Early, extreme heat brings fish kill in pond
A weekend fish kill in a weed-choked Columbia County pond might be a harbinger of things to come as Georgia braces itself for another hot, dry summer.
"The way the weather and the heat are shaping up, the risk of this happening more often this year is greater," said fisheries biologist Ed Bettross of the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division.
The fish kill occurred in a small retention pond in the Glenora subdivision off Columbia Road in Martinez, which was choked with aquatic vegetation.
"The cause was very likely oxygen depletion," he said. "When you have a lot of that vegetation on the surface, blocking out the sunlight, it doesn't allow for much oxygen in the water."
When hot weather makes the surface area hotter and oxygen levels decrease, it can cause fish kills.
The Department of Natural Resources does not plan to investigate the Glenora incident, but it will be watching for similar occurrences as hot, dry weather continues.
"A lot of ponds are already a little bit low and it is extremely hot for this time of year," he said. "It's already more like what we usually see in August."
FBI offers reward for help finding suspect
The FBI asked the public's help Monday in its search for Drew Jamal Pollard, a suspect in the Dec. 20 robbery of the Richmond Community Credit Union.
He is a black man in his mid-20s, about 150 pounds and 5 feet, 9 inches tall. A reward of up to $5,000 has been authorized for information that leads to his capture. Tipsters can contact the Augusta FBI Office or the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.
Jury hears evidence in trial of 2006 shooting
A jury began hearing evidence Monday about a hotel room shootout that left one man dead.
Eddie Lee Freeman Jr., 23, has pleaded not guilty in Richmond County Superior Court. His trial continues today.
Mr. Freeman and two other men are accused of murder in the Sept. 12, 2006, shooting death of 21-year-old Terrance D. Moore. In their opening statements Monday, attorneys on both sides told the jury they would hear evidence of a drug deal and multiple gunshots. Mr. Freeman was also shot that night but he recovered from his wounds.
Augusta man charged in Athens boy's death
ATHENS, GA. --- An Augusta man is charged in a fatal weekend accident that killed a 12-year-old boy.
Athens police said Joseph Patrick Armstrong, 22, a student at Gainesville State College, was charged with DUI and two felonies: first-degree homicide by vehicle and leaving the scene of a fatal wreck.
Gedera Thomas, was riding bikes with his brother about 3 a.m., when the accident happened, police said.
Power outage cancels city council meeting
AIKEN --- About 2,800 customers were without electricity for more than two hours Monday and the Aiken City Council meeting was canceled after a fast-moving storm swept through the northern part of town.
Power was restored to most homes about 7:30 p.m., a power company spokeswoman said.
-- From staff and wire reports
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