Today in ColumbusSubscribe — it’s free

36°ClearHigh 59° · Low 31°

  1. 6 a.m.36°
  2. Noon55°
  3. 6 p.m.50°
  4. Midnight38°

7:08 a.m. 5:39 p.m.

Forecasted byThe Weather Channel

See this week
  1. 6 a.m.36°
  2. Noon55°
  3. 6 p.m.50°
  4. Midnight38°
  1. Today59°31°
  2. Sun61°37°
  3. Mon60°42°
  4. Tue65°45°
  5. Wed70°48°

7:08 a.m. 5:39 p.m.

See full forecast

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Columbus renames Boxwood Rec Center for Jerry “Pops” Barnes

Plus, a veterans photo exhibition downtown today and a Monday school board vote.

The Today in Columbus team2 stories15 sources5 min read

CommunityTop story

Columbus renamed the Boxwood Recreation Center for the late Jerry “Pops” Barnes

17years Barnes served on the Columbus council

Barnes represented District 1, the seat his daughter Simi Barnes now holds.

Source: WRBL

The Boxwood Recreation Center is now the Jerry “Pops” Barnes Recreation Center. Columbus leaders and community members gathered Friday to celebrate the renaming, with Barnes’ daughter, District 1 Councilor Simi Barnes, and his son in attendance. Barnes served 17 years on the council and died at 80 in April 2024.

“He didn’t need a title to help people, because for him, helping others isn’t just what my dad did. It was who he was.”

District 1 Councilor Simi Barnes

Mayor-elect Isiah Hugley recalled the role Barnes played in bringing Double-A baseball back, when the city needed one more council vote. Resident W. Greg Herring submitted the application for the honorary designation, and the council unanimously approved the resolution. The city announced the ceremony Nov. 4.

The renaming ceremony followed a Nov. 4 announcement

  1. April 2024Jerry “Pops” Barnes dies at age 80.
  2. Nov. 4The city announces a ceremony to rename the Boxwood Recreation Center.
  3. Nov. 13The center is renamed the Jerry “Pops” Barnes Recreation Center.

Source: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Veterans

A pop-up photo exhibition honoring veterans runs downtown today

If you want to honor veterans today, the Ledger-Enquirer has a pop-up photo exhibition downtown this afternoon. Photojournalist Mike Haskey and engagement reporter Sundi Rose shared the plans on WRBL Friday. It's at the , 109 12th St.

The photo exhibition runs 1 to 4 p.m. today

Collaboration Station, 109 12th St., Downtown Columbus

Midnight6 a.m.Noon6 p.m.1 p.m.to 4 p.m.
  • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.Pop-up photo exhibition honoring veterans
Date
Sat., Nov. 14

Source: WRBL

View as table
WhenWhat
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.Pop-up photo exhibition honoring veterans
DateSat., Nov. 14

At the National Infantry Museum, the annual tribute included a dedication of commemorative pavers along , each one permanently recognizing a military member's service and sacrifices. Columbus State planned a full day of events on Wed., Nov. 11, open to students, employees and the public.

Columbus State serves a large military community

Nearly 20%
of its students have a military connection
6%
of its employees have direct military experience
1,500+
service members, retirees, veterans and families it helps with aid

Source: Columbus CEO

  • CSU ceremony: 10 a.m., Columbus Room, Davidson Student Center
  • Speaker: retired Army Col. John House, 26-year military career
  • “Boots and Bites”: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Whitley Clock Tower

Sponsored

Beauty

Steal our go-to lip combo

Presented by Smashbox

Sponsored

If you’re anything like us, once you find something that works for you, you stick with it. Whether it’s your morning routine or your signature coffee order, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Recently, we found a new lip combo that’s earned a permanent spot in our rotation. Meet Smashbox’s Full Fill-ter Smoothing Lip Glass Balm and Studio Extreme Longwear Lip Liner. The liner delivers up to 16 hours of transfer-proof, smudge-free wear, while the gloss provides eight hours of hydration and a high-shine finish.

We love pairing the Medium Brown liner with Coax gloss. Or, opt for a perfect-for-fall combo: Deep Walnut liner with Unbuttoned gloss.

Pucker up

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Columbus answered.

Asked

How are you honoring veterans this weekend?

Be the first to answer.

News Notes

Flights

If you're flying this weekend, check your airline's app or website first. The FAA issued a nationwide ground stop Friday and, as of 4:30 p.m., had no estimate of when planes could depart, Columbus Airport director Amber Clark said, and the airport expects delays and travel disruptions. Columbus Ledger-EnquirerWRBL

Air taxis

Columbus Council agreed Oct. 27 to sign an agreement with the Columbus Airport Commission to fund an vertiport and charging station at Columbus Airport. It appropriated up to $2.2 million from the TSPLOST discretionary fund, and Choose Columbus' Andy Hilmes said construction is estimated to begin and finish in 2027. Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

$2.2 millionset aside for a vertiport at Columbus Airport

Construction on the vertiport and charging station is estimated to begin and finish in 2027.

Source: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Schools

The Muscogee County School Board is set to vote Monday on combining Elementary and Middle into one campus. Chief Operations Officer Travis Anderson presented the project at this week's work session and said it has been in the works since November 2024. WTVM.com

Cusseta

A Cusseta mother and her three teenage children lost nearly everything in a house fire Wednesday, according to a GoFundMe set up to help them. All four got out safely, and the American Red Cross has provided emergency assistance. CNAW 2 with Colin Scroggins

Tickets

Tickets are on sale now for Melissa Etheridge's RISE AGAIN Tour stop at RiverCenter on Sat., April 10, 2027, at 7:30 p.m. You can buy them at RiverCenter.org or the box office, and the show is part of RiverCenter's 25th Anniversary Season. Now Georgia

Featured Deal

Every week, lululemon adds new markdowns to its We Made Too Much section. Read: Deals, on deals, on deals. This week, we’re eyeing $30+ off this cozy funnel-neck half-zip and major savings on these buttery-soft joggers in colors like Walnut Crunch, Lotus Lavender, and Willow Leaf.

Trending

One fashion trend we can immediately get behind? Ruffle edge socks. We love this pair by Bombas because they check all the boxes: cute design, built-in arch support, and adorable color and pattern options. Find your favorite color.

Play

New crosswords, Sudoku and themed word searches land at 6 a.m. with the newsletter. Play today’s before the coffee is gone.

Content marked with an * is advertising.

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Columbus answered.

Asked

Would you ride an air taxi from Columbus Airport?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

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

All 39 games

Quoted

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.

— John Powell

Things to Do

Things to Do

Columbus, GA

Saturday, Nov. 14

See every Columbus eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

See all Job listingsAdvertise your listing on our Jobs Board

Real Estate

Real Estate

Have a real estate listing around Columbus?

Advertise your property

The Buy

Around the Block

Around the Block

Powered by Nextdoor

Neighbors

No wonder there is a cat problem in this town!

“Macon road vet just charged me 300 to get a small cat spayed! This is outrageous. I will never use them again not ever! I am senior on SS that just drained me. WOW”

— A neighbor, Snellings

35 likes · 55 comments

View post

The Wrap

Today in Columbus' Wrap: Sunday's Highside Farmers Market is back outside in Daisy Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with local farmers, makers and vendors. It runs every Sunday, year round. We suggest bringing a tote bag and your appetite for seasonal produce.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Goodwill held a veterans hiring event, and a new 911 program

Read yesterday’s edition

The Today in Columbus teamColumbus’ daily newsletter

How did we do, Columbus?

Tap a face. It takes under a minute.

Not for meLoved it

That’s your morning, Columbus.

Send it to someone in Columbus who’d want it.

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

Past issues

  1. Fri., Nov. 13Goodwill held a veterans hiring event, and a new 911 program
  2. Thurs., Nov. 12Jenna Bush Hager is bringing 'Theo of Golden' to Columbus
  3. Wed., Nov. 11Albany State wins Fountain City Classic; SEC title game ends after 2026
  4. Tues., Nov. 10Kemp names two new State Court judges for Muscogee County
  5. Mon., Nov. 9Columbus State women's soccer wins a fourth straight Peach Belt title
Every edition

Free every morning

Get Today in Columbus in your inbox.

The news, the things to do, the jobs and the weather of Columbus, in five minutes, every morning by 8 a.m.

Free forever · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime

Today in Columbusto me · Sat., Nov. 146:00 a.m.

Columbus renames Boxwood Rec Center for Jerry “Pops” Barnes

Plus, a veterans photo exhibition downtown today and a Monday school board vote.

The TLDR

  1. Boxwood Recreation Center now honors Jerry “Pops” Barnes
  2. A veterans photo exhibition runs downtown today, 1 to 4 p.m.
  3. FAA grounded flights nationwide Friday; check your flight
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Today in Columbus’ other editions

All the news
JobsGoodwill held its third annual veterans hiring event at the National Infantry MuseumIf you're a veteran or military spouse hunting for work, Goodwill Southern Rivers has a place to start. It held its third annual veterans hiring event Thursday, and community members could connect with employers and resources too.Friday’s editionRead Arts & CultureJenna Bush Hager is bringing a live 'Theo of Golden' conversation to Columbus on Dec. 16If you've read Theo of Golden, here's your sign: Columbus is the star. NBCUniversal announced Wednesday that "Today" co-host Jenna Bush Hager will bring her Read with Jenna book club to town for a live conversation with author Allen Levi, a Columbus native, on Dec. 16. Columbus is also the real-life inspiration behind the novel's fictional town of Golden.Thursday’s editionRead HealthThe John B. Amos Cancer Center is giving patients a new pancreatic cancer pillIf you or someone you love is facing pancreatic cancer, there's a new option close to home. Piedmont Oncology providers at the John B. Amos Cancer Center are among the first community oncologists in Georgia to give patients Rasonque, an FDA-approved daily pill. It's for patients who have already had at least one round of chemotherapy.Thursday’s editionRead

Around Columbus

From WRBL, Fly War Eagle and 2 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. WRBL2 hours ago

    Columbus Ledger-Inquirer recognizes local veterans with pop-up photo exhibition

    COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Columbus Ledger-Inquirer collaborated with Columbus State University (CSU) to celebrate local veterans with a pop-up photo exhibition Saturday afternoon. Community members stopped by the Collaboration Station on 12th St. to help recognize current local veterans and veterans from decades past. According to Columbus Ledger-Inquirer Multimedia Reporter Mike Haskey, the exhibition

  2. Fly War Eagle4 hours ago

    Byrum Brown reveals how the FAA ground stop actually helped Auburn

    Friday's nationwide FAA ground stop forced Auburn onto buses and delayed kickoff, yet Byrum Brown revealed why the travel chaos worked in their favor.

  3. CNAW 2 with Colin Scroggins4 hours ago

    CRITICAL MISSING: Columbus police searching for 67-year-old man reported missing

    The Columbus Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 67-year-old man who has been reported missing and is considered a critical missing person. According to the departme

  4. WRBL4 hours ago

    East Alabama community mourns loss of woman killed in Phenix City house fire

    PHENIX CITY, Ala. (WRBL) — The East Alabama community is now mourning the loss of a local woman killed in a Phenix City house fire that took place late Friday night. According to East Alabama Motor Speedway (EAMS), Anna Duell, wife of longtime racer and EAMS staff member Bobby Duell, was killed in a tragic

  5. The Rome News-Tribune5 hours ago

    CHEERLEADING: Eight is great for Gordon Lee

    The Gordon Lee High School softball team added to its dynasty status in Columbus two weeks ago and the school's competition cheerleading squad did the same Saturday in Macon.

  6. CNAW 2 with Colin Scroggins6 hours ago

    Fire crews on scene of house fire in north Columbus

    Fire crews are on the scene of a house fire in a residential area off of Williams Road in north Columbus. The fire broke out around 6:59 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, on Cleo Drive. Seven apparat