About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (March 17, 2017)
Friday, March 17, 2017 Lake Oconee News Page A9 LAKE COUNTRY Reminder from DDS: Ride/drive safely this St. Patrick's Day As one of the country’s most popular holidays, St. Patrick’s Day has long celebrated the roots of the 34.2 million Americans with Irish ancestry. But with all of that celebration brings an increase in drunk-driving crashes. This year, if you’ll be drinking alcohol, the Department of Driver Services (DDS) and the Georgia Motorcy cle Safety Program (GMSP), urges you to keep our roads safe this St. Patrick’s Day- designate a sober driver. Tragically, March 17 has become one of the nation’s dead liest holidays. This year it arrives on a Friday, so the potential for drunk driving crashes is even greater. “Please celebrate responsibly by never driving or riding impaired. Using seatbelts and arranging rides for friends who should not drive are excellent ways to ensure everyone arrives safe,” said DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin istration, 30 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period nationwide in 2015. In fact, from 2011 to 2015, almost three-fourths of the drunk-driv ing fatalities during this holiday period involved drivers who had BACs well above the .08 legal limit, with 252 drunk-driving fatalities total. And keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink; walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as lack of attention and coordination puts drunk pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle. GMSP Manager, Tom Komjathy says, “Drunk driving kills more than 10,000 people each year in our country, and every single one of those are preventable. The GMSP is encouraging you to make a plan before you head out on the road. Designate a sober driver before you and your friends celebrate. Do not wait until you’ve already been drinking to find a sober driver, and never try to drive/ride when you’re drunk. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Even one drink is dangerous if you’re behind the wheel of a car.” Tips from GMSP to stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day: • PLAN AHEAD: Designate a sober, reliable driver to get you home safely. Find the name of a taxi company (or two), and keep their numbers in your phone, download the NHTSA Safer- Ride app, or rideshare. • ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Before you take your first sip of green beer, leave your keys at home or give them to a friend. Ensure your designated driver has committed to a sober evening. If you’re the designat ed driver, do not drink. Your friends are relying on you, as are the people with whom you share the road. Commit to sober driving every day. Not only is drinking and driving a crime that could land you with a hefty court bill and jail time, but you put yourself and others at risk. The consequences are often fatal. If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local police when it’s safe to do so. If your friend/loved one is under the influence and heading for their vehicle, step in and stop them. You could save a life. INCIDENT REPORTS Greensboro man arrested for shoplifting A Greensboro was arrested after violating two criminal trespass warnings and then allegedly shoplifting items from the Greensboro Rite Aid store. According to incident reports obtained from the Greens boro Police Department, officer Randy Barnhart was dis patched to the Exxon Station located at 202 East Broad Street at 8:45 a.m. in reference to a criminal trespass warning on March 4. An employee of the store told Barnhart that Michael Stephen Brooks of Greensboro had tried to leave the store with four cans of beer in his pockets. The employee had called 911 to have Brooks banned for entering store after the incident. Barnhart later found Brooks in the parking lot of the Tastee Chick restaurant and served the criminal trespass warning for the Exxon Station. Two days later police were dispatched to the Rite Aid located at 202 North Main Street in reference to a shoplift ing incident. On March 8, Barnhart spotted Brooks in the parking lot of the Exxon again. According to the incident report, Brooks tried to hide behind a gas pump, but Barnhart placed him under arrest and took him to the Greene County jail. - T. Michael Stone Crime spree on Eatonton Road The Ingles Marketplace on Eatonton Road was the possible first victim of an attempted burglary spree early last Sunday morning. The suspect was captured on film first by the security cameras at the grocery store’s accompanying gas station at 4:28 a.m., before entering the building and searching the room. When officer Stacey Eaton arrived at the scene at around 6:20 a.m. that morning, he observed that the metal lock covers on the door had been pried back and the door forced open. The drawer had been removed from the cash register, but as all cash is removed from the building before closing, nothing was apparently missing. Next on the thief s agenda was a nearby gas station. Then, at 5:20 a.m., he was captured on video attempting to bur glarize Dollar General. After this, Madison police officer Will Brewer was dispatched in response to an alarm call at Rite Aid, where he observed the glass front door had been shattered. The video footage obtained appeared to show the same individual. The busy burglar took care to conceal his identity, wearing black clothing, shoes and gloves and, in the Ingles footage, a black full-face mask. According to Eaton’s report, he was able to discern that the suspect is likely a white man from glimpses of the skin around his eyes and wrists. He was also carrying a tire iron. As of press time, there were no further leads as to the identity of the man. - Katherine Klimt Lake Country Crime Reports GREENE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE Tristan Eugene Guthrie, 21, was arrested March 9 and charged with obstruction of officers. Arthur Lee Smith, 50, was arrested March 10 and charged with disorderly conduct. Edward Walker McDuffie, 27, was arrest ed March 11 and charged with simple battery. Jepaul James Adams, 34, was arrested March 9 and charged with possession of tools in the commission of a crime. Narranton Orenthian Brooks, 26, was arrested March 9 and charged with possession of tools in the commission of a crime. Labrinzo Cortez Matthews, 22, was arrested March 9 and charged with possession of tools in the commission of a crime. GREENSBORO POLICE On Sunday, March 5, officers responded to 1341 Northeast Street, Greensboro in reference to a theft by taking. The com plainant stated that someone stole his bike valued at $280 from his residence. The case was turned over to investiga tions. On Sunday, March 5, officers responded to 1480 East Broad Street, Greensboro in reference to an entering auto incident. The complainant stated that someone entered his vehicle and took $1,500 in US currency and an flip phone. The inci dent was turned over to investigations. On Monday, March 6, officers respond ed to 1090 Grimes Street, Greensboro in reference to harassing phone calls complaint. The complainant stated that a female called and texted her phone several times wanting to fight her. The complainant was advised of the TPO process. On Wednesday, March 8, officers respond ed to 1515 MLK Jr. Drive, Greensboro in reference to a burglary. The complainant stated that someone entered his res idence and cut a pool table, busted a 65-inch TV, a bedroom window and poured dish washing liquid on the walls. The incident was turned over to investi gations. On Wednesday, March 8, officers arrested Michael Stephens Brooks of 409 East South Street, Greensboro. Brooks was charged with theft by shoplifting and two violations of a criminal trespassing warnings for the Exxon Store and Rite- Aid. On Wednesday, March 8, officers issued a criminal trespassing warning to Monique Hall of 1150 Pool Road, Lot 15, Greens boro for the property of Fox Chase Apartments located at 11 Foxchase Circle, Greensboro. On Thursday, March 9, officers respond ed to 1502 Airport Road, Greensboro in reference to an alarm activation. All windows and doors were secured. On Thursday, March 9, officers responded to 610 South Main Street, Greensboro in reference to an alarm activation. All windows and doors were secured. On Friday, March 10, officers arrested Vicky Ellison of 1770 Allen Circle, Lot 140, Greensboro. Ellison was arrested on a probation warrant for possession of marijuana less than an ounce. On Friday, March 10th 2017, Officers ar rested Shakquwanne Tamara Porter of 513 Mill Street, Greensboro. Porter was charged with simple battery under the family violence act. On Saturday, March 11, officers arrested Anthony Dennis Rhodes of 1450 MLK Drive, Greensboro. Rhodes was charged with a safety restraint violation and driving while license suspended. On Saturday, March 11, officers respond ed to 204 Foster Trace, Greensboro in reference to harassing phone calls complaint. The complainant stated that someone whom she had a TPO against had been calling her phone non stop. The complainant was advised on what she needed to do in regards to her TPO. On Saturday, March 11, officers arrested Timothy Codey Andrews of 251 Wesley Chapel Road, Lexington. Andrews was charged with a safety restraint violation, expired tag and no valid insurance. For the week of March 5-11, the Greens boro Police Department responded to 4 accidents and 32 citations were issued 75.000 READERS! cMA STEMS, ADVERTISING DEADLINE First Edition: March 17, 2017 Second Edition: March 24, 2017 RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY TO BE IN OUR ULTRA-POPULAR FULL COLOR MASTERS NEWS AND ADVERTISING SECTIONS CALL FOR PRICING Information First Week March 30, 31 & April 1, 2 Second Week April 5, 6, 7, 8 Extra Distribution: Covington - Augusta 1-20 CALL VICKI PARKER 912-655-8301 or 706-454-1290
