WISK / WDEC

“Local News’

Friday July 12^th, 2019

*UPDATE*

2 meetings were held last night. The first was the agenda setting meeting of the Mayor and City Council. Several proclamations will be made at next week’s regular monthly meeting. A second reading of the utility ordinance amendment will be voted on. Several items were put on the consent agenda for next week. An alcohol license will be up for a vote. Discussion followed about resurfacing of Jackson Street since GDOT will be paving Forsyth and Lamar Streets in 2020. Bids for the Forsyth and Lamar resurfacing will be taken in December 2019. The meeting then moved to closed session for appointments. The regular monthly meeting of the Mayor and City Council will be Thursday July 18^th at 6pm.

The Sumter County BOE held their monthly meeting last night. The financial report, accounts payables and preliminary cash flow reports were all approved. The 2019-2020 school handbook revisions were accepted and 3 revised policies were approved. Licenses for Office 365 will be purchased using SPLOST funds. Renewals of agreement were made for the 4-H Agent; with GSW for field and clinical experience; and with Columbus State University for professional laboratory experiences. The logo for the Ignite College and Career Academy was approved. The proposal for a Boys and Girls Club for Sumter Middle was approved. The meeting moved to closed session for personnel. After 30-minutes, the meeting resumed. The Board released 1 from contract and accepted 1 resignation; 7 were hired; and 3 third party contracts were approved. The meeting then adjourned.

Haley Hanniford has been hired as the Program Coordinator for the City of Americus’ Main Street Department. The purpose of the Main Street Coordinator is to assist Qaijuan Willis, the director of Americus Main Street and the Downtown Development Authority in efforts to revitalize downtown Americus through business recruitment and retention, improvements to the downtown infrastructure, community engagement and events of the Main Street program. Haley Hanniford assumed her new position on July 10^th.

Tomorrow is the big plant sale by private grower Mickey Moore that is open to the public. Mickey Moore is reducing his number of potted plants and the community is the winner. The plants in his collection include: variegated Hibiscus, Impatiens, Shrimp Plant and many more to select from. In addition to the plants, 75 to 100 pots, both large and small, will also be made available. This plant sale is tomorrow July 13^th from 8 to 11 at 172 US 19 north of Americus. The sale site will be on the right as you travel north. The community is welcome to attend this huge plant sale.

Americus Police officers executed a search warrant last evening in reference to drug activity at 9-A 1130 Felder Street. Investigation led to the arrest of Anthony K. Bowens for possession of marijuana—less than an ounce and for possession of a schedule 1 controlled substance (Ecstasy). Devin J. Beverly was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and for possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Both were taken to the Sumter County Jail.

Following a traffic stop on Tripp at Lamar, 3 arrests were made. Landen Crenshaw, Christian Shadrick and Stanley Williams were all arrested for possession of marijuana—less than an ounce.

Criminal damage to property in the 2^nd degree occurred at 109 Lilly Lane.

Responding to a domestic situation at 1011 S. MLK Boulevard, 2 arrests were made. Lashay M. Dowdell and Kevin D. Banks were arrested and charged with assault battery.

Officers answered a total of 4 domestic-related calls and 2 miscellaneous calls yesterday around town.

Hit-n-run accidents occurred at 305 Brookdale Circle and 1700 E. Lamar Street.

There were 4 accidents worked by APD yesterday that had no reported injuries.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies were busy yesterday conducting 14 traffic stops. After a stop on Highway 49S near Salters Mill Road, Guadelupe Garcia was charged with speeding. At a stop on Highway 49N, Devontae B. Bridges was charged with speeding and violation of the Hands Free Law. A stop was made on US 280W and Joseph C. Blaine was charged with driving with a suspended license and for possession of a drug-related object. A suspicious person complaint was made at 425 Three Bridges Road. Deputies went to Highway 49S at Boo Cosby Road for a tree blocking the roadway. A civil complaint was made at 1709 Highway 30W. A suspicious vehicle was spotted on US 280W. Deputies made 1 prisoner transport and answered 2 activated alarms yesterday. 1 deer-related accident was worked by a Deputy.

In the Sumter County Jail today: Devin Jaron Beverly for possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; Anthony Kendrick Bowens for marijuana possession—less than an ounce and possession of a schedule 1 controlled substance; and Justin Keon Cross for speeding and driving with a suspended license. 4 were released from jail after posting bond.