Woman accused of jewel switch

A Columbia County woman was arrested during the weekend after police said she tried to switch a fake diamond for a real one at an Augusta jewelry store.

Kim May Boylston, 47, of Evans, was arrested Saturday morning at Windsor Jewelers, 2635 Washington Road.

A clerk told police that Ms. Boylston was taken to a private area to view two diamonds valued at around $38,000 each.

While she was being shown the pieces, the clerk said, she started coughing repeatedly and requested a cough drop. While the clerk left the room briefly to get a lozenge, Ms. Boylston switched one of the real diamonds for what appeared to be cubic zirconia, said Richmond County sheriff's Investigator Ben Parrish.

The clerk noticed the difference in the size and immediately notified store security before Ms. Boylston could leave the parking lot. She was questioned, detained and eventually arrested by Richmond County sheriff's deputies, Investigator Parrish said.

Ms. Boylston faces felony theft by deception charges and remained in the Richmond County jail Sunday night, a jail official said.

Police arrest suspect in May car shooting

A Grovetown man was arrested Sunday afternoon in connection with a shooting in Augusta last month.

Melvin Gibson Jr., 19, is accused of shooting at a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant with two male passengers on Barton Chapel Road on May 18.

Two bullets penetrated the vehicle, and one of the men suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, said Richmond County sheriff's Investigator Ben Parrish.

Mr. Gibson remained in jail and is charged with felony aggravated assault.

Officials seek input on graduation rule

The Georgia Department of Education is seeking public input on revisions to the state's graduation rule, which will go into effect for the freshman class of 2008-09.

The graduation rule establishes the minimum academic requirements a student must meet to graduate from a Georgia public high school.

Send comments to the state Department of Education's policy division at policy@doe.k12.ga.us or by mail to Graduation Rule Input, c/o Georgia Department of Education Policy Division, 2053 Twin Towers East, 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30334.

A public meeting will be held Wednesday at Thomson High School, 1160 Whiteoak Road, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m..

Hydrangea sale will benefit Augusta park

Hydrangeas will be sold Saturday at the new hydrangea garden at Augusta's Pendleton King Park. The sale begins at 10 a.m. and lasts while flowers are available.

The park is about a half-mile south of Wrightsboro Road on Troupe Street. All proceeds will be used for park improvements.

Women are welcome at handgun seminars

The National Wild Turkey Federation's Edgefield chapter will hold a Women in the Outdoors handgun class at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, S.C., on Saturday.

The class is limited to 50 participants and consists of seminars covering South Carolina defense law, concealed carry law, conceal carry options and handgun cleaning.

Participants must be South Carolina residents or own property in the state. Cost is $100. Call (803) 637-3106 for more details.

Ball will honor Signal Corps' anniversary

The 147th anniversary of the Signal Corps will be celebrated with a semi-formal ball at 6 p.m. June 29 at Fort Gordon's Gordon Club, 19th Street.

The ball is open to active-duty and reserve soldiers, retired service members, civilians, their family members and guests. Tickets cost $30 per person.

For reservations, call (706) 791-5804 or e-mail kempt@gordon.army.mil.