Need To Know

Columbus Time & Temp

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Automobile Driver’s Licenses and Tags

After passing an examination, driver’s licenses are issued by the Mississippi Highway Patrol for up to a four-year period. For a permit, bring a certified birth certificate and Social Security card. Applicants must be at least 15 years of age, with proof and parental consent. New residents must have licenses within 60 days. Examinations are held in the Justice Court Building, 11 Airline Road. 662.327.1833

Car tags must be purchased annually on date of renewal, at the Lowndes County Courthouse. At purchase, state, county, and city ad valorem taxes must be paid to the county tax collector. New residents have 30 days to get a new tag. 662.329.5771

Boating, Hunting, Fishing Licenses & Registration

Boats must be registered and licenses purchased by anyone who wants to boat, hunt or fish anywhere in the state. Contact the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks in Jackson, telephone 800.467.2757. Boating forms may be obtained at sporting goods stores or at the tax office at the Courthouse. Purchase tags for trailers at tax office.

Columbus Fire Department

Not only do the 70 firemen in Columbus combat fires, they also provide emergency medical service and confined space rescue. Additionally, they serve as part of the Golden Triangle Hazardous Materials team. For emergency, call 911; non-emergency, 662.329.5121.

Columbus Police Department

The local policemen have a big new 30,000 square ft. building, a former food store, as their new home. The 94-person police department has an active Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, and Community Oriented Policing Enhancement (COPE) is a success. For police emergencies, call 911; non-emergency, 662.328.7561.

Government

The City of Columbus is governed by a Mayor and six City Council members. Lowndes County government consists of five elected Supervisors. Mayor Jeffrey Rupp’s office phone number is 662.328.7021; Supervisor Joe Brooks is President of the Board; the office phone number is 662.329.5888.

Volunteer Opportunities

American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, Columbus Arts Council, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Welcome Center. The Chamber of Commerce has a list of non-profit organizations, most of whom will be pleased to have volunteers.

Voter Registration

To vote in a Mississippi election, you must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age, a resident of the state for 30 days prior to election day and registered to vote at least 30 days prior to election. Register with the Lowndes County Circuit Clerk’s office (662.329.5900) in order to vote in the county, state, and national elections, and with the Columbus City Clerk’s office (662.328.2381) to vote in municipal elections.

Trash Collection

A monthly fee is charged for city trash collection; it is reflected on the bill received from Columbus Light & Water. Trash is collected twice weekly and garbage is collected once weekly. Golden Triangle Waste Services is the trash collection agency for the city and county. For information, contact 662.327.6660 or 800.217.6909.

Recycling: Columbus Recycling Center is at 621 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr.; open Monday through Friday from 8am until 3pm. Plastic bottles, metal cans, newspapers (no glossy inserts), cardboard boxes, paper bags, telephone directories, white office paper, used oil and used tires are accepted. Call the Chamber of Commerce at 662.328.4491.

Advantage Mississippi Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove said in a prepared statement, “We have redefined the state of Mississippi’s approach to economic growth. There is a new force driving economic development in Mississippi. That force is the Advantage Mississippi Initiative.” Advantage Mississippi includes tax credits, tax-free zones, employee training and support, and a 4 percent payroll rebate for employers offering jobs that meet the program’s criteria. Contact the Mississippi Development Authority in Jackson for specific information 601.359.3449. Top Ten Employers Columbus Air Force Base -1443 Columbus Municipal Schools -1100 Baptist Memorial Hospital, Golden Triangle -1000 Lowndes County Schools 900 Sanderson Plumbing Products, Inc. - 875 Weyerhaeuser - 650 Omnova Solutions - 600 Mississippi University for Women - 550 Johnston-Tombigbee - 500 Maxxim Medical - 425 Columbus Air Force Base is the headquarters for the 14th Flying Training Wing, and at this base, some of the nation’s best pilots are trained. The base began operation in June 1941, when the War Department approved establishment of an Army Air Field for this area, about four months after a committee of 100 local citizens organized an association to secure defense industries. In August 1941, the Columbus leaders leased the tract of land to the United States government for $1 per year. Initially a training facility for fighters and bombers, the Columbus site became a Strategic Air Command base in 1955. After 14 years as a SAC base, the USAF transferred the local base back to Air Training Command and it resumed its pilot training mission. Today, the busy CAFB control tower handles about 250,000 military, commercial and private air operations annually in more than 4,000 square miles of airspace. Local people are indeed proud to have the future flying here.

Welcome l History  l Quality Of Life l Homes  l Education l Healthcare l Cultural Tourism l Business
CLCVB Invites Visitors l Popular Leisure  l Recreation l Worship l Need To Know l Phone Numbers