WISK/WDEC

Local News

Wednesday March 20^th, 2019

The Sumter County Board of Commissioners met last evening. Planning and Zoning was given the go-ahead with a zoning ordinance for variances primarily in the Lake Blackshear area. Approval for a sole source purchase for high density storage solution from Patterson-Pope was granted. An agreement for professional services with Oasis Consulting Services for the Sumter County Landfill was approved. A rental agreement for a copier for the SCCI was approved. Discussion followed on the 2020 SPLOST. A unanimous vote was given for a new digital communication system. 2 options were given as far as percentages between the municipalities within Sumter County were concerned. Each City will be notified of that option today. This all will need to be finalized by April 15^th. Approval was given for the GDOT LMIG application due April 1^st. A request for advertising and soliciting bids for purchasing a 2019 Ford F-250 or 350 for Public Works was granted. The Board is currently advertising for a new Board of Elections & Voter Registration member. Ruth Sanders was reappointed to the Americus-Sumter County Tourism Council. After announcements and discussion, the meeting moved to closed session for litigation and personnel.

A Farmers Market Interest meeting will be held tomorrow March 21^st at 6pm at 101 W. Lamar Street in the Municipal Building. Dinner will be served to those attending. If you have interest in participating in Lenny’s Market, you will need to RSVP today to Americus Main Street at 229-924-4411 extension 235 or email ctullis@americusga.gov. Today is the deadline to submit your RSVP for tomorrow’s interest meeting.

The Americus Fire and Emergency Services 24^th annual Benefit Golf Tournament will be on Friday April 12^th at the Griffin Bell Golf Links. This will be a 3-man scramble divided into 2 flights. Players’ names and handicaps should be returned by April 8^th if possible. All proceeds will support the AFES Community Safety and Fire Prevention programs right here in Americus. For more information, call Harriett Williams at 229-924-3213.

Americus Fire and Emergency Services went to Amerigreen on Matthews Drive yesterday afternoon to an explosion and fire. A gas tank had exploded when it was being loaded and slipped and sparked and exploded. The building was evacuated and there was some fire, smoke and water damage while the situation was taken care of. Crews were on the scene for only about 30-minutes.

From Tuesday’s Americus Police incidents, Kiara J. Tisdale and Courtney R. Megergel were arrested for assault-battery for a domestic incident at A15 303 E. Glessner Street.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies requested the services of K-9 Von for helping track down a suspect who fled from an accident on Middle River Road at Highway 195. The subject was found some 2-miles away from the accident scene and was taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Office.

Unruly juvenile complaints were made at 101 Town Creek Circle and 409 Rogers Street.

Following a traffic stop on Patterson at N. Lee, Earnest C. Durham was arrested for possession of marijuana—less than an ounce and for driving with a suspended license.

Keadrick Waters was arrested at 117-D Fairway II Drive for non-compliance.

A shoplifting incident occurred at 107 W. Jefferson Street.

Jarvis Jerome Ward was arrested for simple battery and criminal trespass for a prior incident at 1536 E. Lamar Street.

Hit-n-run accidents were reported at 1700 E. Lamar Street and at 611 E. Lamar Street.

Officers did answer 6 total domestic-related calls and 2 miscellaneous calls yesterday.

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

Some individual tickets and a few tables are available for the 3^rd annual Smarr-Smith Foundation’s Paint the Town Blue Gala this Saturday March 23^rd. You can purchase tickets or tables at www.smarrsmithfoundation.com. Proceeds will be used for scholarships and for assistance to the Americus Police Department; GSW State University Police; and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. The Smarr-Smith Foundation, helping to remember the sacrifice made in the line of duty by Nick Smarr and Jody Smith.

*UPDATE*

Things were relatively quiet on Tuesday for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies made 3 traffic stops. At a stop on Mayo at Southerfield, Kwantesha C. Love was charged with marijuana possession—less than an ounce; possession and use of drug-related objects; and driving with a suspended license. Deputies assisted motorists on several occasions. A bad child complaint was made at 725 Tom Gailey Plaza. Deputies assisted another agency on a call. A suspicious person complaint was made at 119 N. Lee Street. There were 2 accidents yesterday with 1 turned over to Post 10 for investigation.

Housed in the Sumter County Jail today: Erlin Edgardo Gutierrez-Maradiaga—holding for USMS; Dwayne Larnell Morgan—holding for Schley County; Fernando Olvera-Paloalton—holding for USMS; Jarvis Jerome Ward for simple battery and criminal trespass; and Keadrick Towan Waters for non-compliance. 2 were released from jail after posting bond. 2 were released back to the YDC.