Roofing Contractor inColumbus, GA.

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Several Peach State leaders made their way to Muscogee County Monday to address gang violence in the Fountain City. The group discussed new and ongoing efforts to protect and prevent children from being recruited into gangs.

Monday’s Anti-Gang Network meeting is the second of its kind to be hosted in Muscogee County in the past year. It follows the creation of the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit, which launched last July.

Attorney General Chris Carr explained 58 alleged gang members across the state have already been indicted since the creation of the initiative, including several in Columbus.

“We’ve been focusing on kids and the impact gangs have on children,” Carr said. “... where if you join a gang, at best you’ll end up in jail, and even worse dead. How do we combat that? How do we divert that? And unfortunately, we are seeing kids get younger and younger.”

Since July of 2022, a total of 58 alleged gang members have been indicted throughout the Peach State, eight of those in the Fountain City.

Local, state and federal law enforcement officials were all in attendance.

Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman explained being in one accord, for one purpose makes every leader’s job smoother. He mentioned the recent sentencing of a Zohannon gang member in Columbus.

“That is one of the gangs that we wrestle with a lot in Muscogee County,” Countryman said. “We don’t like to give them notoriety by mentioning their name. I’m proud to say, although it seem we have a lot of gang activity, we are making a lot of headway. There are some things we are working on, hopefully in the near future, that can give our citizens a little bit of comfort.”

Due to the sensitive nature of the topics, the public and media were not allowed in the meeting.

In America, the Attorney General of Georgia said nearly half of all violent crimes are gang related.

Muscogee County District Attorney Stacey Jackson also attended the gathering.

“Honestly the better cases, and the more in sync the cases are, the better we can prosecute those cases and then hopefully hold those people accountable for their crimes,” Jackson added.

“There’s no magic bullet, no one-size fits all, but different ideas for each community to craft to their needs is critically important,” Carr concluded.

This initiative kicked off with the support of Governor Brian Kemp and members of the General Assembly.

This is Georgia’s first statewide Gang Prosecution Unit.

Copyright 2023 WTVM. All rights reserved.

If you want to receive a gift card or a beach towel — and a chance for a grand prize — for doing a good deed that could save somebody’s life, then the American Red Cross has a deal for you.

Anyone who tries to donate their blood during these dates will receive the following prizes:

The promotion comes during National Trauma Awareness Month, when the Red Cross emphasizes the need to keep hospitals prepared for emergencies and other situations requiring blood transfusion.

Type O negative blood especially is needed because it’s the universal blood type, meaning it can be used in emergencies for any patient when there isn’t time to determine the blood type.

Type O positive blood is most often used in transfusions because it can be given to Rh-positive patients of any blood type. Rh factor is an inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells.

But the Red Cross welcomes donors of any and all blood types.

“Medical traumas can quickly deplete hospital blood banks,” the Red Cross said in a news release. “Once patients are stabilized and their blood type is determined, they will receive a matching blood type, so it’s important donors of all types give now and help save lives.”

Piedmont Columbus Regional laboratory director Cindy McGarr told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email that, although there is national shortage of blood, the blood supplies at Piedmont’s hospitals in Columbus are adequate.

“That is due to staff ordering appropriately and being good stewards of the supply received from the American Red Cross,” McGarr said. “Additionally, we team up with the Red Cross to host quarterly blood drives on-site at Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown in the Conference Center. Our next drive is on Wednesday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.”

The L-E didn’t reach an official with the other Columbus hospital. St. Francis-Emory Healthcare, before publication.

The American Red Cross doesn’t have a blood shortage, Jerrica Williams, the organization’s regional communications manager in Georgia, told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email.

“The Red Cross maintains its blood supply by asking donors to take action by booking appointments to give blood or platelets to keep hospitals prepared for all transfusion needs, including emergencies year-round,” Williams said. “With May being Trauma Awareness Month, it is vital for donors to make and keep appointments during this month to keep hospital shelves fully stocked to help all patients throughout the spring.”

To find a blood donation opportunity in your area and make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals age 17 and older in most states (age 16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other teens must meet certain height and weight requirements to donate.

Hamilton

5/12/2023: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Park Elementary School, 13185 Highway 27

Waverly Hall

5/23/2023: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Waverly Hall United Methodist Church, 7580 GA 208

Muscogee County

5/4/2023: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/5/2023: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/6/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/7/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/8/2023: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/9/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Robert S. Poydasheff VA Clinic, 6910 River Road

5/11/2023: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/11/2023: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Columbus, 1117 Veterans Parkway

5/12/2023: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/13/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/14/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/15/2023: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/17/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown, 710 Center Street

5/17/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road

5/18/2023: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Valley Healthcare Systems Inc., 1600 Fort Benning Road

5/18/2023: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/18/2023: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., John P. Thayer YMCA, 24 14th Street

5/19/2023: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/20/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/21/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/22/2023: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/23/2023: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Cascade Hills Church, 727 54th Street

5/24/2023: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1022 2nd Avenue

5/25/2023: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/26/2023: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/26/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Grace Presbyterian Church, 7211 Britton Drive

5/27/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/28/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/29/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Columbus Blood Donation Center, 7490 Veterans Prkwy

5/31/2023: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Greater Peace Baptist Church, 2821 8th Street

Midland

5/15/2023: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Solid Rock Church, 6959 Warm Springs Road

Cuthbert

5/25/2023: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 567 College Street

Americus

5/16/2023: 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, 126 Hwy 280 West

Andersonville

5/24/2023: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Imerys, 1949 GA HWY 49 S

LaGrange

5/16/2023: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 120 Broad Street

5/19/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., West Georgia Technical College, One College Circle

5/20/2023: 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Grace Baptist Church, 3731 West Point Road

5/27/2023: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., LaGrange Academy, 1501 Vernon Road

This story was originally published May 4, 2023, 5:00 AM.

A new $30 million mixed-income housing development opened in Columbus Tuesday that is the first phase of revitalizing the Louis T. Chase Homes and will provide access to preventive healthcare services for its residents.

The Banks at Mill Village features 102 units and offers amenities that include a community room, fitness center, onsite laundry, business center, playground, dog park and community garden. There are one- to three-bedroom apartment homes available with fully equipped kitchens, energy efficient appliances and views of the Columbus Riverwalk.

MercyMed, a medical center with a mission to treat all individuals whether or not they have insurance, is partnering with Mercer University School of Medicine to staff an on-site health clinic. Residents of the community and existing MercyMed patients will have access to primary care including preventative dental, behavioral health and wellness services.

Of the 102 units available, 21 remain available, said Marla Cardona, who works in the leasing office. The community has four buildings with 91 affordable units and 11 market rate units. A one-bedroom market-rate apartment will run between $895 to $910, Cardona said, and rent for a two-bedroom will cost about $1,075.

Residents of the Chase homes had the opportunity to get units in the Banks at Mill Village, she said, and a handful of the residents have returned.

Brandy Underwood and her daughter, Faith, moved into their apartment about a month ago. The development provided a great opportunity for the family, she told the Ledger-Enquirer, so she applied for a unit over the summer.

“It was just a blessing,” Underwood said. “My daughter and I were living in a motel before we moved here.”

When the two moved into the home, Underwood and her daughter were happy about the beauty of the units and the amenities. Faith, 7, enjoyed the availability of the playground.

“I’m lucky enough to be on the back side, and so my backyard is the river,” Underwood said. “And that’s definitely my favorite part.”

Construction of the property has been in the works for several years, said Lisa Walters, CEO of the Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia (HACG).

“It’s been a wonderful experience for the residents and the community as a whole for the Mill District,” Walters said. “We hope that this development here is a catalyst for additional growth in the Mill District area.”

Funding for the development came from an allocation of federal and state Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in November 2019, along with HACG Moving to Work funds, a private construction loan, deferred developer fees and funding from the City of Columbus.

Columbia Residential, an integrated real estate development and management company, has partnered with the HACG to help develop, fund and manage the property, said Carmen Chubb, president of Columbia Residential.

The company will continue working on-site with the property management team for the first year, she said.

“We generally only get involved (with a project) when what we’re doing is going to transform housing for the community,” Chubb said.

The fact that Banks at Mill Village is focused on healthy housing with its partnership with MercyMed and economic mobility made it an ideal project to get involved with, she said.

One of the reasons that made this project important was because the original Louis T. Chase homes were too close to a power station and the railroad tracks, Walters said.

“We were hoping to move it farther away from that area to make it safer for the residents,” Walters said.

Another new Banks resident, Marion Bass, was excited about his new home because it was handicapped accessible and he has access to MercyMed. Finding housing in Columbus to accommodate his disability has been difficult, he said, but now that he is living at Banks he feels more optimistic about his living arrangements and healthcare.

“They did all they could do here,” Bass said. “And I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness.’ I’m in a good spot.”

He is now closer to his specialists, restaurants and grocery stores, he said, and his close family members are happy that he now has the care he needs and safe housing.

“This is housing that is available to the residents of Columbus,” Chubb said. “And the development, the design, is all taken into consideration the historic character of the Mill District.”

This story was originally published April 18, 2023, 2:55 PM.

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - One part of Columbus is seeing major changes when it comes to development and revitalization.

A project that’s been in the works for years on Second Avenue, The Banks Housing development, that took the place of the former Chase Homes, is finally approaching completion. The new mixed-home development will house both people living on a fixed income and people who do not.

You may have noticed new developments popping up while driving down Second Avenue in Columbus. Also known as the Mill District, the area encompasses four historic neighborhoods: City Village, North Highland, Bibb Village, and Anderson Village.

Sitting on a piece of prime real estate along the Second Avenue corridor, 102 new apartments, called The Banks.

“We need more affordable housing in Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia, really throughout the United States,” Sabrina Richards with the Columbus Housing Authority said. “There’s a great demand for affordable housing.”

Right now, the Chief of Property Management at the Columbus Housing Authority, Sabrina Richards, tells me her team is accepting applications for people interested in living at The Banks - with prices ranging from $895 to $1375.

Another new development you may have noticed that’s currently under construction, Truth Spring Inc, a non-profit school that works to provide people with job readiness training and job placement.

“There are wonderful things happening. As you get higher in the Mill District, closer to the interstate, we have great things happening, like the Food Mill and Mercy Med and our community garden,” Lauren Chambers with Mill District Inc. said. “Great things are happening.”

Opening about two years ago, The Food Mill team, also continuing their work in eliminating food insecurities through several programs.

“This is one of areas in Columbus that has the highest rate of nutrition insecurity,” Olivia Amos said. “We are all really working together to bring change to this community and provide resources that the people need here.”

So that’s 3 new developments in a relatively small footprint, and there‘s a lot more developments in this area like the City Mills hotel, Mercer Medical College Campus and the Mill District Studios... just to name a few.

Construction for The Banks housing development is slated to wrap up at the end of March 2023.

Copyright 2023 WTVM. All rights reserved.

The Columbus-based development firm The Cotton Companies has announced two more businesses that will open locations in its anticipated mixed-use development Highside Market.

Parlor Doughnuts and Mountain High Outfitters are opening their doors in the development later this year, the company said. Other retailers and restaurants recently announced that will be located in Highside Market include Council Wardrobe Studio and It’s Tamale Time.

Located in downtown Columbus, Highside Market is a reuse development utilizing new construction and preserved structures that date back to 1939, according to a news release.

The 55,000 square foot development features 20,000 square feet of restaurant space, 20,000 square feet of retail space, 15,000 square feet of office space, a greenspace and outdoor lounge areas.

Almost 75% of space in Highside Market is leased, CEO Chris Woodruff told the Ledger-Enquirer, and developers are actively looking for partners to fill the remaining spaces.

“At the Cotton Companies, our mission is to change communities one building at a time,” Woodurff said. “We do this through creative design and seeking out unique businesses that will fill a need in the market.”

Here’s what to know about the new businesses coming to Highside Market.

Mountain High Outfitters is an outdoor retailer and active lifestyle boutique selling outdoor apparel, footwear and gear. The retailer has 18 locations throughout Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Utah and Florida.

Chris Groom, founder and CEO of Mountain High Outfitters, found his love for the sporting goods industry after graduating from the University of Alabama. Groom moved to Wyoming where he lived in an outdoor environment and worked in a sporting good store. His experience inspired him to found Mountain High Outfitters.

Columbus residents can expect the 4,000 square foot store in Highside Market to open this fall, Woodruff said.

The outdoor lifestyle in Columbus made the city appealing for the retailer, Groom said. Columbus has the world’s longest urban whitewater course, a 15-mile-long Riverwalk and other outdoor activities that makes it a good fit for the store, Groom said.

Mountain High Outfitters is a big addition to Columbus, Woodruff said, which is home to the International Canoe Federation World Championship and World Cup.

“These are internationally known events and carry substantial clout in the outdoor recreation marketplace,” he said. “We have a very active outdoor community and know that MHO will complement our friends and outfitters like White Water Express.”

Parlor Doughnuts is a doughnut and coffee shop that will occupy a 1,179 square foot space in Highside Market, according to the news release, and is expected to open this fall.

The brand identified Columbus as a market they were interested in, Woodruff said, which led to their partnership with Highside Market.

“We helped welcome them to the city and also the state of Georgia,” he said.

Parlor offers a variety of doughnuts and specialty drinks. The brand’s doughnut flavors include Plain Jane, Maple Pecan, Cookies N’ Cream, Bourbon Caramel, Coconut Cream Filled among others.

“We have no doughnut like this in the area,” Woodruff said. “They are layered, styled donuts with healthy unique toppings.”

There are also vegan, gluten-friendly and keto-friendly products on Parlor Doughnuts’ menu.

The brand was founded in Evansville, Indiana, in 2019 and currently has 20 locations nationwide. But the franchise is growing fast, the release said, with Parlor Doughnuts expecting to have 50 locations by the end of this year.

Highside Market will be hosting special events monthly until its grand opening later this year, Woodruff said, and residents can get updates on their website or on their Instagram page.

“We are excited about the partners we have coming to Highside,” Woodruff said. “As developers, we want the project to open close to full occupancy.”

This story was originally published March 23, 2023, 5:00 AM.