Augusta, GA
Local swimmer Olivia Stewart is headed to Olympic Trials
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Evans and current Aiken-Augusta Swim League star Olivia Stewart is headed to Indianapolis for Olympic Trials.
There, she’ll be joined by Augusta Prep graduate and current South Carolina swimmer Amy Riordan.
Stewart will compete in the 100M breaststroke event, where her time of 1:10.13 earned her a spot against some of the best in the world. Riordan will compete in the 200M freestyle. The South Carolina swimmer holds the school record at 1:44.08.
Stewart shaved 2 seconds off her initial starting time this season to qualify, “I knew from the start, it was a far reach. I mean, two seconds. It might not sound like a lot, but it’s like a good chunk of time, two seconds. I wasn’t gonna lose anything if I didn’t try. So I just talked to my coach about it. We figured out what kind of splits are needed, what time I we need to go out and the first 50 back and the last 50. And so pretty much from maybe January or November to now we’ve just been slowly working at it, trying to get those splits right,” said Stewart.
“Two years ago, this wasn’t even a thought like I would have been irresponsible for me to even talk about it with her. She’s had a pretty meteoric rise, and I’m pretty excited about that,” said Stewart’s ASL Coach Greg Gillette.
She had 13 attempts at 100M breaststroke to get it right.
“When you fail 12 times in a row, it should wear on you. Most kids, it would kind of wear on them and get them into a negative headspace. But she never once wavered. She was enthusiastic the whole time,” said Gillette.
In one weekend, Stewart swam the event six times. She still failed.
There’s a reason they call it lucky number 13.
“When I hit the wall, and I heard everyone just like screaming and cheering for me it was it was like the most exciting moment of my life. It was so it was incredible,” said Stewart.
Knowing that she’ll be up against some of the fastest in the world isn’t phasing her a bit.
“Just to kind of take a look back at four years ago, when the last Olympic trials was going on. I was barely starting swimming. The more big meets you go to, the more used to it you get. You’ve got to look at it as no one’s really looking at me. Like I’m there for myself. When I’m racing, the whole building isn’t staring at me like, ‘Is she gonna go whatever time?’ It’s just me and trying to go my best time, so I’m competing against myself,” said Stewart.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local protestors made their voices heard after Israel and the U.S. announced strikes on Iran Saturday, ones that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports say.
Protesters lined 13th Street in Downtown Augusta and walked across the river to North Augusta to make sure as many people as possible heard them.
50501 CSRA already had a march planned for Saturday, but in light of the strikes on Iran, decided to expand its focus.
Local leaders spoke about their concerns for the strikes, and roughly 60 people showed up to share theirs as well.
One of the event organizers said to make your voice heard your voice heard.
“Just call your people, call your representatives, if you don’t like that Iran was bombed, I don’t either. But call people and let them know, email them. Let it be relentless. Congress did not approve this. They have a say in this,” Zee Cook said.
The strike is being called “Operation Epic Fury,” with Iran responding with multiple missile and drone strikes across the Middle East.
In a social media post, President Trump said the bombing of the country will continue “as long as necessary.”
People across the world began lining the streets as well in support and against the decision.
Leaders across the world reacted to the news, including those in Georgia and South Carolina.
There’s a protest planned in Charleston and other regional cities this week.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The city of Augusta announced a temporary closure of New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Park.
Closure of the park at 2105 Lock and Dam Road will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair the lock and dam structure.
The park will be closed from March 4 to April 7.
All areas of the park will be closed.
However, the Baurle Boat Ramp will remain open and accessible to the public for fishing and boating activities.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta 911 center has been named 2025 Communications Center of the Year at the Georgia Emergency Communications Conference in Athens.
The award recognizes excellence in public safety communications, innovation, leadership and service.
The award recognizes a center that demonstrates strong performance in emergency response coordination, training, technology and community engagement.
The Augusta center was selected among agencies statewide for its consistent service, professional standards and coordination with public safety partners.
“This recognition reflects the work our team does every single day,” said Daniel R. Dunlap, 911 director. “Our communications officers are the first point of contact during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life. They provide reassurance, direction and critical coordination until help arrives. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and strength they show.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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