Man prescribed drugs for himself, police say

A Medical College of Georgia resident was arrested on drug charges Thursday after police said he was suspected of writing multiple prescriptions for himself using the names of his wife and her mother.

Anthonie W. Lopez, 34, of the 1000 block of Alexander Drive, is charged with three counts of unlawfully dispensing a controlled substance, according to a Richmond County sheriff's report.

Surveillance video from Target on Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway shows Dr. Lopez, who practices gynecology, picking up prescriptions for oxycodone and percocet multiple times from the store's pharmacy.

He was placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of an internal investigation, said MCG spokeswoman Toni Baker.

Assessments can be appealed until June 22

The Augusta Tax Assessor's office mailed 26,242 notices to property owners last week -- 16,860 saying values dropped, 8,551 saying values went up and 831 for new parcels.

The deadline to appeal is June 22. To appeal in person, go to Room 102 in the Municipal Building at 530 Greene St., Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To appeal by mail, send a letter to the Richmond County Board of Assessors, 530 Greene St., Room 102, Augusta, GA, 30901.

In the letter, identify the property, state the reasons for disputing the county's value and give a telephone number. Letters must be postmarked no later than June 22. For more information, call the tax assessor's office at (706) 821-2310.

Man pleads guilty to robbing bank in Macon

A man who had earlier admitted to robbing an Augusta bank pleaded guilty Friday to holding up one in Macon, Ga.

Donald B. Kelly, 44, of Ellenwood, Ga., admitted Friday that he robbed a Wachovia Bank in Macon on July 11. He had already entered a guilty plea for the July 16 robbery of the Wachovia Bank in Augusta on Wheeler Road.

Mr. Kelly served 11 years in prison for robbing a bank in north Georgia. He was released from prison in 2006. A sentencing date for the new cases has not been set.

Man charged with making explosives

A Columbia County grand jury charged a Martinez man injured in a small blast at his home in January with making the explosive devices.

Chad Wells, 38, of the 300 block of Salley Drive, was charged with manufacturing explosive devices, according to court documents released Friday.

Authorities responded to Mr. Wells' home Jan. 17, a few days after he lost some fingers in a small explosion. Triacetone triperoxide, a rare substance that has been used in terrorist operations, and other explosives materials were found.

Police seek tips on repeat bank robber

Authorities are asking for the public's help in locating a bank robber who has struck four local banks in the past year.

Police say the man, who typically wears black clothing and a mask, robbed the First Citizens Bank at 3602 Walton Way Extension on Monday, according to a Richmond County Sheriff's Office release.

The suspect was seen sitting in a 1994 to 1996 white Cadillac Deville shortly before the robbery, police said.

Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call the sheriff's office at (706) 821-1080.

Undercover drug sting yields three arrests

Aiken County authorities arrested three people on drug charges after an undercover operation Thursday night.

They were Candice Tice, 29, on distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within a half mile of Clearwater Elementary School; Anthony Tasawn Perry, 24, on receiving stolen property, new charges of distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within a half mile of Clearwater Elementary; and Donald Richard Whitaker, 46, on unlawful use of a telephone and new charges of possession of crack cocaine.

Man gets 15 years for role in robbery

An Augusta man received a 15-year sentence without parole Friday for taking part in the robbery of a credit union.

Drew Jamal Pollard pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court earlier this year. He and two others were arrested for the Dec. 20, 2007, holdup of the Richmond Community Federal Credit Union.

Jeremiah Jerome Garrett was sentenced earlier to 15 years in prison. Charges are pending against Calvin Lee Stevenson Jr., who has pleaded not guilty.

Union Baptist Church restoration wins award

The restoration of Union Baptist Church won a top honor Friday from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

The church received the Marguerite Williams Award, presented annually to the restoration project with the greatest impact on preservation in the state. The building, which dates to 1851 and was rededicated earlier in May, also received an award for excellence in restoration.

Another excellence in restoration award went to Heritage Academy, formerly Houghton School, at 333 Greene St.

NAACP to celebrate famous court decision

The Augusta Branch of the NAACP will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision Sunday.

The program will be held at 10:45 a.m. at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 1454 Florence St.

For more information, contact Queenie Lawton at (706) 738-0490.