Almost three years after a U.S. District Court jury returned an almost $2 million damage award against Continental Carbon Co. of Phenix City, the company is paying the city of Columbus, a south Columbus businessman and an Oakland Park resident what the jury said was their due. Plus interest.

The 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld a 2004 jury verdict awarding the city of Columbus, a south Columbus businessman and an Oakland Park resident damages totaling more than $20.7 million from Continental Carbon Co. of Phenix City and its parent company, China Synthetic Rubber Corp.

A class action lawsuit has been against Occidental Chemical's Muscle Shoals plant residents who claim their property was damaged by the release of harmful substances.

A federal jury in Opelika on Wednesday awarded the city of Columbus, Ga., and other plaintiffs $20.7 million in an air pollution lawsuit filed against a Phenix City carbon black plant.