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Augusta leaders look to add new trail, pedestrian bridge at Augusta Canal

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Augusta leaders look to add new trail, pedestrian bridge at Augusta Canal


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new bridge could be coming to give you a new access point to the Augusta Canal trail.

The Augusta Commission is exploring the possibility of budgeting money to go towards a new pedestrian bridge and trail off of Riverwatch Parkway.

These new additions could go next to the Residence at Riverwatch apartment complex. This will look to become the first connecting area off of Riverwatch Parkway to the Canal trail.

Right now, options for access points are Eisenhower Park, Lake Olmstead and the Savannah Rapids Park for the 10-mile path.

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People using the trail are all for more options. This includes Emma Vukovich and Caroline Fowler who use the trail at least once a week to run, walk and picnic.

“We moved here about four years ago and this is definitely one of our favorite spots to come to,” said Fowler.

They park at Eisenhower Park and go to their favorite area which takes a mile to get to.

With a new bridge, their favorite spot would be right next to where the bridge could be, making picnicking a better experience.

“We can bring a lot more than just a couple of snacks out there. We can bring coolers for our picnic so make it definitely more accessible to the public, because it’s definitely the better spot one of the best spots on the canal my favorite spot. It’ll be easier to access,” said Fowler.

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Right now, they drive farther to get to a better access point, but that still leaves them with a mile hike.

Vukovich said: “We actually live close to the Olmstead entrance but it’s super far to get to the more picturesque areas.”

They think if this bridge is built, more people from out of town would make the trip to use the Augusta Canal.

“It’ll bring more people out there. It will draw people to Augusta more even because I think it is one of the most pretty spots but like older people and people who don’t want to walk as far can’t get to it,” said Vukovich.

Initial costs for the project are around $2 million. The commission will look to accept $500,000 from the Georgia Department of Transportation to go towards the project.

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Augusta, GA

Women’s Healthy and Beauty Expo in Augusta celebrates Women’s History Month

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Women’s Healthy and Beauty Expo in Augusta celebrates Women’s History Month


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Cher’s Sisters Only Club hosted a CSRA women’s health and beauty expo in Augusta to celebrate women’s history month.

The event took place at the Julian Smith Casino on Broad Street, where there was a fashion show, vendors, community engagement and some wellness resources.

“We had CrossFit, we had Fit to Run, we have some other vendors that has like branding wellness type products and things like that, but as a whole, we had 42 vendors that have enjoyed, and the people that come out have seemed to enjoy it too,” Vonteice Davis and Cher Best of Cher’s Sisters Only Club.

The Augusta Parks and Recreation partnered with the club for Sunday’s event.

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Augusta teen summit focuses on deterring crime and gang ties

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Augusta teen summit focuses on deterring crime and gang ties


AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- Saturday afternoon local leaders in Richmond County held a Community Teen Summit and Youth Forum at May Park Community Center to combat the rise in teen violence.

“We wanted to bring in some of the young adults in our community to a safe place where they can utilize their voice. They can be heard,” said Cheryl Bryant, one of the event coordinators.

The forum was centered on reaching teens who may be at risk of joining gangs or other criminal behaviors.

“We see so much happening with our youth. We’ve seen it in the news. I see it in our courtrooms, whether I’m representing the youth or if I’ve seen a youth before me, and if there’s any information I can share that can protect them from coming into the court system, whether it’s for a criminal charge or for some other reason, I like to do that,” said Katrell Nash, a Juvenile Attorney and Judge.

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The event featured community leaders like Sheriff Eugene Brantley and included panel speakers and other vendors designed to support local youth.

“We’re here to let the youth know that there are resources in the community for them. There’s job opportunities. There is mentoring. We’ve got gang mentors,” explained Stephanie Allen, the Public Education Specialist for the Augusta Fire Department.

A recurring theme of the event was “It Takes a Village.” Community members said it is important to show up for youth who may be struggling and help them make better life choices.

“We just want them to know that they’re not alone and that whatever their struggles are, whatever they’re going through– cyber bullying, peer bullying, feel like they don’t have the support at home, that they can reach out to community members and that we’re here to help them. All they have to do is ask,” Allen said.

“That they feel as if we care and we want to help and that they know that there are things in place for them to get help,” added Sheriff Eugene Brantley.

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The summit was well attended with between 100 and 200 people. Leaders said it made them hopeful that more of Richmond County’s youth will turn from violence and crime and walk a better path.

“I love to see that children are engaged, that they want to know more about their rights. They want to know more about what the law says, as well as what they should do in these situations. It makes me very optimistic about their futures and the future of our community at large,” Nash explained.

“I think it’s going to like open them up to other opportunities. And I hope that they go back to school on Monday and tell their peers what they learned here today,” said Allen.

“Hopefully the kids and the youth who are here will engage with the sponsors and the mentors that are here, and hopefully they’ll learn and make better choices and make better decisions. And learn to respond instead of react to things,” said Sheriff Brantley.

Organizers are hoping the teen summit will become an annual event.

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Photojournalist: Avery Van Dusen.

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Augusta church hosts 12th annual storybook brunch

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Augusta church hosts 12th annual storybook brunch


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A fundraiser to help give back to pediatric burn patients was held in Augusta on Saturday.

The 12th annual storybook brunch took place at the First Baptist Church of Augusta, and several storybook characters attended.

Steve Chalker, who is the chief operating officer of the Burn Foundation of America, spoke about how this event helps.

“It just helps raise funds for direct patient services we provide every single day, and this particular event does help burn patients. It’s an event for kids, but it helps benefit them as well,” Chalker said.

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News 12’s Zayna Haliburton was there as Princess of Ceremonies.



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