WISK/WDEC

Local News

Wednesday September 21^st, 2022

*UPDATE*

The monthly meeting of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners was held last evening. 5 vehicles from the Sheriff’s Office were declared as surplus and will be placed on the GovDeals website. There was some discussion of the State Court of Sumter County Indigent Defense contract. An updated workers’ compensation insurance requirements for CDBG construction contracts was approved. A resolution naming City roads and County roads was passed. After some discussion, the Sumter County logo of “Home Grown, World Renowned” was passed 4-1 with Commissioner Reid voting against. The revisions to the solid waste ordinance were then approved unanimously. Beth Ragan was named to fill the term on the Dept. of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities Region 6 Advisory Council. By unanimous vote, SGTC Campus Safety will be added to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office radio frequencies. Following announcements and comments, the meeting moved to closed session for personnel and litigation.

The 33^rd Taste of Sumter is tomorrow night from 6-9pm in downtown Americus on Jackson Street. Sumter County’s restaurants and professional caterers will showcase the best food found only in Sumter County. In addition to the food samples, there will be live entertainment all evening. The Taste of Sumter is free to attend but make sure you have enough to purchase all the samples and drinks you, your family and friends can enjoy.

If you’re not sure if you are a registered voter with the November election coming up, the Sumter County Board of Elections and Voter Registration will have a booth set up at the Taste of Sumter tomorrow night. You will be able to check on your voter status and even get registered to vote at the Taste of Sumter. If you know you need to register to vote, stop by the Taste of Sumter tomorrow night from 6-9pm and let the Board of Elections help you become a registered voter in Georgia.

The House Study Committee on State and Local Law Enforcement Salaries will hold a meeting tomorrow at 10am in the John Pope Technology Center on the SGTC campus. This committee will examine how law enforcement salaries in Georgia compare to salaries in other states in an effort to help retain and recruit LEOs throughout the state. The study committee, chaired by State Representative Mike Cheokas, will conclude its work by December 31^st ahead of the 2023 legislative session.

The monthly meeting of the Mayor and Americus City Council is at 6 tomorrow evening in Council Chambers of the Public Safety Building downtown. The meeting is open for the community to attend.

From Tuesday’s Americus Police incidents, terroristic threats and acts and aggravated assault occurred at 3:41 yesterday morning at 103-A Bessie Mays Circle.

Shots were reportedly fired in the area of Cherokee Street around 4:30 yesterday morning.

Criminal trespass complaints were made at 220 Sun Valley Drive and at 300 E. Lester Street.

A suspicious incident was looked into at 121 W. Lamar Street yesterday.

Officers responded to a burn complaint at 101 Holley Drive.

A financial transaction card fraud is being investigated.

Jason T. and Kelly M. Kmet were arrested and charged with shoplifting at Wal-Mart.

Investigation is underway into the false report of a crime.

Further investigation into a financial transaction card forgery from this past weekend at 1301 E. Lamar Street resulted in 2 more arrests yesterday. Michael D. Atkins and Danielle A. Sims were each arrested and charged with financial transaction card fraud. This is the third arrest in this ongoing investigation. Jacoby J. Pride was arrested on Monday as a result of the investigation.

A hit-n-run accident occurred yesterday at 1201 Crawford Street.

Officers did respond to 4 domestic-related cases and 2 miscellaneous calls on Tuesday.

There was only 1 accident worked by APD yesterday that had no reported injuries.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 4 traffic stops on Wednesday. Following a stop on US 19S, Timothy S, Bowen was cited for failure to have a license on person. After a stop on Highway 49N, LaQeavia Jones was charged with improper child restraint. At a stop on US 280E, Terrance J. Thrower was charged with driving with suspended registration. A warning was issued in the other traffic stop. Deputies assisted the Georgia State Patrol by providing traffic control during an accident investigation. Property found at 210 Rucker Street was turned over to a Deputy. 1 prisoner transport was made on Tuesday. Civil complaints were heard at 211 Smokey Lane and Lot 36 321 Lacross Road. A theft took place from 1178 Thomas Mill Road. Deputies removed a tree blocking Highway 27E around 5:17 this morning. There were 2 accidents worked by Deputies yesterday.

In the Sumter County Jail today: Nathon Johnson for speeding/ driving with a suspended license/ failure to maintain insurance/ and 4-counts of failure to appear; Anthony Eugene King for probation violation; Jason Thomas Kmet for shoplifting; Kelly Melinda Kmet for shoplifting; and Jason Sterling Phillips for pointing or aiming a firearm at another. 2 were released from jail after posting bond.