New nonprofit launches its business with a Christmas event serving the community
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A local nonprofit held its first community outreach event created to serve community members on Christmas day. Hope for the Holidays is an initiative presented by The Alikat Foundation, a nonprofit that values bringing hope, stability, and restoration to the Columbus community and surrounding...
CVCC pinning ceremonies honor the Class of 2025 nursing graduates
On Thursday, December 11, Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) hosted two pinning ceremonies to honor graduates of its Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs. Rich in tradition and symbolism, the ceremonies marked a meaningful milestone as students prepared to enter the nursing profession....
With the year winding down, here are my favorite Columbus food reviews in 2025
A little over three years ago, I wrote my first food review for the Ledger-Enquirer on one of my favorite restaurants growing up, Clearview BBQ. I’ve enjoyed highlighting the plethora of good, unique and nostalgic food in restaurants and other businesses across Columbus. I want to express my appreciation to you, the...
Granddaughter of Talbot Residents Accepted at Georgia Tech University
WITH HER PROUD PARENTS – Aisha Derico (center) with her parents, Dr. Larry Derico and Mrs. Vernecia Derico. Friday, Dec. 5 is a day that three seniors from Upson Lee High School in Thomaston, including Ms. Aisha Derico, granddaughter of life-long Talbot County residents, John and Carolyn Lamar of Talbotton, will...
Hack of Aflac potentially affected more than 22 million people, company says
A cybersecurity breach of Columbus, Georgia-based insurance giant Aflac Inc. potentially exposed the personal information of approximately 22.65 million people, the company said in a statement last week. The affected files included names, contact information, claims information, health information, Social Security...
Dense fog advisory affecting Central Alabama Thursday – quarter mile visibility
At 11:48 a.m. on Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory valid for Thursday between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. for Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, Marengo, Dallas, Autauga, Lowndes, Elmore, Montgomery, Macon, Bullock, Russell, Pike and Barbour counties. The weather...
Local initiative warms hearts and feeds locals in need
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Keep Columbus Warm, a local initiative aiming to do just that, helped warm hearts and feed locals in need. The initiative, founded by Josiah Robinson in 2018, gave out warm weather gear and a hot Christmas dinner on Tuesday at the Frank D. Chester Recreation Center. Robinson’s goal is to give...
Local restaurant offers holiday-specific catering for families planning to dine out
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Some local restaurants, like Country’s Barbecue, are offering holiday-specific catering, with ready-to-serve meals, giving families more options to spend less time cooking and more time together. According to a 2022 survey from the National Restaurant Association, nearly 60% of consumers said...
Reward offered for information about 5th Street Fire
On December 20, 2025, at approximately 4:00pm a fire occurred at 715 5th Street Columbus, GA 31901 at Griffin & Griffin Towing Inc. The Columbus Fire and EMS Community Risk Reduction/ Fire Investigation Division is actively seeking information related to this incident. Any information regarding this please contact...
Joseph Weierick selected as new Phenix City police chief
Joseph Weierick, 45, has been selected as the next police chief of the Phenix City Police Department, city officials announced last week. Weierick was born in Columbus and attended Hardaway High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Georgia Southern University. He furthered his education by...
