Augusta, GA
I-TEAM: Radio silence continues in silent alarm investigation
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The I-TEAM is working to get answers for you as the investigation into Augusta’s 911 Center and emergency response throughout Richmond County continues.
For months the I-TEAM has gathered emails, documents and reports about the Augusta Fire Department and how it responds to emergency calls.
With life-saving services, every second counts. That was the case when an entire house went up in flames on Old Louisville Road which is directly across the street from Augusta Fire Station 16.
Our I-TEAM’s report “Silent Alarm” uncovered how Teresa Ingram and Rex Williams died in that deadly house fire, despite the fire department being housed right across the street.
“How much closer can you get to a fire station? If we had a catastrophic incident, rock throwing distance to the fire department, and they can’t even get here,” said Tommy Williams.
The I-TEAM uncovered nearly 150 cases of dispatching errors when you, the people of Richmond County, called 911 for help. Firefighters have been delayed responding to calls or even missing calls altogether since late 2021.
EARLIER COVERAGE:
That included anything from medical calls, structure fires and vehicle accidents.
“Why would they let it continue all knowing that it’s not working right?” said Farrah Hembree.
As loud as the family’s calls for answers are, it’s been nothing but radio silence from the Augusta Fire Department and city leaders. But, the I-TEAM went looking for answers.
We found no response from any of your elected officials or from the head person charged with running the Augusta Fire Department. Before our report aired on April 29, we reached out to Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight on April 23.
She is the chair of the Augusta Public Safety Committee. We called Smith-McKnight, who said she was unaware of what Purvis was and didn’t know about the issue at all.
The day after our report ran, on April 30, we went to the public safety committee meeting to get answers from your elected officials. Smith-McKnight said she had not seen our report.
“I did not because I had my fundraiser and then I went out to dinner, so I didn’t see it. I need to brush up on it. I’ll brush up on it and I’ll go in there real quick and do that,” said Smith-McKnight.
Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden also gave us no comment at the meeting.
On May 1, we asked Smith-McKnight for a sit-down interview regarding the dispatching system – and including a link to our report. There was no response.
On May 3, we reached out to Smith-McKnight again for comment.
She told us in a text message, “At this time, I have no comment about the dispatch system until I see paper evidence. I will gladly do an interview once I get the facts and read up on this.”
“I did not receive your report. Whatever the case is, I wasn’t Public Safety chair two years ago. I am just hearing about this,” said Smith-McKnight.
Commissioner McKnight goes on to say, “I am in the middle of re-election so it’s a busy time. Again, once I receive an email and read everything then I can elaborate on this.”
We followed up with her again on May 6, and have not heard back.
We reached out to an Augusta Fire Department spokesperson about our report, asking for a sit-down interview with Chief Burden. We have not heard back.
The I-TEAM tracked down agendas and minutes from public safety committee and commission meetings and found this dispatching issue has not been discussed since 2019.
That’s when the contract agreement was voted on and approved.
That’s despite the fire department telling us in a statement they’re aware of the issue and are investigating it. These issues have been ongoing since 2021 when the system went online.
There’s a lack of urgency in responding to this issue – where every second matters. It could mean the difference in when or if first responders show up for your emergency.
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Two Augusta-area Walmarts are among 13 Georgia locations that the retail giant plans to remodel and modernize in 2026.
In the past five years, the company said it has spent $961.5 million to upgrade its stores statewide.
Now, the company plans to change store layouts and services in its Augusta and Grovetown locations to make shopping faster and more convenient.
The locations are the Augusta Walmart Supercenter at 3338 Wrightsboro Road, near Augusta Mall, and the Grovetown Walmart Neighborhood Market at 5303-A Wrightsboro Road, where Wrightsboro and Harlem-Grovetown roads meet.
The Augusta location has been undergoing renovations since last fall.
The stores, when completely renovated, will include updated pharmacies offering vaccines, free delivery and clinical services such as basic health screenings and same-day testing for strep, the flu and COVID-19. Vision Centers also will be redesigned for improved privacy.
Also, computer apps will help customers better navigate stores, scan products’ prices and find exclusive app-only shopping deals.
Augusta, GA – Entered into rest Sunday, April 19, 2026. Mr. James Byron Duncan, 80, was the loving husband of Estelle Mulherin Duncan as well as devoted father, doting grandfather, and lifelong friend to many.
Byron was born and raised in Augusta, GA, the son of W.B. and Kathleen Duncan. After graduating from Butler High School in 1965, Byron’s kind heart called him into Social Work. He earned his Bachelor of Sociology from Augusta College in 1969. After 34 years of dedicated service to the State of Georgia, Byron retired in 2003 as Director of Jefferson County Family and Children Services. He devoted his life wholeheartedly to both service to others and dedication to his family, working in the tough field of social work while remaining a fiercely loving, spirited and unwaveringly passionate man.
His deepest commitments were to his wife, children, granddaughters, siblings, church, the Knights of Columbus and the Georgia Bulldogs.
Byron was deeply rooted in his faith and community. He was an active member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, where he had served as an usher, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and finance committee member. He was also a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, Patrick Walsh Council 677 and Assembly 174, the Irish American Heritage Society and the Rotary Club of Louisville, GA. A true Georgia Bulldog at heart, Byron never missed an opportunity to cheer for his Dawgs, whether they were playing football, basketball, baseball or any other sport. He loved the simple joys of life – days at the beach, Jimmy Buffett, beach music and shagging, and a house full of family and friends. For many years, Byron delighted young and old alike by donning the red suit and playing Santa Claus at various events as well as visiting the classrooms at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School as St. Nicholas.
Byron possessed the gift of gab! He never met a stranger and could often be observed enthusiastically carrying on a deep conversation with old friends or a stranger he just met on the street. No conversation with him was brief!
Family meant everything to him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Estelle Mulherin Duncan; his children Sean M. Duncan (Jennifer), Matthew M. Duncan and Megan E. Duncan; his bonus daughter, Allison Crow (Joe), and his treasured grandchildren Riley, Emma and Harper Duncan, who brought him endless joy. He is also survived by his brother Keith Duncan; sisters Sheryl Werrick and Marcia Golden; brothers-in-law Dr. Joe Mulherin, Robert Gibson and Tom King; sister-in-law Janet M. Gibson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Ross as celebrant. Interment will follow at Westover Memorial Park. A Rosary service will be held Thursday evening at 6:00 P.M., followed by visitation from 6:30 until 8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son.
Memorial contributions may be made to Aquinas High School, 1920 Highland Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 or St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 for the Our Faith Our Future Capital Campaign.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907, (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at thomaspoteet.com
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Georgia Gubernational candidate Geoff Duncan made another appearance in Augusta on Monday, speaking at the IBEW Local 1579 on Reynolds Street.
Duncan is one of the three candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. Duncan said when he served as lieutenant governor of the state, he fought to expand access to health care in rural communities. He said if he’s elected, he’ll focus on lowering costs in other areas.
Duncan stopped by NewsChannel 6 ahead of the campaign stop to speak about his plans.
“Look, 90% of Georgians know what they’re talking about when they want to pass commonsense gun legislation like universal background checks, red flag laws, and in-home safe storage laws. As governor, I want to lead the charge, and I want to give political cover to those Republicans that want to do the right thing, build those consensus around those bills,” Duncan said. “I hope to get some of them the cosign that legislation. Because it meets people where they’re at. It’s common sense. Look, I don’t want anybody to ever walk by a television screen and make another excuse for a mass shooting when it could have been stopped. With just common sense laws that are on the books.”
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
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