WISK/WDEC

“Local News”

Monday October 12^th, 2026

Today is the Columbus Day holiday and most City, County, State and Federal offices are closed today. There will be no mail delivery and most financial institutions are closed for the holiday. The Sumter County Schools are closed all week for Fall Break meaning drivers get a break from busses in your daily commute for a week. There will be no Sumter County Sheriff’s reports today due to the Records Department being closed at the LEC for the holiday. All City and County offices will resume with regular business hours tomorrow the 13^th.

The storm has come and gone and it was not AS rough as it could have been. The winds did gust Friday night into the overnight hours and did cause downed trees and limbs which in turn did cause power outages. The rainfall totals were varied. The further away from the center of the storm seemed to have received more rain with gusty winds while those closer to the center saw less rain but had the winds as well. We had just under 2-inches of rain here on Highway 30W. The system moved rapidly through and we never did get the wraparound rains usually associated with such a system. Although it remained breezy over the weekend there were no constant showers. Saturday and Sunday turned out to be mostly sunny and breezy but that was not what the weather models had shown it to be. As far as this week is concerned it will be much warmer but with hardly any humidity with possible 90-degree readings midweek. Lows will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s. We do have a cold front arriving Friday that will bring in fall weather over the weekend with highs in the 70s and lows in the upper 40s with no rain mentioned for almost a week.

Advance/early voting will begin tomorrow October 13^th at the Fairgrounds building n Highway 30 from 9am until 5pm through Friday October 30^th. Also, early voting will be held on two Saturdays—the 17^th and 24^th from 9 to 5. Voters can still request and absentee ballot application up until October 23^rd. You will need to have a photo ID with you whenever you show up to early vote. To view your sample ballot go to: www.mvp.sos.ga.gov

Meetings held this week includes the Sumter County Board of Commissioner Work session at 6 tomorrow evening in the Commissioners Room at the Sumter County Courthouse. You can attend in person or get the call-in and Zoom information on the County website. The regular monthly meeting of the Alexander H. Stephens Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans will be Tuesday evening at 6pm. Will Peterson will present the program. All members and friends are encouraged to attend. The Agenda-setting meeting of the Mayor and Americus City Council will be Thursday the 15^th at 6pm in Council Chambers of the Public Safety Building downtown. You can attend in person or check the City website for the call-in and Zoom information to listen in Thursday.

October 15^th is the deadline if you want to be a parade participant in the Veterans Day Parade sponsored by the C.B. Dowdell American Legion Post#558. This year it will be a nighttime parade so more of the community can attend. The date will be November 11^th. If you would like to participate, contact Tony Cooper Sr. at 229-938-7396 and respond by this Thursday October 15^th. There is no charge to enter the parade but any donations would be appreciated. Your participation can be a car, float, tractor, motorcycle or walking unit. You must have a number to enter and participate in the parade.

Despite the stormy Friday it was a busy weekend for the Americus Police Department. Another auto was entered—this location was 109-B Bush Circle. This was the only entering case this weekend.

Investigation is underway into a 1^st degree felony burglary.

It was a busy weekend for shoplifting. Four incidents occurred and all at 1711 E. Lamar Street. On Sunday, Brandi M. Sims was arrested and charged with shoplifting.

Thefts took place over the weekend on Border Street and at 1618 E. Forsyth Street.

Damage to property complaints were made at 206 N. Hampton Street and the Eastview Cemetery with two other complaints occurring in the City somewhere.

Investigation is underway into reported harassment.

Officers checked on shots fired in the vicinity of Joyce Myers Park and the area of Brannan Avenue.

An aggravated assault during a domestic disturbance was reported at 504-A Bessie Mays Circle.

A theft of lost/mislaid property occurred at 1711 E. Lamar Street.

A simple battery (FVA) occurred during a domestic call to 705 Tom Gailey Plaza.

4th degree forgery was reported for investigation.

Criminal trespass complaints were made at 1205 S. MLK Boulevard and at 603-B Tripp Street.

Recovered property in the Rees park area was taken in for safekeeping.

An aggravated assault occurred at 1:39 Sunday morning at 204 Bessie Mays Circle.

A hit-n-run accident was reported on Allen Street at Phillips Street.

Six total domestic-related calls were answered this past weekend.

Three weekend traffic crashes had no reported injuries. Following an accident investigation on US 19 at 280, Mark A. Bridges was arrested for DUI and failure to maintain lane.