Across the Area

Officers deny rumors about gang initiations

Richmond County sheriff's investigators say there is nothing to suggest rumors about a gang initiation near a Wal-Mart are credible.

Sgt. Calvin Chew said Wednesday the sheriff's office has received many calls but believe the rumor is related to similar myths about gangs.

If anyone receives an e-mail or text message about this, they are asked to call the sheriff's office at (706) 821-1080 so investigators can track down the origin.

Harlem chooses new head of public safety

The city of Harlem has a new public safety director.

City officials chose Jesse Bowman, of Evans, from 29 applicants. He replaces Jerry Baldwin who resigned Jan. 23, a day after being caught shoplifting from Wal-Mart in Evans.

Mr. Bowman recently retired from Wackenhut at Savannah River Site after 27 years

Apartment buildings burn in South Augusta

A fire at a south Augusta apartment complex left residents searching for shelter Wednesday.

The Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department was called to Avery Pointe Apartments in the 1800 block of Fayetteville Drive on Tuesday evening, a 911 Communications dispatcher said.

The American Red Cross will be assisting victims, said Mario Banez, the director of emergency services.

Gas stations fined in price-gouging inquiry

Two Augusta gas stations are among the 30 fined by the state Office of Consumer Affairs over alleged price-gouging in the wake of Gulf Coast hurricanes last fall, according to the office's Web site.

Some stations have to pay as much as $10,000 in fines, while others must refund money to customers who can prove they bought gas during the price spike. The list includes a $20,000 fine against nine Tennessee-based Pilot Travel Center stations, including the one at 4091 Jimmie Dyess Parkway.

Super Express, at 3150 Wrightsboro Road, must also pay restitution plus a $5,000 fine.

Pilot said the case involved a technical violation "in that it was not recovering its full cost on the date when the state of emergency was declared. Had Pilot increased its prices at the time of the declaration in order to recover all of its costs, Pilot likely would not have been found in violation."

New Marshall Square plan will be displayed

Recent revisions to the Marshall Square site plan will be displayed at tonight's Columbia County Planning Commission meeting.

Marshall Square is a 47-acre planned unit development on Evans Town Center Boulevard. A revision to the original plan that separated residential units from retail buildings and eliminated a high-rise residential tower was tabled at the commission's Feb. 5 meeting after questions by board members and residents.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Evans Government Center auditorium, 630 Ronald Reagan Drive. The commission will vote on the changes April 16.

Planning official will run for city council

Liz Stewart, a member of the city of Aiken's Planning Commission, announced Wednesday that she will run for an at-large seat on the Aiken City Council in November.

Ms. Stewart has been on the commission for more than a year and was recently re-elected to a three-year term starting in January. She is also chairwoman-elect of the Chamber of Commerce's board of directors, president of SafeHomes of Augusta's board of directors, a board member and finance committee chairwoman for the Aiken Downtown Development Association and a chairwoman of the board of directors of Hitchcock Healthcare.

Ms. Stewart said she would like to maintain and enhance Aiken's charm and character.

Fort Gordon to hold foreclosure seminar

The Fort Gordon Housing Services Office will offer a foreclosure seminar for service members and civilian employees.

The seminar will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday in Room 188, Darling Hall. A representative of Georgia Legal Services will speak.

Historic Augusta puts out call for nominees

Historic Augusta Inc. is seeking nominations for its annual awards program for projects involving the preservation of significant local properties.

To be considered, a property must be on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and the restoration must have been completed within the past two years. Preference will be given to projects that included major renovation.

To nominate a building, send an e-mail or letter to Historic Augusta with your name, address and telephone number; the building owner's name, address and telephone number; the building's name and address; the nature of the work performed; the project completion date; and why you feel it is worthy of an award.

For more details, contact Robyn Mainor at (706) 724-0436 or robyn@historicaugusta.org. Nominations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 37, Augusta, GA 30903. The awards will be given at the organization's annual meeting in November.

Bill to end term limits on elections board

ATLANTA --- Members of Columbia County's Board of Elections will be able to remain in office for more than one term under legislation passed by the House on Tuesday.

Local members of the House, Lee Anderson, Ben Harbin and Barbara Sims, sponsored House Bill 723 to remove the term limits. It passed the House with several other bills dealing with individual cities and counties, 146-1.

The Senate will take up the bill, though that's largely a formality because Sen. Bill Jackson said Wednesday that he supports it. Legislators generally approve local bills if the lawmakers from that area have no objection.

Measure on powers of mayor goes to Perdue

ATLANTA --- A bill spelling out the powers of Harlem's mayor is awaiting Gov. Sonny Perdue's signature.

House Bill 630, sponsored by Rep. Lee Anderson, R-Grovetown, gives the mayor a vote when there is a tie in the city council and five days to approve or veto city ordinances. The council can override vetoes with three votes.

Mayors will also have line-item vetoes over the budget, just as governors have in Georgia. But even spending vetoes can be overridden with three votes.