Church In The Park By Pam Brownlee The Youth Department of New Beginning FGB Church hosted “Church in the Park” on Sunday morning, August 12th, at Southside/Townsend Park. The event featured a praise and worship service, along with family-friendly activities such as jumpers, games, and food. Attendees also received small bags of toiletries. However, the event had to be cut short due to the heat.   ..read more

Student Arrested For a ringing Gun To New Hope School By The Packet A New Hope High School student was arrested Monday  for bringing a BB gun to campus.   According to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, a 17-year-old student posted a video on social media with a handgun.   Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said his office and the Lowndes County School District received multiple calls about the social media post and began investigating. The handgun was ultimately found and was revealed to be a BB gun, which is still illegal to have on a school campus. Hawkins said the follow ..read more

      Well Known Repeat Offender Arrested Packet Media     Lowndes County deputies are investigating a series of burglaries that occurred in southern Lowndes County. On July 22, 2023, deputies responded to the area of Old Macon Road and Lime Rock Road after receiving a report of a black 2019 Can-Am Defender, a drill press, a water sump pump, a gas-powered wood splitter, and other items being stolen. On July 25, 2023, around 04:00, the suspect returned to the same address and robbed the victim a second time. This time, the suspect was captured on surveillance cameras ..read more

        Flamingle In Downtown Columbus  By Pam Brownlee   Flamingos were all over Downtown Columbus on Saturday, July 22nd. People were wearing flamingo attire such as shorts, shirts, dresses, ballcaps, etc. “Fiona” the flamingo was outside the Columbus Arts Council, waving to everyone who passed by. As you walked along the sidewalks of Columbus, shoppers were able to take a brief break and listen to the different artists who were singing and playing their instruments. Pink rubber ducks were hidden in each of the participating stores. Everyone stopped by Columbus ..read more

Convicted Felons Arrested With Drugs, Guns By The Packet  On Wednesday, June 28, 2023, the Lowndes County Sting Unit arrested two suspects for trafficking marijuana and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm. Wednesday afternoon, 25-year-old Demontrell Rontavis Lowe and 25-year-old Roytavius Brunson were both arrested at 1953 Land Road in Columbus after agents went to the residence to serve an arrest warrant on another suspect unrelated to this case. When agents walked up to the front porch of the residence, the front door was standing ope ..read more

Was An Elected Official Involved in Waffle House Robbery? By The Packet Sources close to The Packet said an elected city official and member of the Columbus City Council may be under investigation for their involvement in a recent robbery at the Waffle House in Columbus.  Columbus Police PIO Johannah Owusu confirmed the robbery is “under investigation” but would not provide additional details.  The official, according to sources, was in the car in which 28-year-old Quavis Shawnterris Betts was a passenger.  Betts was arrested and charged with two counts of armed robbery, simple ..read more

STING Unit Nabs Two Notorious Felons Who Have Been Arrested More Than 40 Times  By The Packet  The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics STING Unit has charged two suspects and seized marijuana, a gun, and cash following a tip from a concerned citizen. Demetrius Lenard Burgin and Deoka Commerenice Williams face charges of possession of marijuana, more than one ounce, with intent to distribute, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. The arrest occurred at Colony House Apartments on 5th Street North in Columbus. Approximately two pounds of marijuana, $4,938.00 in cash, a ..read more

    Multi-Agency Effort Results in Arrest Following Dramatic Pursuit and Crash in Brooksville Packet Media   A two-vehicle accident on the bridge just before Sessums Road on 45 S Alt led to a series of extraordinary events on Friday. A Lowndes County Deputy arrived at the scene, only to be confronted with an unexpected turn of events. The driver of one of the cars involved in the crash fled on foot, executing evasive maneuvers as they circled back around. The fleeing individual managed to gain access to the Deputy’s SUV and swiftly sped off towards Noxubee County. Meanwhile, a ..read more

Ribbon Cut On Chick-Fil-A Road By Pam Brownlee  The official opening of ‘Chick-fil-A Road’ took place on Thursday, June 1, and the day was designated as ‘Chick-fil-A Road Paved Day.”’ Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin and Councilwoman Ethel Stewart participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Members of the Columbus City Council, Columbus Police Department, Columbus Fire & Rescue, Chick-fil-A employees, and representatives from other businesses attended the event. The newly paved road represents a significant improvement over its previous condition.   ..read more

    BBQ Stand in Steens Meth Distribution Hub Packet On June 6, 2023, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics STING Unit apprehended eight individuals and seized over $15,000.00 in cash, along with more than 8 pounds of methamphetamine, as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation that began in late 2021. The investigation was initiated following reports of suspicious activities occurring at a residence in the tranquil Steens community. Neighbors alerted authorities about the constant influx of traffic at all hours, prompting a thorough inquiry. Agents successfully ide ..read more