🌱 TurboTax Settlement For GA Residents + Interim Police Chief Starts

Hi all. I'm here right on time with your Tuesday edition of the Columbus Patch newsletter, filled with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm. High: 87 Low: 64.
• Wednesday: A t-storm in the afternoon. High: 87 Low: 64.

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Here are the top three stories today in Columbus:

1. Following allegations of misleading low-income taxpayers into paying for tax services that should have been free, Intuit, the parent company of TurboTax, has reached a multi-state settlement amounting to $141 million. The settlement pertains to approximately 150,000 Georgia residents who utilized TurboTax to file their federal tax returns from 2016 to 2018. Compensation for each affected consumer will vary based on the number of tax years involved, with an anticipated range of $29 to $30 for most recipients. (WSB Atlanta)
2. The Columbus Police Department is investigating two separate shooting incidents that occurred in Columbus on Sunday. In the first incident, a shooting took place on I-185 South just past the Manchester Expressway exit, leaving one person injured. Police have arrested a suspect, and the investigation is ongoing. In the second incident, a man was found with two gunshot wounds to his leg on Bowman Street in Columbus. Police received a call about the shooting around 3:00 p.m. It is unknown if any arrests have been made or what led to the shooting at this time. (WTVM)
3. The mayor of Columbus, Skip Henderson, has appointed Stoney Mathis as the interim police chief. Mathis, a former police chief of Fairburn, Georgia, starts his new role this week and will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the police department. With 30 years of experience in law enforcement, Mathis has held command-level positions for 20 years. He will replace Freddie Blackmon, the former chief who retired on Apr. 30, and an executive search firm will be used to find a permanent replacement. (WRBL)

Today and tomorrow in Columbus:

Tuesday, May 9

• Trivia At Banks Food Hall (5:30 PM)

Wednesday, May 10

• Free Wine Wednesday: Rainbow Butterfly At Painting With A Twist (7:00 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know an incredible mom you'd like the rest of Columbus to know about, too? We want to hear about her! Just fill out this simple form and we'll do the rest. And if you’re looking for some inspiration, have a look at these awesome moms!

From my notebook:

• The Columbus Georgia Police Department is asking for the community's help locating the critical missing person Cordale McKissic, 35. He went missing from the 2400 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard between 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. If you have any information on McKissic’s whereabouts, please contact the Columbus Police Department by calling 911 or (706) 563-3449. (Columbus Georgia Police Department via Facebook)
• It's the time of year when Columbus's community calendar is bursting with events! Check out what's happening in the area over the next few weeks here. (Visit Columbus, GA via Facebook)
• Join the Columbus Trade Center on Saturday, May 20 for the ultimate Closet Cleanout Sale! Spring cleaning allows you to find gently-used clothes in a one-stop shop. If you’re cleaning out your closet and have adult clothes, shoes, and accessories to sell, register here. (Columbus, GA Convention & Trade Center via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. 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!