Across the area

Man dies when truck hits tree

A 45-year-old man was killed early Wednesday when the truck he was driving hit a fallen tree and overturned, authorities said. Larry Anderson, of Warrenville, died from multiple body trauma, Coroner Tim Carlton said.

Mr. Anderson was driving a 1997 Ford pickup truck north on South Carolina Highway 191 at about 5:50 a.m. when he hit a tree that was lying across the road, said South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Scot Edgeworth.

The wreck happened about seven miles north of Aiken, he said, and it was raining at the time.

Police search for 3 men in home invasion

Police are seeking three men in connection with a Wednesday home invasion.

At about 1:30 p.m., a 59-year-old man from the 2800 block of Hackle Street near Wheeler Road told police that man came to his residence asking to use his phone.

After he agreed, two other men forced their way into his house, bound his mouth, arms and legs with duct tape and grabbed his wallet, said Richmond County sheriff's Investigator Thomas Johnson.

The robbers escaped in a red, 1980s-model Toyota Corolla, police said.

Anyone with information about the incident can call the Richmond County Sheriff's Office at (706) 821-1080.

Man gets 30 years in meth conspiracy case

A 32-year-old Pelion, S.C., man was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Columbia to 30 years in prison without the possibility of parole for his part in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine in the Aiken and Lexington areas.

Eric Wayne Cureton was caught by investigators in Operation Speedtrap, which focused on halting meth production in the state.

Mr. Cureton pleaded guilty in February to two counts of using and carrying firearms during the commission of a drug-trafficking crime.

Applicants sought for U.S. attorney position

Applicants are being accepted from attorneys interested in filling the office to be vacated by U.S. Attorney Lisa Godbey Wood if she is confirmed as the new federal judge.

Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson announced Wednesday that their screening panel will take applications and make candidate recommendations.

The Republican senators then will make recommendations to the president, who will nominate a candidate to serve as the U.S. attorney.

Applicants can request questionnaires from Frank C. Jones, c/o Dianne Smith, 191 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 30303-1763. Questionnaires should be requested before July 14.

Worker is charged with stealing from grocery

A grocery store employee has been arrested in connection with the theft of money from store cash registers.

Douglas Edward Samuels Jr., 18, of Newman Drive in Augusta, was taken to the Richmond County jail Tuesday after thefts were discovered from cash registers at the Bi-Lo at 2512 Tobacco Road, said Richmond County sheriff's Lt. Tony Walden. The money was stolen between May 19 and June 8, a police report said. The incidents were recorded on videocassette, the report said.

Woman says she was robbed at her home

A 21-year-old woman said she was robbed at knifepoint Tuesday night, a Richmond County sheriff's report said.

According to the report, Roberta Jackson let Trevor Sams into her Gilbert Manor residence to talk to her sister. He pulled out a knife with a pistol-type handle, took an $800 gold-plated diamond necklace from her neck and ran away, the report said.

The reporting officer found Mr. Sams at another Gilbert Manor residence and arrested him. A knife matching the earlier description was found in his back pocket, according to the report.

Money is approved for airport, board

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved more than $2 million in funding for Augusta Regional Airport and the Augusta Brownfield Commission, according to U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga.

The commission's mission is to help spur economic development and create new jobs in contaminated and economically depressed area of Augusta.

Bridge is reopened after year of repairs

A bridge that was under construction for more than a year on Columbia Road near Maple Creek subdivision was opened to traffic Wednesday.

Work on the bridge began in May 2005 to replace an older bridge built in 1948. That bridge needed replacement because it no longer met standards to hold the maximum weight trucks are legally allowed to haul.

Family, children panel seeks new director

The board of the Richmond County Department of Family and Children Services met privately Wednesday to discuss replacing Director Kenneth Joe Sr., who is being promoted to an Atlanta position.

At a special meeting, the board was given two options for considering nine applicants for the slot. One allows the full board to participate and excludes the public. In the other, a partial board would deliberate in view of the public.

Board members said they chose the second option so all could have a voice in who is recommended to state DFCS for final review.

- From staff reports