AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club announced a partnership with Arsenal Football Development, the global coaching and development program of Arsenal Football Club.

The partnership connects Augusta Arsenal to Arsenal’s player development model. The club said it will bring coaching education, training methodology and development opportunities to players and coaches.

Augusta Arsenal coaches will participate in a development curriculum designed to elevate training standards and player growth. Players will benefit from expanded development opportunities, including access to training resources and future programming connected to Arsenal’s global network.

Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club was founded in 1982. The club serves over 700 players and families across the CSRA.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Downtown Augusta businesses are working through ongoing construction as the city center continues to take shape.

Andi Klinginsmith, general manager of Sosal, said the work has required extra effort to keep customers informed.

“When they’re doing construction directly in front of your building and the sidewalks open, but the road is closed, it’s about letting people know that, hey, we are still open,” Klinginsmith said. “There is still room to get by. Flagging them in and coming down to see us so they know that we’re still in business, still rocking and rolling.”

Evan Grantski, owner of Grantski Records, said his business plans to use social media and email to communicate with customers if access becomes more difficult.

“If it gets worse, we’ll just reach out to our people on social media and let them know or send them an email,” Grantski said. “But I’m sure they’ll be able to get to us and everything will be okay.”

Business growth trending up

Margaret Woodard, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, said business growth is moving in a positive direction.

“Last year I believe it was around 45 net businesses opened up on the Broad Street quarter and as of today we’ve got 15,” Woodard said. “So we are pacing in the right direction.”

The Downtown Development Authority said new development projects are designed to bring more foot traffic into downtown. Woodard said the James Brown Linear Park will be part of that effort.

“There are some amenities in the streetscape projects such as the James Brown Linear Park that’s gonna attract visitors and residents downtown, where there’s actually an interactive park and things to do,” Woodard said.

Klinginsmith said the return of the arena will also draw people to the area.

“I think we need a place that everybody can come together and celebrate and be excited and the arena coming back will be a big part for that,” Klinginsmith said. “It’s gonna bring people into the city as well who aren’t from here. People who don’t normally come downtown will come more this way because of that.”

Grantski said he hopes the improvements will bring more activity to downtown.

“Life downtown, people walking the sidewalks and shopping and eating and drinking and bringing families,” Grantski said.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta woman was arrested Tuesday after surveillance video showed her stepping on a child at Circle City ABA on Wheeler Road, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Aaniyah Brown, of Augusta, was charged with cruelty to children in the first degree.

Deputies were dispatched to the location at 1:23 p.m. Tuesday in reference to cruelty to children. A complainant told deputies Brown assaulted a juvenile.

The complainant said the incident occurred at 11:31 a.m. and was brought to her attention. She said she consulted the security video system and observed Brown push the child away with her foot twice, then held the child down by stepping on his lower back, officials say.

The complainant said as the child was trying to get up, Brown placed a foot on his face and pushed him away, according to the incident report.

Authorities say deputies watched the video and saw the events as described.

According to the incident report, Brown said she was only using her foot to keep the child from harming her.

Brown was then arrested at around 4:20 p.m. and transported to the Richmond County Jail, officials say.