WISK/WDEC

“Local News”

Monday May 21st, 2018

Early voting came to an end this past Friday and if you did not vote then, you’ll go to your usual polling place tomorrow to cast your votes. Those polling places will open at 7 tomorrow morning and close at 7 tomorrow evening. As far as the early voting numbers at the Sumter County Courthouse, 1036 voters cast ballots since early voting started on April 30^th. If you are unsure of your polling location tomorrow, call the Office of Registration and Elections at 928-4580 for assistance.

Today starts the annual hydrant testing by the AFES. This annual task should be completed within 6-weeks. These tests are required to maintain the Americus ISO rating which affects property insurance rates. These annual tests also ensure that the hydrant system is kept in top working order that keeps our citizens safe and to protect property. If, after one of these tests in your neighborhood you have discolored water, then you should run your faucets for approximately 10-15 minutes to clear the water. If this does not and the water remains cloudy, then call AFES at 924-3213 for assistance.

The monthly meeting of the Mayor and City Council is at 6 this Thursday evening in Council Chambers of the Public Safety Building downtown. The community is invited. There will be a called meeting of the Mayor and Council on Thursday May 31^st for a public hearing requested by former City Manager Steve Kennedy. This will be open for the public to attend. Then another called meeting of the Mayor and Council will be held on Friday June 1^st to vote on an Interim City Manager. John Klimm, former City Manager of Aiken South Carolina has been named a finalist for the position and Council will consider whether to appoint him to the position on June 1^st. Again, the meeting is open for the public to attend.

The Memorial Day commemorative activities at Andersonville National Historic Site begins this Friday when volunteers from Robins Riders and park staff will raise the Avenue of Flags, lining the cemetery roads with over 200 full-sized American Flags and the National Prisoner of War Museum parking areas with all 50 state flags. On Saturday, hundreds of scouts and volunteers will place small American flags on more than 21,000 gravesites in the National Cemetery. The Memorial Day Ceremony will be Sunday May 27^th at 2pm in the National Cemetery with the US Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Band performing at 1:30. On Monday May 28th at 11am, the Knights of Columbus will hold a special mass in the cemetery. The public is invited to attend.

Americus Police stayed busy this past weekend. Criminal trespass complaints were made at 124 Hanson Drive, 704 Varsity Drive and at 1512 Washington Street.

Thefts took place from 931 Ridge Street, apartment 51 120 Lonnie Lane and 331 Crawley Street.

An auto was entered at 1533 S. Lee Street.

Kaley E. Sikes was arrested for shoplifting at Wal-Mart. A shoplifting incident occurred at 101 W. Jefferson Street. Alfred L. Ball was arrested for shoplifting at Wal-Mart.

Unruly juvenile complaints were made at 117 Town Creek Circle and at 603-B Lowe Street.

A battery occurred at 1006 Westside Drive.

Sayanna T. Thompson was arrested for an outstanding warrant following a traffic stop on W. Furlow Street.

A burglary; theft; battery; and simple battery case at 230 Frieda Lane is being investigated.

After a traffic stop on Lakeview Drive at Dixon Drive, Johnny W. Muff was arrested for DUI-less safe alcohol; failure to maintain lane; and striking a fixed object.

Mante Jermaine Stephenson was arrested at 63-B Masonic Street and charged with aggravated assault; criminal trespass; and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony.

A robbery investigation at 129 S. Hampton Street resulted in a juvenile being arrested for robbery and financial transaction card fraud. Warrants have also been issued for another suspect in this ongoing investigation.

Brandon T. Edwards was arrested on E. Forsyth Street and charged with aggressive driving.

Dondre S. Denmark and Takeshia M. Lawson were each arrested for Contempt of Court.

Officers did answer 5 domestic-related weekend calls along with 2 miscellaneous calls.

A hit-n-run accident was reported at 103 Magnolia Court.

There were 5 weekend accidents that did have 5 injury complaints.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies were busy over the weekend conducting 24 traffic stops and issued numerous citations and warnings. Deputies responded to livestock in the Bumphead Road. A suspicious vehicle complaint was made on Old Stage Road at 49N. A burglary was investigated at 109 Prince Street and at Lot 34 321 Lacross Road. 2 domestic calls were answered. At a domestic at 118 Larkspur Lane, Chez L. Mansfield was charged with simple battery. A criminal trespass complaint was filed at 118 Pecan Terrace. There was a bad child complaint made at Lot J 247 Highway 49S. Deputies worked 3 deer-related accidents over the weekend. A 1-vehicle accident early this morning was turned over to GSP.

In the Sumter County Jail today: Alfred Larry Ball for theft by shoplifting; Eddie Dean Covin for window tint violation/ failure to obey a traffic control device/ and habitual violator; Mante Jermaine Stephenson for aggravated assault/ criminal trespass/ and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony; and Sayanna Shantrell Thompson for battery. 6 bonded out of jail over the weekend.

OneSumter Economic Development Foundation is hosting a series of community information sessions on the College & Career Academy and how it will enhance educational opportunities in our community. The series continues with a session held at DeSoto City Hall (134 Luke Street, DeSoto) tomorrow evening May 22^nd at 6:30 and another at the Leslie Civic Center on May 24^th at 6pm. The public is invited to attend and become better informed.