WISK / WDEC
Local News
Thursday June 30th, 2022
*UPDATE*
The Sumter County
Board of Commissioners and the Cities of Americus, Andersonville, Desoto,
Leslie and Plains will be having another Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) renegotiations
meeting. The LOST meeting begins at 6pm on Monday July 11th and will
be held in the Commissioners Room at the Sumter County Courthouse. The meeting
is open for the public to attend.
Sumter County did not see the heavy downpours for the most part
yesterday afternoon and last night. There were some pop-up storms in the area
but nothing like portions of Lowndes County saw with excess of 7-inches of
rain. The front only made it into extreme South Georgia with areas towards
Donalsonville receiving close to 5-inches of rain. More rain is in the forecast
for today but mainly by late afternoon and the better chances actually seem to
occur here in Sumter County after 6 this evening. The rain chances will be
around until Sunday and by the 4th of July on Monday the chances are
down to around 30% or less by then. As of today, there could be heavy rain at
times tomorrow afternoon and evening. With a little more sunshine in the
forecast today we could see highs around 90 and with more rains for tomorrow the
highs will be in the mid-to-upper 80s. It will be muggy nights too with lows in
the 70s but with higher humidities.
AAA will be working
to keep impaired drivers off the road this holiday weekend. The “Tow to Go”
program will be reactivated for those in need of this service providing safe
transportation for impaired drivers and their vehicles. The program will be
active from 6pm Friday July 1st until 6am Tuesday July 5th.
Tow to Go should be treated as a last resort. While the service is free AAA is
asking that this be treated as your backup plan. 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 service, call 1-855-286-9246 this holiday
weekend.
The Independence Day holiday travel period will begin at 6pm on Friday
and ends at 11:59pm on Monday July 4th. Drivers across the state
will see a larger presence of law enforcement on the highways and waterways.
This is for the safety of you and your loved ones. AAA is predicting, that
despite the higher prices from gas to meals and hotels, that there will be
millions on the road this holiday weekend. If travel is part of your weekend
plan always remember to obey the posted speed limit; never drive distracted;
don’t drink and drive; and of course, buckle up!
From Wednesday’s
Americus Police incidents, 3 Contempt of Court warrants were issued.
Damage to property
occurred at 217 Burton Circle during a domestic squabble.
Following a traffic
stop on Hampton at Russell Street, Terrance J. Jones was arrested for driving
on a suspended license; open container; and failure to stop at a stop sign.
Justin W. Caldwell
was arrested at 908 S. MLK Boulevard for an outstanding warrant.
A shoplifting
incident was reported at Wal-Mart.
Terroristic threats
and acts as well as harassing communications were reported for further
investigation.
Thefts took place
from 1807 Maxwell Street and 1711 E. Lamar Street.
A case of ID theft
and fraud is being investigated.
Officers responded to
a suspicious incident in the area of E. Church and Rees Street last night.
There were 4
accidents worked by APD around town yesterday that did have 1 injury complaint.
As a
reminder—fireworks are ONLY legal for shooting off on July 3rd and 4th
in the City of Americus. Fireworks should be used only between 10am and
midnight; must be 18 or older; fireworks are not legal from the roadway or
right of way; not legal in a public park or historic site; not legal within
100-yards of a hospital or nursing home; and are not legal if under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
*UPDATE*
It was a quiet Wednesday
according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office reports. Only 1 traffic stop
was conducted and a warning issued. 1 prisoner transport was made. A civil
complaint was filed at 146 Stonewall Drive. Damage to property was reported in
the area of Highway 49 and 227. Deputies answered 1 domestic-related call. A motorist
was given assistance yesterday. Deputies performed a welfare check and checked
out an abandoned vehicle.
In the Sumter County
Jail today is Justin Wayne Caldwell—housing for Peach County.