A changing of the guard in Columbia’s leadership was the top story in Marion County in 2017, according to a vote by The Columbian-Progress staff.
Mayor Justin McKenzie, who had been a police captain, took office in July after the voters selected him to succeed Robert Bourne, who did not seek re-election.
McKenzie got to work quickly. Activities during his first six months in office included getting a consultant to study annexation, a citywide cleanup, hiring a new fire chief and increases in the property tax, garbage and water rates as the city tried to catch up with maintenance.
The rest of the top 10 stories for 2017 are:
2. Surgery ends: Marion General Hospital announced it would be shutting down the Marion County Surgical Clinic as of Oct. 1 in a cost-saving move with Dr. Ronald Luethje, the lone surgeon at the clinic, to remain on the staff working in the Emergency Room.
3. CA championship: Columbia Academy's baseball team captured the MAIS AAA State Championship May 18 with a win over Central Hinds. It was the Cougars first title in 21 years, and they led the nation with an astounding 61 home runs.
4. Record snow: Schools closed across the region and power crews and fire departments battled the elements Dec. 8 as Columbia and Marion County saw a record 6 inches of snow, the most since the National Weather Service began keeping records in 1905.
5. Four murders and four arrests: Victims included Calen Malek Shaw, 20, on Feb. 11 in Foxworth; Marcellus Christopher, 50, along Wesley Road Feb. 18; Tamaneka Murree Alexander, 30, on Oct. 6 in Foxworth; Billy May, 44, in Kokomo Dec. 1. Authorities made arrests in each case.
6. Opioid addiction: Marion County, which has the second-highest rate in Mississippi with 182.9 opioid prescriptions per 100 people, joined a lawsuit against painkiller manufacturers. The nationwide crisis continued to manifest itself in other ways throughout the community, including thefts and a high jail population.
7. Bridge crisis: Federal inspectors ordered six bridges closed with more expected as they targeted wooden-pile bridges throughout Mississippi. How to fund repairs remains up in the air with the legislature expected to debate the issue in its upcoming session.
8. Increased costs: Property taxes and garbage rates increased substantially in the city and county, and the city raised water rates effective in 2018.
9. Strong economy: State data showed Marion County’s unemployment rate dropped to the lowest rate in September (4.8 percent) of any time since May 1998.
10. Changes in city schools: Marietta James, PhD, retired as superintendent of Columbia schools and was replaced by Jason Harris, who had been principal of Tupelo High School.
