Across the area

Deputies' story will be on TV

The story of two Richmond County sheriff's deputies will be featured during Saturday's 9 p.m. Fox TV telecast of America's Most Wanted.

Deputy David James said the segment will focus on the kidney transplant he received from fellow Deputy Eric Mark Sikes, who died earlier this year in a car accident.

The telecast will "focus on officers who've lost their lives in the line of duty," Deputy James said Thursday. Other agencies also will be featured.

Earlier this year, Buffalo, N.Y., officer Carl Andolina was voted America's Most Wanted's "All-Star." Deputy James earned a spot as one of eight final qualifiers, but did not win the coveted award.

Experts fail to set off Westside bomb model

Bomb technicians failed Thursday to detonate a device similar to one that prompted Wednesday's arrest of a Westside High School senior.

Maj. Ken Autry said several efforts to explode a device like one found in the bookbag of Raymond Charles Smalley, 18, were unsuccessful.

Maj. Autry said the finding doesn't change the suspect's intent, and he remains charged with possession of a destructive device, possession of a weapon on school property and carrying a concealed weapon.

"We still are left with the fact that he had a device with a detonator in it and he had the lighter in his pocket," he said.

Deputies will be out in full force for holiday

Richmond County sheriff's deputies warn that they will be out in force this holiday weekend to enforce traffic laws and deter DUIs.

Sgt. Pete Lamb said the sheriff's office has added manpower on the roads as part of its Click-It-Or-Ticket campaign.

Burglar left erotic story behind, victim says

A Hephzibah man returned to his home in the 1400 block of Hephzibah-McBean Road on Wednesday afternoon to find that someone had broken inside and left a seven-page erotic story on his bed, according to a Richmond County sheriff's report.

The 20-year-old victim said the burglar had removed a screen from his living room window to gain entry, but did not steal anything.

Patient flees before paying for dental work

A man who went to a downtown dentist's office Wednesday afternoon to have a tooth removed ran from the scene when employees asked for his payment, according to a Richmond County sheriff's office.

The man fled Augusta Dental Care, 1139 Greene St., and was last seen heading toward 12th Street, the report said.

Highway chase ends in arrest for robbery

A manhunt involving several law enforcement agencies, including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, ended Thursday with a chase down Interstate 20 and the arrest of a man charged with robbing the Thomson Waffle House at gunpoint, according to Special Agent Pat Morgan.

Authorities from 10 state and local agencies used helicopters and tracking dogs to capture William Busbee, 28, of Fairwood Avenue in North Augusta. He was taken into custody after a car crash in Greene County.

Courtesy inspections to keep waters safe

In an effort to keep state waterways safe during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division will conduct courtesy safety inspections.

At Thurmond Lake, the inspections will be held at Parksville boat ramp from 1 to 2 p.m. today and at Scott's Ferry landing from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday.

To report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, call the 24-hour hot line at (800) 922-5431.

Student found guilty of using pepper spray

A Richmond County eighth-grader released pepper spray in a classroom during state testing April 27, according to a school disciplinary report released this week.

The 14-year-old admitted he did it, causing some of his East Augusta Middle School classmates to begin coughing, the report said. And when a few went to the restroom to wash the spray off their faces, he followed them.

Once in the restroom, the pupil sprayed the pepper spray again, the report said.

Finding him guilty, the tribunal sent him to in-school suspension for the remainder of the school year and sent him to the alternative school for the first semester of the 2007-08 school year.

Man is convicted of murder in drive-by

An Augusta man was convicted Thursday of murder and other charges in a fatal drive-by shooting.

The Richmond County Superior Court jury deliberated about 30 minutes before finding Thomas A. Brown, 22, guilty of all charges, said District Attorney Danny Craig.

Mr. Brown and two other men were charged in the July 27 slaying of 17-year-old Bon Joshwa Albright in the city's historic Harrisburg community.

Charges are still pending against Mark D. Graham and Damon J. Hawes, both 20.

Man found guilty in Burke coach's death

A Hart County man has been found guilty during a murder trial involving a Burke County coach and his wife, court officials said Thursday.

During the May 17 trial, Rico Orlando Walker was found guilty in the April 2006 slaying of Steven Kyle Harley.

Tracy Rhodes Harley, Mr. Harley's wife, had earlier pleaded guilty to her involvement.

Kids invited to reel in day's catch at derby

Fort Gordon will hold its annual Kid's Fishing Derby on Saturday at the post's Claypit Lakes, which are stocked with large catfish.

The free event is open to children 3 to 15 years old, and each child should bring one fishing rod.

Live bait is available, and T-shirts will be given to the first 300 participants.

Trophies will be awarded for first, second and third place for four groups: ages 5 and younger; 6-8; 9-11; and 12 and older for the most pounds caught.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with fishing from 8 to 11 a.m. Weigh-in is at 11.

- From staff reports