Wallethub recently looked at 182 cities across the United States to include 150 of the largest cities in the nation and taking into account 32 additional cities that were among the two largest in each state. The study looked at various metrics to rank to the cities in how much fun they are. Those metrics included looking at access to entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and cost associated with entertainment. The study only looked at areas within the city proper and did not include metro areas or surrounding communities.
Out of the 182 cities that were analyzed in the study Columbus ranked 123 nationwide. The Fountain City found its shining star in the area of costs associated with having fun in the city ranking highly among other cities in the study.
According to the data released by Wallethub the cost of entertaining yourself in Columbus ranks 18th nationwide out of the 182 destinations. The cost study included looking at areas such as ticket and admission costs, food and beverage costs, movie costs, bowling costs, and other related costs. Toledo, Ohio; Wichita, Kansas; and Montgomery, Alabama were the top three cities in relation to cost.
The next area the study looked at was nightlife and parties. In this field Columbus ranked low in the study coming in at 160 overall. This area of the study highlighted several areas to include access to bars, number of venues such as pool halls and lounges, time of last call, legality of public drinking, music venues, dance clubs per capita, arts and crafts stores, and comedy clubs per capita.
In the final area which was entertainment and recreation Columbus was ranked low at 160 once again. This area of the study looked at areas such as number of attractions, coffee and tea shops, restaurants per capita, diversity of restaurants, bowling alleys, softball and baseball venues, swimming pools, beaches, and much more.
Overall Columbus earned a total score of 29.44. The top fun city in the nation was Las Vegas, Nevada, which earned a score of 73.78. The study took into account the three largest cities in Georgia by city proper population, which include Atlanta, Columbus, and Augusta.
Of Georgia's three largest cities, Atlanta earned the highest rankings coming in 4th in the nation with a overall score of 55.36. Atlanta ranked 8th in entertainment and recreation, 6th in nightlife and parties, and 124th in cost.
Georgia's third largest city Augusta ranked #140 in the study with a overall score of 27.99. Augusta ranked 163 in entertainment and recreation, 142 in nightlife and parties, and 46 in cost. Across the Stateline in Alabama four cities made the list. Those include Birmingham which came in at 40, Mobile at 59, Huntsville at 87, and Montgomery at 111.
As 2025 approaches and some big announcements are expected for upcoming additions to entertainment and dining options in Columbus, the question becomes will Columbus move up in next years rankings?
You can view the full rankings by clicking here.
You can view the full metrics and methodolgy used in the study by clicking here.
The Columbus Museum located at 1251 Wynnton Road in Columbus is the regional home to various art displays and exhibits that highlight the regional history of Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley among other treasures that extend beyond our region in the museums various exhibits. The museum recently undertook a massive $25 million renovation project that has transformed one of the gems of the Chattahoochee Valley. The Museum reopened in early summer after the 18-month long transformation.
The Columbus Museum has been nominated for USA Today's10 Best Readers' Choice Award in the category of the Best New Museum. The nomination places the Columbus Museum among 20 top new museums nationwide. Those museums on the list were selected by a panel of experts from USA Today and 10Best.com.
The Columbus Museum is not new to the community, but finds its history dating back to 1953. The recent reimagining is the first major renovation at the museum in since 1989 when the museum expanded from 32,000 square feet to more than 86,000 square feet. The museum is one of the largest in the State of Georgia. USA Today highlights not just the museums connection to art and history, but also highlights areas of the museum to include new features such as; expansive views, abundant natural lighting, links to the Bradley Olmstead Garden, an interactive children's galley and garden, and much more.
Since reopening earlier this year the museum has welcomed tens of thousands of guests, with its engaging exhibitions, interactive programs, and spaces that inspire learning and connection.
"This nomination is a testament to the dedication of our community and the Museum's mission to connect people with art and history in meaningful ways," said Marianne Richter, Director of the Columbus Museum in a November press release. "We're honored to be recognized and invite everyone to vote daily to help us secure this incredible distinction."
HOW TO VOTE
Those looking to vote can do so daily by visiting 10.best.usatoday.com. Once on the link find the Columbus Museum under the best new museum category and cast your vote.
Readers can vote once per day until the polling closes on December 23, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced on the Friday that follows the close of voting.
During the 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center Potential Cyclone #9 had formed into Tropical Storm Helene. The storm is expected to move into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and intensify quickly to a possible Category 3 hurricane with winds of up to 115 mph or possibly greater by the time it makes landfall some time on Thursday in Florida, where storm surge of up to 15 feet in some areas is forecast. Residents from Panama City to Cedar Key are on alert for a possible direct hit from Helene.
The storm is expected to move north into Georgia and bring statewide impacts including to the Chattahoochee Valley. Ahead of the possible storm and its impacts state officials are getting ready for storm and urging residents to prepare now.
On Tuesday afternoon, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a State of Emergency for all 159 Georgia counties. The State of Emergency will free up state resources to assist in the aftermath of the storm.
Helene is expected to hit Florida as a major hurricane on Thursday evening and track into Georgia. Once in Georgia the storm is expected to begin to weaken but is projected to maintain Tropical Storm strength as it moves northward through the state. Impacts in Georgia are expected to include gusty winds, heavy tropical downpours and few tornadoes mostly on the eastern sides of the storm. Flooding is a risk as rainfall totals of four to eight inches are expected across the state with some isolated higher totals. An unassociated rain event is expected to impact areas across the state Wednesday that could drop heavy rain and possibly add to the flooding risk ahead of Helene's impacts.
GEMA PREPARATION
At 3 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Georgia Emergency Management Director Chris Stallings held a media briefing ahead of the storm. In the briefing Director Stallings said that equipment and personnel have been prepositioned to address emergencies as they may arise.
During the briefing he did mention that the impacts of the storm are expected to be felt statewide and this will be a different event than Hurricane Debby, which brought flooding rains to portions of southeast Georgia earlier this summer. That storm was a very slow moving storm, while Helene is expected to move across the state quickly with rain beginning on Wednesday evening in parts of South Georgia. Areas of Central Georgia should begin to see impacts early Thursday with heavy rain and high winds. The impacts are expected to exit late Friday.
In addition Director Stallings says this storm will have significant wind with it as tropical storm force winds could be felt statewide including into the north Georgia mountains. The Columbus area is expected to sit to the west of the center of the storm meaning the area will not see the strongest impacts like what will be seen on the eastern area of the storm which will past just east of the area according to the latest projected path.
The anticipation of the high winds are expected to bring down trees and powerlines across a large area of the state, which will result in widespread power outages. Stallings says the storm is expected to have a large wind field with tropical storm force winds extending out from the center of the storm.
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A flood watch has been issued for a large portion of Georgia including the Columbus area. The flood watch runs from Wednesday afternoon until Friday afternoon. |
"In most of our storms we have generalized locations where we can bring in resources within the state, unfortunately because this is a statewide event we fully anticipate that our resources are going to be scattered all throughout the state. So we have started reaching out through EMAC to bring in state partners from other states and resources as needed," said Stallings, "It is extremely important to understand that takes time so if you lose power or your water goes out its not going to be a quick turnaround because we are having major outages statewide."
Ahead of the expected storm impacts Director Stallings says now is the time to prepare. This includes having a charged mobile device and a backup power source. It is also encouraged to have a family preparedness kit.
The impacts of Helene are still changing as the storm develops. Forecasters are now getting a better take on what the storm may have in store and how it will impact areas. Be sure to stay with The Chattahoochee Voice as we bring any new updates we may receive ahead of Helene arriving into Georgia and Alabama.
Read The Full State of Emergency Here
The Albany State Golden Rams and Fort Valley State Wildcats will take to the field at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 2 p.m. for the annual HBCU matchup that has grown to be one of the largest in the Peach State.
Tickets are now available for advance prices that include $20 for adults and $12 for kids. Tickets at the gate on game day will be $25 for adults and $15 for kids. General admission tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster in advance.
The matchup between Albany State and Fort Valley State has become an annual football tradition that brings current students, alumni, and fans from across the country to Columbus for a week of events that bring a major economic impact to the city. Make sure you stay tuned to ColumbusGaNow for more details about what is in store for this years game as the date draws nearer.
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The Albany State Golden Rams and Fort Valley State Wildcats will face off at Columbus' AJ McClung Memorial Stadium this November. |
Stacey S. Jackson passed on Sunday, May 5,2024, at this home in Harris County at the age of 50. Jackson served as the District Attorney for the Chattahoochee Judicial District which serves; Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Talbot, and Taylor Counties in west central Georgia. He was appointed to the role by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in April of 2022, after the departure of former District Attorney Mark Jones.
Jackson was a native of Harris County, Georgia and a 1992 graduate of Harris County High School where he was an honor student and was class Salutatorian. Following his graduation from high school he was the recipient of the distinguished full four-year Presidential Scholarship to Albany State College, now known as Albany State University. Jackson would hold many titles during his time at ASU including playing on the schools baseball team and serving in student government as well as being a member of the Alpha Kappa Mu national honors fraternity. He would graduate in 1996 with Bachelors of Science in criminal justice.
Following his graduation, Jackson would go on to pursue furthering his education at the University of Dayton School of Law. Jackson would earn his Juris Doctorate degree in 1999 and began his law career with a clerkship working with Superior Court Judges Douglas C. Pullen and William J. Smith. A year later in 2000 he began working with the District Attorney's Office. He would prosecute several major felony cases during his time at the District Attorney's Office and would later go on to work in the field of criminal defense. Jackson worked his way through the ranks of the Columbus Judicial system and became a well-known name in the field of criminal defense. On April 4, 2022, Governor Kemp named Jackson as the District Attorney for the Chattahoochee Judicial District.
Jackson served in the role through the time of his passing, but did take a medical leave in November of 2023. News of his passing of Jackson has sent ripples across the state. In a statement released on Sunday, Governor Kemp released a statement:
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr also released a statement remembering and honoring Jackson. The statement reads as follows:
Social media feeds on X (formerly known as Twitter) were filled with condolences and memories of Jackson on Sunday from attorney and law enforcement agencies from across the state.
Jackson was 50-years-old at the time of his passing. His death was announced by the District Attorney's Office on Sunday. There has been no funeral arrangements announced at this time.
On Monday, the Pentagon identified the causalities as Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Ga; Spc. Kennedy Landon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Ga; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Ga. The three were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade at Fort Moore (Fort Benning), Georgia.
The Department of Defense says the three Army Reserve soldiers were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve at Tower 22 in Jordan. The attack not only claimed the life of the three US service members but also left more than two dozen other US soldiers injured. Of the military personnel that was injured US Central Command has said that eight had injuries severe enough to need evacuation from Jordan. The injured soldiers are being transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for follow-up care.
The attack on the small base in Jordan came as Iran-backed militants attacked living quarters at the small logistics base. The attack is just one of 165 that have come against American military posts in the Middle East since October 17, 2023. Those attacks have left more than 80 US soldiers injured, not including those injured in the attack on Sunday. The deadly attack on Sunday marks the first American causalities since the attacks by mostly Iranian backed militants have occurred.
In a statement on Sunday shortly following the attacks US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said,
Iran-backed militias are responsible for these continued attacks on U.S. forces, and we will respond at a time and place of our choosing.
The President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the attack and has stated that the United States will respond. The nature of that response has not yet been released, but the President is facing mounting pressure from opponents and proponents in DC to respond to the loss of American life, with some calling for direct attacks on Iran, which many fear could cause a wider conflict in the region as tensions continue to mount in Israel.
On Monday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his sympathy on the loss of the Georgia based military members in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) January 29, 2024
Gwinnett County, located northeast of Atlanta has announced the county will be opening five warming stations on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, ahead of the predicted cold weather.
The warming centers will be open at the following locations:
BUFORD
Buford Senior Center 2755 Sawnee Avenue.
SNELLVILLE
Centerville Senior Center 3025 Bethany Church Road
DULUTH
Shorty Howell Park Activity Building 2750 Pleasant Hill Road
LAWRENCEVILLE
Lawrenceville Senior Center 225 Benson Street
NORCROSS
Best Friend Park Gym 6224 Jimmy Carter Blvd
The warming centers in Gwinnett County will open at 6 p.m. and remain open through 7 a.m. For more information please call (770)822-8850 or visit GwinnettOneStop.com.
According to the National Traffic Administration, estimates show that 42,915 people were killed in traffic accidents across the United States in 2021. The high number represented a 10 percent increase over estimates of the previous year. The data for 2021 was also the most traffic related deaths seen in the nation since 2005.
“The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and our partners continue to implement programs designed to save lives and promote safe driving behaviors,” said Allen Poole, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “We ask everyone to help our state and nation reach the attainable goal of zero traffic deaths by driving safe speeds, always wearing a seat belt, keeping the focus on the road and not the phone, and never operating a vehicle under the influence of any substance that impairs your ability to drive.”
The grant was awarded on October 1, 2023, and will span through September 30, 2024. During the 12 month span, the Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department will host community events and provide free child safety seat installations and checks. The safety seat installations and checks are available free of charge at at Atlanta Fire Stations.
“The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department’s commitment to serving the City of Atlanta and exceeding the anticipated needs of the citizens is multi-faceted,” said Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith. “With the support and funds provided by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Administration, we can strategically and preventatively serve the City’s parents and youth with comprehensive programs and child safety seats.”
Motorist traveling south on the Downtown Connecter Interstate 75/85 caught a bit more than they bargained for on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 as they approached the area of Williams Street near the Spring Street exit ramp.
A man dressed in a full Ghostface outfit was standing on top of a Black BMW sedan with a knife in his hand and dancing. The individual also held up a sign that encouraged passing motorists to follow them on social media. Ghostface had his sedan parked in an area off the roadway between the Interstate travel lanes and the onramp to greet motorists in a chilling way.
The individual stayed on top of the vehicle for some time before reports indicate that Atlanta Police showed up and asked him to move along.
The creative Halloween display was cited for causing extra backups on the connector for motorists that stretched beyond the area where Interstate 75 and Interstate 85 merge near Atlantic Station.
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The traffic isn't the only thing that caused a scream on the Downtown Connector in Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon. (photo credit- GDOT Traffic Camera) |
On September 14, 2023, a Tifton woman let her 17-year-old dog outside, shortly after letting the animal go outside she heard a yelping sound from the animal and went to investigate when she noticed a Fox was attacking her dog.
The woman went outside to try to assist her pet and fell on the ground. Once she was on the ground she was scratched and bitten by the Fox. A nearby cat ran away at which time the fox began to chase the animal and stopped the attack.
The woman went to a nearby hospital for treatment of her injuries and is expected to make a full recovery. The dog had to be euthanized according to reports released. Tift County Animal Control and the Georgia Department of Public Health South Georgia Health District were able to locate the fox a day later and exterminate the animal. The animal was tested for Rabies and it was confirmed to be positive.
Georgia is home to numerous species of animals that can carry Rabies, which include foxes, racoons and bats to name a few. These types of animals are found in various parts of the state.
Monday night's winning Powerball numbers were 9, 25, 27, 53, 66, and the Powerball was 5. There was no winner that matched all six numbers. However, one lucky winner in Georgia in Georgia matched four of the white balls and the red ball to win $50,000. But being just short of the $522 million jackpot on Monday night.
Ahead of Wednesday's night drawing the jackpot is now estimated to be $550 million. Powerball tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.