WISK / WDEC
“Local News’
Friday
July 1st, 2022
*UPDATE*
The 78-hour Independence Day travel period begins at 6 this evening and
will end at 11:59pm on Monday July 4th. If you will be traveling any
time during this holiday weekend you will be seeing more and more law
enforcement in an attempt to make this a safe weekend for you and your family.
Even if you will be on the state’s waterways this holiday, expect to see more
of a law enforcement presence there as well. One defining factor on the holiday
travel is the weather. There are rain chances everyday through Monday even
though the rain chances have dwindled by the 4th but they are still
there. Wet roads can also be a dangerous hazard especially if there’s a heavy
downpour during a storm. Don’t become a holiday statistic this year. When you
get behind the wheel, don’t drink and drive; obey the posted speed limit; don’t
drive distracted; and always buckle up!
If you plan on
staying nearby due to the high cost of everything, there are a few things in
the area this weekend. Tomorrow evening it’s Plains, Trains & Fireworks,
the annual event over in Plains. There will be a street dance featuring the
Good Vibrations Band starting at 8 and lasting until midnight. Fireworks are
set for 9:30 tomorrow night. The big event will feature good food; the SAM
Shortline railroad bringing guests in; the streets dance and again highlighted
by the fireworks display.
There are other fireworks planned in the area this weekend as well.
Sunday evening at dusk there will be fireworks planned for the Lake Blackshear
area. On Monday night July 4th, fireworks at the American Legion in
Ellaville are planned. There will be other areas with fireworks display so you
just have to see where and what time they can be seen.
AAA is reactivating the “Tow to Go” program starting this evening at 6.
“Tow to Go” provides safe transportation for impaired drivers and their
vehicles. AAA does want this to be considered a last resort however. This
program will be active from 6 this evening until 6am on Tuesday July 5th.
This will be a confidential local ride for ONE person and their vehicle to a
safe location within a 10-mile radius. If you have a need for this free service
this weekend, you can call 1-855-286-9246. You should plan on using this
service ONLY as a last resort.
Americus Police are
reminding citizens about the ordinance in effect concerning fireworks. With the
ordinance, fireworks are ONLY legal for shooting off on July 3rd and
4th and should be used only between 10am and midnight. To shoot the
fireworks, you must be 18 or older; fireworks are not legal from the roadway or
right of way; they are not legal in a public park or historic site; they are
not legal within 100-yeards of a hospital or nursing home; and fireworks are
not legal if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Please don’t abuse this
ordinance and possibly suffer the consequences for your actions!
Thursday was a quiet
24-hour period overall for the Americus Police. At 2:12 yesterday afternoon,
officers were dispatched to 108 Sharon Drive where shots were heard and a
vehicle was damaged. Officers made a criminal trespass report for the damaged
vehicle. Officers also checked on shots fired last night around 8:20 in the Bozeman
Circle area.
A criminal trespass
complaint was made at 315 Allen Street.
A theft took place at
1711 E. Lamar Street.
Following a traffic
stop last evening on S. MLK Boulevard at Davenport Street, Damon G. Brown was
arrested for driving with a suspended license and cited for headlight
requirements.
Corrensky C. Iverson
was arrested at 1:09 this morning for a City probation violation.
Officers answered 1
domestic-related call yesterday.
There were 3
accidents worked by APD around town Thursday that had no reported injuries.
The offices of the
City of Americus, the Sumter County Courthouse and the Law Enforcement Center
will be closed on Monday in observance of the Independence Day holiday. These
offices will resume normal business hours on Tuesday July 5th.
*UPDATE*
Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 2 traffic stops on Thursday and
issued warnings to those drivers. Shots reportedly fired in the area of Lot A
245 Shiloh Road were looked into. 1 activated alarm was checked out. A theft
took place from 132 Dogwood Drive. Deputies did respond to 3 domestic-related
calls yesterday. 1 prisoner transport was made.
In the Sumter County Jail today is Jasmain Breeta Swinnie for criminal
trespass. 1 was back in jail for sentencing.