Across the area

Five charged in armed robbery

Five people have been arrested in connection with a Monday armed robbery of a Dollar General in Martinez, Columbia County police announced Wednesday.

Police said two of those arrested late Tuesday are boys, ages 15 and 16. Their names were not released because of their ages. The juveniles were charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and were taken to the Regional Youth Detention Center, Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris said.

Also charged in the robbery were Anthony Brown, 24; Isaac Hurst, 18; and Felix Hurst, 17, all of the 200 block of Weldon Drive, Martinez, Capt. Morris said, adding that Isaac and Felix Hurst also were charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

The robbery occurred at about 8 p.m. Monday at the discount store at 4115 Old Petersburg Road.

Capt. Morris said no bond has been set.

Twins are accused of stealing metal wire

Richmond County sheriff's deputies arrested twin brothers Wednesday after police said they were involved with the theft of metal wire.

Authorities charged Dallas Carpenter Jr. and James Howard Carpenter, both 24 and of the 2800 block of Jordan Street, with felony theft by taking, according to Richmond County jail records.

A sheriff's office incident report said four unknown men in a blue truck took aluminum wire measuring 1,000 feet on a wooden spool from the Georgia Power office between April 28 and May 1.

The spool was taken from a property in the 2700 block of Mayo Road, the report said.

Man says robbers took his wallet, cell phone

An Augusta man told Richmond County sheriff's deputies two men attacked him and robbed him Tuesday night at 8th and Ellis streets.

The victim, 49, told deputies he was jumped from behind by two men who took his wallet, cell phone and $12, a sheriff's office incident report said.

20-year-old woman is thrown from car

A woman was sent to the hospital Wednesday after the car she was riding in drove through a fence and flipped in front of a residence on Tubman Home Road.

Richmond County sheriff's Cpl. Bill Adams said Augusta resident Anthony Watkins, 42, was driving a Ford Thunderbird eastbound on Tubman Home Road when he took a curve too fast and lost control.

Cpl. Adams said the car went through the yard of 2210 Tubman Home Road, destroyed a fence and some shrubs and flipped in the yard of 2212 Tubman Home Road.

Lynn Jeffcoat, 20, was ejected through the car's sunroof but only had minor injuries, he said. Ms. Jeffcoat was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital, where a spokeswoman said she was in good condition Wednesday night.

Mr. Watkins was charged with failing to maintain his lane, Cpl. Adams said.

Nuclear presentation on Vogtle is planned

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will give a formal presentation from 7 to 9:30 p.m. today in the auditorium of Augusta Technical College's Waynesboro campus, 216 Highway 24 South.

The commission will discuss how the agency would review an expected application for an Early Site Permit at Plant Vogtle.

The NRC staff will be on hand before the meeting, from 5 to 7 p.m., for informal discussions with the public.

The plant, owned by Southern Nuclear Operating Co., currently contains two commercial nuclear power plants; Southern Co. is looking to build two more reactors at the site. The meeting is open to the public. Call (404) 562-4417 for more information.

Charges catch up to man after four years

A 33-year-old Warrenville man was arrested Tuesday and charged with cruelty to children, nearly four years after the original warrant was issued for his arrest.

Gary Toole, of the 200 block of Grace Hurst Road, is accused of hitting a 4-year-old boy on the buttocks with his hand, causing "very large and deep contusions" documented with photographs, according to an arrest warrant from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

The warrant said Mr. Toole hit the child July 25, 2002.

Two area principals receive state honors

The Georgia Parent Teacher Association named John Milledge Elementary Principal Anna Reid and Willis Foreman Elementary Principal Betty Elam Shepherd state Principals of the Year.

They are among only 11 principals in the state to receive the honor. They were nominated by their PTAs for their dedication to students and support for programs that work to safeguard the health, safety, nutrition, welfare, protection and education of children.

Warren Road pupil wins free-throw title

A Warren Road Elementary School 9-year-old beat more than 300,000 boys and girls in the national basketball free throw shooting contest for children ages 8-13, winning the national Elks "Hoop Shoot" competition.

Nicholas Fortenberry will have his name inscribed on the Elks National Hoop Shoot Plaque, which is on permanent display in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver will issue a proclamation honoring Nicholas at 2 p.m. May 22 at Warren Road Elementary.

- From staff reports