Widespread Cuts to State Parks

As summer tourism gears up, expect higher fees and fewer services at Georgia's parks and historic sites. 12 percent of employees will lose their jobs, most of those left will be furloughed, five parks will limit access, and 12 historic sites will cut operational days. The state Department of Natural Resources is making the cuts to cope with a nearly 39 percent reduction in state appropriations and a 24 percent projected loss of revenue.

(Associated Press)

ATF investigates Columbus mill fire

Five pumpers surrounding the Bibb mill in Columbus poured thousands of gallons of water into the smoldering rubble, Oct. 30, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating a blaze that destroyed the historic Bibb Mill in Columbus, said to be one of Georgia's largest-ever stuctural fires.

The four-story, 750,000-square-foot brick textile mill on the Chattahoochee River closed in 1998 after a century of operations. Firefighters fought the blaze for eight hours Thursday morning.

The ATF's National Response Team, which investigated bombings of the World Trade Center in 1993 and the Oklahoma City federal building, was called in over the weekend by Columbus fire officials.

Its presence does not mean terrorism or arson is suspected.

"Our primary responsibility is to establish the cause of the fire," ATF spokesman Marc Jackson said.

Click here for more GPB News coverage and exclusive photos of the Bibb Mill fire.

Massive fire demolishes historic Columbus mill

Five pumpers surrounding the Bibb mill in Columbus poured thousands of gallons of water into the smoldering rubble, Oct. 30, 2008. (Dave Bender)

In Columbus in western Georgia, an overnight fire gutted the historic Bibb textile mill and left fire officials and neighbors wondering as to the cause. There were no injuries, fire officials said.


Firefighters were unable to enter the smoking ruins of the Bibb Mill in Columbus the morning after the fire, due to heat, and falling debris, Oct. 30, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Almost 70 firefighters and eleven fire vehicles fought the inferno in the quarter-mile long, red brick structure after receiving an alarm after midnight, according to Deputy Fire Chief, Greg Lang:

“At this time, we're still extinguishing hot spots; we're going to be here throughout the day, late in the evening and through the night, from just the amount of fire we had.”

Neighbors stood and watched, as several pumpers and crews cascaded water on patches of fire within the smouldering four-story ruins. One of them was veteran Columbus resident, Dorothy Tate:

“Oh... I feel like the city lost a very ... very good family member, since it's such a wonderful landmark.”

(Dave Bender)

The 750,000 square-foot Bibb Mill was built in 1900, alongside the Chattahoochee River near downtown. It was later renovated into shops and housed a flea market. An events center alongside the main structure was undamaged.

As southerly winds wafted cinders for several miles towards downtown Columbus, according to a newspaper report, firefighters poured sheets of water into the heart of the rubble, Oct. 30, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Bruce Toole is a local businessman who owns property across the street from the mill:

“A lot of people from Columbus grew up here, made their living here. It's probably going to be a little bittersweet for a lot of older people that retired from here, and this was their life – to ride by and see this thing gone.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco will assist in investigating the cause of the blaze.

(Dave Bender)

Click here for more GPB News coverage about Columbus.

Closures at 13 state parks and historic sites

Since the state is short on money, it should close up to 6 of its parks and up to 7 of its historic sites. The closures are just some of the recommendations unanimously approved today by the state board of natural resources.

Natural Resources Commissioner Noel Holcomb proposed the reductions. All state agency heads are showing Governor Perdue what they would do with 6, 8 or 10 percent less funding this year. For Holcomb, that means fewer state parks and historic sites, a hiring freeze and layoffs.

"There's no easy way to go about doing this but we're committed to having a balanced budget and still to meet the level of customer expectation that this agency is known and respected for."

Holcomb says it's too early to know which facilities will close. Tom Mills wants them all to stay open. Mills, a board member for Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, wonders if raising attendance fees would help.


"Right now it's only 3 dollars a day. Right now that's less than a gallon of gas."

The state will consider all options. The picture may be clear come October.