Armed robberies reported at gas station, restaurant

Two area businesses were struck by armed robberies late Monday.

Columbia County sheriff's deputies were investigating an armed robbery at 9:09 p.m. at the BP gas station and convenience store at the corner of Washington and Pleasant Home roads, according to dispatchers.

A couple of hours later, Richmond County sheriff's deputies were told about an armed robbery at the Waffle House at 2974 Riverwatch Parkway.

An Augusta 911 dispatcher said an armed person entered the restaurant at about 11:02 p.m. and snatched an undisclosed amount of money.

No injuries were reported in either incident, and no other details were available early today.

GBI working in death of pregnant woman

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in Monday to help investigate the death of a woman in Burke County and the arrest of a suspect.

According to a statement from the GBI regional office, the agency is helping investigate the death of Alajandra Reina Canche, 32, of Savannah. Her body was discovered Sunday night in her vehicle on Chappell Road just east of Georgia Highway 56 south of Waynesboro. Relatives said Ms. Canche was four months' pregnant.

Heriberto Juarez, 22, of Waynesboro, Ga., has been arrested and charged with murder, the GBI said. Murder warrants also have been issued for two other men.

Man receives two life sentences for abuse

A 56-year-old grandfather was handed double sentences of life without parole for molesting two sisters, ages 6 and 7, while his family baby-sat them earlier this year.

The girls said that Mitchell Holmes took them into his bedroom separately and made them perform oral sex.

A Richmond County jury convicted Mr. Holmes on two counts of aggravated child molestation last month, after a trial in which the girls faced cross-examination and jurors watched their videotaped interviews by a trained counselor.

Judge James Blanchard sentenced Mr. Mitchell on Friday. Prior charges were a factor.

26-year-old man dies in morning car wreck

A 26-year-old Evans man was killed early Monday in a traffic accident.

Sergio Lopez, of Meadow Lane, apparently lost control of his Ford F-150 pickup truck, overcorrected and crashed about 2:20 a.m. on Owens Road, Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris said. He was ejected from the vehicle, Capt. Morris said.

Two men named in chase with police

Police have released the names of two men accused of firing at deputies during a chase early Sunday through Burke and Richmond counties.

Julian Durden III, 20, and William Dalzell, 23, are wanted on charges of armed robbery and aggravated assault on a police officer, according to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

About 1 a.m. Sunday, Burke County authorities notified Richmond County deputies of a chase involving a black Nissan pickup. Richmond County deputies began chasing the vehicle on Georgia Highway 56 after it crossed the county line, a sheriff's report said. The passenger in the truck fired a rifle a number of times at deputies.

The men abandoned the pickup on a dirt road off Brown Road, a sheriff's report said.

Police had begun chasing the men after an armed robbery at a Waynesboro, Ga., Huddle House.

Man struck by pickup is in critical condition

A man who was struck while walking on Mike Padgett Highway on Sunday was in critical condition Monday night at Medical College of Georgia Hospital, according to police.

Charles James Church, 31, of Mike Padgett Highway, was struck by a Dodge Ram pickup about 2:50 p.m. Sunday, according to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's Maj. Richard Weaver said the driver of the truck, Eric Butts, of Brunswick, Ga., is not facing charges.

Mr. Church was not immediately identified because he had no identification, police said.

Argument preceded fatal fight at club

The stabbing death of a man at an Augusta nightclub Saturday night followed an argument between the victim's daughter and the man being sought by police in the slaying, Richmond County sheriff's Lt. Scott Peebles said Monday.

Frank Roosevelt Jackson, 50, was stabbed with a broken bottle after he intervened in the argument between his daughter and Andel Miguel Robertson, 35, at Mr. J's Famous Door Supper Club, 856 Laney-Walker Blvd., Lt. Peebles said. Mr. Robertson remained at large late Monday.

North Augusta will see increase in utilities

North Augusta City Council unanimously approved the 2009 budget on second reading Monday.

Residents will not see any new taxes next year, but there will be an increase in sanitation, water and wastewater rates. City residents can expect a $1.02 increase on their monthly bills; residents outside the city will pay an extra $2.78 per month.

The proposed budget increased by 4.94 percent from 2008 to $31,058,342.

The final reading of the budget will be Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.

ASU planning party to watch election

Augusta State University will hold an Election Night Watch Party from 6 to 11:30 p.m. today.

The free event will be held inside the ballroom of ASU's Jaguar Student Activities Center. The public is invited. For more information, call (706) 737-1610.