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Local News

Thursday April 2^nd, 2020

*UPDATE*

April 1^st started a new chapter on this ever-changing COVID-19 venture. Governor Kemp said a state shelter at home order would go into effect on Friday April 3^rd and will last until April 13^th. He would outline further later today just what this will mean to all citizens in Georgia. He also announced what many were thinking he would do by cancelling the remainder of the current school year for all K-12 students in Georgia.

It was earlier in the day yesterday that the Sumter County School system announced that hard copy packets would not be distributed for Phase 2 academic supports. However, online and digital resources and supports will continue to be provided on the district and school’s websites as well as on Facebook. Today was to have been a big day when the Honor Graduates would be announced. Since school is not in session, the announcement will still be made. Principal Kimothy Hadley will hold a Facebook Live event at 4 this afternoon and he will announce the Americus-Sumter HS Honor Graduates. You can see this event on Facebook on the Americus-Sumter HS and Sumter County Schools Facebook pages as the Class of 2020 Honor Graduates are announced.

The mandate that announced the curfew on March 21^st was amended yesterday and some additions were added. All indoor recreational facilities, including but not limited to gyms (public or private), physical fitness centers, gymnastics facilities, and dance studios will be closed without regard for the number of persons within such facility at any one time. All hair salons, nail salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and tanning bed facilities shall be closed. These changes are in accord with the provisions of the 2^nd amendment to the Original Resolution as amended by this 1^st Amendment.

First Friday will be different tomorrow—it will be a digital celebration due to the COVID-19 concerns. First Friday will be all day tomorrow on Facebook and this way gives you a chance to shop the downtown merchants online from the comfort and safety of your home which also allows the businesses to post whatever deals, specials and new products that they want to share. Again, this will be an ALL DAY Facebook event tomorrow. This is a way for the community to come together in these trying conditions and support our local businesses and celebrate First Friday tomorrow on Facebook!

Let’s talk weather for a moment as a break from the COVID-19 pandemic. The front that brought some rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday had some much cooler weather behind it and as you woke up this morning and ventured outside, you noticed it was quiet cool—so cool that a sweater or light jacket felt quite comfortable. It will be warming up today and through the weekend. It won’t get to near 90-degrees like last weekend but will be more like the normal highs and lows for this time of the year. The next chance of rain will be next week so if you want to work in the yard or grill out as you shelter at home this weekend you should have no weather issues other than the pollen that still won’t go away.

It was the first day of shift change Wednesday so that meant a different set of eyes patrolling Americus yesterday. That run last week where there were no domestic-related calls seems to be a thing of the past as Americus Police responded to 3 more domestic-related situations yesterday.

A criminal trespass complaint was made at apartment#5 1425 S. Lee Street.

A reckless conduct incident was reported in the Bell-Harrold Avenue area.

Investigation into an aggravated assault is underway that occurred last night at 230 Frieda Lane.

Moses Lee Davis was arrested for shoplifting and giving a false name to law enforcement at 1101 Crawford Street.

A 2^nd degree forgery was turned over to officers at 107-A Waitsman Drive.

Lorenzo Bernard Journey was arrested and charged with shoplifting yesterday from a previous incident at 704 N. Lee Street.

There were 2 accidents worked by APD yesterday around town that had no reported injuries.

*UPDATE*

Wednesday was another fairly quiet 24-hour period for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. 1 traffic stop was conducted and a warning issued. 1 activated alarm at 141 Shaaban Subdivision Road was checked out. Deputies went to a civil complaint made at 1421 N. Lee Street. A welfare check was made. An abandoned vehicle was spotted late last night on Sam Rodgers Road. Deputies worked 2 accidents yesterday and turned one over for investigation to the Georgia State Patrol. There was 1 miscellaneous call answered yesterday.

In the Sumter County Jail today are Moses Lee Davis for felony probation violation/ shoplifting/ and giving a false name to law enforcement; and Lorenzo Bernard Journey for theft by shoplifting. 1 was released from jail after posting bond.

The April 7^th meeting of the Sumter County Board of Assessors has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 concerns.