WISK  /  WDEC

 "Local News"

Wednesday May 7th, 2008

The 16th annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive is this Saturday May 10th. You have a chance to make a difference by placing non-perishable food, such as pasta, soup and cereal, in a sturdy bag next to your mailbox prior to your regular mail pick-up. Your mail carrier will pick up the bag of food and take it to the local food bank. The bag of food should not include out-of-date food or anything in glass jars. You never know who is in need of food. It could be your neighbor or even a friend. Help “Stamp Out Hunger” this Saturday. Together we can make a difference.

Hydrants are currently being tested around town. This annual event is a mandatory testing procedure that is required to keep our ISO rating low to save the taxpayers money on insurance and taxes. Should you experience discolored water after one of these tests, run your water for approximately 5-minutes to clear your pipes. In the event this does not help clear the water, call 924-3213 and someone from the Americus Fire and Emergency Services will be happy to flush the hydrant to clear your water. This testing will be going on for several more days.

The May meeting of the Sumter County Board of Education will begin tomorrow night at 6pm in executive session to discuss personnel matters. The open session will follow at 7pm. The meeting will be the first one in the newly renovated boardroom in the SCS Administration Building at 100 Learning Lane. The community is invited to attend.

Athletic Director Mark Wilson has announced that the spring football game will be Thursday evening beginning at 5:30. The game would ordinarily be on Friday to wrap up the 2-weeks of spring camp. Due to the Panther baseball team beginning the AAAA baseball playoffs in Augusta on Friday, the spring game was moved up a day for those wanting to go to both events.

Graduation at the South Campus is a little over a week away. Baccalaureate services will be on Thursday May 15th and graduation will be on Friday evening May 16th.

Commencement ceremonies for Georgia Southwestern State University will be this Friday morning at 11am in Convocation Hall at the Student Success Center. Approximately 220 students will receive their degrees. The community is welcome to attend.

A pedestrian was injured last night after 11 when he stepped into the roadway and was struck by a passing pick-up. Brian Mitchell was walking north on MLK Boulevard when he stepped into the roadway and was struck by a southbound pick-up driven by Lathan Timothy Crenshaw. Mitchell was taken by EMS to Sumter Regional with a broken arm and various cuts and bruises. No charges were filed. In other police news, thefts took place at 215 Habitat Street and 511 W. Church Street.

A gas drive off was reported at Flash Foods on Crawford Street.

An auto was entered at 301 Pecan Drive.

A burglary was investigated at 456 Reese Street.

A criminal trespass complaint was made at 701 Tom Gailey Drive.

There were 4 accidents worked by officers in the past 24-hour period including the truck-pedestrian accident on MLK Boulevard.