Augusta, GA

2 buildings damaged in church fire along Essie McIntyre Boulevard

Published

2 years ago

April 24, 2024

2 buildings damaged in church fire along Essie McIntyre Boulevard

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Fire Department crews responded to a blaze Tuesday afternoon at a church at Essie McIntyre Boulevard and Meadow Street.

The fire at Fellowship Baptist Church didn’t injure anyone but damaged two buildings.

It broke out around 4 p.m. in a light-colored concrete-block storage building.

The back part of a building burned, with smoke pouring out a window, blackening the area around the opening.

“Upon arrival, those crews witness smoke and flames coming through the front door on the right side,” said Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden.

The heat from the flames melted and warped the gray vinyl siding of a nearby building that was being renovated to serve as a fellowship hall.

Pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church of Augusta, Morris Jones, said: “I’m thankful. I’m grateful that it was contained and it didn’t do more damage. I was at work and got that, that notification and saw that fire and said, ‘Wow.’ I initially called the fire department, and police department and just went into prayer because the last thing I wanted was for someone to get hurt.”

The goals of the church will remain the same moving past the flames.

“The future of this building is going to be a fellowship resource center. We’re going to use it for the children of this community and feed the community like we use it now. Hopefully, we make a difference. In this neighborhood,” said Jones.

This building at Essie McIntyre Boulevard and Meadow Street was damaged by a fire on April 23, 2024.(WRDW)

According to Richmond County dispatchers, the fire was first reported at 4:03 p.m. Tuesday.

Witnesses reported large flames in the area around 4:10 p.m.

About eight firetrucks responded.

Burden said the cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Jones wants his congregation and community to know they’ll rise from the ashes.

“God is still in control. We know things are gonna happen, but as long as we trust God, everything to work out,” said Jones. “Continue to trust God, pray and see what God does next because He’s gonna do some powerful things in this neighborhood. We just got to be ready to position so when he acts we can move on time.”

The main worship area was untouched by the flames, so church services there would go on as normal.

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Augusta, GA

Documentary premiere sheds light on Augusta homelessness, poverty

Published

10 hours ago

May 31, 2026

Press Room

Documentary premiere sheds light on Augusta homelessness, poverty

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A red carpet premiere was held for a documentary examining homelessness, poverty and economic hardship.

The premiere for the documentary “Season of Drought” took place at the First Presbyterian Church on Telfair Street on Saturday.

The film includes experiences from people facing economic hardship in America, including in Augusta.

Attendees included Nomi Stanton from GAP Ministries and Jackson Drumgoole of Bridge Builder Communities.

Lia Barnes, a boom operator on the production, said working on the film was a great experience.

“My major at Augusta University is digital and visual storytelling so this is perfect for my field of work,” Barnes said. “I was more of an assistant boom operator. I helped but everyone on the set taught me a lot about what it means to be on a set, not just what it means to be a sound operator on set but everything else that has to do with it.”

The event also included an awards presentation and networking reception.

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Augusta, GA

Volunteers come together to clean up Augusta neighborhood

Published

20 hours ago

May 30, 2026

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Volunteers come together to clean up Augusta neighborhood

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Volunteers came together Saturday to help clean up an Augusta neighborhood.

The cleanup took place on Wheeless Road and Dorn Road.

Jeremiah Atkinson started the event as a way to clean up trash dumped in the area and help the community.

He said they had at least 30 bags picked up as of Saturday morning.

“My message is if you see one piece of trash, pick it up and help Augusta clean it up because I feel like that would be more efficient, just pick up one piece of trash a day, just one to help out the community,” Atkinson said.

Organizers also provided snacks for volunteers.

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Augusta, GA

What is the cheapest place to buy a home in GA? This city ranks 8 in US

Published

1 day ago

May 30, 2026

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What is the cheapest place to buy a home in GA? This city ranks 8 in US

Housing costs are often the biggest Georgians deal with every month, so it’s important to try and save money where possible.

Last week, WalletHub released its ranking of the most affordable cities to buy a home. It analyzed 300 cities based on 10 metrics, with the biggest weight going to housing affordability and cost per square foot.

Best city to buy a home in Georgia?

Augusta ranked the highest among Georgia cities, ranking 8th overall and 3rd best in the midsized cities list.

Augusta real estate prices

According to Zillow, as of March, the median list price for a house in Georgia is $205,000 with a median sale price of $187,283. About 57% of sales are under the list price.

The average rent, as of April, is $1,365 per month.

Augusta cost of living

The MIT Living Wage Calculator reports the hourly pay needed to support yourself and/or your family, assuming full-time employment. For Richmond County (Augusta), it’s $20.31 for one adult, $28.16 for a two-adult household with one working, and $14.08 for a two-adult household with both working.

Children obviously increase the wage needed. Depending on how many adults are working, the necessary pay figures may increase by up to $13 for just one child, with more needed for additional children.

Worst city to buy a home in Georgia?

The Georgia city with the lowest ranking on the list overall was Sandy Springs. However, with 300 cities, landing at No. 151 doesn’t make it nearly the worst in the nation. Sandy Springs was No. 56 on the small cities list.