WISK  /WDEC

“Local News’

Friday January 23rd, 2015

*UPDATE*

The January meeting of the Mayor and City Council yesterday was short and to the point. Mayor Barry Blount presented a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting to Diadra Powell, Finance Director. An agreement was entered into through GMA Debt Collection Services with Penn Credit Corporation. Council approved the transfer of ownership of Dollar General at 103 W. Jefferson Street and Dollar General at 1412 E. Forsyth Street for the sell of beer and wine off premise to Timothy Marler. A resolution and agreement concerning the City/County Tourism Agreement was approved. Council was given a brief Community Development update. With no other action the meeting was adjourned.

The City of Americus Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan will be presenting projects and looking for volunteers to help move the City forward. Volunteers are needed to attend one or more of the meetings to learn how to get involved! There will be 2 meetings this coming Wednesday. A Design meeting will begin at 1pm on Wednesday at the Municipal Building at 101 W. Lamar Street. At 3pm Wednesday, an Organization meeting will then be held at the Municipal Building. 2 more meetings will be held next Thursday January 29th at the Rees Park Economic Development Center at 409 Elm Avenue. A Promotion meeting will begin at 9am on Thursday and an Economic Development meeting will follow at 11am next Thursday. Please plan to attend as many meetings as you can next Wednesday and Thursday.

As promised, it was raining when you got up this morning and as they say, there’s more on the way! Even before 6 this morning over 6-tenths of rain had already fallen and it was just beginning to rain harder around 6. Forecasters predict as much as 3-inches are possible before this wet weather moves on out in the early morning hours on Saturday. One difference for today is now higher temperatures than first thought. Highs today will now reach 60 or so instead of the earlier prediction around 50. It will still be breezy however. Rains will come to and end overnight and clouds will give way to sunny, cool and breezy conditions for tomorrow afternoon with highs in the low 50s. Near freezing temperatures will be back with us for tomorrow night. Rain will be heavy at times today so slow down, drive with care and drive with your headlights ON!

A joint investigation by Americus Police and Sheriff’s Deputies results in a major arrest. Shawn Matthew Dollar, 25, was taken into custody yesterday and charged with 1-count of felony burglary at the South Campus and 6-counts of auto theft. He is currently housed in the Sumter County Jail. Americus Police report 6 vehicles were entered yesterday. Locations included 407 Forestside Circle, 3 at 127 Forrest Street, 1020 Hancock Drive and at 1:02 this morning at 512 Barlow Street.

A forced entry burglary was investigated at 227 McCoy Street.

A case of identity fraud is being investigated.

A counterfeit bill was turned over from 805 Adderton Street.

A theft occurred at 805 Harrold Avenue. A theft of lost/mislaid property took place at 1402 MLK Boulevard.

An unruly/runaway juvenile complaint was made on Jackson Avenue.

A fleeing or attempting to elude and failure to stop at a stop sign traffic case is being conducted.

There was 1 domestic call and a few miscellaneous calls answered by officers.

2 accidents were worked yesterday in the City with 2 injury complaints.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 10 traffic stops yesterday. Kevin M. McMillan was cited for speeding following a stop on US 49. Catherene Shirah was given a speeding ticket on the Bumphead Road near Learning Lane. Annie R. Reynolds was also given a speeding ticket on the Bumphead Road near Learning Lane. Shaquita L. Mitchell was also cited for speeding on the Bumphead Road near Learning Lane. Steven P. Wilson was given a speeding ticket on Georgia 3. Warnings were issued in the other traffic cases.

A bad child complaint was made at 1601 N. MLK Boulevard. A theft report was made at 111 Tallent Store Road. A suspicious person complaint was made at 102 Timberlane Drive. All totaled, 25 incidents were worked by Deputies yesterday.

Currently housed in the Sumter County Jail: Jeffery Ivan Coleman for criminal trespass; Shawn Matthew Dollar for 2^nd degree felony burglary; Swarez K. Garlington-holding for the USMS; Kolvin Tremell Holt for southwestern probation; Anthony Lamont Johnson for obstruction/ criminal trespass/ battery/ failure to appear; and Janicia Wilson for DUI-refusal/ failure to maintain lane/ improper stopping on roadway/ driving while unlicensed.