WISK  /WDEC

“Local News’

Friday May 17th, 2013

The end of the current school year is upon us. As a matter of fact, today is the last day of school for students attending the Schley County schools. Graduation will be held tomorrow morning at 10am at Schley County High School. The last day for students in the Sumter County Schools is Tuesday May 21^st. Baccalaureate will be on Thursday May 23rd with graduation on Friday May 24^th. Southland Academy’s last day for students is Wednesday May 22^nd. Baccalaureate for Southland Academy is May 23rd and graduation will be on Friday May 24^th.

Spirit Week concludes tonight for the Sumter County Schools with the annual Spring Football Game at Finklea-Robinson Field. Game time is 7pm. Tickets at the gate will be $5. During the evening, the various schools will be on the field presenting cheers. You can still get a Spirit Week shirt at any of the schools and wear it to the game tonight and show your school spirit.

The Sumter County Board of Education will hold a called meeting on Monday May 20^th at 6pm. The purpose of the called meeting is to discuss and/or approve the AdvancEd Institution Progress Report; review Policy JBC (4)—awarding units and transferring credits; and to discuss the tentative FY 2014 Budget. The meeting will be held in the boardroom of the SCS Administration Building. The community is encouraged to attend.

Phoebe Sumter Medical Center’s 4^th annual Women’s Health Conference will be held tomorrow in the GSW Student Success Center on campus. It all starts at 8am. There will be free health screenings, vendors and educational seminars and at least 2 Zumba sessions. The keynote speaker will be Americus native and recent Boston Marathon runner Charlene Pennymon. All women should make your plans to attend.

Also this weekend, the 2013 US Hang Gliding Championship is being held at SoutherField Airport. Competitors from around the world will be competing today through Sunday. The public is invited to come and watch take-offs from noon-2pm each day and landings around 4-6pm.

This Sunday afternoon, St. John’s Anglican Church will be holding a God and Country event at Lenny’s Market starting at 4pm. There will be a simple service of song led by “The Joyful Noise” gospel group, and prayer for the community, state, nation and churches. The public is encouraged to attend this Sunday afternoon.

Don’t forget to watch out for bikes today. It’s Bike to Work Day. There will be free morning snacks and coffee available on the front lawn of the Public Safety Building until 9 this morning. At noon, ride your bike to Rylander Park for a free pizza lunch with Mayor Barry Blount. Bike to Work Day is sponsored locally by Sumter Cycling and the River Valley Regional Commission.

An arrest has been made after an Amber Alert was issued yesterday for a kidnapped Sumter County juvenile. The Amber Alert was issued when the juvenile was taken from the DEFACS office. Later in the day, Dodge County authorities notified Americus Police that the suspect was in custody after she was involved in an accident in Eastman. The juvenile was injured and remains in a Dodge County hospital. The driver and kidnapper Priscilla Hurt was extradited to Americus and is currently at the LEC on kidnapping charges with more charges pending. In other police action from Thursday, a traffic stop on E. Lamar Street led to the arrest of Taju Nathaniel Thomas for driving on a suspended license, no proof of insurance and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration.

An armed robbery is under investigation that occurred in the S. Lee Street area.

Olivia Leverette was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

A disorderly conduct incident was reported at 207 Barnum Drive.

A cruelty to animals complaint is under investigation.

A burglary occurred at 551 Hosanna Circle.

Tyler D. Walton was arrested twice yesterday with both stemming from domestic issues at 465 Reese Street. He was arrested for criminal damage to property in the 2^nd degree and 1^st degree arson.

A battery complaint was made at 215-N S. Jackson Street.

There was 1 accident yesterday with no injuries.