🌱 Man Sentenced For Child Porn + Pottery Studio Under New Ownership

Good morning. Rose Mendez here with your weekend edition of the Columbus Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Warmer with clouds and sun. High: 84 Low: 63.
• Sunday: Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 78 Low: 44.

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Here are the top three stories in Columbus today:

1. A nearby Columbia County man has been sentenced to 90 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography. Robert James Thompson, 35, from Grovestown, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall and ordered to pay $8,000 in restitution to victims. He will serve 15 years of supervised release after his prison sentence and will be registered as a sex offender. (Department of Justice)
2. Georgia WTVM's Jason Dennis was chosen to compete in Dancing Stars of Columbus to fundraise for Alzheimer's treatment. Dancing Stars of Columbus is a project of the Alzheimer's Association's Georgia Chapter, where 12 local celebrities are paired with professional dancers. Dennis was paired with Tracie Chamblee – footage of the full competition is available at the link. (WTVM)
3. Columbus pottery studio Bareware Pottery Studio is under new ownership and will be renamed, following the death of former owner Ursula Dietz. Last October, Dietz and her granddaughter were shot and killed at the Hilton Avenue woman's home. Family friend Louise Ramsey has taken over the business in the late Dietz's honor and renamed it the Bareware Pottery and Craft Studio. Dietz's 25-year-old son, Kevin, is currently facing charges of two counts of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of the crime. (WTVM)

Today in Columbus:

• Grownup + Me Kids Yoga At Just Breathe For Kids (10:00 AM)
• Misty Harbor Duo At Ivy Park Sports & Grill (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• U.S. Marshals found and apprehended Jerimiah Walker in Memphis, Tennessee early in the day on Apr. 13. Walker was suspected of shooting and killing Michael Carter Sr., Michael Carter Jr., and Tonya Carter on Feb. 18 at a motel in Columbus. A 4-year-old was also injured in the shooting. Walker has been charged with three counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault – he is currently being extradited to Columbus. (Columbus Georgia Police Department via Facebook)
• The Columbus Animal Care and Control Center is at max capacity and needs adoptions! As of Apr. 13, families are encouraged to bring their kids and other dogs for a meet and greet with dogs needing new homes. (Adoptables of Columbus Animal Care and Control Center via Facebook)
• The South Columbus Public Library renovation and expansion project is progressing quickly! Chattahoochee Valley Libraries shared some pictures of how things are going on its Facebook page, available at the link. (Chattahoochee Valley Libraries via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with your next update.

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!