By Leah Justice and Claire Sachse

Tryon approves closing Melrose for Super Saturday
Tryon Town Council on Feb. 19 approved closing a portion of Melrose Street for Super Saturday next month. Super Saturday will be along Melrose and downtown Tryon on Saturday, March 21.

Tryon thanks crews for cleanup following ice storm
Tryon Town Council met Thursday, Feb. 19 and thanked the street, public works, police and fire department for clean up and work during the Monday, Feb. 16 ice storm. Town manager Joey Davis said as of Thursday there were still some slick spots in the roads. He also thanked Kim Pack for cooking Monday for the crews. Davis said this was the first time he had to move a council meeting because of the weather. Tryon’s meeting was postponed from Tuesday, Feb. 17 until Thursday morning, Feb. 19.

Tryon makes appointment to parks committee
Tryon Town Council unanimously appointed John Salmon to its parks committee. The vacancy was filled during Tryon’s meeting on Thursday, Feb. 19.

Tryon changes by laws to tourism authority
During a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 19, Tryon Town Council approved changing the Tryon Tourism Development Authority (TTDA) by laws for the authority to meet bi-monthly instead of monthly.

Columbus discusses Christmas decorations
Columbus Town Manager Timothy Barth reported to town council on Feb. 19 that a committee will meet Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. in town hall to review comments received from the community regarding the town’s Christmas decorations. Barth reported that anyone interested may attend this meeting, the results of which will be used to make recommendations to town council to include in the 2015-2016 budget.

Fabulous Fourth Committee to meet
Columbus’ Fourth of July event organizing committee will meet Feb. 23 to continue planning for the Fabulous Fourth celebration. Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to attend. Contact Columbus Town Hall for details at 828-894-8236.

Columbus Police Department investigating funding sources for building renovation, expansion
Chris Beddingfield, chief of police, and Tim Barth, Columbus town manager, have been in discussions with representatives from the USDA over the process to apply for grants. The USDA offers grants to rural communities for government buildings. Beddingfield says that the police force has outgrown the current building as its currently configured, and renovations of existing space and an addition will address crowding, lack of storage and safety concerns. The building was formerly a rental house.

Columbus council approves tailgate market request
At the Feb. 19 Columbus Town Council meeting, council members unanimously approved a request from Dawn Jordan, Polk County’s agricultural economic development director, to allow the farmer’s tailgate market permission to use Courthouse St. for the 2015 season. The market will run from April 11 to Nov. 21, from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Columbus council approves street light request
One street light will be installed on an existing pole on N. Peak St between the N. Peak St./E. Mills St intersection and Columbus Methodist Church. Columbus Town Council voted Feb. 19 to install this light in a poorly lit area after the town received citizen concerns about that section of the street. The town’s cost will be $8.93 a month for electricity.

Columbus Police to sponsor Glow Run
The Columbus Police Department is again sponsoring the Race 4 The Fallen Glow Run, a night time family fun 5K race for participants of all ages and speeds, on May 2 in Columbus. Registration is online through active.com. The race is managed by the Police Benevolent Foundation and the NCPBA, Inc.

Color Run scheduled for Landrum May 9
Spartanburg County School District One is holding a Color Run on May 9 in Landrum. The course will begin at Landrum Middle School, run through downtown Landrum to S. Shamrock, and back to Brookwood Park.