AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Following back-to-back state championships and the retirement of legendary coach Al Young, a new leader is taking over one of the premier girls basketball programs in South Carolina.

Scheraun King is just weeks into his tenure as head coach of the North Augusta girls basketball team, inheriting a program that has become synonymous with winning.

Despite being new to the position, King said his focus is on maintaining the championship standard that has been established while putting his own stamp on the program.

“I’m the new kid on the block, but I bet you I’m going to get the girls as best prepared as possible to continue on with the championships that have came before us,” said King.

King understands the expectations that come with leading the Yellow Jackets after decades of success under Courtney Cummings and Young.

“I know what’s in front of me,” said King. “I know it’s some very large shoes to fill with Coach Cummings and Coach Young coming before me with some state championships, so I’m here to make my own way and hopefully continue the pedigree that they left.”

The transition has brought change throughout the program.

Former underclassmen have stepped into leadership roles, while players work to adjust to a new coaching style.

“When we got the new coach, I was like, ‘He’s cool. He’s nice. He’s younger,” said senior player, Ashley Walker. “It’s very different, but I definitely like him.”

In the midst of summer ball, everyone is getting the hang of changing scenery.

“With Coach Young, it was like put your all in or nothing, but for right now, since it’s summer ball, we’re all trying to play together and build that chemistry,” said senior player, Tahj Flowers. “It’s just go day by day and try to get better.”

“He was telling us he’s very quiet, but when he comes to the court, he just opens up a lot,” said senior player, Jade Council. “I just feel like that will be better for us to get to know him since this is our first year with him.”

King grew up in Staten Island, New York, playing college ball at Albany State before serving as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff.

He then spent several years playing basketball overseas in Australia, Bolivia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Saudi Arabia.

His playing days brought him back to the U.S., where he began coaching middle school basketball, leading him to coach high school.

Now, he takes over the reins of a program seeking to extend its championship pedigree as a new era begins in the Yellow Jackets’ den.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said it has reviewed an incident shown in a social media video that shows one of its patrol vehicles striking a dog.

In a statement, the sheriff’s office said it opened a review immediately after learning of the video and identified the deputy involved. Investigators determined the deputy was en route to a traffic accident when a dog entered the roadway and walked into the patrol vehicle’s path, officials said.

According to the sheriff’s office, the deputy was unaware that the vehicle had struck the dog and did not stop.

As part of the review, the sheriff’s office examined the patrol vehicle’s GPS data and said it confirmed the deputy was not exceeding the posted speed limit at the time of the incident.

The sheriff’s office noted that Georgia law places responsibility on dog owners or custodians to maintain control of their animals when they are off the owner’s property. Owners or custodians may be held civilly liable for damages caused by a dog while it is off their property, the statement said.

Officials said the review found no evidence of criminal misconduct or policy violations by the deputy, concluding the deputy was responding to a call for service, driving within the posted speed limit, and was unaware the dog had been struck.

The sheriff’s office said it understands community concerns and noted pets are valued members of many families and that the agency is committed to reviewing incidents involving its personnel “thoroughly and objectively.”

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A deadly domestic violence case in Augusta is drawing attention to a problem advocates say continues to affect thousand of families across Georgia and the CSRA.

According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the 1100 block of Peters Road around 2:56 a.m. Tuesday in reference to a domestice violence incident.

When deputies arrived, they found 42-year-old Sevina Walker unresponsive and suffering from at least one puncture wound. Walker was transported to WellStar MCG, where she later died from her injuries.

Investigators detained 54-year-old Terence Miller at the scene. He has since been charged with murder.

While the investigation remain ongoing, domestic violence advocates say the case serves as a reminder of the challenges many victims face long before violence escalates.

Data from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence shows more than 42,000 family violence incidents were reported statewide in 2024, an increase of 12 percent comapred to the previous year. The commission also reported 159 domestic violence-related deaths across Georgia last year.

Locally, SafeHomes Augusta says is helped more than 1,700 victims and family members throught the CSRA over the past year.

Amiee Hall, executive director of SafeHomes, says recongnizing warning signs early can be critical.

“Threats of violence, isolation from family and friends, controlling behavior, verbal abuse and manipulation are warning signs that should not be ignored,” Hall said.

“When a victim leaves a domestic violence situation, that is the most dangerous time because the abuser is losing power and control,” Hall said. “There still have to be safety measures in place to help protect that victim.”

NewsChannel 6 also spoke with WJBF anchor Dee Griffin, who has publicly shared her experience as a domestic violence survivor.

Griffin says she wants victims to know their lives are worth protecting.

“You may feel like you’ll lose a lot, but the abuser does not deserve the right to take your life,” Griffin said. “Your children deserve to have a parent. Your family and friends deserve to have you.”

Advocates say domestic violence can include physical violence, emotional abuse, threats, intimidation, financial control and isolation.

Anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking help can contact SafeHomes Augusta for support and resources.