WISK/WDEC

Local News

Wednesday July 1^st, 2020

*UPDATE*

There were moments yesterday afternoon that the skies turned dark, the winds picked up dramatically and then there were rounds of heavy rain. Rain was predicted but the gusty winds and lightning may have caught some unaware. Here at our Highway 30 studios we had three-quarters of an inch of rain. We could easily see the same for today especially by the afternoon. The morning sun will heat up the atmosphere and that could trigger the afternoon thunderstorms once again. The rain chances stand at 60% today and tonight and 70% for Thursday. We should reach the low 90s today but around 90 for Thursday under the cloud cover. As far as the upcoming holiday weekend, there is still a chance for scattered rain and possible thunderstorms but some weather models actually have lower rain chances for Saturday and Sunday. That will be fine-tuned as we get closer to the weekend.

The Sumter County Schools Nutrition Department will be distributing meals to students once again at the 9^th Grade Academy located at 915 N. Lee Street. The meal distribution will be from 11 to 1 today. Follow the instructions of those directing traffic into the parking lot; remain inside your vehicles and the meal bags will be brought to you. Students must be present at the time of meal pick-up. The meal distribution today is the first of 3 this month and will end on Wednesday July 15^th. Like last month, this will be probably be reevaluated before the meal distributions ends on the 15^th.

The offices of the City of Americus, the Sumter County Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center will be closed this Friday July 3^rd in observance of the Independence Day holiday. These offices will resume normal business hours on Monday July 6^th. If you have important or pressing business that needs to be taken care of this week, you have today and Thursday to get it done.

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

Both Americus Police and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office have been getting a lot of calls lately of gunshots in some areas only to have it turn out that it’s just fireworks that are being shot. Fireworks are now legal but some need to exercise common sense of setting them off like during the day and late at night. Be a good neighbor and use common sense with your fireworks. Expect a lot of the fireworks in neighborhoods this coming 4^th of July weekend.

From Tuesday’s Americus Police incidents, harassing communications were reported for investigation.

A felony theft occurred at 200 S. Lee Street.

A suspicious incident was checked out in the area of N. Lee Street and Forsyth Street.

Debra A. Mingo was arrested for an outstanding warrant at 119 S. Lee Street.

Responding to a domestic situation at 88-B Barbara Battle Way, Anthony K. Reese was arrested for simple battery and an outstanding warrant.

Autos were entered last night at 723 Felder Street and 742 Wheatley Street. Investigation led to the arrest of a 16-year old male juvenile who was charged with 2-counts of entering autos.

Officers responded to 4 total domestic-related calls and 1 miscellaneous call around town yesterday.

There were 2 accidents in the City worked by APD that had no reported injuries.

As a reminder, drivers should take care on Forsyth and Lamar Street where the resurfacing has not been completed and the lanes are uneven. Watch the signs and be aware that there are bumps crossing those streets and as you turn onto side streets. The resurfacing work is on hold this week as the road crew is off for the 4^th of July holiday and the project should be completed next week.

*UPDATE*

It was a rather quiet Tuesday for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies went to a theft that occurred at 188 US 19S. 2 prisoner transports were made. Deputies were dispatched to the Thrasher Road area where a tree was blocking the roadway but it had been moved prior to the Deputy’s arrival. An attempted burglary was investigated at 161 Freeman Road. There were a few miscellaneous calls and situations yesterday.

Housed in the Sumter County Jail today; Denorris Contrell Jenkins for felony probation violation; Lettie Lorain Little—holding for Schley County SO; Debra Ann Mingo for felony failure to appear; and Anthony Kostello Reese for simple battery.