Across the area

Judge sentences men caught in parks sting

Richmond County Magistrate Judge H. Scott Allen sentenced six men Monday who were arrested after a February sex solicitation sting at two Augusta parks.

Each man received a $1,000 fine and probation, and were also told to stay away from any Richmond County parks.

Charged with disorderly conduct were: James Lee Martin, 41, of 1000 block of Cedar View Circle; Robert Earl Duggar, 81, of 2900 block of Rocky Creek; Frank Eugene Ricci, 49, of Sparta, Ga.; Charles Carroll Odum, 65, of 5600 block of Reese Drive; John Clifford Gregory, 55, of Hephzibah; and Paul Anthony Troncalli, 71, of 2100 block of Shamrock Drive.

They were all arrested after undercover stings at Pendleton King Park and on the Augusta Canal near a parking area off Lake Shore Loop and Milledge Road.

Harry Franklin Taylor, 43, of Hephzibah, who was also charged, was acquitted Monday.

Police arrest man in fatal shooting

Police arrested one man early Monday and say they are looking for others in last week's fatal shooting in a convenience store parking lot.

Richmond County sheriff's investigators said they arrested Levaughn Marcel Sloans Jr., 21, 2000 block of Bassford Drive, Hephzibah. He is facing charges of murder and possession of a firearm in Thursday's fatal shooting of Antonio President, 23, 2400 block of Damascus Road.

Mr. President was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at Medical College of Georgia Hospital, Richmond County Chief Deputy Coroner Mark Bowen said. The shooting took place outside The Corner Store, 2302 Wheeless Road near Milledgeville Road, Mr. Bowen said.

Agency will seek bids on U.S. 1 interchange

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will open for bid a project to improve the U.S. Highway 1/River North Drive interchange within the next two weeks, North Augusta officials said Monday.

The $2.3 million project would provide entrance and exit ramps at the interchange for both northbound and southbound U.S. 1 traffic, transportation officials have said.

N. Augusta officials to consider smoking ban

North Augusta officials said Monday they will soon consider a smoking ban similar to the one enacted last year in unincorporated areas of Aiken County.

The move to prohibit lighting up in most public places, with some exceptions, follows a recent affirmation by the South Carolina Supreme Court of a more stringent ban enacted in Greenville.

Councilwoman Carolyn Baggott said she preferred the stricter Greenville ban, which prohibits smoking in almost all enclosed public places. But other council members said it would be easier to enforce a ban if it conformed with the county code.

-- From staff reports