WISK  /  WDEC

Local News

Thursday June 30^th, 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 11^th 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 4^th 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 1^st until 6am Tuesday July 5^th. 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 4^th. 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 3^rd and 4^th 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.