Across the area

Flights diverted to Augusta

Severe weather in the Atlanta area caused air traffic controllers to divert commercial airplanes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Augusta Regional Airport on Thursday evening.

Buster Boshears, director of Augusta Regional Airport, said it's not uncommon for large airplanes to have their flight paths redirected to Augusta during poor weather.

"It's something that routinely happens when there's inclement weather in the Atlanta area," Mr. Boshears said.

Commercial jets also were diverted to Augusta on Wednesday night, he said. Airport officials did not know how many planes were diverted Thursday evening.

Women face several charges in fatal wreck

Two Augusta women were indicted on charges related to a fatal June 4 car wreck, according to court documents released Thursday.

A Columbia County grand jury indicted Tiara Maria Smith and Nebula Denise McNeely, both of Augusta, with two counts of murder, feticide, two counts of serious injury by vehicle, theft by shoplifting, fleeing and attempting to elude police and cruelty to children.

Ms. Smith, 20, is accused of running a red light in a Ford Explorer while she and Ms. McNeely reportedly were fleeing a shoplifting at an Evans Marshall's store, causing a crash that killed Margaret Patricia Branton, 63, of Martinez, and her son, Lonnie D. Turner, 37. Mr. Turner's wife, Mary, also lost her unborn baby in the wreck.

Ms. Smith also faces additional charges. She is being held at the Columbia County Detention Center without bond. Ms. McNeely, 42, was transferred June 12 to the Metro State Prison in Atlanta for a parole violation, according to jail personnel.

Three men indicted in restaurant robberies

Three Augusta men accused in two Martinez fast food restaurant robberies have been indicted, according to court documents released Thursday.

The indictment charges Derrick Sinclair Garrett, 19, Johnny Overstreet Jr., 18, and Marquise Dominic Taylor, 18, with armed robbery, kidnapping, two counts of false imprisonment and three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime for an April 7 armed robbery of Krystal's at 256 Bobby Jones Expressway.

Mr. Garrett and Mr. Overstreet also were indicted on two counts of armed robbery, three counts of kidnapping, three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and aggravated assault for an April 18 robbery of the Wendy's restaurant at 3859 Washington Road, according to the indictment.

Mr. Garrett was released from the Columbia County Detention Center May 25 after posting a $5,000 bond. Mr. Overstreet is being held in the Richmond County jail with a hold for Columbia County authorities upon his release. Mr. Taylor was released to Richmond County authorities June 30 after posting a $20,000 bond, according to jail personnel.

Woman reports sexual assault at Coyotes

An Augusta woman told deputies a man lured her outside of Coyotes at 2512 Peach Orchard Road and sexually assaulted her Thursday, according to a Richmond County sheriff's incident report.

The 23-year-old woman said a man approached her and said her friend was sick in the parking lot. When the woman went outside the man pushed her against a car, licked her face and lifted up her skirt, the report said.

Authorities search for third robbery suspect

Investigators are searching for a third suspect in a Thursday morning armed robbery of two men on the 1100 block of Kent Street, said Richmond County sheriff's Sgt. Richard Roundtree.

Gaynard Smith, 17, of Miami, and Eric Deontae Allen, 20, of Augusta were arrested at about 7:30 a.m. and charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Robbers pointed a shotgun and a black handgun at the victims and demanded they empty their pockets, the incident report said. One robber then drove away in the victim's blue Oldsmobile Cutlass, Sgt. Roundtree said. Deputies apprehended two suspects after they called the victims and tried to swap the stolen car for money, Sgt. Roundtree said.

Several bullets hit Cooney Circle homes

Two homes in the 1800 block of Cooney Circle were hit with several bullets Wednesday, a Richmond County sheriff's report said.

One resident said she heard two people arguing in her backyard and then an unknown number of gunshots. Deputies observed bullet holes in her window and refrigerator, the report said. Bullets also struck another nearby house, but no one was home at the time, the report said.

Transfer options will reach parents by mail

Parents of eligible Richmond County high schoolers soon will receive notice of school transfer options under the No Child Left Behind law.

School officials mailed letters to those parents Thursday and a phone call also will be made to parents. The options will allow transfers from schools on the "needs improvement" list.

Parents of students transferring from non-Title I schools must provide transportation to the new schools.

Transportation will be provided to students transferring from Glenn Hills High, T.W. Josey High and Lucy C. Laney High.

Man pleads guilty, gets split sentence

A young man who pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and sexual assault of an acquaintance received a split sentence Thursday that includes prison and probation.

Earshelon A. Thomas, 20, pleaded guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to rape, aggravated sodomy and kidnapping in the Jan. 17 attack on a former friend.

Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet sentenced Mr. Thomas to serve 10 years in prison followed by six years probation.

19-year-old sentenced to 10 years in prison

A man whose role in a robbery resulted in weapon convictions received a 10-year prison sentence Thursday.

Judge Duncan D. Wheale imposed the Richmond County Superior Court sentence on Johnathan L. Hillary, 19.

Mr. Hillary was convicted of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon last month, but the jury acquitted him of the most serious charges he faced - armed robbery and hijacking for a Sept. 10 incident.

Man to serve 4-year sentence for assault

An Augusta man who smacked a beer bottle against a co-worker's head after a long day of drinking was sentenced to prison Thursday.

Derek A. Williams, 27, pleaded guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to aggravated assault. Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet sentenced him to four years in prison followed by three years probation.

Assistant District Attorney Inga Hicks said Thursday that Ronald Walker's neck was slashed Jan. 14 when Mr. Williams hit him in the head with a beer bottle. The two were drinking together all day, defense attorney Melissa Detchemendy said, when they ended up at a local bar. Mr. Williams has been extremely remorseful about the unintended injury, she said.

School custodian in jail after gun incident

A Richmond County middle school custodian remained behind bars Thursday night after being accused of pulling a gun on a school public safety officer.

Frankie Wayne Franklin, 21, of Tutt Avenue, was charged with possession of a weapon on school property and reckless conduct, according to Richmond County sheriff's Sgt. Richard Roundtree.

At about 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Mr. Franklin and officer Rolph Cramer were talking before the Murphey Middle School custodian told the officer, "I'll pull out my piece and spray you," Sgt. Roundtree said. Mr. Franklin then pulled out what looked like a 9 mm handgun from a bag, police said. "He pointed the gun at the officer and said, 'bang, bang,'" Sgt. Roundtree said. "It was a BB gun."

Police search for robbery suspects

Authorities are searching for two men who robbed Sonic Drive In on Richland Avenue in Aiken on Thursday night.

Officials with the Aiken Department of Public Safety said two armed men entered the restaurant about 9:45 p.m. and left through the back door. Police said they did not know if any money was taken. Officers said no injuries were reported.

The two men were wearing black shirts and black pants. Law enforcement officials said the men might have left in a red compact car. They also said the men possibly matched the description of two suspects who held up a gas station last week.

Brown qualifies to run for state House seat

Augusta Commissioner Keith Brown qualified Thursday to run for the District 4 seat in the November special election.

Commissioners appointed Mr. Brown to fill the seat in May after Richard Colclough resigned to run for the Georgia House District 122 seat.

Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority member Bernard Harper qualified to run for the seat Wednesday.

The election to fill the rest of Mr. Colclough's term, which ends Dec. 31, 2007, will coincide with the Nov. 7 general election.

Qualifying for the special election continues until noon today.

Fort Gordon to hold meeting on Aug. 16

Fort Gordon will have its monthly community information briefing Aug. 16, a news release states.

It will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Gordon Club on 19th Street. The meeting will provide information on community events and projects, and will be open to questions and comments.

The next briefing will be held Sept. 20. For more information, call (706) 791-3639.

Garrison commander to begin duty Aug. 17

Fort Gordon will welcome a new garrison commander at 8 a.m. Aug. 17 during change-of-command ceremonies at Freedom Park.

Col. Karen Adams, who is being assigned to a station in Germany, will hand over her position to Col. John Holwick. His last assignment was as a deputy communications officer in South Korea.

The garrison commander, similar to a city administrator, is responsible for many of the post's day-to-day operations such as law enforcement, utilities, facilities, energy management and emergency services.

Traffic will shift today on I-20 eastbound

Officials from the Georgia Department of Transportation have announced that traffic will be shifted back to the eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 at Crane's Creek between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. today.

- From staff reports