WISK  /WDEC

“Local News’

Friday July 25th, 2014

*UPDATE*

A large crowd was on hand for the monthly meeting of the Mayor and City Council yesterday afternoon at the Rees Park Economic Development Center. Under committee reports, the Mayor accepted a plaque for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City of Americus from the Government Finance Officers Association for its comprehensive annual financial report. Council suspended the rules and approved a 2014 budget ordinance amendment. A resolution requesting the Board of Commissioners to issue its General Obligation Sales Tax Bond for $4-million for the City SPLOST projects was passed. A request to run a 6-inch water main 1000-feet to 2310 South Lee Street was fulfilled. The purchase of 2 security camera systems for the Municipal Building and Rylander Park parking lots for a total of $15,767.58 to be paid from the Small Cities Fund was approved. Mayor and Council got updates on the City’s Energy Audit and Planning and Inspection projects. Delisa Bowen was re-appointed to the Housing Authority. Fran George and Katie Coley were appointed to the Lake Blackshear Regional Library Board. Dan McGowan, Bill Krenson and Dr. Shirley Reese were appointed to the Land Bank Authority. Ben Andrews, Community Development Director, was appointed to serve on the Historic Oak Grove Foundation. After Council and staff comments and citizen comments the meeting was adjourned.

The Mayor and City Council will hold a retreat tomorrow morning starting at 8:30. The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held on the 2^nd floor of the Rees Park Economic Development Center on Elm Avenue.

The Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting for the Grand Opening of Langdale Automotive of Americus today. The ribbon cutting will start at 2:30 and the Grand Opening celebration will be held from 2 to 4 this afternoon.

Movie at the Market will be shown tomorrow night at Lenny’s Market in downtown Americus on Hampton Street. Admission is free. $1 each will buy you endless popcorn and drinks for the movie. All you need to bring are chairs for you and your family. The movie this week is “Free Birds” and will start about 15-minutes after dark tomorrow evening.

The Sumter County Democratic Party will be holding a caucus election tomorrow morning to elect delegates to the Democratic Party of Georgia’s State Convention in Dublin on August 9^th. The caucus to elect delegates is tomorrow morning at 10am in the Municipal Courtroom at the Public Safety Building at 119 S. Lee Street. All interested Democratic voters who are registered to vote in Sumter County are encouraged to attend. For further information contact Blue Argo Sumter Democratic Chair at 924-2673 or Secretary Willie Golphin at 815-6763.

Another day and more autos have been entered around town. The Americus Police incident reports show 4 more autos were entered with 2 at 116 Fairway II Drive, at C-14 1034 Elm Avenue and at 208 Fairway Circle. It is the weekend and drivers need to make sure you lock and secure your vehicles at all times. In other police action from Thursday, an aggravated assault was reported at 705-A East Furlow Street.

A theft by deception occurred at 512 Bessie Mays Circle. A theft by deception/shoplifting or employee case is under further investigation.

A burglary occurred at 111 Holly Drive.

Investigation into a financial transaction card fraud case continues.

A criminal damage to property in the 2^nd degree for a vehicle took place at apartment 3 109 Sun Valley Drive.

An armed robbery in the N. Jackson Street area is under further investigation by detectives.

A juvenile was struck by a vehicle on Barnum Drive when the child darted out in traffic.

Following a traffic stop on W. Forsyth Street, Fred Dennis Carter III was arrested for driving on a suspended license.

An interference with government property case at 111-A Waitsman Drive is being investigated.

Lashina Shanetta Burns was arrested at 119 S. Lee Street at 1:59 this morning and charged with littering and open container.

Officers did respond to several miscellaneous calls in the previous 24-hour period.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies worked 31 cases yesterday of which 12 were for traffic stops. After a traffic stop was conducted on Industrial Boulevard at Southerfield Road, Justin C. McKinney was arrested for failure to stop at a stop sign. A traffic stop on US 49 south led to the arrest of Lashanda R. Randall for failure to obey a traffic control device. Following a traffic stop on Lamar Street at Manhattan, Keshia L. Harris was arrested for driving with suspended registration.

Deputies responded to 7 alarm activations, 2 domestic-related calls and 2 civil complaints. 2 suspicious person/vehicle complaints were also answered yesterday.

Arrested and currently in the Sumter County Jail is Sunni Elizabeth McSpadden for probation violation.