The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper

18/07/2025

Dr. Cathy Cook Announces Candidacy for Muscogee County District 9 At-Large Council Seat
Dr. Cathy Cook, a longtime Columbus resident, military veteran, and small business owner, has officially announced her candidacy for the Muscogee County District 9 At-Large City Council seat.

18/07/2025

11/07/2025

“My Declaration of Intent filing today is intended to be a clear message to the citizens of Columbus - it’s time for leadership that listens, innovates and unites. My vision is simple but bold - A Columbus that works for everyone. Now the work begins!”

10/07/2025

Breaking News

Former City Manager Isaiah Hugley filed paperwork Thursday, July 10, 2025, signaling his intent, as he explores his options, to entering the May 2026 mayoral race in Columbus.

Hugley, who led the city for nearly two decades before his abrupt dismissal by a 7–3 vote of the Columbus City Council in late May, submitted the requisite notices with the Elections and Registration Office, triggering the start of qualifying for the municipal election.

Hugley was terminated effective May 27, 2025, after council members cited “a pattern of sustained dysfunction and operational breakdown” in departments under his oversight — including animal control and finance — that drew criminal investigations He will continue to receive his salary and benefits through Dec. 31, 2025.

Mayor Skip Henderson is term‑limited and ineligible for re‑election. With Hugley’s organizational efforts now underway, the field of potential contenders is likely to take shape in the coming months.

04/07/2025

View from the Pew: When they Hand You the Scissors
Let me speak from the heart today — because somebody needs to hear this truth and hear it plain.
Not everyone who walks into your life comes with love in their heart or purpose in their steps. Some are not sent by God — they’re distractions disguised as destiny. They come to consume, not to contribute. They come to take, not to build. They don’t see your soul — they see your shine.
They’re not in love with you — they’re in love with your potential. Your kindness. Your access. Your resources.
And I know this, because I’ve walked that road. I’ve showed up for people who never returned the favor. I’ve prayed for folks who never whispered my name in their own prayers. I’ve carried the weight of others while silently sinking under my own.
Let’s be real — some people aren’t loyal to you, they’re loyal to the benefits of being around you. That’s why they disappear when the favor dries up. That’s why they get quiet when the attention shifts. That’s why they’re always reaching for your hand — but never extending theirs.
But the Bible is clear:
“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” — Amos 3:3
You can’t walk with everyone. Some people were only meant to be in your life for a season, but you tried to make them lifelong. You kept giving, hoping they’d one day see your heart — not realizing they were never looking in that direction.
So do yourself a favor, stop breaking your back for people who won’t even bend theirs. Stop rowing the boat while they sit dry, arms crossed, critiquing your stroke. Stop keeping people in your circle who vanish every time it’s not about them.
You are valuable. Your love, your loyalty, your energy — that’s kingdom currency. And you’re not called to waste it on those who treat it like pocket change.
Ask yourself: if your talent disappeared — would they still be here? If your name wasn’t known — would they still answer your call? If all you had to give, was you — would that still be enough?
Because sometimes, the people you give the most to… will do the least for you.
Don’t let their absence break your belief. Don’t let their betrayal break your spirit. You are not their loss — they are yours.
There are people, God-sent people, waiting to pour into you. People who aren’t trying to climb on your back but walk beside you. People who won’t drain you — but develop you.
“Surround yourself with elevators, not opportunists. With sharpeners, not leeches.
And when you finally do what needs to be done — when you cut off those who were never really for you — don’t be surprised when they call you the villain.
Let them talk. Because here’s the divine truth: You should never feel guilty for cutting off someone who handed you the scissors.
Protect your peace. Guard your purpose. And honor your worth.
You don’t owe anyone your presence. You don’t have to carry what was never yours. You don’t have to stay connected to people who were only sent to distract you from destiny.
Finally let me say this:
If they’re not supporting, they shouldn’t be important.
If they’re not praying for you, they shouldn’t be weighing on you.
If they can’t clap for you when it’s not their turn — let them go.
Choose peace over pressure. Choose growth over guilt.
And above all else, choose you — because God already did.

02/07/2025

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01/07/2025

27/06/2025

A View from a Pew: When It’s Time to Go
I was standing in my kitchen the other day, and the Holy Spirit spoke through a bunch of bananas.
Yes—bananas.
You see, I had left them sitting out too long. At first, they were perfect. Ripe. Sweet. Full of potential. But I kept them in the same place after their season had passed. Now? The tops had turned black. The fruit was shriveled. Lifeless. And I heard God say, “That’s what happens when you stay too long in a place I only meant to grow you through.”
See, those bananas were ready. They had served their purpose, reached their peak. All I had to do was eat them in a timely manner. But because I delayed, they began to die in an environment they had outgrown. And isn’t that some of us?
We’ve stayed in places we’ve outgrown—jobs, relationships, churches, cities, mindsets—not because God told us to, but because fear convinced us to. Comfort lied to us. Guilt guilted us. Loyalty locked us in.
But let me ask you this: At what cost?
Because now you feel like the life is being sucked out of you. Joy? Diminished. Peace? Disturbed. Passion? Gone. You’ve been waking up tired, going to sleep restless, and wondering why you can’t breathe in the same space you used to thrive in. It’s because your season has shifted, but your location hasn’t.
God will grow you—but He will also move you. And when you ignore the signs, He’ll send discomfort. Why? Because stagnation is not your portion. You weren’t created just to exist—you were created to expand.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” That means there’s a time to stay—but there’s also a time to go. And when your purpose has been fulfilled in a place, lingering too long can lead to deterioration instead of destiny.
I know it’s hard. Leaving isn’t easy, especially when you’ve built bonds or planted roots. But don’t confuse seasonal assignments with lifetime callings. And don’t confuse outgrowing a place with being ungrateful for it. Some places were meant to be a launchpad—not a landing zone.
Some of you are praying for fresh wind while clinging to stale air. You’re asking God for increase while holding onto decrease. You’re trying to make room for new blessings while refusing to release old burdens.
I’m telling you, it’s time to go.
Not just physically—but emotionally. Spiritually. Mentally. Release what no longer serves your growth. Walk away from what’s been quietly killing your joy. Trust that God doesn’t call you away from something without already preparing what’s next.
You are not dying. You are transitioning. And it’s okay to grieve what you’re leaving behind—but don’t let that grief stop you from stepping into the life you deserve.
Growth requires movement. And sometimes, staying in the same place too long doesn’t just stunt your progress—it starts to kill your purpose.
Let this be your wake-up call: it’s time to move. Not out of rebellion, not out of fear, but because your potential deserves a place to thrive—not just survive.
And when you get the answer, don’t be afraid to move. Don’t be afraid to breathe again.

11/06/2025

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