WISK / WDEC

“Local News’

Friday January 18^th, 2019

*UPDATE*

The agenda-setting meeting of the Mayor and City Council was held last night with discussion of CDBG grants, historical depot markers and revenue bonds. Several items will be placed on next Thursday’s consent agenda. One item that will be on the agenda next week is a first reading of a personnel amendment for the pay classification of the Finance Director. Mayor and Council got a 2018 review from Americus Police Chief Mark Scott on his department before the meeting moved to closed session for personnel and appointments. The regular monthly meeting of the Mayor and City Council will be at 6pm next Thursday January 24^th in Council Chambers of the Public Safety Building and the community is encouraged to attend.

If you have City or County business of a pressing nature, you may want to get it handled today because Monday is the MLK National Holiday and most local, state and federal offices will be closed. Normal business hours will return on Tuesday the 22^nd. There will be a local MLK Day program at 10 Monday morning in front of the Sumter County Courthouse. Those attending will then march to Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Cotton Avenue for another service at 11. These two events are open for the public to attend on Monday.

The community is invited to attend an Open House this Sunday January 20^th from 1 to 3pm at the Hands of Hope Pregnancy & Resources Center which is located at 111 Habitat Street Unit C, just behind the Sumter County Courthouse. Hands of Hope serves Sumter and 5 surrounding counties. The Center wants you to attend and tour the facility, learn how clients are helped and get information on how to join their team. If you have questions, call 229-928-5027.

Americus Police, Georgia State Patrol and Sumter County Sheriff’s Office conducted concentrated traffic stops last evening around town. There were numerous questions on social media about what was happening and where and that needs to stop. Let law enforcement do the job we want them to do to get distracted drivers and those driving impaired off our streets. By posting where the roadblocks may be, you’re potentially helping someone avoid going to jail for possible drugs or other contraband or even someone wanted for a serious crime. You’re curious—that’s understandable but if you have nothing to worry about, don’t sweat it. We want our local LEOs to be safe at all times.

You can purchase tickets now for the Sumter County Friends of the Public Library’s 30^th annual fundraising theater event. This year’s theater event will be Saturday night February 2^nd and a Sunday afternoon matinee on February 3^rd. The theater event is being held once again at the Lake Blackshear Regional Library at 307 E. Lamar Street. To purchase tickets or for more information, call now-- 229-924-8091.

Americus Police had a busy Thursday in addition to the road checks last evening. Autos were entered twice at 1609 E. Lamar Street and at apartment 19 720 Harris Street.

A burglary was investigated at apartment 40 720 Harris Street.

Investigation from an earlier incident led to the arrest of Kaheem Chambers for felony theft by receiving stolen property.

Further investigation from another earlier incident resulted in the arrest of Amy Marie Shellhouse for theft and criminal trespass.

Alicia F. Ellenburg was arrested for City Probation violation at 119 S. Lee Street.

After a traffic stop on E. Lamar at Cherokee, Hector Cruz-Belmontes was arrested for driving without a valid license.

Matthew Lewis was arrested at 310 Poplar Street for maintaining a disorderly house.

Philip J. Henry was arrested for probation violation at 105 S. Dudley Street.

Brenda Harp was arrested at apartment 29 720 Harris Street and charged with criminal trespass.

Officers did respond to 1 domestic-related call and 3 miscellaneous calls yesterday.

There were 2 accidents worked by APD on Thursday.

There following are the results of the concentrated road checks last evening around town. A road check on W. Lamar and Silvano P. Gomez was arrested for driving without a valid license.

On Magnolia Street, Antavis R. McCoy was arrested for driving on a suspended license.

On Highway 27E, Julisa K. Varnum was arrested for driving with a suspended license.

On 27E, Raul Duran Marin was arrested for driving with a suspended license and a hand’s free violation.

On W. Lamar Street, Hilton Payne was arrested for DUI and open container.

On W. Church Street, Nigel N. Allen and Treshawn Q. Mack were arrested for possession of marijuana—less than an ounce.

On Baldwin Street, DeLucas McDonald was arrested for driving on a suspended license.

On Lamar Street, Morquavious P. Edwards was arrested for DUI, possession of marijuana—less than an ounce and possession of drugs.

On 27E, Jesus Rivera was arrested for driving without a valid license.

On W. Lamar, Jerry L. Sims was arrested for driving with a suspended license.

On W. Lamar, Roderious K. Pines was arrested for DUI.

On the Southerfield Road, Nathan S. Roberts was arrested for DUI.

On Rucker Street, LaWanda L. Thomas was arrested for driving on a suspended license.

On Rucker Street, Karl Edmonds was arrested for adult seat belt violation/ possession of marijuana—less than an ounce/ DUI/ reckless driving/ failure to maintain lane/ and failure to stop a vehicle.

APD Chief Mark Scott beaks down the road check results: DUI-5; possession of marijuana-5; driving without a license on person-6; expired tag-1; safety belt violation (children)-5; expired driver’s license-2; suspended license-5; no valid driver’s license-3; open container-1; hand’s free-1; reckless driving-1 and fleeing and attempting to elude-1.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 4 traffic stops yesterday. At a stop on Highway 49N, Philip J. Henry was charged with speeding. A suspicious vehicle was spotted on Hooks Mill Road near Indian Road. Deputies answered 1 domestic call. A suspicious person complaint was made on Felder near Thomas Drive. Deputies worked 1 deer-related accident yesterday.

In the Sumter County Jail today: Kaheem Chambers for theft by receiving stolen property/ Southwestern probation/ and felony probation violation; Freddie Lerone Clark—holding for USMS; Jacques Javinski Edwards for felony probation violation; Brenda Dean Harp for criminal trespass; Philip Jarvis Henry for City probation; and Stephen Bernard Jackson for City probation. 3 were released from jail after posting bond. 2 were released after paying a fine. 1 was released for time served.