WISK  /  WDEC

Local News

Thursday December 5^th, 2019

*UPDATE*

All roads will lead to downtown Americus for the next 2 nights. The annual Americus Christmas Parade will be held tonight starting at 7 throughout the downtown area. Get downtown early and stake you out a good spot to watch tonight’s parade. The parade starts on Forsyth Street at the Post Office, turns on Hampton Street and comes back down Lamar Street. It will be cool tonight so dress warmly and join is the festivities of the annual Americus Christmas Parade. The parade is always on the first Thursday in December, weather permitting.

Downtown will still be a busy place tomorrow night. It’s First Friday, a downtown-wide open house from 5 to 8pm. The theme for tomorrow night is Home for the Holidays. All exhibits, demonstrations and samples will be free during any First Friday event and there will be plenty to do and see tomorrow night as well. You can take FREE rides around the downtown area on the Americus Trolley at any First Friday event. Many of the downtown merchants will also be open late until 8 tomorrow night for some First Friday holiday shopping.

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Americus will hold a called meeting for the purpose of a Budget Work Session this coming Monday December 9^th starting at 5:30. This called meeting will be held in Council Chambers of the Public Safety Building downtown. The meeting is open for the public to attend.

The Sumter County BOE meets this Monday December 9^th with committee meetings in the afternoon which will be followed by the 6pm work session. The BOE will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday December 12^th starting at 7pm. All meetings will be held in the boardroom of the SCS Administration Building.

The 4^th Winter Wonderland will be hosted by Furlow Charter School this Saturday December 7^th from 9 to 1 with over 35 local vendors with a variety of items available for purchase. Furlow Scholars will present musical performances throughout the event along with a silent auction and cake walk. For more information contact Jason Williams at 229-337-2168.

Andersonville National Historic Site invites you to remember and honor our military veterans during the winter season by participating in our Wreaths Across America event on Saturday December 14^th. At noon that day, the Civil Air Patrol will conduct a brief ceremony in Andersonville National Cemetery to honor America’s armed veterans. The ceremony is open to the public. Andersonville National Cemetery would like your help in placing wreaths from Wreaths Across America this year. Park entrance and the event are free and everyone is encouraged to come out and be a part of this special opportunity to remember the military men and women who are buried at Andersonville. Each year, between 1000 and 10,000 wreaths are donated through Wreaths Across America for placement at Andersonville National Cemetery.

The community is encouraged to attend a Commemorative Ceremony honoring fallen Officers Nick Smarr and Jody Smith. The ceremony will be held this Saturday morning December 7^th at 10am in front of the Smarr-Smith Public Safety Building on the GSW campus. It was on December 7^th 2016 when Americus Police Officer Nick Smarr and GSW State University Police Officer Jody Smith responded to a domestic dispute near the local campus and were both killed in the line of duty while dealing with a wanted person involved in the dispute.

From the Americus Police Wednesday incidents around town, a 2^nd degree burglary was investigated at 1416 Felder Street.

Thefts took place from 616 E. Jefferson Street and 205 Tom Hall Circle.

A 2^nd degree forgery was reported at 1554 E. Forsyth Street and a 1^st degree forgery occurred at 922 E. Lamar Street.

An aggravated assault that occurred in the MLK Boulevard area is being investigated.

A disorderly conduct incident occurred at 101 W. Jefferson Street.

An auto was entered at 1218 Ridge Street.

Investigation into 2 prior cases led to arrests yesterday. For an incident months ago, Lakeshia Maria Foster was arrested for simple battery. Don Smith was charged with reckless conduct for the pellet gun shooting just last weekend on Crawley Street.

Officers answered 1 domestic-related call yesterday.

There were 5 accidents yesterday with no injuries that did keep officers busy.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies made 4 traffic stops yesterday. At a stop on Highway 27E at Sylvan Place, Charles B. Cook was cited for improper use of central turning lane. Following a stop on Highway 27E, Presley D. Jackson was charged with failure to secure load. Deputies answered 2 activated alarms. Damage to property occurred at 407 US 280E. A civil complaint was filed at Lot B 245 Shiloh Road. 2 prisoner transports were made yesterday. 1 motorist was given assistance. Deputies worked 2 deer-related accidents yesterday and 1 other accident that was turned over to GSP for investigation.

In the Sumter County Jail today: Lakeisha Maria Foster for simple battery; Jason Hunter King—holding for investigations; and Don Cornelius Smith for reckless conduct. 1 was released yesterday to another jail. 1 was released from jail after posting bond.