Across the area

Woman dies when car pins her against pole

A 65-year-old Augusta woman died Wednesday afternoon after authorities say she became pinned between her car door and a telephone pole.

Shirley Harris, 65, of the 100 block of Prep Street, died at 2:39 p.m. at her home, said Richmond County Chief Deputy Coroner Mark Bowen.

Mr. Bowen said Ms. Harris had pulled up to her home in her Hyundai Sonata and exited the vehicle while it was still running. He said the car then slipped into reverse, and she reentered the car to stop it. Mr. Bowen said the vehicle continued to move backward and the car made a U-turn, causing Ms. Harris to become trapped between her car door and a telephone pole.

There were no passengers in the vehicle at the time.

Thieves take $7,500 in lights from airport

Authorities are investigating a $7,500 theft from Augusta Regional Airport reported Monday.

Sometime between late March and early April, a thief stole five aluminum light fixtures from a McKnight Construction shed on airport property, according to a Richmond County Sheriff's Office report.

The shed was locked at the time and there were no signs of forced entry, the report stated.

The victim said the delay in reporting the theft was caused because he thought a subordinate had already filed a report with police.

Officers investigate string of car break-ins

Aiken Public Safety is investigating about half a dozen car break-ins that occurred this past week behind Gold's Gym and the parking lot behind the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center.

Suspects gained entry to the cars either through an unlocked car or by smashing a window to obtain a purse or other valuable item that was left in the car. Lt. David Turno said the two locations where the thefts occurred were places where people don't typically carry their belongings with them.

Judge postpones bond hearing for Neumar

ALBEMARLE, N.C. --- A judge has postponed a bond hearing for a woman with five dead spouses who is charged with soliciting the murder of her fourth husband more than 20 years ago.

Stanly County District Court Judge Scott Brewer unexpectedly canceled the hearing Wednesday to consider lowering the $500,000 bond for Betty Neumar. The 79-year-old is charged in connection to the 1986 death of Harold Gentry.

The decision to postpone the hearing outraged Mr. Gentry's relatives sitting in the courtroom, including his brother who had pressed officials for two decades to re-examine the case.

Prosecutor Michael Parker said the bond hearing will be held at a later date.