THOMSON - McDuffie County Sheriff Logan Marshall traveled to Daytona Beach, Fla., on Thursday to figure out when to bring back a Thomson teen accused of killing his parents and stabbing his sister.

Sheriff Marshall did not make the trip to pick up 17-year-old Matt Dean, according to Maj. Ronnie Williamson of the McDuffie County Sheriff's Office. Instead, Maj. Williamson said, the sheriff wanted to speak with doctors at the rehabilitation center where Mr. Dean is being held about the best way to move him.

''If arrangements can be made that's suitable for (Mr. Dean's) medical well-being and his safety and security, it's a possibility that he may be transported back within the day or two,'' Maj. Williamson said.

Mr. Dean suffered broken legs and ribs in a car wreck Aug. 4 on the property of the Kennedy Space Center. He also had to have his spleen removed as a result of the wreck, which killed another driver . Authorities have charged Mr. Dean with killing his parents - David and Terri Dean - on Aug. 3 and then fleeing to Florida in the family's car.

Officials said that, for security reasons, they cannot release how Mr. Dean will be transported or where he will go once he gets back. Toombs Judicial Circuit District Attorney Dennis Sanders said he has spoken with Sheriff Marshall about the possibility of taking Mr. Dean to a medical facility in Atlanta.

AUGUSTA
Woman escapes locked apartment

An Augusta woman said she was locked in her apartment by her abusive boyfriend Thursday and placed hand-written ''Help me'' signs in the window before escaping, authorities said.

Heather Singer, of McDonald Street, told authorities that her live-in boyfriend struck her several times Wednesday night after an argument, according to sheriff's Lt. Jimmy Young. Ms. Singer said she was going to leave, but her boyfriend locked her inside with a deadbolt lock and ripped out the telephone line when she tried to call 911, Lt. Young said.

She wrote ''Help me'' on pieces of paper and placed them in the window, but no one saw them, Lt. Young said. About 7:40 a.m. Thursday, she was able to get the key from her boyfriend and escape to a neighbor's house, where she called authorities.

Scott Jackson, 30, of the 3300 block of McDonald Street, was charged with battery and obstructing an emergency phone call. He was also charged with an unrelated shoplifting offense. Mr. Jackson remained in the Richmond County jail Thursday night.

AUGUSTA
Man charged with molestation

An Augusta man was charged Thursday with having sex with a 13-year-old girl, the third child molestation arrest in Richmond County in six days.

George Lewis White Jr., 24, of Shirley Avenue, told authorities he didn't know the girl was 13 years old when she invited him over to her father's house, where they had sex, according to a sheriff's report.

The incident allegedly occurred Aug. 15 on Davison Road when Mr. White said he accepted the girl's invitation to come over. He climbed through her window and had sex with her, a report stated.

Mr. White was charged with child molestation and was booked into the Richmond County jail.

AUGUSTA
Suspect meets bond in slaying

Nearly three weeks after a fatal brawl at a Columbia County apartment complex, a Thomson man charged with voluntary manslaughter has been released from jail on bond.

Jairo Humberto Lopez Jr., 23, was released Wednesday from the Columbia County Detention Center on $50,000 bond, said Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris.

The other man charged in the death of Daniel ''Mack'' Smith Jr., 23, was Barry Keith Tabor Jr., 20, of Martinez. He was released Aug. 23 on $50,050 bond, according to jail records.

Both men are charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Mr. Smith, which occurred during a late-night Aug. 18 brawl at Applecross Apartments off Washington Road in Martinez.

According to Columbia County Sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris, there have been no other arrests involving the brawl, but the case is still under investigation. He said details of what led to the fight will not be released until the investigation is completed.

AUGUSTA
Utility work will close street

A section of Eighth Street will be closed to traffic Saturday while workers replace electrical systems in the area. The closing, which will extend between Broad and Reynolds streets, will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Traffic engineers advised motorists to use Seventh and Tenth streets as detour routes.

AUGUSTA
Adoption videoconference set

An adoption videoconference will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in Classroom D of the Fort Discovery National Science Center on the riverwalk. About 20 to 25 children attending a party in Macon will be connected to seven videoconference sites in Georgia.

People interested in adoption will be able to communicate with these children in need of permanent homes. For more information, call Dan Almeter at 855-3463. The next adoption videoconference will be Oct. 20.

AUGUSTA
Vigil will honor homeless animals

The Augusta Humane Society and the Augusta Department of Animal Control will hold a candlelight vigil in honor of National Homeless Animals Day at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Lake Olmstead Park's gazebo.

The event, originally slated for Aug. 18, was rescheduled because of rain.

The vigil is in memory of the thousands of homeless dogs and cats euthanized each year.

People who attend the vigil also can find information about volunteer opportunities, state spay and neuter legislation, and construction of the new animal control shelter.

For more information about the event, call Augusta-Richmond County Animal Control at 790-6836.

AUGUSTA
Saturday event will honor LPNs

A celebration to recognize licensed practical nurses instrumental in organizing a charter of what is now the Georgia LPN Association is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at University Hospital Prompt Care, 3121 Peach Orchard Road.

The event will be sponsored by the 10th District of the Georgia LPN Association, which includes Richmond County and parts of Burke and Columbia counties. All past and present members of the association are invited to attend.

For more information, call Ruthie Jordan at 722-0007.