Help Feed Local Families This Thanksgiving: Join the Columbus Civic Center Food Drive!
[Columbus, Georgia, November 6, 2025] – The Columbus Civic Center, in partnership with Keep Columbus
Beautiful and The Community Warriors, invites everyone to join in the spirit of giving this holiday season by participating
in the Thanksgiving Food Drive.

This year’s food drive aims to help feed local families in need and give thanks to our community by spreading kindness and
compassion throughout Columbus.

Every can, box, or frozen item makes a difference. Donations will be used directly to help local families enjoy a warm and
hearty Thanksgiving meal. All proceeds will be given to Feeding the Valley, which will help distribute food to families in
need throughout our community.

Accepted Donations Include:
• Canned Goods: Soups, vegetables, fruits, beans, and more
• Boxed Foods: Stuffing, rice, pasta, cereal, and similar items
• Frozen Foods: Vegetables, family meals, and other frozen items
• Frozen Turkeys and Hams — Most Needed!
Please ensure that all donations are sealed and not expired.

Donation Drop-Off Details:
• Location: Columbus Civic Center – 400 4th Street, Columbus, GA 31901
• Dates: November 6 – November 14, 2025
• Times: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Drop-Off Spots: Administration Office (left side of the building) or Box Office

With your help, we can make Thanksgiving brighter for families across our community. Join us in giving thanks by giving
back — because together, we can make a difference.

For More Information, Contact:
Jennifer Babin, Marketing Manager
babin.jennifer@columbusga.org | (706) 225-4843

Keep Columbus Beautiful to Host Free Drive-Thru Paper Shredding & Shoe
Recycling Event
[Columbus, Georgia, November 4, 2025] – The Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission (KCBC) will
host a Drive-Thru Free Paper Shredding and Shoe Recycling Event on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 9:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in front of the City Services Center (3111 Citizens Way, Columbus, GA).
Shred-A-Way Management will be on-site providing secure paper shredding services at no cost to residents. This
is the perfect time of year to safely dispose of unwanted documents, reduce paper clutter, and help protect your
identity.
There is a limit of three boxes per car, and three-ring binders, external hard drives, and metal materials will not be
accepted.
In addition to shredding, residents are encouraged to donate gently used shoes as part of KCBC’s ongoing Shoe
Recycling Campaign, which runs through January 25, 2026. Donating shoes helps reduce waste sent to local
landfills while supporting developing countries in need through repurposing and reuse initiatives.
For more information about this event or to learn how your organization can host a shoe recycling bin, please
contact Keep Columbus Beautiful at 706-225-4008 or email kcbc1987@columbusga.org

Columbus-Muscogee County prepares for Severe Weather Preparedness Day November 5, 2025

[Columbus, Georgia, November 4, 2025] – The Columbus-Muscogee County Emergency Management
and Homeland Security Department, in partnership with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the
National Weather Service, is preparing to participate on November 5th in Georgia’s Severe Weather Preparedness
Day. All schools, businesses and individuals are encouraged to participate in a severe weather exercise/tornado
drill around 9:30 a.m.
“Severe Weather Preparedness is a great opportunity for our community to create or review their emergency plans
and to make sure that we all know what to do should a severe weather strike Columbus.” said ColumbusMuscogee County EMA and Homeland Security Director Chance Corbett. “We encourage residents to have
multiple ways to receive alerts and to know in advance where they will seek shelter during a severe weather
incident.”
As individuals and families prepare for this day, schools and businesses will be conducting their own severe
weather exercise/tornado drills, which will be activated by the NOAA Weather Radio's routine weekly
Wednesday test around 9:30 a.m. followed by the immediate test activation of Columbus’s Outdoor Warning
Sirens.
Columbus residents can prepare for severe weather by visiting www.columbusga.gov/emergency
or by using GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia campaign as it offers resources and information residents can use to be
informed about potential threats. Citizens can also develop a communications plan and create an emergency
Ready kit. Go to gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for information on developing a custom
emergency plan and Ready kit.
Employers can use the Ready Your Business guide to create custom contingency plans, and children can visit the
ReadyKids page for age-appropriate information, videos and games at https://gema.georgia.gov/planprepare/ready-georgia/get-ready-kids

Veterans Day Parade to Honor Service Members in Uptown Columbus –November 8th

[Columbus, Georgia, November 3, 2025] – The annual Tri-City Veterans Day Parade will step off at 10
a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, from Dillingham Street in Phenix City, proceeding down Broad Street and crossing the 13th
Street Bridge into Uptown Columbus.

The parade will feature local organizations, veterans associations, city leaders, marching bands, dance teams and
more in celebration of those who have served.

Residents are encouraged to line Broadway in Columbus for the best viewing experience and to show their support
for local veterans.

For more information, visit www.columbusga.gov/parks or follow Columbus Parks and Recreation on Facebook.
For More Information, Contact:
Grace Waldron, Parks and Recreation Community Engagement Coordinator

Columbus Parks and Recreation Hosts Two Thanksgiving Food Drives to Support Local Families

[Columbus, Georgia, November 3, 2025] – Columbus Parks and Recreation is inviting residents to share
the spirit of giving this holiday season by participating in two Thanksgiving food drives to help families in need
across the community.

The first food drive will collect donations throughout November at multiple recreation centers, including Comer
Community Center, Columbus Aquatic Center, Tillis Recreation Center and Northside Recreation Center. The
second drive will take place at the Frank Chester Senior Center, 1441 Benning Dr., from November 1 to 22

.
All donations will benefit Muscogee County and surrounding residents, helping provide Thanksgiving meals and
pantry staples for local families. Community members are encouraged to donate nonperishable items such as
canned vegetables, boxed stuffing, pasta, rice and peanut butter.

“Some families in our community are struggling to put food on the table right now,” said Rene Knowles,
Supervisor of Northside Recreation Center. “Food prices have gone up significantly, and many families
are finding it harder to stretch their grocery budgets. With our neighbors' help to ensure everyone has
enough to eat, it strengthens our whole community– we all thrive together.”

Donation bins will be available at all listed centers during normal operating hours. Items will be collected and
distributed before Thanksgiving week to ensure timely delivery to local families.

For more information, visit www.columbusga.gov/parks or follow Columbus Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

For More Information, Contact:
Grace Waldron, Parks and Recreation Community Engagement Coordinator
(706) 905-8348
waldron.grace@columbusga.or

National Traveling Recycling Show Coming to Columbus
“Arthur Atsma: The Magic of Recycling”

[Columbus, Georgia, October 31, 2025] – The Columbus Consolidated Government Public Works,
Columbus Recycles Division and Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission are excited to present “The Magic of
Recycling” featuring magician Arthur Atsma!

This fun and educational show will take place from November 3rd through November 7th, at local elementary
schools and community organizations throughout Columbus. Designed especially for students in grades second
through fifth, the performance teaches the importance of recycling, reusing, and reducing waste — all while
keeping audiences amazed and entertained.

Each 40-minute live presentation blends fast-paced fun, comedy, magic, and audience participation with powerful
lessons about caring for our planet. The result is an unforgettable experience that leaves our youth inspired to
make a difference in their schools and neighborhoods.

Through this engaging partnership, Keep Columbus Beautiful and Public Works continue their shared mission of
inspiring the next generation to protect the environment and help keep our community clean and green

Columbus Consolidated Announces: METRA Public Meetings for 2025 Comprehensive Transit Study

[Columbus, Georgia, October 16, 2025] – METRA, along with the consultant firm Foursquare ITP, are conducting a comprehensive study of transit services in our community in order to determine what changes need to be made to ensure that current and future transportation needs are met.

Please join us at the following public meetings to provide us with your feedback. METRA wants to know what works and what could be improved. Riders and non-riders alike are invited to attend and provide us with critical feedback.

City Service Center 3111 Citizens Way Wednesday, October 29, 2025: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

METRA Transfer Center 814 Linwood Blvd Thursday, October 30, 2025: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Virtual Option: If you can’t attend in person, please visit our virtual room to learn more about the study and to take our feedback survey:

https://storage.net-fs.com/hosting/7441809/28/

PLEASE JOIN US AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK

For More Information, Contact:

Department of Transportation/METRA

(706) 225-4581

metrainfo@columbusga.org

METRA’s 2025 Communities in Motion Day Event

[Columbus, Georgia, October 16, 2025] – METRA is excited to announce that our annual “Communities in Motion Day” event will be held on Thursday, October 30th, from 11am to 2pm at the METRA Transfer Center (814 Linwood Blvd, Columbus, GA 31901). Communities in Motion Day highlights the importance of public transit and allows community partners to provide resources and services to our citizens.

Public transportation in the United States is a crucial part of the solution to the nation’s economic, energy, and environmental challenges. Every segment of American society individuals, families, communities, and businesses benefit from public transportation. You are invited to come out and enjoy the festivities. There will be fun surprises planned for those in attendance

City of Columbus (CCG)
Neighborhood Meeting
“All-Hands on Deck Campaign”
October 16th and 23rd
5:30pm-7:00pm

[Columbus, Georgia, October 15, 2025] – City officials are continuing the “All Hands on Deck”
Campaign to tackle litter and promote cleaner neighborhoods with two upcoming community meetings:

• Thursday, October 16, 2025 – 5:30 p.m.
Asbury Methodist Church
2312 Ellen Avenue, Columbus, GA 31903

• Thursday, October 23, 2025 – 5:30 p.m.
Annex Building
420 10th Street, Columbus, GA 31902
The “All Hands on Deck” Campaign calls on residents, community leaders, and organizations to unite in
combating the uncleanliness affecting Columbus neighborhoods.

Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin is coordinating the initiative in partnership with Public Works, Inspections
and Codes, Keep Columbus Beautiful, METRA, Parks and Recreation, and other city departments.
“We must get a handle on the uncleanliness of our community, and it will take all of our community leaders and
residents to make this happen,” said Goodwin.

At each meeting, officials will discuss how the city can assist residents in cleaning their neighborhoods. Clean-up
kits will be available, and the City will provide debris pickup following neighborhood efforts.
Community organizations interested in participating or coordinating a clean-up area are encouraged to contact the
City Manager’s Office at 706-225-3108.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) announces upcoming traffic shifts and double lane closures at the Diversion Diamond Interchange (DDI) on US 80/Bradley Park Drive to allow contractors to safely replace bridge headers. Motorists should prepare for significant delays andLane Closures and Traffic Shift Scheduled for US 80 Bradley Park Drive Diversion Diamond Interchange [Columbus, Georgia, September 30, 2025] plan accordingly.

Closure Details:

• Phase One: Friday, October 3 at 9:00 p.m. through Monday, October 6 at 6:00 a.m. o Inside lanes on J.R. Allen Parkway (US 80/SR 22) will be closed for repair. o Outside lanes will remain open for travel.

• Phase Two: Friday, October 10 at 9:00 p.m. through Monday, October 13 at 6:00 a.m. o Outside lanes on J.R. Allen Parkway (US 80/SR 22) will be closed for repair. o Inside lanes will remain open for travel.

Advisory: • Expect heavy traffic delays throughout both phases of construction.

• Dates are subject to change due to weather or other factors.

• Motorists are strongly encouraged to reduce speed, exercise caution, and remain alert while traveling through the work zone.

For real-time updates on lane closures, traffic conditions, and project status, call 511, visit 511ga.org, or download the Georgia 511 app before traveling.

For More Information, Contact:

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) 706-568-2165

Intermittent closures of the Riverwalk will take place during the week of October 6th, 2025, for the railroad to make repairs to the bridge. The closures will take place in the area of the elevated railroad, circled in red in the photograph below. Cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to proceed with caution in the area of the closure. All questions regarding the closure should be directed to Vance Beck at Beck.Ronald@columbusga.org or 706-225-4441.