(Columbus) Ledger-Enquirer week in review

Alma Thomas House moved to Liberty Heritage Historic District

A historic Columbus home has been split in two and relocated about two miles to sit beside another landmark property, bolstering a neighborhood once known as the city’s “Black Wall Street.” Historic Columbus moved the Alma Thomas House from 411 21st St. in Rose Hill to 805 Fifth Ave. in the Liberty Heritage Historic District, placing it next to the Ma Rainey Home. Thomas (1891–1978) was a celebrated abstract painter, while Rainey (1886–1939) was famously dubbed “Mother of the Blues.” Justin Krieg of Historic Columbus said the goal is to create a center of arts and culture in the Liberty District. The roughly 1,500-square-foot house was split into two halves and transported by Ducky Johnson House Movers using two tractor-trailers. Foundation work is underway, with movers set to return to lower the house onto it. Krieg noted this move represents only about 20% of the total restoration process.

Reported by Mike Haskey, published May 17

German gun maker to invest $13M and add jobs

German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch, operating locally as HK USA, plans to expand its Columbus facility with a $13 million investment expected to create 35 jobs, economic development officials announced. The company, which employs about 115 people at 5675 Transport Boulevard, will build an approximately 24,000-square-foot production floor set to begin operations in July 2026. By summer 2027, new milling and CNC machinery will be integrated into the expanded facility. CEO Michael Holley cited evolving global security concerns and demand across military, law enforcement, and civilian markets as drivers of growth. Nearly 30% of HK USA’s workforce comprises veterans transitioning from Fort Benning. New positions will include CNC machinists, programmers, and skilled production employees, with salaries ranging from the upper $30,000s to over $80,000 annually.

Reported by Jordyn Paul-Slater, published May 14

Dragonfly Trails breaks ground on $2.2M project

Community leaders broke ground May 15 on the Dinglewood Park Trail, a $2.2 million project set to enhance midtown Columbus and expand connectivity across the city. Becca Zajac, executive director of Dragonfly Trails Inc., said the one-mile trail is the first of three planned connections linking midtown to the broader 34-mile Dragonfly Trails network. The trail begins at Dinglewood Park, adjacent to the MidTown Children’s Bicycle Playground, which opened in March. Mayor Skip Henderson praised the trails as economic drivers that connect neighborhoods to retail and restaurants while improving quality of life. Zajac said prep work will wrap up within weeks, with construction starting around June and expected to last about a year, weather permitting.

Reported by Mike Haskey, published May 15

Cataula volunteers travel hours to fight Georgia wildfires

Volunteer firefighters from the Cataula Fire Department in Harris County drove over six hours to help battle wildfires that swept through south Georgia around April 28–30. Fire Chief Paul Price, his son Hunter Price, and Tim Ryan responded with a fire engine and a 3,000-gallon tanker truck. Gov. Brian Kemp had declared a state of emergency for 91 counties as fires burned over 21,000 acres. Approximately 130 homes were destroyed, along with vehicles, sheds, and other property. Ryan described the loss as total, saying residents had nothing to return to. Hunter Price, a registered nurse, took unpaid leave to assist. Carl McCluskey, a retired Columbus Fire EMS firefighter, also helped drive the engine back. The crew worked alongside career firefighters and volunteers from multiple states, including Utah, Oregon, and West Virginia, with Ryan calling it “a brotherhood.”

Reported by Kelby Hutchison, published May 15

$250K approved for South Commons master plan

The Columbus Council has approved $250,000 in funding to advance a mixed-use redevelopment of South Commons, a 170-acre site along the Chattahoochee River that includes Synovus Park, the Columbus Ice Rink, the Columbus Civic Center, and other facilities. The Citizens Advisory Committee recommended Minneapolis-based design firm Nelson Worldwide, which master-planned The Battery around Truist Park in Atlanta, to lead the effort. Nelson submitted the lowest quote at $199,600 and earned the highest evaluation score among three finalists. Officials say preventing gentrification and incorporating non-displacement strategies are key priorities. Community engagement through surveys, public meetings, and stakeholder sessions will help shape the master plan, which is expected to take about six months to complete.

Reported by Brittany McGee, published May 18

Woman dies at Muscogee County jail

A 44-year-old woman, Kimberly Golden, died May 15 after being found unresponsive in her cell at the Muscogee County Jail, according to Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. Columbus Fire EMS and the Muscogee County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene. The GBI was called in as part of standard protocol, with sheriff’s office investigators conducting a parallel investigation. Coroner Buddy Bryan said autopsy results are still pending. The incident comes nearly two months after 20-year-old Xaniya Muse also died at the jail. Muse’s manner of death was ruled natural, caused by complications of diffused peritonitis perforated gastric pyloric ulcer, Bryan confirmed.

Reported by Kelby Hutchison, published May 18

This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 3:08 PM with the headline "(Columbus) Ledger-Enquirer week in review."