🌱 Georgia Power To Increase Prices + Beer & Wine Festival In Columbus

Hello all. It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Columbus Patch newsletter — here to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Heavy afternoon thunderstorms. High: 79 Low: 62.
• Friday: Low clouds. High: 78 Low: 62.

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 in Columbus today:

1. Beginning Jun. 1, Georgia Power will increase its prices by 12 percent, which means monthly utility bills will increase by an average of $16. Fuel cost discounts for low-income senior citizens will also be raised from $6 a month to $9.50 a month, according to Georgia Power. Five Republican commissioners voted unanimously for the increase, allowing Georgia Power to collect an additional $6.6 billion from its nearly three million customers over the next three years. (WTVM 9)
2. Uptown Columbus will host its Beer and Wine Festival 2023 on Jun. 3, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Columbus State University’s Rankin Courtyard on Broadway! The festival helps raise money for other Uptown Columbus events throughout the year. Click here to learn more and to purchase early bird tickets, now until Jun. 2. (WTVM 9)
3. On May 16, two suspects involved in two separate fatal vehicle crashes during police pursuits in April were scheduled to appear in Recorder’s Court. Tyrone Vaughn, 20, pleaded not guilty to 16 charges including murder and homicide by vehicle. The Georgia State Patrol was pursuing Vaughn when Vaughn's vehicle allegedly crashed into another vehicle, killing 46-year-old Veronica Shipp. Elias Browning, 18, pleaded not guilty to nine charges including murder and homicide by vehicle. The Georgia State Patrol was also pursuing Browning when Browning's vehicle allegedly crashed into another vehicle, killing a 19-year-old passenger. Both cases were bound over to Superior Court. (WRBL)

Today and tomorrow in Columbus:

Thursday, May 18

• Columbus Got Talent At After 5 Sports Bar Grill (8:00 PM)

Friday, May 19

• Grey Sunday Trio Live At The Compound Event Center (7:00 PM)
• Friday Night Vibe Kickoff At Martini's On Broadway (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• All three levels of Muscogee County schools will have different start times beginning this upcoming school year. Elementary schools will now start at 7:45 a.m., 15 minutes earlier than the current school year; middle schools will begin at 8:10 a.m., 40 minutes earlier than the current school year; and high schools will start at 8:45 a.m., 45 minutes later than the current school year. (WTVM 9)
• On Saturday, May 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center will host the first closet clean-out sale! Shop for gently used adult clothing, shoes, and accessories from closets throughout the city, all in one place. Hayley Tillery, executive director of Columbus Trade Center, said, "This event will assist the Columbus community in practicing thrifting and decluttering with the opportunity to donate unsold items to Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers." (WRBL)
• Are you on the hunt for a new place to live or just curious about what else is out there? Check out the latest homes for sale in the Columbus area, including a four-bedroom on Bridgemill Drive for $399,000. (Columbus Patch)

You're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox soon with another 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!