WISK/WDEC

Local News

Wednesday November 25^th, 2020

*UPDATE*

The Sumter County Board of Elections has announced that at 10 this morning, the office will do an L & A for the upcoming Tabulated Presidential Recount that will be conducted this Monday November 30^th at the Griffin Bell Golf/Conference Center at 1800 S. Lee Street. Also, the Elections Office will begin the L & A process for the upcoming Federal and State run-off for the January 5^th election today. Early voting for the January 5^th run-off begins on Monday December 14^th.

Like everything else, this pandemic has altered another annual community event. The annual Open Hand Ministry’s Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at 12 noon. This year it will be carry-out only. The meals may be picked up at 522 S. Hampton Street tomorrow. For deliveries to shut-ins, you may call 924-7072 or 322-5281.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the general public is on Tuesday December 1^st. Once again this will be a drive-thru site sign up at Union Tabernacle Baptist Church at 900 Adderton Street in Americus. This is a ONE DAY drive-thru event and you will never have to leave your vehicle. The time for the drive-thru is from 8 to 5:30 on Tuesday December 1^st only. Also there is a one day call in for Tuesday December 1^st. The numbers you can call for the LIHEAP sign up is 478-472-3607 or 855-473-9423. Households participating in this program must meet income criteria and be responsible for the cost of heating their homes.

The offices of the City of Americus and Sumter County will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday November 26^th and 27^th. These offices will resume normal business hours on Monday November 30^th.

The trash schedule is altered because of Thanksgiving. If Thursday is your usual trash pickup day, your trash will be picked up on Friday. Your usual Friday trash pickup will now be this Saturday.

The 102-hour Thanksgiving holiday travel period begins at 6 this evening and ends at 11:59pm on Sunday. State Troopers and all of law enforcement will be highly visible across Georgia’s highways making sure you don’t become a holiday statistic. Law enforcement will be looking for the impaired or distracted driver; the speeders; and those not wearing their seat belts.

From the Tuesday Americus Police incidents, a criminal damage to property in the 2^nd degree occurred at 1554 E. Forsyth Street.

A criminal trespass and discharging firearms on or near public streets was reported at 124 E. Lester Street.

Criminal trespass complaints were made at 107 E. Lester Street; 1101 Crawford Street; and at 101 W. Jefferson Street.

Autos were entered at 1609 E. Lamar Street and 329 W. Lamar Street.

Officers negotiated a custody dispute.

A theft took place from 1702 N. MLK Boulevard.

Investigation into a rape case is underway.

Recovered stolen property found at 119 E. Glessner Street was turned over to officers.

Investigation into a domestic situation weeks ago ay 1310 Ridge Street resulted in 2 arrests yesterday. Justin D. Cladd was arrested for criminal damage to property in the 2^nd degree and Veronda L. Cladd was arrested for battery.

A hit-n-run accident occurred on N. Lee at E. Lester.

Officers responded to 1 miscellaneous call and 2 domestic-related calls yesterday.

2 accidents in the City had no reported injuries.

Americus Police had responded initially to a fire at 411 Crawley Street around 1:15 this past Monday morning in which the residence sustained serious fire damage. The scene was turned over to AFES and Fire Marshall Zane Newman and his staff examined the fire scene later on Monday. He now reports that the cause is undetermined at this time but noted the fire did originate under the house.

*UPDATE*

Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies were busy with 9 traffic stops yesterday. At a stop on MLK Boulevard, Barry G. Smith was cited for a seat belt violation. Following a traffic stop on Highway 308, Kevin Hagerson was cited for driver use due care. After a stop on Highway 27E, Jasmine T. Mullins was charged with speeding. Warnings were issued in the other traffic cases. 1 prisoner transport was made yesterday. A civil complaint was filed at 389 Small Piece Road. Deputies assisted another agency on a call. A burglary was investigated at 111 Swisher Road. A criminal trespass complaint was made at 114 Grover Pace Road. 1 domestic-related call was answered. Suspicious person complaints occurred at 153 Sixth Street and at 328 Old Andersonville Road. Deputies worked 1 deer-related accident.

In the Sumter County Jail today is Johnnie Lee Hunter for misdemeanor sexual battery. 2 were released from jail after posting bond.

It is now official—it’s Sheriff Eric Bryant after completing his Sheriff’s training recently. He has named Michael Hernandez as his Chief Deputy and will have the rank of Colonel. The rest of the Sheriff’s Staff remains intact as t was before.