Augusta, GA

Christmas parades and other revelry planned across CSRA this weekend

Published

1 year ago

December 7, 2024

Press Room

Christmas parades and other revelry planned across CSRA this weekend

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – If you like Christmas events, you’ll have a lot of choices this weekend in the CSRA.

Here’s a look at what’s going on:

Saturday

The Jackson Santa breakfast will be Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Jackson Community Center, 104 Main St. Breakfast is $5 and all proceeds from the breakfast benefit Jackson Youth Sports. Santa will arrive on the firetruck and will remain at the breakfast for photo ops.

The 54th annual Christmas craft show in Aiken will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center. The juried show attracts artisans and shoppers from across the Southeast and is a wonderful opportunity for crafters to sell handmade treasures to thousands of potential customers.

Eudora Wildlife Safari Park, 219 Salem Lane in Salley, will open Santa’s Village, a festive holiday destination offering free admission and activities for the entire family, at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visitors will enjoy an array of holiday experiences, including cookie decorating, ornament crafting, face painting and more. There will be special appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch.

The city of Grovetown’s Christmas parade and festival are both planned Saturday. The parade will begin at 10 a.m., starting at Augusta Tech and ending at Grovetown Middle School. The festival will be from 5-9 p.m. at Liberty Park, with food and craft vendors onsite, along with games, music and other fun.

Waynesboro’s Christmas parade will start at 1 p.m. Saturday. The theme will be “Christmas Around the Globe.”

Augusta’s Christmas parade will take place downtown starting at 2 p.m. Saturday. The parade will start on 12th Street, then the Light Up Spectacular festivities will begin at 4 p.m. at the Augusta Common. There will be a kids’ Christmas village, train rides, photos with Santa, the mayor’s Christmas card contest, a kids’ zone with crafts and games, and live performances by Richmond County students. The tree lighting and fireworks show will start at 6.

A self-guided candlelight open-house style tour is planned Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson. Volunteers will be on hand.

Santa will be riding through North Augusta neighborhoods in a fire engine starting at 6 p.m. Saturday. Santa’s location can be tracked on the North Augusta Department of Public Safety Facebook page at the beginning of the night, along with a map of the planned route. On Saturday, Santa will visit Riverside Village, Hammonds Ferry, East and West Buena Vista Avenue and The Rapids.

There will be a Christmas parade of lights starting at 6 p.m. Saturday in downtown Washington. The annual event is hosted by Wilkes County GA Emergency Services.

Meadow Garden, the historic home of Geroge Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, will welcome guests for a candlelight tour from 6-8: Saturday. It’s at 1320 Independence Drive.

Sharon Baptist Church will be holding a free gathering from 7-9 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 5462 Columbia Road in Grovetown. There will be hot cocoa, live music and a kids’ corner.

Sunday

Aiken’s Christmas parade will start at 2 p.m. Sunday. Presented by the Aiken Downtown Development Association, the parade in downtown Aiken will be themed “Holidays Around the World.” The parade will begin at the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum, travel southwest down Park Avenue, turn right onto Laurens Street, and continue to travel northwest to Barnwell Avenue. Patrons are allowed to set up on the sidewalks along the parade route. The outside parking spaces along Laurens Street northbound will be cleared of vehicles for patrons to set up chairs before the event.

The Jackson Christmas parade begins at 2 p.m. Sunday. The parade route is down Atomic Road, beginning at Jackson Middle School. This year’s parade lineup is strong, according to organizers.

The Columbia County Christmas parade will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday in the area surrounding Evans Towne Center Park. Here’s the route:

Cedar Creek Church, 3001 Banks Mill Road in Aiken, will host Jingle Jam – a free family-friendly, community event – on Sunday at 4 p.m. It will include music, creative storytelling, a Nativity-themed petting zoo, hayrides, hot dogs, carnival games, balloon artists, cookie decorating, airbrush tattoos, and more.

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Augusta, GA

25-year-old woman killed in shooting on Cameron Drive

Published

1 hour ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

25-year-old woman killed in shooting on Cameron Drive

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person has died after a shooting on Cameron Drive in Augusta early Friday morning.

The Richmond County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 25-year-old Khyla Rodriguez, of Augusta.

Richmond County deputies responded to the 3600 block of Cameron Drive around 1:11 a.m. for a suspicious situation.

While on scene, deputies spoke to the complainant who stated they got a call form an unknown person saying their friend was dead at the incident location.

Deputies then searched the area, where they found Rodriguez on the ground unresponsive with several gun shot wounds to the stomach area.

The coroner’s office says Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 2:27 a.m. An autopsy has been scheduled.

As of 4:15 a.m., at least one deputy and crime scene crews were still on scene.

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Augusta, GA

Four indicted in Augusta on federal drug trafficking charges

Published

13 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Four indicted in Augusta on federal drug trafficking charges

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Four individuals from Augusta have been indicted by a federal Grand Jury on federal drug trafficking charges, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Southern District of Georgia announced Thursday.

The following individuals were indicted:

(Indictments contain charges, and defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.)

Tyriquez McFadden, 39, and Nichael Lessey, 44, both of Augusta, charged in a five-count indictment with Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl; Possession with Intent to Distribute 28 Grams or More of Crack Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Roman Kelly, 51, of Augusta, indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.

These charges carry statutory penalties up to life in prison, substantial financial penalties and a period of supervised release upon completion of any prison term.

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Augusta, GA

South Georgia wildfires 90% contained, but hot spots still a concern

Published

1 day ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

South Georgia wildfires 90% contained, but hot spots still a concern

Two large wildfires in south Georgia have burned approximately 54,000 acres and are now 90% contained.
Suppression costs for the fires are estimated to exceed $18.3 million, with crews still managing hot spots.
Georgia remains in an extreme drought, increasing the risk of fires throughout the summer.

Two large wildfires burning in south Georgia were now 90% contained, as of Wednesday, after consuming about 54,000 acres, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.

The Pineland Road Fire has burned 32,575 acres. The Highway 82 Fire has burned 22,420 acres.

However, fuel conditions remain extremely dry, officials said. Containment continues to improve on both fires, but crews remain actively engaged in patrol, suppression, and mop-up operations.

Seth Hawkins, urban and community forestry program coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission, worked on the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, which is still about 22,000 acres. Suppression costs are estimated to exceed $18.3 million.

“The rain put out the active flame on that fire,” Hawkins said. “However, there’s still that deep layer, that organic material, burning, and hot spots can still flare up as soon as humidity drops.”

Hawkins said 166 people are still working hot spots on the Highway 82 fire, setting up sprinkler systems where needed.

As of May 12, the State Forester burn ban has been lifted, but the Environmental Protection Division’s summer burn ban remains in place. Many counties may still have local ordinances. Georgia residents are encouraged to check with their county before burning.

The state remains in an extreme drought.

“It’s just unique down there because of all that organic fuel,” Hawkins said. “And when it dries out, it’s very susceptible to ignition. It’s going to be a long, hot, dry summer. We’re telling folks to keep their guard up and be safe with campfires and debris burning.”

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.

Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.

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