Augusta, GA
How to protect older homes as cold temps sweep in
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – With temperatures dipping dangerously low in the CSRA, you might be getting creative trying to keep warm.
This time of year, we see a lot of home fires. So many that it’s consistently earned Augusta a top spot in the country for the most home fires.
Back in 2021, Augusta ranked third out of 150 cities. In 2023, we improved a little but not enough to get out of the top 10 coming in ninth.
One reason is the age of our homes.
A map of the average age of homes in the metro shows the spots shaded red are areas where most homes are 80 years or older.
Most of the city of Augusta falls into that category, making home fires more likely and often more deadly.
For Christy Beckham, there are photos containing many lessons learned when it comes to her historic home on Greene Street.
“These houses are not efficient but there are things you can do to make them more efficient,” said Beckham.
She says when she bought the at-risk home four years ago, there were many unknowns.
“We ended up spending so much money that we really didn’t understand or didn’t plan for properly. Electrical plumbing, HVAC, the things you don’t see,” she said.
Beckham says they had to replace some original windows, add mini split cooling and heating units and do other renovations because it affects how heat is distributed.
“Some people go to kind of drastic measures to keep your house warm and sometimes it can lead to fires, or you know, damage,” said Beckham.
The American Red Cross says home heating is one of the leading causes of home fires and injury in the country.
Many of these homes were built in the 1960s with not in mind of all the appliances and devices we leave plugged in now.
Beckham says an older home takes time, money and energy to keep safe, but it’s worth it if it’s done right.
“They were so necessary, and they were huge upgrades. This house is now much safer and much more efficient, much warmer in the winter,” said Beckham.
Experts say space heaters should never be left plugged in overnight or plugged into an extension cord.
A fire should never be left burning unattended, and all furnaces, chimneys and stoves should be inspected yearly, especially in older homes that could have more wear and tear.
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SAVANNAH, Ga. — The FBI agents have confirmed that they’ve identified the chemical used in a Georgia acid attack.
Just last month, Ashley Wasielewski was walking around Forsyth Park in Savannah when a man hiding in the shadows near Whitaker Street suddenly came out and attacked Wasielewski with an unknown chemical substance.
Sources close to the investigation say that liquid melted through Wasielewski’s clothing and headphones and left her with severe burns.
On Friday, the FBI released that they now know what that substance was but are not releasing the name of the substance to the public at this time.
FBI officials say that SLED assisted and did the testing on behalf of the the organization.
Agents are also following up on leads now that the substance has been identified.
Just days after the attack, more than $260,000 had been raised for Wasielewski, who was recovering at a burn center in Augusta.
One of Ashley’s friends, Kristen Oddi organized a GoFundMe to help pay for Wasielewski’s extensive medical care.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta mayor race now has three candidates as another person has announced their candidacy.
Eric Gaines, who’s on the charter review committee and is a local real estate investor, announced on Sunday that he is running for mayor on Sunday.
He said in a Facebook post that his campaign is built on a simple idea: People before politics.
- Transparent leadership you do not have to decode.
- Accessible government that listens instead of lectures.
- Decisions based on what actually improves lives not what protects careers.
“I’m not running because someone tapped me on the shoulder. I’m not running because a political machine told me it was my turn. And I’m definitely not running because I raised a mountain of cash behind closed doors,” he said.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Georgia Lt. Gov candidate state Rep. David Clark made a stop in Augusta Saturday. He says that some of his priorities if he wins include expanding school choice, eliminating the state income and property taxes, and reaching out to younger voters.
Clark is also an Army veteran, who served overseas. He hopes to represent all Georgians.
“Before politics and parties we’re Americans, we’re Georgians. That’s the biggest thing. People want someone who stands up and listens to people,” said Clark.
“I’m not saying we’re always going to agree, but in the end—we’re the American family, we’re the Georgian family.”
The Georgia primary will take place on May 19th, and the general election will be on November 3rd.
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