Commission OKs Furys Ferry project changes

The Columbia County Planning Commission approved changes to a planned unit development on Furys Ferry Road during a Thursday meeting.

Developers for the property, between Blackstone Camp and Evans to Locks roads, increased some buffer sizes and showed drawings of a neoclassical design for the shops in the center, as county officials had wanted.

Blanchard and Calhoun Commercial, the developers for The Village at Furys Ferry project, tried to win approval for their new plan in May. Planning commissioners recommended against it and the plan was withdrawn before it could appear before the Columbia County Commission, which is the final authority for such site changes.

A man charged with carjacking an Augusta woman and later wrecking the car after a police chase remains in the hospital, North Carolina Highway Patrol officials said Thursday.

Billy Nelson Hammock is accused of approaching a 76-year-old woman at her home on the 2000 block of Devere Street on June 5, snatching her keys and taking her white Chevrolet Cavalier, according to a sheriff's office report.

Hours later, the highway patrol spotted the man driving at about 105 mph near York County, S.C., Sgt. Ben Miller said.

A 20-minute police chase ended near Charlotte with Mr. Hammock crashing and being ejected, Sgt. Miller said.

Mr. Hammock likely has two more weeks at the hospital to recover from a broken femur, neck and back injuries. He has been charged with felony fleeing and eluding police, Sgt. Miller said.

An Augusta Mall clothing store was closed down Wednesday, accused of selling fake designer clothes.

Richmond County sheriff's investigators issued a search warrant about 10 a.m. Wednesday at Echoes of Italy after getting a tip from an investigation organization for trademark companies, Richmond County sheriff's Investigator Michelle Walden said.

Investigators seized more than $120,000 in counterfeit clothes and shoes labeled with brands Bape, Rocawear, Lacoste and Akademiks, she said. The owners will be charged with felony counts of forging trademarks, Investigator Walden said.

Officials with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office are searching for a woman who is accused of approaching the car of a Domino's Pizza delivery man late Wednesday, pulling out a gun and demanding his money, according to a sheriff's office report. The suspect reportedly got away with a large pizza and $40.

An Augusta man who rang up nearly $30,000 buying gas pleaded guilty Thursday to 35 counts of fraudulent use of a credit card.

Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet accepted a negotiated plea agreement that called for four years in prison for Levi Kitchens, 22, followed by 15 years probation and repayment of $29,113.

The card, stolen from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Ga., was given to Mr. Kitchens in trade for a car part.

Those wishing to discard old phone books have another option besides a trash can.

Keep Columbia County Beautiful recently set up five phone book drop sites for the purpose of recycling them. Bins are located in the front parking lot of the Evans Government Complex, 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans; Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue headquarters, 3910 Desoto Drive, Martinez; fire department station 3, 703 Furys Ferry Road, Martinez; fire department station 4, 4590 Oakley Pirkle Road, Martinez; and fire department station 6, 2264 William Few Parkway, Evans.

The bins will be available through August. For information, call (706) 312-7195.

Valda Mills Simpkins has been named the 2008 Teacher of the Year for Augusta Technical College.

Mrs. Simpkins, an instructor in the Early Childhood Care and Education Program at the college's main campus, will receive a $500 award from the Augusta Technical College Foundation in honor of her selection.

She will compete for the title of Rick Perkins Teacher of the Year for Georgia. That title is currently held by Augusta Tech's 2007 Teacher of the Year Kevin Ward.

-- From staff reports