WISK/WDEC

Local News

Wednesday May 16th, 2018

*UPDATE*

For the first hour of the Commissioners meeting last night, presentations were made, then discussed and voted on. Code Red was voted on as the new mass communication/notification system for the County. Option#1 was chosen utilizing Blue Cross Blue Shield. A resolution was approved concerning the bonds being issued by the Sumter County Schools to build the new high school. Carolyn Brown was re-appointed to the Sumter County Board of Family and Children Services. Eddie Wallace, Norman Graves and Cindy Pryor were re-appointed to the Board of Appeals. A contract with Truman’s Air Conditioning and Heating for HVAC systems at the Columns at Boone Park was approved for $73,125. An agreement between the Board of Commissioners and Georgia Southwestern State University for reciprocal use of athletic and recreation facilities was approved. With only a few announcements and comments the meeting moved to closed session for litigation and Board appointments.

Several events will be coming up tomorrow May 17^th. If you want to know more about the College and Career Academy, then make plans to attend a community informational session tomorrow morning at 11 at Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church at 225 Forrest Street. Learn the basics about the College and Career Academy and how it impacts us all in Sumter County.

The agenda setting meeting of the Mayor and City Council is at 6 tomorrow evening in Council Chambers of the Public Safety Building. The May regular monthly meeting of the Mayor and City Council will be on Thursday May 24^th at 6pm in Council Chambers. A large crowd is anticipated to attend following the unexpected termination last month of then City Manager Steve Kennedy.

There will be a community informational session hosted by Sumter County Fire and Rescue at 6:30 tomorrow evening at the Leslie Civic Center to discuss the new ISO ratings and the effect it will have on Sumter County. The Air Evac Lifeteam will also be on hand to answer questions at this town hall type meeting.

At 8 tomorrow night, the Americus-Sumter High School Baccalaureate Service is scheduled for Finklea-Robinson Field. There has been no mention of alternate plans in case of inclimate weather.

Early voting is winding down. Early voting will end on Friday May 18^th at the Elections Office at the Sumter County Courthouse from 8 to 5. If you do not early vote this week, you will go to your usual polling place and vote on Tuesday May 22^nd.

Friday is also the last day of school in the Sumter County School system. Friday night at 8, graduation is set at Finklea-Robinson Field and again, there has been no mention of alternate plans in case of inclimate weather.

The AFES will begin annual hydrant testing on Monday May 21^st and should be completed within 6-weeks. These tests are required to maintain Americus’ ISO rating which affects property insurance rates. The tests also ensure that the hydrant system is kept in top working order to keep our citizens safe and protect property.

After an impressive Peace Office Memorial Day Ceremony yesterday, things got back to normal for the Americus Police. Robert L. Avriett and Brianna Reynolds were arrested for assault battery following a domestic in the S. Hampton Street area.

A criminal trespass complaint was made at 207 E. Lester.

Recovered stolen property was reported at 304 E. Dodson Street.

Theft of lost/mislaid property occurred at 252-B Felder Street and at 1208 Crawford Street.

A forgery was reported to officers.

Following a traffic stop on N. MLK Boulevard, Darren B. Samas Jr. was charged with speeding and driving with a suspended license.

A burglary was investigated at A15 817 Mayo Street.

Answering a domestic call to 403-A Bessie Mays Circle, Eric L. Rutherford was arrested for disorderly conduct.

A theft took place from 1306 Douglas Circle.

There was a hit-n-run accident reported at 1435 N. Lee Street.

Officers worked 4 accidents yesterday that had 2 injury complaints.

*UPDATE*

While Deputies were busy yesterday there were only a few incidents for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to prisoner transports and assisting motorists, Deputies made 1 traffic stop yesterday. At a stop on Highway 195 at Cooper Road, Jerri A. Culbertson was charged with driving while unlicensed, failure to maintain insurance, driving a vehicle with suspended registration and drug charges. There was an animal complaint at 195 Tommy Hooks Road. A 3^rd degree forgery case is being investigated. There was a bad child complaint made at 1601 N. MLK Boulevard.

Housed in the Sumter County Jail today: Jerri Anita Culbertson for possession of methamphetamine/ driving while unlicensed/ failure to maintain insurance/ driving a vehicle with suspended registration/ and Southwestern probation; Quincy Martheus Moore—housing for Richland PD; Tiara Kenyatta Peterson—housing for Richland PD; Dominique Samone Poole for DUI/ failure to maintain lane/ illegal possession of a controlled substance/ and driving while unlicensed; Christopher Allen Sims for aggravated assault/ robbery/ and theft by taking; Harley David Smith for obstruction; Michael Bernard Taylor—holding for Fayette County SO; and Jessie Lee Terry for 2^nd degree criminal damage to property/ false imprisonment/ reckless conduct/ 3^rd degree cruelty to children/ and battery (DVA).