Across the area

Weather causes power outages

Golf ball-size hail, a funnel cloud sighting and power outages near Thurmond Lake were the outcome of a Mother's Day afternoon and evening marked by looming tornado threats.

"The hail was really significant in Burke County," said Leonard Vaughan, a National Weather Service meteorologist in West Columbia, S.C.

In Columbia County, penny-size hail was reported on parts of Washington Road, and hail was found around Pollards Corner and on Washington Road near William Few Parkway, Mr. Vaughan said.

A funnel cloud was spotted in the general vicinity, Mr. Vaughan said, but no damage was reported.

Also in Columbia County, several residents of Keg Drive near Thurmond Lake suffered power outages, a Columbia County sheriff's dispatcher said. The damage was caused by high winds and trees falling on power lines.

21-year-old woman says she was raped

A 21-year-old Augusta woman told police she was raped at the Budget Inn in the 400 block of Broad Street early Sunday.

A Richmond County sheriff's report states that the woman does not remember exactly what happened between 11:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:15 the next morning because she was drinking white Russians all night. But the woman said she thinks a man forced himself on her during that time. She told police she woke up in a pool of vomit with her clothes in the sink.

According to the incident report, the victim was being treated at Fort Gordon's Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

Motorcyclist killed in accident is identified

Authorities have identified a man who died in a motorcycle accident during the weekend on Interstate 20 in Columbia County.

Robert Thompson, 49, of Woodstock, Ga., died in a three-vehicle wreck Saturday at about 8:30 a.m., after he was thrown from the Harley-Davidson motorcycle he was driving on I-20 near Harlem, county Deputy Coroner Bonnie King said.

Mr. Thompson's bike struck the rear of a Buick Park Avenue, Columbia County sheriff's Deputy Erik Napier said.

Thrown into the road, Mr. Thompson was run over by a Dodge Ram 3500 pickup pulling a trailer, Deputy Napier said.

The Buick's driver was Lee Collins, 40, of Thomson, police said.

A female passenger was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.

Mr. Thompson was listed as being at fault in the accident.

Police investigate possible car arson

Fire officials are investigating a reported arson of a vehicle Saturday night in Hephzibah.

According to a Richmond County sheriff's report, Robert Ivey, of the 2300 block of Turkey Trail, said he woke up to find that his 2001 Chevrolet Malibu was on fire in his driveway.

The report says investigators on the scene found towels on the floor and in the trunk of the vehicle that had been set on fire.

Man killed in car crash is identified

Authorities have identified the man who died Saturday in a single-car accident south of Aiken as John Edward Cuppernell, 30, of Aiken.

Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said he pronounced Mr. Cuppernell dead at the scene at about 8:15 a.m. Saturday.

The 30-year-old Aiken man was reportedly driving south on Green Pond Road when he lost control in a curve in the road, struck a fence and ran off the road.

Mr. Cuppernell was not wearing his seat belt, officials said. According to the coroner, alcohol might have been a factor in the accident.

Toxicology tests will be performed.

Girl says man asked to look up her skirt

A 14-year-old Augusta girl reported that a man looked up her skirt, then asked to look up it again during the weekend.

According to a Richmond County sheriff's report, the girl said she was sitting on the floor at a building in the 2000 block of Second Avenue when she saw the man looking at her.

She said she closed her legs and pulled her skirt down, at which point the man asked to look one more time, which she refused to let him do.

The reported incident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Woman says she saw peeping Tom at home

A 36-year-old Augusta woman said a peeping Tom peered into her home Saturday night, according to a Richmond County sheriff's report.

The woman, of the 1800 block of Heathers Way, said she knows the man who was looking in through the window.

According to the report, the man was spotted outside Ms. Scott's home at about midnight.

No arrest has been made.

Roads will be closed for construction

Beginning today, Skinner Mill Road will be closed at Cranes Creek for 45 days, according to a Georgia Department of Transportation news release.

A sign will be in place directing drivers to use Boy Scout Road, Wheeler Road and Walton Way Extension, the release states.

Today and Tuesday, Pleasant Home Road also will be closed just before Walton Way Extension so crews can work on a road project.

For more information about these closings, call (478) 552-4656.

New Orleans residents need to mail ballots

Eligible New Orleans voters displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita living in the Augusta region have until today to mail completed absentee ballots in the city's municipal general election, the U.S. Postal Service says.

The election is May 20. Absentee ballots must be received by the Orleans Parish registrar's office or the Louisiana secretary of state's office by May 19. Displaced voters who need additional information or an absentee ballot can contact the Louisiana Secretary of State Elections Division at (800) 883-2805 or elections@sos.louisiana.gov.

Part of 10th Street will be closed today

Part of 10th Street in downtown Augusta will be closed today to park a crane in the street, according to the Augusta Engineering Department.

A news release says 10th Street will be closed between Greene and Telfair streets from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in order to allow the crane to be parked.

The crane is being used to replace air conditioners on the roof of the Augusta-Richmond County Library.

Drivers should use James Brown Boulevard or 11th Street as detours.