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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 11

Albany State wins Fountain City Classic; SEC title game ends after 2026

Plus, Smiths Station picks a new mayor and Columbus State honors veterans today.

The Today in Columbus team2 stories15 sources5 min read

SportsTop story

Albany State takes the Fountain City Classic at A.J. McClung Stadium

Two reports put the Fountain City Classic crowd far apart

Sources: WTVM.com, ajc

View as table
Value
Law enforcement, high40,000
Law enforcement, low35,000
AJC, more than21,000

Albany State owns Fountain City bragging rights. The Golden Rams rolled past Fort Valley State in Columbus.

Law enforcement counted about 35,000 to 40,000 fans, Executive Director Robbie Branscomb said, and attendance was about the same as in previous years. The AJC reported more than 21,000.

Branscomb said both schools met their financial goals, and officials expect a $2.5 million economic impact. If you want to relive it, the Albany Herald posted more than 300 photos by Reginald Christian.

$2.5 millionexpected economic impact of the Fountain City Classic

Officials expect that impact, and Branscomb said both schools met their financial goals.

Source: WTVM.com

  • Score: Albany State 49, Fort Valley State 0
  • Scholarships raised: $10,000 from the Chairman's Reception and golf classic

College Football

The SEC Championship Game will end after this season as the College Football Playoff grows to 24 teams

The SEC Championship Game is about to get its last run. After the announced it will expand from 12 teams to 24, the final game is set for Dec. 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Big Ten is ending its title game too, with its last one the same day at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, commissioner Tony Petitti said in a statement.

Both conference title games end on Dec. 5 before the 24-team playoff starts

  1. 1992The SEC Championship Game begins.
  2. Dec. 5The final SEC Championship Game is set for Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
  3. Dec. 5The Big Ten's last title game is set for Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
  4. 2027-28The begins with 24 teams, up from 12.

Sources: WTVM.com, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Alabama has won 11 SEC championships, Georgia has six and Auburn has three, and those three teams have won more than half of the games. Three-time SEC champion DJ Jones of Columbus, a former Georgia player, isn't thrilled.

“Being a part of three SEC Championship teams at the University of Georgia, I hate it.”

DJ Jones, former Georgia player

Alabama, Georgia and Auburn lead the SEC title count

Source: WTVM.com

View as table
Value
Alabama11
Georgia6
Auburn3
  • Playoff field: 24 teams starting in 2027-28, up from 12
  • New format: 16 on-campus playoff games
  • SEC game history: 35th edition in a series that began in 1992

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Asked

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Asked

Will you watch the final SEC Championship Game on Dec. 5?

Be the first to answer.

News Notes

Veterans Day

Columbus State University hosts a Veterans Day event today, with a 10 a.m. ceremony and remarks from retired U.S. Army Col. John House. , with food, music and activities, runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free for students, staff and community members. The ceremony is in the Columbus Room of the Davidson Student Center. WTVM.comColumbus CEO

Smiths Station

The Smiths Station City Council appointed Mayor Pro Tem Victoria Green as mayor Tuesday night in a 4-0 vote, with Green abstaining. She fills the vacancy left by Mayor Richard Cooley, who died Oct. 24, and will serve through November 2029. The Opelika Observer says Lee County Probate Judge Jere Colley swore her in at the meeting. Columbus Ledger-EnquirerCNAW 2 with Colin ScrogginsOpelika Observer

Cleanup

If you want to help clean up your neighborhood, the city's District 4 meeting for its "" is Tue., Nov. 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Shirley Winston Park, 5025 Steam Mill Road. Cleanup kits will be available, and the city will help with debris pickup. CNAW 2 with Colin Scroggins

New treatment

Piedmont Oncology providers with the John B. Amos Cancer Center at Piedmont Columbus Regional are among the first community oncologists in Georgia to give Rasonque, a daily pill the FDA approved in late August for pancreatic cancer. In the clinical trial, patients on it lived roughly 13 months on average, compared with less than seven months on standard therapy. Columbus CEO

Inspections

Georgia Department of Public Health inspectors visited more than 70 Muscogee County restaurants, lounges, hotels and other establishments in October. Twenty-five received perfect scores, 35 also received an A, 13 received a B and none received a C. Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Muscogee County inspectors gave 25 perfect scores in October

GradeEstablishments
Perfect score25
A35
B13
C0

Source: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Shop

Etsy’s Top 100 Holiday Gifts are here with festive finds for everyone on your list. Think: custom playing cards, one-of-a-kind advent calendars, and hand-painted ceramics. One of our favorite finds is this customizable vinyl mixtape, complete with your choice of 10-12 of songs, a photo for the cover, and a personalized message. (Sponsored by Etsy)

Wardrobe

Cute enough for a coffee run, comfy enough for a full day on the couch, these soft-brushed barrel-leg sweatpants and this best-selling mock neck sweater make a pretty convincing case for staying cozy. Shop the pair, plus find more great cozy wardrobe options.

Biz

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Asked

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Asked

Will you join a neighborhood cleanup this fall?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

Character is much easier kept than recovered.

— Thomas Paine

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Wednesday, Nov. 11

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Beware!

“We hired this tree company to take down a dead pine. He said he would be here at 10 am, he showed up at 4 pm. Took down tree and a few Myrtle’s with it, said he be back to chop it up and put by curb, it’s still laying across my yard 3 weeks later. Took the money and never returned…I guess you just can’t trust anyone…”

— A neighbor, Foxfire
Photo from the neighbor’s post

35 likes · 55 comments

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The Wrap

Columbus has a piece of YMCA history: the local YMCA was founded here in 1856, making it the third oldest in the country. Hundreds gathered at First Baptist Church of Columbus Tuesday morning to mark 170 years of service. That's a lot of candles for one birthday cake.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Kemp names two new State Court judges for Muscogee County

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition15 links · 9 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. WTVM.comwtvm.com
  3. ajcajc.com
  4. Albany Heraldalbanyherald.com
  5. WTVM.comwtvm.com
  6. Columbus Ledger-Enquirerledger-enquirer.com
  7. WTVM.comwtvm.com
  8. Columbus CEOthecolumbusceo.com
  9. Columbus Ledger-Enquirerledger-enquirer.com
  10. CNAW 2 with Colin Scrogginscnaw2news.com
  11. Opelika Observeropelikaobserver.com
  12. CNAW 2 with Colin Scrogginscnaw2news.com
  13. Columbus CEOthecolumbusceo.com
  14. Columbus Ledger-Enquirerledger-enquirer.com
  15. Columbus events calendartodayincolumbus.com

Past issues

  1. Tues., Nov. 10Kemp names two new State Court judges for Muscogee County
  2. Mon., Nov. 9Columbus State women's soccer wins a fourth straight Peach Belt title
  3. Sun., Nov. 8Albany State routs Fort Valley State 49-0 in the Fountain City Classic
  4. Sat., Nov. 7Kemp names two new Muscogee County State Court judges
  5. Fri., Nov. 6CSU breaks ground on $22.2 million Pezold Center
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Today in Columbusto me · Wed., Nov. 116:00 a.m.

Albany State wins Fountain City Classic; SEC title game ends after 2026

Plus, Smiths Station picks a new mayor and Columbus State honors veterans today.

The TLDR

  1. Albany State beat Fort Valley State 49-0 in the Fountain City Classic
  2. The SEC Championship Game ends after Dec. 5 as the playoff grows to 24 teams
  3. Columbus State hosts a Veterans Day ceremony at 10 a.m.
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Today in Columbus’ other editions

All the news
CourtsGov. Kemp appoints Alex Shalishali and David Ranieri to the State Court of Muscogee CountyIf you follow the local courts, two new names are headed to the bench. Gov. Brian Kemp announced three judicial appointments on Monday, Nov. 9, and two of them are for the State Court of Muscogee County.Tuesday’s editionRead SportsAlbany State routs Fort Valley State 49-0 in the Fountain City ClassicAlbany State beat Fort Valley State 49-0 on Saturday at AJ McClung Memorial Stadium in the 36th annual Fountain City Classic. Cameron Watts returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, then intercepted a pass and ran it back 53 yards for another. Albany State led 14-0 after 47 seconds, before its offense had taken the field.Sunday’s editionRead High School FootballBrookstone and Glenwood win first-round playoff games Friday nightIt was a good Friday night for area teams in the state playoffs. The Ledger-Enquirer's roundup has Brookstone, Pacelli and Glenwood advancing, with three area teams winning, one losing and another on a bye.Sunday’s editionRead

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