Across the area

Emus adopted from shelter

A pair of emus found a home in Lincoln County on Tuesday.

A Lincoln County resident adopted the two flightless birds from Columbia County Animal Care and Control on Tuesday morning, animal control Director Linda Fulmer said.

Ms. Fulmer said the adoptee owns about 45 acres of property with a big barn and fenced-in areas to house the large birds. She said the pet lover owns many other animals, including other exotic birds.

Native to Australia, the emus were roaming free near Grovetown before they were captured last week by animal control.

Animal control officials were unable to find the previous owner of the birds and put them up for adoption for $10 each.

Lawyer is accused of driving at officer

A young Augusta lawyer accused of trying to flee from deputies after bumping into another vehicle in a bar parking lot was indicted Tuesday.

The Richmond County grand jury issued an indictment against Anson A. Adams, charging him with aggravated assault, felony fleeing and attempting to elude police, driving under the influence, reckless driving, and failure to stop upon striking an unattended vehicle.

The charges stem from an Oct. 13 incident at a Washington Road bar. According to the indictment, Mr. Adams is accused of aggravated assault on a deputy for allegedly rapidly accelerating his vehicle toward an officer.

Mr. Adams, a former law clerk for Superior Court Judges J. Carlisle Overstreet and Carl C. Brown, was released from jail Oct. 13 on his own recognizance at Judge Overstreet's request.

Officials release name of victim who hit bus

Authorities on Tuesday released the name of a Screven County woman who was killed in a wreck Monday with a school bus.

The Sylvania post of the Georgia State Patrol identified her as Lisa Thomas, 36.

According to the state patrol, the accident happened at about 7 a.m. on Best Bridge Road while the bus was picking up pupils for school.

Her minivan slammed into the back of the bus as she was blinded by the morning sun.

Several pupils and Mrs. Thomas' 3-year-old daughter were taken to Screven County Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, the state patrol said.

Mrs. Thomas was a math teacher at Screven County High School, officials said.

Home is damaged by fire in south Augusta

The kitchen of a south Augusta home was damaged by fire and smoke Tuesday when someone left a pot on a stove unattended, fire department officials said.

The fire broke out at about 1 p.m. at the home in the 3300 block of Blanchard Road, near Deans Bridge Road and Bobby Jones Expressway.

Fire officials said no one was at home when the fire broke out.

Mother gets 5 years for hitting 3-year-old

A mother who took a belt to her 3-year-old received a five-year prison sentence Tuesday.

Shaunita F. Burnett, 28, will serve 10 years on probation when she is released from prison.

During that time, she is never to use corporal punishment on any child.

Ms. Burnett pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of cruelty to children in the second degree for hitting her toddler 10 times with a belt Nov. 27.

Judge Michael N. Annis imposed the sentence on the mother of three, who had prior convictions for theft.

Science meeting will be held at Marriott

Those curious about scientific topics such as developing alternative fuel sources will have a chance to go straight to the source today in Augusta.

The Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society is sponsoring a "Science Cafe" from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Augusta Marriott, 2 10th Street.

Members of the public are invited to come talk with scientists in the field in an informal setting. There is no charge to attend.

The group is meeting from Wednesday through Saturday.

Aiken crafts fair will be held this weekend

Baked goods and wood crafts will be featured Friday and Saturday at the Trinity Lutheran Home Fall Arts & Crafts Fair in Aiken.

The fair will also include artist demonstrations, jewelry, quilting, ceramics, cross-stitching, knitting, pottery, crocheting, ornaments, neckties, paintings, homemade Mennonite jams and a multimedia sale containing books, music, computer-related items and other products.

Events takes place at the at the facility, 213 Laurens St. NW, next to the Aiken Department of Public Safety, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For more information please call (803) 643-4200.