WISK / WDEC

"Local News"

Tuesday September 17^th, 2019

*UPDATE*

National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day is this Friday September 20^th. Tomorrow September 18^th in the GSW Storm Dome, the POW/MIA Convocation will be held at 11am with retired Colonel Robert Certain as the guest speaker. The public is invited to this free event. This kicks off four days of area events in honor of POW/MIA Recognition Day.

A local family has been wondering about a family member missing in action for 69-years after seeing action in the Korean War. 19-year old Joe Thomas Avant of Mississippi, the brother of Bobby Avant of Americus, entered the Army and went missing in action at the age of 20 in 1950 in North Korea. The family received a call from the Army last week that remains found in Korea have been positively identified as those of Joe Thomas Avant. The remains will be delivered to the family in Mississippi by the end of this month. A memorial service will be held for Joe Thomas Avant later in Mississippi and he will be buried in the family plot alongside his parents and other family members. A brother is no longer MIA and is coming home 69-years later after serving his country in North Korea.

Meetings are going on tonight of note. The monthly meeting of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners is at 6 this evening in the Commissioners Room at the Sumter County Courthouse. All meetings of the Board of Commissioners are always open for the community to attend.

The Governing Board of Furlow Charter School meets tonight at 6 in the Media Center at the school. This meeting is open for the community to attend.

Tonight at 7, the monthly meeting of the Alexander H. Stephens Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans will be held at the American Legion Hall on MLK Boulevard. Rev. Mark Carter will present tonight’s program. All SCV members and friends are urged to attend.

Tomorrow morning September 18th, the Ignite College & Career Academy Governing Board of Directors regular monthly meeting will be held at 8:15 at the Rees Park Economic Development Center at 409 Elm Avenue. If you have questions, contact Ivy Oliver, One Sumter Economic Development Foundation Interim Director at 924-3042.

The monthly meeting of the Mayor and City Council will be held this Thursday September 19^th at 6pm in Council Chambers of the Public Safety Building. The public is invited to attend.

We’re about to get a “touch of fall” and it will actually feel like football weather for the high school footballs games on Friday night. Area games include 3 home games and 1 road game this Friday. Schley County travels to Hawkinsville for a region game Friday night. Marion County is home hosting Bleckley County. Macon County will observe homecoming in Montezuma against Twiggs County. Americus-Sumter starts 7 straight regions games hosting Shaw High. All games will kickoff at 7:30 this Friday night.

Americus Police had an active Monday. A suspicious incident was reported yesterday morning at 303 S. Jackson Street.

A counterfeit bill was turned over to APD at 1201 N. MLK Boulevard.

A shoplifting incident occurred at 1711 E. Lamar Street.

A 4^th degree forgery case was reported for investigation at 1410 Crawford Street.

A theft by conversion occurred at 704 Harrold Avenue.

Following a traffic stop on N. Jackson at Wheeler, Charlie Williams was arrested for no insurance and driving without a license on his person.

After a traffic stop was conducted on Taylor at Barlow, Kevin D. Banks was arrested for possession of marijuana and failure to stop at a stop sign.

A theft, battery, simple battery and 3^rd degree cruelty to children occurred at a domestic situation at 806 Lawson Drive.

Responding to another domestic situation at 92-A Bozeman Circle early this morning, Za’towan Wright was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

Hit-n-run accidents took place at 1208 Crawford Street and 403 Rogers Street.

Officers answered 3 total domestic-related calls yesterday and 2 miscellaneous calls.

There were 2 accidents around town that had no reported injuries.

*UPDATE*

From Monday’s Sumter County Sheriff’s incidents, Deputies conducted 7 traffic stops. Following a stop on US 19S, Courtney C. Bell was charged with speeding. At a stop on Highway 49N, Lakeisha Bridges was charged with speeding. Another stop was made on Highway 49N and Adriana Lincoln was also charged with speeding. 2 prisoner transports were made yesterday. A stalking incident was reported for investigation. Deputies went to the Chambliss Road area where livestock was loose. A bad child complaint was filed with Deputies at 121 Packing House Road. Deputies turned an accident investigation over to State Troopers from Post 10; worked a deer-related accident and another accident involving an animal.

In the Sumter County Jail today: Kevin Douglas Banks for possession of marijuana and failure to obey a stop sign; Cheryl Nacara Blue for DUI/ failure to maintain lane/ driving with a suspended license/ and failure to appear; Kevin Lamar Cunningham for 2-counts of speeding/ fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement/ giving a false name to law enforcement/ and driving with a suspended license; and Dylan Reed McDonald for felony probation violation. 1 was released from jail after posting bond. 1 was released to another jail yesterday.