Latest news with #GregCountryman
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Columbus mayor's race now has a second candidate as Hugley challenger emerges
Candidates have begun filing their paperwork to run for Columbus mayor in the 2026 election, a race that won't have an incumbent because Mayor Skip Henderson is completing the last of his two terms. The nonpartisan election for Columbus mayor will be May 19, 2026. The qualifying period will begin March 2 at 9 a.m. and finish March 6 at noon. Here are the candidates who have filed with the Muscogee County Board of Elections and Registration their declaration of intention to accept campaign contributions. This list will be updated as more candidates file their declaration. A former Republican candidate for Muscogee County sheriff is now in the Columbus mayoral race. Mark LaJoye, who has run for sheriff and lost five times, filed his paperwork July 11 to be a candidate for mayor. He lost to John Darr in 2008 and 2012, Donna Tompkins in 2016 and Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman in 2020 and 2024. LaJoye served in the U.S. Army for 40 years and worked for the Columbus Police Department for 13 years. He earned a master's of law degree from St. Louis University, and a bachelor's and an associate's degree in criminal justice from Troy University, the Ledger-Enquirer reported. LaJoye hopes to focus on issues including community safety, fiscal responsibility, transparency and infrastructure, he told the Ledger-Enquirerin an email July 14. He wants to lead with transparency and help manage the city's 'recovery from scandal and questionable standards.' 'My disappointment in our current leaders has driven me to this mayoral race,' LaJoye said. 'I'm called to serve. I uphold the high standards I was raised with, have served by, and continue to practice both personally and as Mayor of Columbus, Georgia.' Former city manager Isaiah Hugley filed his declaration of intention July 10 for the 2026 mayoral race. Hugley was the first Black city manager and the longest-serving city or county manager in Columbus history before the Columbus Council voted 7-3 to fire him May 27. He worked for the Columbus Consolidated Government for 41 years, including 20 years as city manager. If successful, Hugley would be the first elected Black mayor of Columbus. He also would be the third member of his family elected to public office in Columbus, following his wife, state Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus), and his sister, Pat Hugley Green, the District 1 representative and chairwoman of the Muscogee County School Board. 'Please know that my Declaration of Intent filing today is intended to be a clear message to the citizens of Columbus,' Hugley wrote to the Ledger-Enquirer in a text message July 10. 'It's time for leadership that listens, innovates and unites. My vision is simple but bold — a Columbus that works for everyone. Now the work begins!'
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Largest fentanyl bust in Georgia history could impact Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — A multi-agency drug bust in Metro Atlanta took thousands of fentanyl-laced pills and drug distribution equipment off the street, in the largest fentanyl seizure in the state of Georgia to-date. WRBL spoke to local law enforcement about how this could impact the Columbus community. 'I think that a lot of people are tired from seeing the bad things that drugs can do, not only to the community but to even family members,' said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman, adding that fentanyl is one of the leading cause of suicide deaths in Columbus and the state. He continued, 'That drug bust, it saved a bunch of lives.' Convicted felon and Atlanta resident 47-year-old Bartholomew Keeton Harralson was arrested. He faces multiple firearm and drug charges, including intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and more. 'I would like to highlight the total amount of fentanyl seized,' said Jae Chung, acting special agent in charge at the Atlanta division of the D.E.A. 'Approximately 97 kilograms in powder- and pill form, which have the potential lethal dose to kill approximately 48 million Americans.' During the Atlanta bust, 28 firearms were also seized. 'Anything dealing with dealing with drugs, you're going to normally find guns. And so where you find guns, that there is a possibility of violence,' Countryman said. He anticipates the Atlanta bust will impact the cost and availability of fentanyl locally. In general, the sheriff hopes targeting illicit drug availability in Columbus could also lead to violence reduction. Countryman said MSCO will continue working with other local law enforcement agencies to tackle drug-related crime in Columbus. 'We're not going to stop until the criminal behavior stops. … But as long as they are going, we're going to bring the fight to them,' Countryman said. 'We're going to turn up the heat and we're not going to run from it. We have the resources, we have the collaboration, and we have fresh legs on the ground.' According to Countryman, local law enforcement has seized more than $311 million dollars of illicit drugs in the past four years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Columbus Chamber highlights public safety at quarterly meeting
COLUMBUS, Ga. (— The Columbus Chamber of Commerce hosted their quarterly 'Eye Opener Breakfast', where some of the city's leaders spoke about Columbus public safety. Some of today's panelists included Chief of Police Stoney Mathis, Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman, Fire and EMS Chief Sal Scarpa and Muscogee County Prison Warden Herbert Walker. Today's message was one of unity, as the panelists highlighted their joined efforts to protect and defend Columbus citizens. 'A unique thing about this is that you have all four of the public safety leaders here today. And we work well together.' said Sheriff Greg Countryman. 'And I think that that should be a good feel for anyone to know that we have public safety leaders who believe in working together for the for the benefit of those we serve.' This was a part of a series of Chamber of Commerce events focused on the community. This year the Chamber has already held Mayor Skip Henderson's State of the City and a conversation with Fort Benning commander Maj. Gen. Colin Tuley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Muscogee County touts success, over 1000 pounds of drugs collected on Prescription Takeback day
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — Over 1,000 pounds of prescription drugs were collected by the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Department of Public Health on National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, the sheriff's office announced today. In the MCSO and the Department of Public Health's joint effort, 52 boxes of medication were collected, weighing a total of 1,150 pounds. On a Facebook post by Sheriff Greg Countryman, he says 'This keeps prescription drugs out of the hands of those who should not have them, like our children. It also keeps people from flushing the medications and ending up in our water system.' The event was in hopes that citizens in the Columbus area would drop-off expired or unused prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Narcan, a medicine that can treat a narcotic overdose in an emergency situation, was also available for distribution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
