WISK/WDEC

Local News

Wednesday September 16^th, 2020

*UPDATE*

Here is the latest weather concerning Hurricane Sally. After making landfall this morning in Gulf Shores Alabama, the system will make a hard right turn and head back towards Georgia. The rains will start out steady and then will begin to increase in intensity. The winds also will begin to increase and by tonight there could be wind gusts in excess of 40mph. We are currently under a FLASH FLOOD WATCH for a large portion of southwest and west central Georgia. The temperatures will stay steady today and tonight. We were in the upper 60s this morning and should top out in the low-to-mid 70s this afternoon before dropping down to around 70 tonight. There could be thunderstorms today through tonight. Expect periods of heavy rainfall through tomorrow. If there is a good thing with Sally making landfall closer to Georgia it’s that the system will be moving out quicker. Be WEATHER AWARE for the next 24-36 hours.

The monthly meeting of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners was held virtually last night. The Commissioners approved the Sumter County bid evaluation procedures and the financial policies to align better with the bid evaluations. A quit claim deed between the Board and Land Bank Authority for property at 809 Oak Avenue was postponed. Chief Jerry Harmon was given the go ahead to apply for a grant from Georgia Emergency Medical Services for Emergency First Responder training. The meeting then moved to closed session for litigation discussion.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day will be a virtual event tomorrow September 17^th. This free online program will be held at 7pm. To register, go to www.eventbrite.com/E/118216967131. In honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the National Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site will host “The Sack of Cement Cross: John Olson’s Last Military Campaign”. The Bataan Death March will be discussed by historians, MIA/KIA specialists and a former POW.

The Agenda-setting meeting of the Mayor and City Council will be held virtually tomorrow evening at 6. To call in and listen, dial 1-646-876-9923. The meeting ID is 890 901 7047 and the password is 399335.

The South Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America invites kids to learn more about Cub Scouts in Americus tomorrow evening September 17^th at 6:30 in the Sumter County Intermediate School cafeteria. Social distancing will be in effect for this informational meeting.

The Americus Rotary Club in conjunction with Downtown Americus, will host a Downtown Clean-Up Day this Saturday September 19^th from 9 to 11. Call 924-4411 ext 235 to volunteer. Report to the Municipal Building this Saturday for instructions. All supplies will be provided to you.

Americus Police conducted 2 traffic stops yesterday and made arrests. Following a stop on Forsyth Street, Stacey Bailey was arrested for driving with a suspended license.

At a stop on Patterson Street, Keidrick L. Parker was arrested for Hands Free Device violation; driving without a valid license; and an adult seat belt violation.

A theft took place from apartment 24 120 Lonnie Lane.

Quiteria Tookes was arrested at Wal-Mart for shoplifting and giving a false name to law enforcement.

Officers responded to a civil complaint made at 1708 Armory Drive.

An assault and battery case occurred at 253-A Lonnie Lane.

A simple battery involving a juvenile occurred at 104-A Frieda Lane.

Investigation from a previous case resulted in the arrest yesterday of John Paul Walls who was charged with 2^nd degree forgery.

Officers answered 3 domestic-related calls and 1 miscellaneous call yesterday.

There were 2 accidents around town worked by APD yesterday that had no reported injuries.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted 4 traffic stops yesterday. At a stop on Pecan Terrace, Narada Waters was charged with Hands Free Device violation and driving with a suspended license. Following a stop on the Lamar Road, Marcus A. Haywood was charged with speeding. Deputies were dispatched to Highway 377S and to Highway 49N where trees were blocking those roadways. 2 prisoner transports were made. 1 domestic-related call was answered. A case of identity theft was reported. Deputies worked 1 accident yesterday.

Housed in the Sumter County Jail today; Cornelius Jamale Offord for simple battery; Quiteria Lotonia Tookes for shoplifting and giving a false name to law enforcement; and John Paul Walls for 2^nd degree felony forgery. 1 was released from jail after posting bond.

The next Harvest of Hope Food Pantry food distribution will be next Thursday September 24^th from 9 to 2:30 in the 1^st Baptist Church parking lot. Ordinarily the food distribution would be the 3^rd Thursday of the month but the Labor Day holiday pushed the event back one week. More details will be coming up on later editions of Local News.