the University of Georgia in 2001, a master’s degree in education from Columbus State University in 2019 and a specialist’s degree in education leadership from CSU in 2022.

Wilson has been an educator for 17 years, including the past five years as assistant principal at Dimon.

She started her career as a teacher from 2006-08 at North Columbus Elementary School. From 2008-15, she taught at St. Elmo Center for the Gifted. She was assistant principal at Eagle Ridge Academy from 2015-18.

Wilson earned her college degrees from Columbus State University: a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 2005, a master’s degree in middle grades education with a concentration in math and science in 2011 and a specialist’s degree in education leadership in 2014.

This story was originally published March 13, 2023, 4:10 PM.

The Ledger-Enquirer has compiled the latest health inspections scores for cafeterias in Columbus area public and private schools.

This list comprises the most recent scores from inspections conducted by Georgia and Alabama health department officials and posted on their websites.

Georgia’s inspection frequency depends on the food establishment category, but it’s typically twice per year. Establishments that receive a food safety grade of “C” (below 80 on the 100-point scale) or “U” (below 70) will have at least one additional routine inspection added in a 12-month period and may have more inspections at the discretion of the local health authority.

If an establishment maintains an “A” food safety rating on three consecutive routine inspections, the local health authority may reduce the frequency of routine inspections.

Alabama inspects food establishments every four months or every six months if the previous inspection score was at least 95.

Georgia’s health department posts the inspection reports online, so those violations are noted in this list. Alabama, however, posts only the scores — not the reports — so those violations aren’t noted here.

The following scores are from reports conducted May 23, 2022, through March 3, 2023.

Elementary schools

100: Allen, Blanchard, Brewer, Britt David, Clubview, Davis, Dawson, Dimon, Double Churches, Eagle Ridge, Forrest Road, Fox, Gentian, Georgetown, Johnson, Lonnie Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr., Mathews, Midland, North Columbus, Rigdon Road, River Road, South Columbus, St. Marys Road, Waddell, Wesley Heights and Wynnton.

96: Dorothy Height. Sept. 13, the inspector reported pink buildup on the back of the ice machine’s chute. The person in charge said they would clean the machine as soon as possible. The problem must be solved within 10 days.

96: Hannan: Oct. 14, the inspector reported handwashing sinks and the dishwashing area without hot water. The person in charge said the school district was made aware of the issue. It must be corrected within 10 days.

95: Downtown. Sept. 12, the inspector reported a “pink-like substance” built up on the ice machine’s chute. The problem must be corrected within 72 hours. The inspector also reported the facility didn’t have a testing kit to accurately measure the concentration of sanitizing solutions. The problem must be corrected within 10 days.

91: Reese Road. March 1, the inspector reported 15-20 cans of food (beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce and peaches) in dry storage with rust around the rims. The rust was due to a water hose bursting and causing moisture in the area. The person in charge solved the problem by discarding the cans during the inspection.

87: Key. Sept. 12, the inspector reported the temperature of the hot water in the handwashing sink in the main kitchen area not reaching the required 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It was 82.9 degrees. The inspector required it to be corrected within 10 days. The inspector also reported the meat for the nachos that day wasn’t cooled to the proper temperature. The temperature is supposed to cool from 135 degrees to 70 degrees by 2 hours before lunchtime. It was at 116 degrees during the inspection. The person in charge reheated the meat to the appropriate temperature.

Middle schools

100: Aaron Cohn, Baker, Blackmon Road, Double Churches, East Columbus, Eddy, Fort, Midland and Veterans Memorial.

99: Arnold: Oct. 5, the inspector reported keys, a cellphone, tape and papers stored on a slicer atop a prep table. Employees removed those personal items and placed them in the proper area.

99: Richards. Dec. 2, the inspector reported the temperature on the dishwasher’s final rinse was 164 degrees. It should be 180 degrees. The person in charge put in a work order to fix the problem. Until it is repaired, items must be washed in the three-compartment sink.

High schools

100: Carver, Columbus, Hardaway, Jordan, Kendrick, Shaw and Spencer.

91: Northside. Oct. 28, the inspector reported a food employee who was prepping sandwiches walk to the dry storage room, turn on the light, retrieve a storage bag, then return to prepping sandwiches without washing hands and changing gloves. The inspector informed the person in charge and gave a reminder about the rules for that situation.

Others

100: Marshall Success Center, Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts and St. Elmo Center for the Gifted.

100: Creekside, Harris County Carver Middle School, Harris County High School, Mulberry Creek, New Mountain Hill, Park and Pine Ridge.

100: Chattahoochee County Education Center and Chattahoochee County Middle/High School

100: Central Freshman Academy, Central High School, Creative Learning Center, Creekside Early Learning Center, Culinary Arts Center, Lakewood Elementary School, Lakewood Primary School, Meadowlane Elementary School, New Beginning Parenting Center, Phenix City Early Learning Center, Phenix City Elementary School, Phenix City Intermediate School, Phenix City Special Education Center, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Sherwood Elementary School, South Girard School, Success Academy, The Brick and Westview Elementary School.

100: Dixie Elementary School, Ladonia Elementary School, Mount Olive Elementary School, Oliver Elementary School, Russell County High School and Russell County Middle School.

100: East Smiths Station Elementary School, Smiths Station High School, Smiths Station Junior High School, South Smiths Station Elementary School and West Smiths Station Elementary School.

100: Calvary Christian, Glenwood, Pacelli Catholic High School, St. Anne Anne School and St. Luke Ministry Center.

96: Brookstone School. Nov. 18, the inspector reporter sticker residue from labels on food storage containers after wash, rinse and sanitize. Food service manager corrected the problem by washing, rinsing and sanitizing the containers during the inspection.

94: St. Luke Early Learning Center: Sept. 9, the inspector reported pink and yellow buildup on the ice machine chute and ordered it corrected within 10 days. The inspector also reported chicken and rice stored inside a corner originally labeled pasta salad. Single-service and single-use containers may not be reused. The person in charge moved to items to food-grade safe containers and discarded the single-use container. The inspector also reported a cupcake was stored on a shelf in the dishwashing area. The person in charge moved the cupcake to the designated area.

The iconic statue Kadie the Cow has been missing its calf, BeBe, for years. But an anonymous individual decided to return the calf to its mother a couple weeks ago.

BeBe is now in the custody of Uptown Inc. after President Ed Wolverton received a phone call from someone who said they had the calf.

“After seeing a recent media story about our recent move of Kadie to Uptown, he volunteered to return BeBe to us for the reunification,” Wolverton told the Ledger-Enquirer.

Wolverton was surprised that someone came forward with the statue, he said. He was able to pick BeBe up during President’s Day weekend. The next steps will be to ensure that when BeBe is reunited with its mother that the calf will not be running away again.

“Through the years, BeBe has wandered off from Kadie a number of times,” Wolverton said. “So, we want to make sure that when we go to reunite the family that BeBe is well-anchored and it will be very difficult for someone to try to corral BeBe to go elsewhere.”

The calf also needs some cosmetic work before it can be displayed again with Kadie, he said, so officials will begin to ensure BeBe gets the grooming it needs.

The small size of BeBe is also a concern because people might accidentally damage the statue trying to sit on it, Wolverton said, which means officials will begin figuring out a way to prevent this from happening.

Kadie was an iconic attraction for many years in Columbus with BeBe joining a few years later, he said. The chain of custody as to when BeBe was added next to Kadie and how many times the statue has wandered away is murky, he said.

But BeBe had already been missing for a few years before the Best Buy where Kadie was previously located was closed.

Moving Kadie to a location along the riverwalk that is easy for people to find and enjoy has been a great asset for the community, Wolverton said.

“Getting BeBe is a little bit like icing on the cake,” he said. “We knew BeBe was out there somewhere, but we just didn’t know exactly where.”

This story was originally published March 7, 2023, 3:13 PM.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The 2023 NFCA Division II Leadoff Classic makes its return Feb. 24-26 in Columbus, Ga. The three-day showcase of collegiate softball features 20 programs from 11 conferences that will collide at the South Commons Complex this weekend.

The field features nine programs that earned berths to the 2022 NCAA Tournament, including Super Regional participants Wilmington and Lincoln Memorial. Along with those programs, Georgian Court and the University of Alabama in Huntsville were Regional finalists. Rounding out the 2022 postseason teams are Bridgeport, Carson-Newman, Wingate University, Embry-Riddle and Ohio Dominican.

While some teams are making their 2023 debuts - Bridgeport, California (Pa.), Charleston and Gannon at the Classic, several programs have hit the ground running in the 2023 season. Three programs - No. 17 UAH (9-3), No. 18 Lincoln Memorial (14-4) and No. 25 Wilmington (2-0) - are nationally ranked, while Wingate (12-4) is receiving votes in the NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll.

Additionally, Carson-Newman (10-1), Columbus State (5-2), Embry-Riddle (6-3), Georgia Southwestern (9-2), Georgian Court (3-2), Hillsdale (1-3), Le Moyne (1-1), Missouri Western (5-3), Northern State (4-0), Ohio Dominican (2-7), Shaw (0-4) and West Chester (1-1) have kicked off their seasons.

You can follow of the action on the Tournament Central page and enjoy a free video stream of all contests through https://watch.yourgamecam.com/.

"After missing 2021 due to COVID, we are thrilled to have our NFCA Division II Leadoff Classic Tournament back in 2023!” NFCA Executive Director Carol Bruggeman said. “Our partners from the City of Columbus, Ga., are experts at running first-class events, so there is no doubt student-athletes and coaches will have a wonderful experience. Special thanks to NFCA Division II Board representative Les Stuedeman and NFCA Division II liaison Brian Stanley for putting together a talented field. We look forward to a highly-competitive tournament in February.”

In all, 17 of the 20 participants posted above .500 winning percentages in 2022 with two, Georgian Court and UAH, reaching the 40-win threshold and 10 more posting 30 or more victories.

Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Leadoff Classics, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and the National Convention.

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 6,700 coaches today!

Columbus, GA - After 11 straight games at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, the (14-26-4) Mississippi Sea Wolves are back on the road as they focus on a three-in-three series against the (33-8-4) Columbus River Dragons. The games on Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18 will begin at 6:30pm Central Time, while the Sunday finale begins at 3:30.

Last Week in Review:The Sea Wolves are riding a season-best five-game win streak, claiming victory in last weekend's pair of meetings against the Delaware Thunder. Friday saw a tight 7-6 result before Mississippi's offense controlled the show the next night in a 6-0 shutout win.

Milestone Watch:Forward Yianni Liarakos notched his 1,000th career FPHL goal this past Friday against Delaware. Additionally, he issix assists shy of 200 in the league and six points away from 300. Liarakos holds a point streak of 18 games and is followed by Yaroslav Yevdokimov, who has posted points in all but one of his past 17 appearances.

D'Aloisio's Domination: Goaltender Anthony D'Aloisio made his Sea Wolves debut on February 24 and made a huge impression right away. After dropping a shootout to Columbus in his first game, D'Aloisio bounced back with five consecutive wins, including his first professional shutout this past Saturday against Delaware.

Scouting the River Dragons:Columbus is looking to get back to their winning ways after dropping three of their last four games.22-year-old forward Jacob Kelly is the River Dragons'top scorer with 34 goals, 24 assists and 58 points. The goaltending core is led by Breandan Colgan with his 17-5-2 record, a 2.29 goals against average and a .919 save percentage.

On the Road Again: This Friday's series opener serves as the first matchup of an eight-game road trip for the Sea Wolves. That includes three games against Columbus, two at the Danbury Hat Tricks and three versus the Carolina Thunderbirds.

The Home Stretch: Just two home games remain in the 2022-23 schedule for the Sea Wolves. They will play a two-game weekend series on Friday, April 7 and Saturday the 8th against the Motor City Rockers. Both games begin at 7:05pm at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Tickets can be purchased at the Coliseum box office or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Mississippi Sea Wolves Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Federal Prospects Hockey League message board...

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.