WISK / WDEC

“Local News’

Friday September 23^rd, 2022

*UPDATE*

The front bringing in the cooler and drier air was still arriving as of 5 this morning. We were in the upper 60s at 6 this morning after a daytime high of 99 Thursday afternoon in the last few hours of summer. The low by 7 had dropped to 65-degrees. Today, once the front moves on through, will have breezy conditions making it feel cooler and it will be—some 15-degrees cooler than yesterday with a high around 82 for the afternoon. Clear skies will drop the temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s for many areas tonight. The rest of the weekend will also be nice with highs in the mid-80s tomorrow and upper 80s on Sunday. The lows at night will be in the low 60s. One thing to be aware of is a tropical system that will reach the Gulf of Mexico next week and COULD have an impact on us but that will be determined by the path the expected hurricane will take. We have the potential of some rain from this system by Thursday and Friday next week. Enjoy the weekend weather and then keep a watch on the activity in the Gulf next week.

At the monthly meeting of the Mayor and Americus City Council last evening, Alex Saratsiotis with One Sumter approached the City with a partnership with Pineland by offering “FREE” WiFi in downtown Americus in the area between Forsyth and Lamar and Hampton and Lee Streets. This would be at no charge to the City but would be an enhancement for the businesses downtown to attract customers. The City agreed to meet and to finalize the proposal. 2 public hearings were heard concerning the Millage Rate and an application for the Revolving Loan Fund. After the lengthy consent agenda was approved the Revolving Loan Fund application came up for a vote. After initially having no motion yea or nay, a motion was finally made after discussion to approve the application and seconded. The application was then defeated by a 3-2 vote. The 2022 millage rate was then approved unanimously at 11.12 mils and remains the same. A motion was then made to extend citizens comments from 3 to 5-minutes. This motion was defeated 3-2. After some updates and announcements, the meeting was adjourned.

A person wanted by the Americus Police Department was picked up in an apparent sweep by Law Enforcement on Wednesday. Jakeem Rashard Cater, 23 of Americus, was wanted by APD for a May 14^th assault and robbery in the 400 block of Pinecrest Drive. Carter was wanted for armed robbery; batter; and aggravated assault. He had been on the run until he was taken into custody on Wednesday. Jakeem Rashard Carter is now housed at the Sumter County Jail. Kentravious Lemond Holmes is still wanted for his part in the shootout on Barbara Battle Way on September 1^st and Jyquavious Malik Pitts is still being sought for his actions in an attempted armed robbery on E. Forsyth Street September 6^th. If you know the whereabouts of either suspect, call Americus Police at 924-3677 or after hours at 229-937-9011. You can even call the Anonymous Tip Line at 229-924-4102.

Americus Police were busy on Thursday. An early morning shoplifting yesterday was reported at 4:59 at 1101 Crawford Street and quick work by officers resulted in the arrest some 40-minutes later of Travis S. Hutchins who was charged.

Terroristic threats and acts occurred at 1526 Elm Avenue.

Several shopliftings were reported and one resulted in an arrest. Patience A. Bailey was arrested and charged with shoplifting at Wal-Mart. 2 shoplifting incidents were reported at 1700 E. Lamar Street at Lowe’s about an hour apart.

A criminal trespass complaint was made at 722 Beale Street.

A theft took place from 110 Joyce Court.

Officers checked on complaints of shots fired in the area of E. Forsyth and Prince and later in the area of Murphy Mill Road.

Cameron Pitts was arrested last evening at 126 US 280W and charged with reckless conduct.

Officers and 1^st Responders were dispatched out last night to 1219 Hancock Drive due to a medical issue. Later the Coroner’s Office was called to the scene.

3 domestic-related calls and 2 miscellaneous calls were answered by officers around town yesterday.

APD worked 3 accidents on Thursday that had no reported injuries.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies had an overall quiet Thursday although numerous arrests were made. Suspicious person complaints were made at 2237 US 280W and on US 19S. 1 prisoner transport was made yesterday. Deputies did respond to 3 domestic-related calls. A criminal trespass complaint was filed at 565 Devoe Road. At 3:44 this morning investigation into a burglary began at 439 Brady Road.

In the Sumter County Jail: Jeremiah Baker-Robinson for aggravated assault; Benjamin Scott Carey—holding for Cobb County SO; Jakeem Rashard Carter for armed robbery/ battery/ and aggravated assault; Derrien Travion Daniels for battery/ criminal trespass/ and aggravated stalking; Christopher Alexander Denmark for probation violation; Courtney Nicole Deriso for 3^rd degree felony forgery/ terroristic threats and acts/ and criminal trespass (FVA); Wandrea Kia Harris for probation violation; Charleston Michael Hart for felony probation violation; Travis Sentrell Hutchins for shoplifting; Cameron Alonzo Pitts for reckless conduct; Chance Brandon Styck for aggravated assault and simple battery (FVA); Karlon Dewayne Styles for obstruction and probation violation; Antavious Leonte Wafford for felony probation violation; and Adrian La’Marcus Williamson for felony failure to appear/ obstruction/ giving a false name to law enforcement/ and probation violation. 1 was back in jail for sentencing. 1 was released from jail after bonding out.