Augusta, GA
Augusta mayor’s spending raises concerns among city leaders
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There are growing concerns among Augusta Commission members about the mayor’s spending habits.
On Tuesday when commission members met at the committee level, the matter was brought to the table by Mayor Garnett Johnson himself.
He was seeking reimbursement for his personal credit card, with a price tag topping $40,000.
The big reimbursement that came up deals with the mayor’s visit to the White House in May for a state dinner
Johnson says he is asking for “mere reimbursement” and nothing else.
He says when he took office, his goal was to create what he calls more efficiency in the mayor’s office when it comes to savings.
He says the mayor’s office has been responsible in how it spends money.
He noted that his office had a budget of $554,000 last year. He says that was the second smallest in the entire government.
The mayor also says his office returned 22% of that amount back to the general fund.
City leaders raised concerns on why the mayor was using his personal credit cards for government business.
When they asked the finance director if the policy states the mayor is required to have a city-issued card, the finance director said there is no policy to address that.
“I would never lessen my integrity by submitting a receipt based on some personal use or credit cards that I don’t own,” Johnson said. “Do you think I would jeopardize my credibility by doing that?”
The big question moving forward is: Will the mayor get a city-issued credit card?
City leaders will revisit this item at their next finance committee meeting.
They say this will give departments an opportunity to collaborate.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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