Augusta, GA

New Salvation Army shelter could be coming to Augusta, but some worry

Published

2 years ago

January 28, 2024

New Salvation Army shelter could be coming to Augusta, but some worry

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army made an important announcement about a new shelter coming to Augusta.

Major Jonathan Raymer says they average 14 kids a night, so they have to shift how they address homelessness in the community.

Raymer says he believes the need has gone beyond the current facility on Greene Street.

“My vision for the shelter, similar to here, is a built-in ministry of dignity for those who are experiencing homelessness,” he said.

SEE THE ANNOUNCEMENT:

People experiencing homelessness come to the Center of Hope for one thing — hope.

“Most of them, if not all of them, want stability in their life,” said Raymer.

But while the Salvation Army wants to continue to help the community, some people worry about the location of the new facility.

“It’s tough in the community, you know, every community has rough, rough spots. I’m not saying that this is a rough spot, we have work to do, just like everybody else, all the other communities they have work to do,” said Lucius Robinson, who lives in the area.

The new shelter is planned for 303 Hale Street, across from the fairgrounds and down the street from an elementary school.

While locals want them to get the help they need, they worry about what comes with it.

Mario Windley, who lives nearby, said: “Now you’re going to open up another shelter, now they got a place to sleep. But what about, you know, a food bank nearby? What about medical? What about a place that, you know, if some of them are addicted to, you know, prescribed medicines, what are we doing here? What about counseling, just because they’re homeless, that shouldn’t be their last place.”

More than half of those inside are women and children. The center can only hold up to 120 at a time, and that depends on how many families are inside.

But the number may soon grow.

“We believe this is the next step of what the community needs,” said Raymer. “The need has gone beyond what we can do in this facility.”

The new shelter is also closer to community resources.

“We partner with over 20 nonprofits in the area,” he said. “A lot of them are actually over in the area we’re looking to move to.”

But some say it’s already an underserved community.

Windley said: “We are moving in people here that may or may not be embedded as far as criminal background, will the crime rate rise? You know, what about the local medical facilities here, would they be flooded with to a point where they can’t even take care of their normal clients? So those are my concerns for the community.”

The goal is to make the community better but some still question the best way to get there.

“We got kids that are in our program, that walk around here. We want to protect them,” he said.

The design for the new shelter will have wings for men, women, families and potentially veterans.

There is no set date for breaking ground just yet. The Salvation Army is currently working with the surrounding community on Hale Street for more input.

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Augusta, GA

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Published

8 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – A year ago when Quinasia Abercrombie was a freshman, she let her work on the court do the talking as she became one of the top players in the Peach Belt Conference. Abercrombie didn’t have to be a vocal leader since the Jaguars had several upper classmen that handled that role. This year, her sophomore season, Abercrombie is still one of the best players around, but now has become the vocal leader of the team, something that didn’t come naturally.

“I’m just leading my team by voice now, not just leading by example,” Abercrombie said. “Since I don’t really talk, I think they (my teammates) were really surprised, but they’re listening.”

She leads the Augusta women in several offensive categories and has proven to be a major asset to the program.

From Greenville, S.C., Abercrombie was an all-state high school player. She gives part of that credit to her siblings, one older brother and three younger brothers. She had to scratch and claw on the basketball court with them and she’s the first to give them credit for helping make her the player she is today. Abercrombie went as fas as saying she enjoys playing against guys since they’ll push her hard to become better, and she likes the competition.

Now, she’s also being pushed by coach Celeste Stewart. So much so, it’s taking Abercrombie out of her comfort zone. But it’s all for the betterment of her.

“She’s put me in multiple, uncomfortable situations, like talking, being more verbal, and just putting me in positions I wouldn’t normally put myself in,” added Abercrombie.

With the Peach Belt Conference tournament up next for the Jaguars, Abercrombie thinks this team can find another gear and make a run. While she has elevated her game, she knows her teammates can do the same.

Even going forward as a player, Abercrombie knows there’s plenty of room for improvement. One of the most notable for her, her ball handling skills.

“I know I like to pick up my dribble a lot and give it to my point guards,” said Abercrombie. “But I know I can bring it down the court, I just need to work on my ball handling and just being confident handling the ball.”

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.

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Augusta, GA

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

Published

20 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.

Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.

USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.

On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.

In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.

This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.

Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.

The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.

Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.

Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.

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