Public Safety

Detectives arrested a Cerro Gordo woman on multiple felony charges after finding 15 firearms in her home during a drug investigation. Ruth Marlowe Strickland, 58, of – Bill Nobles Road, was jailed under $52,500 secured bond, according to detention center records. She was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, maintaining a dwelling for drug activities, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Sheriff Bill Rogers said in...

No adults were in the home when the fire was reported around 2:59 a.m. Four sisters, ages 2 to 7 years, died in a structure fire near Chadbourn early Saturday morning. The home is located at 259 N. Colony Road. Columbus County Fire Marshal Shannon Blackman said two 11 year olds managed to escape and call 911, but were unable to get to the victims. A sheriff’s deputy...

Updated 12 noon Aug. 30 Four small children are reportedly dead after an early morning structure fire near Chadbourn. The fire on Colony Road was called in around 3 a.m. The children are ages 2-7. Firefighters, the fire marshal and law enforcement are still on the scene. Sheriff Bill Rogers said the SBI and Fire Marshal are currently in the remains of the home. This is a developing...