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Augusta woman, 84, reports home invasion

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Morris News Service

Three people talk in an office in the new Georgia State Patrol in Grovetown Wednesday.

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Morris News Service

A helper carries supplies into the new Georgia State Patrol in Grovetown Wednesday.

An elderly Augusta woman was robbed at gunpoint during a home invasion Wednesday.

According to a Richmond County sheriff's report, an unidentified man came to the 84-year-old woman's house on Ridgewood Drive about 2:10 p.m. and asked whether he could do yard work. When the woman refused, the man pushed his way inside the home and knocked her over a chair. He then pulled a handgun out of his backpack and demanded money, jewelry and medications. The man escaped with $100 in cash, a gold chain and diamond pendant worth $300, and an unknown medication, according to the report.

The robber is described as a 6-foot-tall white man in his early 20s, with a slender build and brown hair. He was unshaven, wearing a plaid shirt and light green shorts, and carrying a blue backpack.

Victim identified as 30-year-old Aiken man

The victim of a fatal shooting in Aiken has been identified as 30-year-old Donald M. McCalla Jr., of Princess Lane in Aiken.

According to a statement released by Coroner Tim Carlton, Mr. McCalla was shot at 411 Abbeville St. NW at 8 p.m. Tuesday. An autopsy revealed Mr. McCalla died of multiple gunshot wounds. His death is being investigated by the Aiken Department of Public Safety and the Aiken County Coroner's Office.

Driver loses control of car, hits 3 pedestrians

Three pedestrians were injured after a man lost control of his car in a Martinez subdivision Wednesday.

Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris said the driver of the Pontiac Grand Prix, 23-year-old Kirk Johnson, of Martinez, was arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license, driving too fast for conditions and failure to maintain lane.

The victims, who suffered non-life threatening injuries, were outside cutting grass about 6:45 p.m. when they were hit, Capt. Morris said. George Brown, 34, a resident of 3871 Villa Lane, was in good condition at University Hospital. Fifteen-year-old Isaac Anthony, who also lives at 3871 Villa Lane, received minor injuries and did not go to a hospital. Donald Ford, 76, of Augusta, was taken to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital.

Rosemary, Lookaway halls bought by couple

Rosemary and Lookaway halls have new owners.

Kelly and Diana Combs, of California, closed on Rosemary and Lookaway halls about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The couple plans to live in Rosemary Hall and play host to luncheons and themed teas.

Mr. Combs plans to establish a for-profit foundation of community investors to co-own Lookaway Hall. The arrangement is intended to preserve the historic building while earning a profit for its investors. Mr. Combs is a partner of Medical Real Estate Development, LLC, based in Menifee, Calif.

State Patrol begins work at new facility

Radio communications started Wednesday from the Georgia State Patrol post on Chamberlain Road near Grovetown, said Sgt. First Class Jason Johnson, the post commander.

The post, based for decades in Thomson, will continue to serve the five-county area of Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie, Warren and Glascock counties.

Those needing copies of wreck reports should go to the new post, Sgt. Johnson said.

The post was paid for with special-purpose local option sales tax revenue in Columbia County.

Community Expo to be held at Fort Gordon

The 2009 CSRA Community Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Gordon Club at Fort Gordon.

The ninth annual event showcases area businesses, civic organizations, agencies and attractions.

The event is free and open to the public.

Sponsors of the event include CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon, the Augusta Metro and Columbia County chambers of commerce, and the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Gordon.

College Night offers benefits for students

High school students can meet recruiters from more than 150 colleges and universities and win scholarships totaling approximately $17,000 at CSRA College Night, from 5-8:30 p.m. today at James Brown Arena. Admission is free.

Charter schools to change gears

Two struggling Augusta schools are expected to get a formal OK from the Georgia Board of Education today to change their curriculum.

The board's Charter Schools Committee recommended Wednesday that the full board approve the change without debate for Jenkins-White Charter School and Murphey Middle Charter School. Both reorganized as charter schools to gain flexibility under state rules as a way of improving student performance after repeatedly failing to make adequate yearly progress toward student-achievement standards.

Jenkins-White originally applied for a charter in 2006, and Murphey applied the next year, both with new principals and faculty at the time. Each agreed to student-performance standards in their charters that they didn't meet.

For example, 17 percent of Murphey eighth-graders met the standard for the state's social studies test.

Twenty percent of Jenkins-White fourth-graders met the standard for science.

The state board could have withdrawn the charter because of the missed performance goals but instead appeared ready to allow the curriculum changes for the balance of the five-year terms of the charter.