Good morning, Columbus.

Georgia Power & Alabama Power secured federal loans to modernize Plant Oliver, and the funding will support planned upgrades to boost energy reliability in Columbus.

Fort Benning’s Oktoberfest will run Friday, Oct.

16 through Sunday, Oct. 18 at Uchee Creek Campground & Marina; the free event will offer German & local food, brews, traditional music & family-friendly activities. A shuttle service will be available for DoD ID cardholders on Saturday.

Georgia Power and Alabama Power have received a multi-billion dollar DOE loan to modernize the aging Plant Oliver (built in 1959) with turbine replacements and system upgrades, saving customers over $7 billion over 30 years and lowering utility costs to help Columbus attract businesses.

Columbus State University renewed its Gold-Level Military Friendly and Military-Spouse Friendly status on Oct.

8, confirming nearly 20% of its students have military ties. The school’s Military-Connected Student Services support active-duty personnel + veterans.

Columbus State University is opening a new institute (named for Hal Moore and his wife Julia) to preserve American military history with programs, research, and public events.

Dr. David Kieran will serve as the inaugural director and a founding celebration is set for Nov. 11.

Columbus State University is partnering with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project to train volunteers in gathering oral histories from veterans.

The trainings take place Oct. 20 at Simon Schwob Memorial Library + Frank Brown Hall and will be followed by veteran interviews on Oct. 21 at the university library.

Responders from law enforcement, fire, EMS, transportation and recovery agencies gathered in Columbus from Oct.

4–7 at the Convention and Trade Center for the TIME Task Force Conference to train on drone use, driver education and coordinated traffic incident response, with sessions on simulator drills, safety protocols and award recognition.