🌱 Teen Arrested For Murder + Muscogee Schools Start Time Changes

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Columbus Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 88 Low: 61.
• Friday: Mostly sunny. High: 87 Low: 58.

Here are the top three stories today in Columbus:

1. On Jun. 5, Jabori Baptiste, a 15-year-old, was arrested by the Columbus Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit and the Muscogee County School District Police for the murder of Natalie Bell. Bell was fatally shot at Mystic Mart in March. Baptiste has been taken to the Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center, where he will face charges of murder and robbery. Despite his age, he will be charged as an adult. (Columbus Georgia Police Department via Facebook)
2. Attention parents and guardians of Muscogee County School District students: an important update regarding the start time schedule for the fiscal year 2023-2024 is now available. It is essential to take note of these changes. Elementary schools now start at 7:45 a.m., middle schools now start at 8:10 a.m., and high schools start at 8:45 a.m. (Muscogee County School District via Facebook)
3. The Muscogee County Sheriff's Office is actively seeking information about the whereabouts of John Cislak, a wanted sex offender. Cislak is wanted for Failure to Register as a State Sex Offender and Violation of Probation. His original conviction was for Child Molestation. Please contact law enforcement immediately upon sighting him. If you have any information about John Cislak, please reach out to the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office by phone at 706-653-4225, through a message on Facebook, or by sending an anonymous tip to 706-225-4285. (Muscogee County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)

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.

Today and tomorrow in Columbus:

Thursday, June 8

• Clothes Story At Columbus Public Library (All Day)
• Garden Volunteer Workdays At The Columbus Museum Bradley Olmstead Garden (8:00 AM)

Friday, June 9

• Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt At CSU Riverside Theatre Complex (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Popular comedian and actor Matt Rife will be performing as part of his ProbleMATTic World Tour at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center on Dec. 9, 2023. Tickets can be purchased starting Friday, Jun. 9 at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Queensborough Box Office at the performing arts center. (WRDW)
• Are you looking to move in or around the Columbus area? Several beautiful homes are for sale, including a 1,330 sq. ft., 3-bed, 2-bath property priced at $107,000, and a 2,051 sq. ft., 3-bed, 3-bath property priced at $299,900. (Columbus Patch)
• Pepsi, a 9-week-old female puppy, was rescued as a single orphan and has made a remarkable recovery after battling parasites. Although her breed mix is uncertain, she may have French bulldog heritage. If interested in adopting, an application can be filled out on the Animal Ark Rescue website. (Animal Ark Rescue via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Roundtable Discussion on Era of Treatment in Alzheimer's (June 22)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all soon for 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!