No discipline ruling in firefighter video case
Augusta Fire Chief Howard Willis spent most of Wednesday looking into a film clip posted on YouTube showing a firefighter getting his head, neck and mouth duct-taped, but made no disciplinary decisions, fire Capt. Tommy Cox said.
The 16-second clip has been removed from YouTube by the user who posted it, a self-described 44-year-old firefighter dubbed jdfirre.
The video showed 22-year-old Brandon Trapp sitting at a table and appearing to struggle as another firefighter wraps duct tape around his head.
Mr. Trapp said Tuesday that his supervisor, Lt. Jeff Daniels, 44, did the duct-taping, which he characterized as good-natured horseplay.
Capt. Cox said the chief conducted interviews and spoke with city human resources personnel about the matter Wednesday.
Drug charges follow routine traffic stop
The South Carolina Highway Patrol arrested two people on drug charges following a routine traffic stop.
About 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, a trooper pulled over a 2004 Ford Expedition for speeding on Interstate 20 in Aiken County, said Lance Cpl. Bob Beres, a spokesman for the highway patrol.
"The trooper noticed marijuana in the vehicle," he said.
The vehicle's passenger, 27-year-old Valdis Norris Matthews of Hollywood, S.C., took off running. He was later arrested with assistance from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement personnel also found cocaine and a large amount of money in the vehicle, Lance Cpl. Beres said. The driver, Tamra Grant, 22, of North Charleston, S.C., was arrested on charges of simple possession of marijuana and speeding. Mr. Matthews was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and resisting arrest.
DOT awards Daniel Field $150,000 grant
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Augusta a $150,000 grant for use at the Daniel Field Airport, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Rep. Paul Broun.
Officials plan to use the money to renovate the terminal building, the release stated. Airport Director Buster Boshears said they have begun creating a preliminary redesign plan that includes a new roof and an elevator to make the second floor handicap accessible.
-- From staff reports
Comments
I cannot believe that people who are carrying drugs get caught for speeding. I guess they're not that smart in the first place. Everyone knows when you have drugs, guns, or have been drinking that you have to set the cruise control, or have someone in the car to tell you when you are swerving.
The fire chief needs to take a chill pill, these guys appear to be
horsing around which has been going on for a long long time.
I guess it is politically correct to investigate everything that is
not listed in their job description! It should be written that you
are not allowed to have any conversation unless it has to do with
your position and absolutely do not have any fun or joke around
because the chief will have to put down his coffee and investigate1
The only thing that the young firemen did that was wrong was to film the rowdiness and putting it on the internet.....Leave the guys alone.....
They were not the smartest turnips in the patch were they Double....:-)
Hey Chief, What happens everytime you get a new rookie in the department? Don't they still shoot him or her with the water hose and make them do extra details that are not with in reason? Sounds to me you are upset because you were not in the video.
What kind of role models are these firefighters setting for the kids on YouTube? Think about it, kids are getting a "high" by posting such "hazings" and "beatings" cause it makes them a TV star. Sounds to me that you all have your heads in the WRONG place.
Did you ever think that the postings of those kids might have inspired this one?
Blah, blah, blah I think the chronicle must be keeping the news PG for our out of town guest. I saw both of these stories yesterday's paper.
HippieChick, me, too.
(In best TV announcer voice) "The role of the Augusta Chronicle is being played this week by a newspaper from a responsible publisher instead of the usual drivel. We hope that all you wonderful Masters patrons will mark our website and come back when you are at your home, so that you can see the true colors of Augusta. We apologize to all our local readers. Now back to our abnormal programming."
To funny, 2 tall
well at least we found out the fate the immature firefighters who were just having fun.
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