Across the area

Today is 33rd annual Mayfest

The 33rd annual Mayfest takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at May Park, 622 Fourth St.

The event features, food, vendors, a community awards ceremony and an array of entertainment that has long been a Mayfest staple.

Entertainment will feature gospel, urban adult contemporary and hip-hop segments. Gospel acts include Augusta hip hop luminary Jubba, Keith "Wonder Boy" Johnson, GW, Jimmy Hicks, Perfection, Genita Pugh, Brown Boyz, Destiny Praise and James Fortune.

The adult contemporary segment will feature performances by Unlady Like, Jeremih, Jyshon, Urban Mystic, K. Michelle, Marquee Houston and Mayfest headliner Brian McKnight.

The hip-hop segment will feature performances by Tekaboo, Mr. Hip Soul, John Wayne the Cowboy, T-Real, Yo-Gotti, Rasheedas, J-Money, B-Hamp, Young Dro, Lil Ru, Mims and GS Boys. Admission is free.

Reward is offered in motel shooting case

Police are offering a $1,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of a man wanted in a fatal shooting at the Econo Lodge on Gordon Highway on May 16.

Nicholas Nathaniel Johnson, 20, of the 3100 block of Bellmeade Drive, is wanted in the shooting of Tremayne Cobb and charged with murder, two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a Richmond County Sheriff's Office news release.

Mr. Johnson should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police. Anyone with information can call the sheriff's office at (706) 821-1080.

Charges reduced in beating, robbery case

Criminal charges were reduced against two men Friday in a case in which the victim and only eyewitness changed their stories.

Initially charged with armed robbery, kidnapping and weapon charges, Pheotis Upshaw, 32, and Derek L. Blue, 29, have been held without bond since their arrests last fall. Assistant District Attorney Geoffrey Fogus said he saw no way to successfully prosecute the pair with the witnesses now claiming the crimes didn't occur.

On Aug. 27, Antonio Frank told officers that two men he later identified as Mr. Upshaw and Mr. Blue confronted him about some drugs stolen from an abandoned house, Mr. Fogus said. He said the men beat him and took his money.

Mr. Upshaw and Mr. Blue pleaded guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to weapon charges. On Sept. 4, they were stopped by a deputy who found two guns in their vehicle. Mr. Upshaw was sentenced to one year in jail for a misdemeanor violation, and Mr. Blue was sentenced to five years in prison for a felony weapon violation.

Aiken theater to hold auditions for show

Aiken Community Playhouse will hold auditions for Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 126 Newberry St. Show dates are in September, with roles for 13 women and 14 men. Prepare a country song and be ready for movement auditions. For more information, see aikencommunityplayhouse.com.

Aiken, New Ellenton water advisory lifted

An advisory issued Tuesday night asking residents in parts of New Ellenton and Aiken to boil their water has now been repealed.

Harold Craig, of the New Ellenton Commission of Public Works, wrote in a Friday e-mail that the advisory was no longer in effect.

A construction crew had hit a main line Tuesday when putting in a drain on Sizemore Street in the New Ellenton area.

SRS will hold job fair at Midlands Tech

A job fair associated with Savannah River Site's $1.6 billion in stimulus funds will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday at Midlands Technical College, 151 Powell Road, Columbia. The event will be held in Bay 2, Hall 6-B and the public is welcome.

At 10:30 a.m. at Midlands Tech auditorium, vendors who conduct business at the site and others may attend an open briefing on job opportunities. Congressman James Clyburn, Department of Energy/Savannah River site manager Jeff Allison and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions President Chuck Munns will discuss spending of stimulus funds.

An SRS spokeswoman said additional job fairs will be scheduled in coming months around the CSRA. For more information, visit www.srs.gov.

Banker is considered for board

Officials are one vote away from nominating local banker Cedric Johnson as chairman of the new Richmond County Coliseum Authority.

In a Friday e-mail, state Sen. Ed Tarver said there are two senators and two House members supporting Mr. Johnson, a former chairman of the Augusta Aviation Commission .

However, delegation rules require that three House members support the candidate to make an appointment. Mr. Tarver said they are waiting to hear a response from Reps. Wayne Howard, Quincy Murphy and Gloria Frazier.