WISK/WDEC
Local News
Wednesday May 5th,
2021
*UPDATE*
If you have CodeRed, you started getting notifications
after 9 last night of potentially severe weather heading this way. Severe
thunderstorm WARNINGS were being issued as a strong line of thunderstorms was
heading this way. Fortunately, this weakened considerably by the time it did
reach the Sumter County area. Even in the weakened state, there was still quite
a punch last night. Law enforcement, 1st Responders and public works
were all out last night. Trees and limbs being knocked down due to the strong,
gusty winds was the main culprit. It was rather heavy rain after 10 before
tapering off and finally drying out after 2 this morning. Trees were reported
down in town and around the county that became traffic hazards once they fell
in the roadway. Those areas were quickly cleared and anyone traveling out in
the weather last night had no real issues. Since the system moved in during the
night, everyone will be checking to see if they had any major damage this
morning. The power blinked at times last night but there have been no power
outages reported. Drivers will need to take heed while traveling on Forsyth as
you approach Mayo Street. That traffic light is completely dark at that
intersection and that has become a 4-way stop. GDOT is aware of the traffic
light issue and will be working on that. An assessment will be made of any
potential damage throughout the morning but initially it appears we came
through last night in good shape.
As we mentioned before, if
you had CodeRed, you got calls, text messages and emails warning you of the
potential for severe weather last night. If you need to sign up for CodeRed,
it’s simple to do. Log onto www.sumtercountyga.us
and then follow the simple steps to sign up. You can even text AlertSumter to
99411 and get a direct link sent to your mobile device to sign up. CodeRed
keeps you informed and up-to-date with any potential severe weather.
The National Day of Prayer
will be observed tomorrow May 6th. Locally, a community service will
be held at high noon tomorrow in the courtyard of the Public Safety Building
downtown. Rev. Sherryl Sneed, Pastor of Peter’s Chapel AME church will deliver
the program. This is open to the community. To help with the COVID-19
protocols, please observe social distancing and wear a face mask if you plan to
attend the National Day of Prayer service tomorrow at noon.
This Friday May 7th
will be First Friday in downtown Americus from 5 to 8pm. The theme is
“Multicultural May” as participating businesses will be representing a
different country for First Friday and will have special activities, sales and
more. Festivities will begin at 5 with most shops and businesses staying open
until 8pm. “First Friday After Dark” continues the festivities into the night
after 8pm. The Americus van will be taking the place of the Americus Trolley in
providing free transportation around the downtown area during First Friday.
Americus Police had
an overall quiet Tuesday until last night when officers were all over town
handling weather-related issues. A criminal trespass complaint was made at 1008
N. MLK Boulevard yesterday.
Responding to a
domestic situation at 208 Brookdale Drive yesterday afternoon, Tiquan M. George
was arrested for an outstanding warrant. This was the only domestic-related
call answered by officers on Tuesday.
A battery complaint
was filed with officers at 1701 Maxwell Street.
Scott R. Welch and
Keisha D. Allen were arrested and charged with shoplifting last night at
Wal-Mart.
Damage to property
was reported in the area of Parker Street and Grantham Street.
Officers responded to
1430-C S. Lee Street around 11:25 last night for an ungovernable child
complaint.
1 miscellaneous call
was reported yesterday.
There were 3
accidents worked by APD around town on Tuesday that had no reported injuries.
One week from today
on May 12th is the deadline to purchase a flag for the upcoming Avenue
of Flags to fly during the Memorial Day weekend. The cost is $75 per flag. To
get in your order before the deadline, contact Frank Mitchell at 229-938-4310;
Charles Holt at 229-942-1739; or see any member of the American Legion Post#558
the sponsor of the Avenue of Flags.
*UPDATE*
Yesterday, the Sumter
County Sheriff’s Office had to re-route traffic for an overturned semi on the
Lee Street Road. The southbound rig apparently had the load shift while in a
curve and caused the semi to overturn. Luckily there were no injuries to the
driver and the fact that there were no other vehicles in the roadway at the
time of the accident. It took some 4-hours to clear the roadway and get the
semi back upright and off the side of the road. The accident investigation was
turned over to Troopers from Post 10. Charges are pending.
Sumter County Sheriff’s
Deputies conducted 2 traffic stops yesterday. After a stop on MLK Boulevard,
Thomas Blasingame was charged with no proof of insurance and driving a vehicle
with canceled registration. 2 activated alarms were checked out. Deputies responded
to 156 Greystone Drive where threats had been made. Deputies went to 900
Southwestern Circle near the 400 building to a reported fight. A civil complaint
occurred at 106 Sylvan Place. Deputies answered 2 domestic-related calls. There
were 3 accidents worked by Deputies yesterday including 1 deer-related accident
and the one turned over to Post 10 for further investigation.
In the Sumter County Jail
today is Tyrone Robinson for peeping tom/ criminal trespass/ and felony
probation violation. 2 were released from jail after bonding out.