WISK / WDEC

“Local News’

Friday September 23rd, 2016

*UPDATE*

The Mayor and City Council held their monthly meeting yesterday. Chase Pines with Sunbelt Americus addressed the Mayor and Council concerning the sign ordinance that would remove the streamers at the local business. All parties concerned will work together to get the issue resolved to everyone’s liking. After a public hearing was heard concerning the City’s millage rate, the Council voted unanimously to keep the current millage rate at 10.32, unchanged now for five years. The contract with CH2M was renewed for maintenance and operation services for the Water and Wastewater Plants and facilities. Council authorized the Finance Director to sell surplus property according to the City purchasing policy. The Georgia Statewide Indefinite Quantity Construction Services contract was approved. It was discussed and a resolution was approved unanimously for an “indication of support” with GDOT for a roundabout possibly being constructed on Highway 30 west and Armory Drive in the near future to handle traffic. An alcoholic beverage license was approved for 1702 MLK Boulevard for the sale of beer off-premises. Lashonda Blue was reappointed to the DDA. Mayor Blount presented a proclamation to AFES Chief Allen Erkhart declaring October as Fire Prevention and Fire safety Education month. The meeting was then adjourned.

Lauren Covington and Americus Main Street invites the community to the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Rustic Charm at 214 W. Lamar Street at 11:30 this morning.

The annual Men’s Health Conference will be held tomorrow morning from 7:30 to 11am at the GSW Storm Dome on campus. There will be free screenings, important information and a free T-shirt for participating.

The Georgia Department of Labor has announced the unemployment rate in the Southwest Georgia region in August was 6.1 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from the 6.3 percent in July. The rate in August 2015 was 6.9 percent. The rate fell as employers laid off fewer workers. The labor force, which consists of employed people and those who are unemployed but actively seeking jobs, declined by 555 to 146,625 in August. Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for August was 4.9 percent, down from 5 percent in July.

High school football got started off on the wrong foot last night in Columbus. 5 field goals, an interception return for a touchdown and a safety propelled Northside-Columbus to a 24-7 win over Americus-Sumter last night. Tonight, Southland will play at Tiftarea; Schley County is in Vienna to play Dooly County; and Marion County is at home hosting Manchester. The games tonight will all have a 7:30 kick-off with no mention of rain at any of the games!

Americus Police report a fairly busy Thursday. A burglary was investigated at 102-A Patterson Street.

Counterfeit bills were reported and turned over to police at 1533 S. Lee Street. This time it is was phony 20s and 100s that were turned in.

Thefts occurred from 717 N. Jackson Street and 722 Beale Street.

A stalking incident was turned over to another agency for further investigation.

An auto was entered at D-1 113 US 27 east at Southland Heights Apartments.

Criminal trespass complaints were made at 170-B Lakeview Circle and 710 Beale Street.

9 juveniles were arrested in the Horton Drive area for affray and unruly juvenile charges.

Folivia Dianne Ingram was cited for a City noise violation at 124 Ashby Street.

An assault and battery was reported at 607 Eastview Drive.

Items found at 1700 E. Lamar Street were turned over to APD.

There were 2 domestic-related and 2 miscellaneous calls answered by officers yesterday.

Officers were busy with accidents on Thursday. 5 accidents occurred in the City that had 5 injury complaints.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies were busy conducting 9 traffic stops yesterday. After a stop on Southland Road, Jonathan A. Harbuck was cited for a seat belt violation. A stop was made on US 19 and Juan Rosales was charged with speeding. Following a stop on Georgia 3, Jessica M. Jackson was charged with failure to maintain insurance and suspended registration. Another stop on Georgia 3 resulted in India R. Williams being cited for failure to maintain insurance. A stop on Georgia 3 led to Elaina Lockhart being cited for driving with suspended registration. This morning a traffic stop on Lamar Street led to the arrest of Timothy Davis for DUI. A case of identity theft was reported for investigation. Suspicious person complaints were made on Briar Patch Circle and 1433 Salters Mill Road. Domestic disturbances occurred at 500 W. Lamar and 234 Lexington Circle. A civil complaint was filed with Deputies at 1547 Tallent Store Road. There were 4 accidents yesterday worked by the Sheriff’s Office.

In the Sumter County Jail today are: Derik Dennard James for failure to maintain lane and driving while unlicensed; Chasmon Deon Smith for violation of the Georgia Sex Offender registration; and Martel marquis Smith for failure to appear. 2 bonded out of jail yesterday.