Augusta, GA
Mayor’s vote now takes effect in Augusta commission
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – In May, voters decided to to change the charter by voting yes to giving the mayor a vote on the Augusta commission.
Monday is the first day the vote takes effect.
In May’s election, 74% of voters said yes to the referendum question, compared to 26% who said no.
Up until the election, the mayor was only able to vote to break a tie. But frustrated with political maneuvers that avoided a tie and kept him from voting, Mayor Garnett Johnson proposed a change giving him a full vote.
How did we get to this point?
The charter was created when Richmond County and the city of Augusta became one government nearly three decades ago.
Think of it as the game rules for the Augusta government — game rules are very different than any other consolidated government in the state of Georgia.
Politics is like tennis.
It’s your play when the ball is in your court. But Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government rules of the game are like no other in Georgia.
Players can skip a match to delay the game.
In January 2023, Commissioner Bobby Williams chose not to vote.
Voting no would have given an even split, giving the mayor the tie-breaking vote. A yes vote would have approved the contract but since he abstained, he stopped dead in the water.
In 2023, a standstill over naming an ambulance provider last year.
In 2024, there was a standstill over naming a city administrator.
“We went through the process of hiring an administrator through the process that’s in the charter, and we followed it to a T,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom.
The charter: A legal playbook of power born from a marriage between city and county 27 years ago.
In a May commission meeting, Commissioner Bobby Williams said: “You had basically five white districts and five Black districts, and to get the sixth vote, someone had to work across the aisle.”
Augusta-Richmond County is one of eight consolidated governments in Georgia — one of the four with a mayor.
The balance of power varies.
The mayors of Athens-Clark and Macon-Bibb have veto powers over the commission.
Mayors of Augusta-Richmond and Columbus-Muscogee have limited power, but Columbus has a county manager responsible for the hiring, firing and management of department heads.
That power falls on our commissioners, meaning each department head answers to ten bosses.
Meaning commissioners only answer to commissioners.
For more than two years, an interim administrator has led the city. For more than two years, an interim director has led Central Services in her absence.
The longer time goes by, the longer the line of dominoes.
In the beginning of May, another resignation — the city attorney.
Four of the city’s top leadership positions are now empty, left to commissioners to fill.
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government presented information to commissioners about changing the role of administrator to county manager in the charter.
A year later, there’s been no movement by commissioners.
Now, there’s a new idea and a new game rule.
“This allows the voters of Richmond County to decide what’s best for their government, not the Commission,” said Mayor Johnson.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Around 9:20, Saturday morning deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on the 500 block of Hillwood Circle reportedly for a deceased 3-month-old infant who may have been attacked by a dog inside the home.
Upon arrival, deputies located the infant dead inside. The baby, 3 month-old Zamora Robinson was pronounced dead by the Richmond County Coroner at 11:00 am.
Investigators said they secured the scene, and all occupants were safely removed from the home.
The Coroner said that Zamora was attacked by a Cane Corso. It was removed from the residence by Animal Services as part of the investigation.
The investigation remains active and ongoing as investigators continue conducting interviews and gathering additional information.
No further details are available at this time.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A three-month-old child has died Saturday morning after an alleged dog attack inside a home, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said they were called to a residence in the 500 block of Hillwood Circle around 9:21 a.m., after receiving a report of a deceased infant who may have been attacked by a dog.
When deputies arrived, they found the infant, Zamora Robinson, dead inside the home. Officials said the scene was secured, and everyone inside the residence was safely removed.
Authorities say a Cane Corso was removed from the residence by Animal Services as part of the investigation.
According to the Richmond County Coroner’s Office, Zamora was pronounced dead at 11:00 a.m. An autopsy has been scheduled.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains active and ongoing. Investigators are continuing to conduct interviews and gather more information.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Construction in downtown Augusta is speeding up thanks to an accelerated timeline approved by commissioners.
With more of Broad Street torn up, parking is increasingly scarce. In less than a week, crews will start work on the inside lanes between 6th and 7th streets, temporarily removing the parking well.
Businesses say they remain in the dark about the project even with the accelerated timeline. They see more of the area becoming a construction site instead of a welcoming downtown.
Ongoing construction impacts businesses
Tonya Boswell, owner of Urban K-9, said construction has been constant.
“I don’t think there’s been a period where there wasn’t construction. We had the Fifth Street Bridge, then it was Fifth Street three times, and then now it’s in front of us,” Boswell said.
Sarah Bunjevac, owner of Halo Salon & Spa, has been downtown for two decades.
“I love the downtown community, and I’m very excited to continue to see it grow and evolve,” Bunjevac said.
But the day-to-day reality is harder to navigate for some.
“We’re hoping for a better Augusta. I mean, in the end, that’s what everybody’s hoping for. The process to get there, though, is kinda chaotic,” Boswell said.
Communication concerns
Bunjevac said business owners need better communication from city officials.
“I think as a local business owner and someone in the community downtown that wants to see it grow, wants to see it thrive, we’ve been down here for two decades, I really just need the support from the PR group, from the city, letting me know how to prepare for the changes and how to be productive during those changes,” Bunjevac said.
While the work continues on Broad Street, business owners say their job is keeping the doors open.
Project timeline
Leaders expect the project to finish by mid-December.
Work from 6th to 5th streets should start in three weeks, on June 26. In mid-July, crews will start on the outside lanes of 7th to 6th. That will happen at the same time as work on the inside lanes.
Parking is available at the Augusta Museum of History at Reynolds and 6th streets, but there are certain times that will be closed as well.
The Augusta Museum of History parking lot at 560 Reynolds Street will be open to the public throughout June, except during the following restricted dates and times:
- June 5, 2026 — 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- June 6, 2026 — 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
- June 10, 2026 — 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- June 11, 2026 — 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- June 20, 2026 — 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- June 25, 2026 — 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- June 26, 2026 — 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- June 27, 2026 — 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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