Across the area

Oldest Augustan wanted for feature story

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J. Scott Trubey/Staff

TWO RESCUED AFTER KAYAK ACCIDENT
Augusta residents Lauren Moser (left) and Michelle Nieves, both 22, were rescued from the Savannah River on Thursday after their kayaks overturned in 50-degree water in the shoals north of Hammond's Ferry, Augusta-Richmond County fire officials said. Both women were wearing life jackets.

If you put your birthday cake out with a fire extinguisher, we want you. The Augusta Chronicle is in search of the oldest Augustan to feature in a profile.

Please send nominations by mail to Sarah Day Owen, Newsroom, The Augusta Chronicle , 725 Broad St., Augusta, 30901, or by e-mail to sarah. owen@augustachronicle.com. Make sure to include date of birth and contact information.

Warrant issued for man in hit-and-run

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Clearwater man who police accuse of being the driver in last month's fatal hit-and-run wreck on Atomic Road.

Armando "Fernando" Hernandez will be charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident resulting in a death, North Augusta Department of Public Safety Lt. Tim Pearson said in an e-mail Thursday.

Police say Mr. Hernandez was the driver of a Ford F-150 that stuck a Ford Expedition at Atomic and Carolina Springs roads Feb. 23. The two occupants of the Expedition were thrown from the vehicle. The driver, 24-year-old Gregario Cruz-Carachure of Hendersonville, N.C., died at the scene, authorities said.

Additional charges against Mr. Hernandez are pending, Lt. Pearson said.

Man surrenders in sexual assault case

A West Columbia man charged in sexual assaults involving two teenage girls surrendered to the Aiken County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday.

Claude "Buddy" Huff Jr., 62, of the 2300 block of Hite Street, was charged with eight counts of a lewd act upon a child, five counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, according to spokesman Lt. Michael Frank.

Investigators accuse Mr. Huff of sexually assaulting victims, ranging from ages nine to 15, at four different homes in Aiken County between 1969 and 1985. The homes were located on Huber Clay Road, Sharon Lane, Wire Road and Cumbee Trail Road.

Mr. Huff is detained at the Aiken County Detention Center.

Conditions of three burn victims improve

Three victims of the Imperial Sugar Co. explosion were upgraded Thursday from critical to serious condition at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center, according to a Doctors Hospital spokeswoman.

The names of the patients were not released. Eight other survivors of the explosion remain in critical condition at the burn center.

The explosion that erupted at the Port Wentworth, Ga., sugar plant last month has claimed the lives of 11 workers.

Traffic report

The westbound right lane in the 2800 block of Washington Road in front of the Kroger store will close Monday for more than two weeks. The closure will allow crews to construct a deceleration lane and driveways in the area, according to a Richmond County sheriff's press release. The closure will last until March 31, the release said.