🌱 Columbus Man Jumps From Hospital's 10th Floor + Police Chief Update

Welcome back, Columbus. I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Thunderstorms. High: 68 Low: 61.
• Friday: A couple of morning showers. High: 78 Low: 55.

Business owners and marketers in Columbus: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories today in Columbus:

1. A man is in critical condition after jumping off the tenth floor of Piedmont Columbus Regional on Apr. 11. The Columbus Police Department said the man landed on the fifth floor of the hospital and hit his head. Piedmont Columbus Regional released a statement that said, "This is an active, ongoing investigation and we’re currently cooperating with authorities. We have no further comment due to patient privacy laws." (WRBL)
2. District Four Columbus City Councilor, Toyia Tucker, spoke about the reason for Columbus Police Chief Freddie Blackmon's severance package and forced retirement. Tucker said one of the reasons was that Blackmon's strategic plan had something missing and the decision had nothing to do with race. But Columbus NAACP President and Local Journalist Wane Hailes agreed with Blackmon and said, "Stevie Wonder could see that it’s racial. It is what it is, and we need to stop acting like it’s not." (WTVM)
3. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. announced that the Columbus Enrichment Services Program will receive four grants totaling over $21 million for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The funding will go toward education for young children for over 6,000 low-income families across the Chattahoochee Valley. Bishop said, "One of the best investments we can make in the future [of] our community is our children, and I am glad to announce these federal funds which will help families in the Columbus/Chattahoochee Valley area." (WRBL)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Columbus Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Columbus Patch newsletter possible.

Today and tomorrow in Columbus:

Thursday, April 13

• 11th Annual Rangers Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament At Maple Ridge Golf Club (10:30 AM)
• "Oh Hello" Painting At Painting With A Twist, Columbus (7:00 PM)

Friday, April 14

• The Columbus Ballet Presents An Evening Of Contemporary Dance At CSU's University Hall (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• On May 12-13, Uptown Columbus will host RiverFest in Woodruff Park and along the Dillingham Bridge in Uptown Columbus. Admission is free all weekend and will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. (WRBL)
• On Apr. 29, the City of Columbus is hosting a "Liberty Theatre & Cultural Arts Center Block Party" to celebrate the start of the renovation project and to commemorate the life of Ma Rainey, the "Mother of Blues." The event starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. at 813 8th Ave., directly in front of the Liberty Theatre. (Columbus Consolidated Government via Facebook)
• Browse your local real estate market for a new home or stay up-to-date on the local prices. Check out the latest homes for sale in the Columbus area, including a three-bedroom home on Wellborn Drive for $110,000. (Columbus Patch)

That's it for today. I'll see you back in your inbox soon with your next update!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!