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Local News

Thursday July 11^th, 2019

*UPDATE*

Over approximately the last week, several small fires have popped up near woodlines and grassy areas around town. A couple were found and extinguished on the night of July 4^th and a few more since then. While the fires were quickly dealt with, it’s alarming that they may have been deliberately set and it may be kids playing with matches that simply are not aware of the dangers. This is exactly how the wildfires out west get out of hand and we’ve all seen that devastation. Parents, be aware of where your kids may be playing and who they’re playing with because one of these small fires could quickly get out of hand in a hurry. If you see smoke somewhere in town, call for help and remember, City Ordinances prohibit burning inside the City Limits of Americus.

So far, we have not seen a huge effect from the tropical system forming in the Gulf of Mexico. The higher rain percentages forecasters have predicted for us the last day or so have turned out to be more of hit-n-miss showers. Today, it seems we may see our best chance of rain on Friday or Saturday and only pop-up showers in the area this afternoon. Several forecasts have different rainfall percentages the next couple of days ranging from 50-80%. It will continue to be muggy with all the humidity and the highs in the low-to-mid 90s. As the system gets ready to hit the Louisiana coast to near Texas, we could still see 1-2 inches of rain from the feeder bands. If you have beach plans this weekend in Florida, expect rainy conditions all weekend long.

Tonight at 6, the agenda setting meeting of the Mayor and City Council will be held in Council Chambers of the Public Safety Building downtown. Several items will be discussed that will be put up for a vote at the regular monthly meeting next Thursday July 18^th. Tonight’s meeting is open for the community to attend.

The regular monthly meeting of the Sumter County BOE will be held at 7 this evening in the boardroom of the SCS Administration Building. Items discussed at the Monday work session will be up for a vote tonight. This meeting is open to the community.

A private plant grower has opened up his collection to the public for a huge plant sale this Saturday July 13^th. Mickey Moore is reducing his number of potted plants and the community can benefit from this plant sale. His plants include; variegated Hibiscus; Impatiens; Shrimp Plant and many more to select from. Also available will be 75 to 100 pots, both large and small. This plant sale will be Saturday July 13^th from 8 to 11 only and will be located at 172 US 19N of Americus. The location is on the right as you travel north on US 19.

Americus Police had an extremely quiet Wednesday. Investigation from a case over a year old came to a conclusion yesterday with an arrest. Konterrious Deon Leverette was arrested yesterday and was charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault. He was transported to the Law Enforcement Center. In other police action from yesterday, Jessica D. Hughes was arrested for disorderly conduct for an incident at apartment 245 140 Lonnie Lane.

Following a traffic stop on E. Lamar at E. Forsyth, Mayra Gonzalez was arrested for driving without a valid license. During the booking process, she was also arrested for theft by shoplifting.

A 15-year old was arrested for battery that involved another juvenile at 104 Bill Cross Street.

After a traffic stop on Tripp Street last night, Josue A. Marques was arrested for speeding and driving without a valid license.

Officers answered 1 miscellaneous call yesterday.

Did you know that once a month you can take a tour of Oak Grove Cemetery? This one-hour tour will be on Saturday July 20^th at 1:30. Tours will start promptly on site. The cost is $5 for adults and $1 for children 6-12. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Americus Visitor Center at 101 W. Lamar Street. For more information, call 229-928-6059.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies were kept busy yesterday conducting 12 traffic stops. At a stop on Pryor Road near Standard Elevator Road, Mitchell J. Bulger was charged with speeding. A stop was made on Highway 377 near R W Jones Road and James T. Hardy was charged with speeding. A stop was initiated on Highway 27E about Middle River Road and Castonia D. Thomas was charged with improper passing in a no-passing zone. Deputies went on 2 domestic-related calls. A civil complaint was filed at 120 Pecan Terrace. 1 activated alarm was checked out. A number of prisoner transports were made yesterday. Deputies did work 1 accident yesterday.

Housed in the Sumter County Jail today: Jale’Nique Tyandrea Chapman for probation violation; Mayra Alexandria Gonzalez for shoplifting; Ashley Nicole Green for simple battery (DVA); Konterrious Deon Leverett for armed robbery and aggravated assault; Richard Blake Morgan for revocation; Correy Mantrell Oliver for sentencing; Nairobi Kenya Riley for felony probation violation; and Nicole Marie Wensil—holding for USMS. 1 was released from jail after the charges were dismissed.

Sumter County Fire & Rescue Chief John Ekaitis has confirmed to Local News he will be leaving to take over the Troup County position. He said the decision was a difficult one after 7-plus years here but the opportunity to be at the helm of a bigger department has always been a goal and this opportunity was too good to pass up at this time. He will be here through July 24^th before leaving for the Lagrange job.