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Residents asked to aid scam investigation

Columbia County authorities are seeking victims of an alleged home improvement scam.

Police believe some county homeowners hired Eddie Carroll and Jimmy Sherlock, both of North Augusta, to seal their driveways, Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris said Tuesday.

Capt. Morris said he knows of two instances in which homeowners signed a contract with Mr. Carroll and Mr. Sherlock to have their driveways repaired, but he believes the sealant used was just a mixture of gasoline and tar.

Authorities arrested Mr. Carroll and Mr. Sherlock on Friday and charged them with two counts of theft by deception, two counts of criminal damage to property and one count of operating without a business license.

Both men are jailed at the Columbia County Detention Center without bond.

Any Columbia County resident whose driveway was paved or sealed by one or both men is asked to call the sheriff's office's Criminal Investigations Division at (706) 541-1044.

Argument over dogs led to shooting, police said

A south Augusta man remained in jail after a Tuesday night shooting, police said.

Tony Fred Kitchens, 55, of the 1900 block of Woodside Drive, was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime, Richmond County sheriff's Investigator Earnest Furgeison said.

John Fordham, 24, suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach and was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.

The two had argued about Mr. Fordham's dogs going onto Mr. Kitchens' property, Investigator Furgeison said.

Man pleads guilty to holdup seen by deputy

An Augusta man caught robbing a convenience store pleaded guilty Tuesday.

Garrette Brown, 38, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the holdup of the Lotto Express in Augusta on Sept. 5.

According to court records and a report in The Augusta Chronicle , a sheriff's deputy saw Mr. Brown jump the counter inside the store, wearing a mask and holding a gun. Mr. Brown's record dates to 1983 and includes an attempted armed robbery.

Trafficking operation yields 16 indictments

A two-year operation on a suspected drug trafficking network has led to the indictment of 16 people. Ten have been arrested.

The indictment unsealed Tuesday charges 13 Augusta residents and three Atlanta residents with drug trafficking charges punishable by up to 40 years in prison, according to U.S. Attorney Edmund A. Booth Jr.

CSRA Safe Streets Task Force worked the case. The FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Richmond and Columbia County sheriff's offices, state Board of Pardons and Paroles and U.S. Marshal Service participated.

RICHMOND COUNTY

Cut in commissioners' free gas divides group

An Augusta Commission committee split Tuesday on reducing commissioners' free gasoline to 50 gallons a month from 100 gallons and charging the going rate for overages.

Finance Committee Chairman Joe Bowles and Commissioner Jerry Brigham, who co-sponsored the proposal with Commissioner Don Grantham to reduce the allowance, voted for the reduction, and Mayor Pro Tem Betty Beard and Commissioner Alvin Mason voted against it.

Mr. Bowles said he thought the gasoline policy from the 1960s should be revamped to reflect today's prices. Mr. Mason believes the proposal has no merit.

"I should not have to pay to be a commissioner," he said.

The measure will go to the full commission with no recommendation.

Wreck, fuel spill close lane on Interstate 20

A tanker truck wreck on Interstate 20 in Richmond County on Tuesday forced the closure of a westbound lane and caused traffic to back up for miles.

At 8:13 a.m., a Swift Transportation truck carrying diesel fuel struck a guard rail near the Warren Road bridge, spilling about 100 gallons of the vehicle's contents near the road, according to Richmond County sheriff's Maj. Richard Weaver.

Charges are not expected. Authorities think the driver of the truck swerved to avoid a vehicle that merged into his lane.

AIKEN COUNTY

School board members won't run in November

Two Aiken County school board members announced Tuesday that they will not seek re-election in November.

John Brown, an Area 4 representative, and Jack Hunter, of Area 1, said they would not run. Mr. Brown has been on the board since 2000. Mr. Hunter is the longest-serving board member, with 17 years.

Their announcement, along with Dr. John Bradley's announcement to not seek re-election earlier this month, leaves three of the four seats up for election open to newcomers.

-- From staff reports

Comments

patriciathomas

Carroll...Sherlock...? Doesn't the home owner recognize the Gypsy names? The two together should have been a clue.

patriciathomas

It seems Mr Kitchens has already settled the disagreement. Why do the police need to be involved?

pofwe

The truth is some Commissioners can't pay for their gas. Remember Comissioners Willie Mayes & Moses Todd both had their cars repoed, (I think it was while they were attending a commission meeting.) So give the po' ol' commissioners one tank of gas a week. Thats plenty of riding around anywhere in Richmond County. Walking up to your constituates will endear them to you a lot more than wheelin' up in their driveway. Try it & save on campaign expenses.

nightcop

because they are ripping people off....duh! and they called the ccso regarding this activity.

nightcop

ahhh.....the wonderful augusta commission hard at work solving the cities many issues. what a relief it is to see such cooperation from public servants that have the best interest of the county at heart. keep voting for these fine folks augusta. you deserve what you get.

i.b.e.w..electric

yeah,i cant believe anybody around this area would hire anyone named carroll ,or sherlock .they had to be new to the area,thus real eastate agents should warn new residents of our little gypsies.

christian134

Excuse me Mr. Mason if you believe because you are a Commissioner you shouldn't have to pay for gas...If that is how you feel then resign..Is someone breaking your arm to be a Commissioner if not then ante up or resign...Simple as that...Besides we all have to do our part...You should be no different...Quite frankly your gas should be your own out of pocket expenses...Consider it as make-up for all the gas guzzling, in past years, you and your fellow Commissioner's have wasted all at the taxpayers expense....

JimCox

You should not have to pay to be a Commissioner? The residents of the CSRA have paid for the antics of the Augusta Commission for years.

whynot2

If the price seems too good to be true, it usually is. Ask for business references prior to any agreement. Scammers are everywhere.

pantherluvcik

Yeah when real estate agents start warning about gypsies they'll start looking for ne w careers. They can't slander people without consequences. They would be sued and fired.

CSRAider

Which Eddie Carroll and Jimmy Sherlock their are only 20 people in the camp with the same name.

ITDoc

Sad commentary on life in the USA: The guy goes and complains about dogs and ends up shooting the dog owner? "Your dogs are pooing on my yard." "What you gonna do about it?" click click BOOM.... your right to bear arms at work. In an era when most people never learned to compromise or resolve disputes civilly, why do you want guns in this society?

No_Longer_Amazed

From what I saw on the news this morning, the most vocal opponents of cutting the free gas allowance are the 2 who use the most gas. The 'perk' of free gas needs to be cut out !

aintryt

100 gallons a month for a 5 square mile or so district? Get bent. It's 10 miles to the nearest grocery store for me. Where is my free gas and exotic vacation in exchange for abstention? Huh? Where?

Itll be alright

Now, that is a True Dog Fight.

yak11

PRINT the arrested drug suspect's names...lets see the scum in our community.

malachi72

Thats funny to all you critics, I have a friend with the last name Carroll - NOT A GYPSY. Try not to judge!

426Hemi

tall2, your gun logic is fundamentally, and typically flawed! Typical, and entirely logical for the uneducted, and ignorant. How many drivers are out there who have NO business behind the wheel of a motor vehicle? I'm not changing the subject, but I can guarantee there are meny more deaths due to irresponsible drivers. The analogy: It boils down to the individual, and his, or her own actions! Period. I own several weapons; rifles, pistols, and not once have they jumped up on their own volition and started shooting! Neither did the ammunition! Take your pointless rant somewhere else.

GeorgiaGirl

Just one more reason we need more Comm's like Mr. Brigham and Mr. Bowles. Everyone might not agree with everything they do but they seem to be the only ones concerned with the taxpayer's money. For as long as I have followed Mr. Brigham's term (this one, not the previous) he always seems to be bringing forward changes that are for the good of the community, not his own pocket.

ITDoc

Did I advocate gun control? Did I threaten or insult gun owners? I asked a question: "In an era when most people never learned to compromise or resolve disputes civilly, why do you want guns in this society?" and you respond with insult and analogies. I'm glad your weapons don't realize what a great world it would be if they DID "jumped up on their own volition and started shooting! " Do us both a favor, just ignore my "pointless rants" as they are obviously beyond your comprehension.

426Hemi

Re-read your last two sentences. Maybe your private hidden agenda? Typical. Why would this be a great world if weapons just "started shooting?" You sound like a warmonger hellbent on societies destruction with a nonsensical comment like that. As for comprehension, it's the pro anti-gun lobby fascists that have none. I don't ignore people who attempt to sway opinion, and spew underlying intent.

crazyoldman

Gun control is controlling your gun good enough to hit your target and remember only you can prevent forest fires

Rose

pantherluvcik gypsies have been in the news plenty of times. How can anyone be fired from their job by stating what has been on the news?

lostmymind

That's stange...the gypsies don't usally do business around their home town. They usally go up north where no one knows them.

harrisonburg1

All i have to say is that i cant believe some of yall who are putting comments on here. I grew up with Mr. fodhham and he is a great guy. And why shouldnt the cops get involved?? Its no laughing matter. Think to yurself how would you feel if someone shot you just b/c your dogs went on there yard. Some of yall need to rethink what yall say.

john

Mr Mason should look up the word service. Seems he just wants his. Now Joe will be accused of being a spoiled rich kid again which is bs. Same story with the cell phones. Some want to serve, some want power and perks. You decide.

teabag1963

yes, you know times are hard when the scumbag gypsies from belvedere/n augusta don't make it past columbia county to pull off their age old scams.usually they go to rural counties in other states, i guess the price of gas has even curtailed these misfits this time.throw the book at them and fumigate the cells when they leave,don't make the other losers suffer that odor.

mayhem1999

Mr Mason, doesn't your dumb [filtered word] receive a salary for position of commissioner? Pay for your gas out of your salary, like everyone else. As some one elses mentioned, if you don't like paying for gas, resign! I will bet you don't burn 100 gals of gass on govn 't business a month!

whyme

I think anybody who is so greedy yet calls himself a public servant better check himself. Nobody is paying me for gas to do my job.

GnipGnop

The gypsies wouldn't be a problem if the IRS would go out there and freeze their assets and harass them like they do the average tax payer. Make them show where they derive an income to have a 200k house and a 50k Lexus in the drive way. If they don't have social security numbers and birth certificates then deport them as illegal aliens. They continue to skirt the law because they are allowed too.

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