WISK  /  WDEC

Local News

Thursday July 2^nd, 2020

*UPDATE*

Americus Fire & Emergency Services were dispatched to the area of Oak Avenue and Glessner Street last evening for what was described as an ammonia-like smell from a haze in the area. The haze had even drifted across S. Lee Street. Several trucks were making rounds checking out the South Campus on Harrold Avenue and the haze was drifting across the athletic fields. A call was sent for EMS to meet them and set up in the Bell Street-Oak Avenue area as a precaution. Calls went out to the Agrium plant on Oak Avenue and eventually the “all-clear” was given because the haze and smell were non-toxic. There was no need to evacuate or have EMS see anyone in the area. Although no definite reason was given for the haze or the smell, that haze was seen yesterday morning and after 4 yesterday afternoon and seemed to be gone by 9 last night. Sometime later, Americus Police and AFES were dispatched to the area of S. Jackson Street and W. College Street where lines were downed. It seems as if the utility pole at that intersection had been hit and the pole cracked. The lines were moved back off the road, Georgia Power was summoned and this morning, part of College Street was still blocked off. It was a very busy area of town last evening.

President and CEO Mark Todd at Magnolia Manor has reported that for the fourth consecutive week, there have been no new resident COVID-19 cases at the Americus Nursing Center. Since the pandemic began, 42 Americus Nursing Center residents have contracted the virus. 28 employees also tested positive and recovered. Although Magnolia Manor is preparing to reopen some programs, it is still too soon to set a date. That decision will be made after considering a number of factors and will be made on a case-by-case basis. There has been some safety precautions put in place that has allowed families to see each other for the first time in months and that is peace of mind for all.

If you have important business with the City of Americus or at the Sumter County Courthouse, you have today to get it done. These offices along with the Law Enforcement Center will be closed on Friday July 3^rd in observance of the Independence Day holiday. All of these offices will resume normal business hours on Monday July 6^th.

The Sumter County Board of Elections and Voter Registration will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday July 7^th at 4:30pm in the Sumter County Board of Commissioners Room at the Sumter County Courthouse. COVID-19 safety precautions will be strictly enforced and masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing will be required if you attend on Tuesday.

Things were rather busy on Wednesday for the Americus Police. An auto was entered at 608-A Hancock Drive.

Recovered property was turned over to officers at 1021 N. Lee Street.

A battery complaint was made at 108 Sun Valley Drive from a domestic situation.

Terroristic threats and acts were reported for investigation.

Responding to a domestic situation at 204 Wanda Way, Devontae B. Bridges and Brittany N. Sims were arrested for disorderly conduct. Bridges was also arrested on an outstanding warrant.

A theft by deception occurred at 703-A Harris Street. A theft took place from 126 US 280W.

Damage to property was reported at 111 Hosanna Circle.

Kenyatta B. McDonald was arrested at 65-C Cherokee Street for criminal trespass and obstruction.

Officers were dispatched to S. Jackson at W. College to lines down and further investigation led to the arrest of Marco A. Harper for DUI-refusal; driving without a valid license; failure to notify after striking a fixed object; and failure to maintain lane.

A simple assault from a domestic disturbance occurred last night at 103-A Bessie Mays Circle. All totaled, officers answered 4 domestic-related calls yesterday.

There were 3 accidents worked by APD in the City yesterday that had no reported injuries.

*UPDATE*

Deputies with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office had an active Wednesday. 2 activated alarms were answered. A vehicle theft occurred from 120 Old Stage Road. 2 prisoner transports were made. A bad child complaint was filed at 1992 Brady Road. 3 domestic-related calls were answered. Deputies went to US 280E where livestock had gotten into the roadway. US 280W was blocked by a large downed tree and Deputies responded. A criminal trespass complaint was made at 238 Highway 49S. Civil complaints were heard at 636 Highway 49S and at Lot K 456 Arch Helms Road. 1 motorist was given assistance yesterday. Deputies worked 3 accidents yesterday with 2 being deer-related.

In the Sumter County Jail today; Devontae Bernard Bridges for probation violation; Marco Antoine Harper for DUI/ driving while unlicensed/ failure to report striking a fixed object/ and failure to maintain lane; Alfred Bernard Lockhart for felony probation violation; Kendrick Deyoun Mathis for felony probation violation; Kenyatta Bernard McDonald for theft by shoplifting/ criminal trespass/ and obstruction; Benjamin Chancee Phillips for simple battery (FVA) and obstruction; and Chad Christopher Pyne—holding for USMS.