Augusta, GA

Over 70 days later, here’s where Augusta stands with debris cleanup

Published

2 years ago

December 9, 2024

Over 70 days later, here’s where Augusta stands with debris cleanup

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been nearly 2½ months since Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast, and debris is still a major concern for many people.

For many, this winter is going to look and feel different as damage is still being uncovered.

Augusta is still hard at work clearing away debris ahead of FEMA’s deadline.

City leaders say they are working to get Augusta back to a new normal and are even having meetings this month to prove it.

The first one is on Tuesday.

“I realize there’s a lot of anxiety happening now, as we get ready to enter the holiday season and some people still have piles in their yards or on their streets,” said Garnett Johnson, Augusta Mayor.

Johnson says so far they have picked up 1.8 million cubic yards of debris.

“We are still, I don’t want to say struggling but keep in mind, this storm was so large it affected not only Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas,” said Johnson. “There are only so many debris companies that are out there.”

The damage that we still see isn’t just on homes and piled up on roadways.

“It’s that time of year when many loved ones are concerned about the final rest and pace place of their loved ones, so we’re out doing an assessment of the city-owned cemeteries,” he said.

What Johnson is talking about is the fallen trees, broken headstones and damage all across the cemeteries.

He is looking to solve that problem while also seeing how else he can help out the city.

As the city works to get back to a new normal he says he understands that people are worried about their loved ones both in and outside of these gates.

“This storm recovery is going to go far beyond just cleaning up the debris,” said Johnson. “There’s so many different aspects from a long-term recovery perspective that we’re already starting to address. So we’re going to ask people to continue to be patient and continue to remind yourselves of where we were on Sept. 27 compared to where we are now.”

Jaqueline Benitez, who depends on California's SNAP benefits to help pay for food, shops for...

The city is having two meetings this month to answer questions about cleanup and where the city stands.

“We want to make sure that they’re aware of the process and the work that we’re doing,” he said. “We’re also going to have our debris contractors there, as well as many city departments that are going to educate our citizens on the process and what to expect.”

Everything is still a work in process and will have more answers at the meetings this month.

Johnson and other officials will hold two town hall meetings on recovery efforts this week and next week.

The first one is on Tuesday at the Warren Road Community Center from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The second one is Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Diamond Lakes from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

There will be a question and answer session at both meetings.

If you are unable to attend, both events will be live-streamed.

Questions can be submitted by emailing mayorforms@augustaga.gov

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Augusta, GA

Body found in pond on Gordon Highway in Augusta

Published

9 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Press Room

Body found in pond on Gordon Highway in Augusta

UPDATE: June 17, 3:41 p.m. – According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the roadway has been reopened.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A portion of Gordon Highway has been closed Wednesday after a body was found in a nearby pond.

Richmond County Investigators say the 1200 block of eastbound Gordon Highway at Doug Barnard Parkway is closed, and that drivers should seek an alternate route.

The Augusta Fire Department, Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division have responded to the scene.

According to Coroner Mark Bowen, a positive ID will have to be made due to the condition of the body. An autopsy has been scheduled.

No further information has been released.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta votes out incumbent, selects new mayor in runoff election

Published

19 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Press Room

Augusta votes out incumbent, selects new mayor in runoff election

Steven Kendrick defeated incumbent Garnett Johnson to become the new mayor of Augusta.
Evett Williams won the nonpartisan runoff for the District 8 seat on the Augusta Commission.
Alex Griffin secured the Republican nomination for the District 1 seat on Columbia County’s Board of Commissioners.

Augusta will have a new mayor.

Steven Kendrick, a local blueprint company owner whose civic involvement includes more than 13 years leading Richmond County’s tax office, defeated incumbent Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson on Tuesday in a nonpartisan runoff election.

With all 65 Richmond County precincts reporting, Kendrick received 14,651 or 54.27% of the vote to Johnson’s 12,347 or 45.73% of the vote.

In the nonpartisan runoff for the District 8 seat on the Augusta Commission, Evett Williams defeated Michael Cioffi, 2,174 votes (52.61%) to 1,958 (47.39%).

In the Republican runoff for the District 1 seat on Columbia County’s Board of Commissioners, Alex Griffin beat Bobby Timmerman, 2,778 votes to 1,875 (59.7% to 40.2%).

In the nonpartisan runoff for the District 2 seat on the Columbia County Board of Education, Tiffany Heitzman drew 2,768 votes (60.7%) over Deborah Williams’ 1,790 (39.2%).

In the Georgia governor’s Republican runoff, Richmond County voted for billionaire health-care executive Rick Jackson with 4,284 votes (53.67%) over Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones with 3,698 votes (46.33%). In Columbia County, Jones got 51.1% of the vote with 7,283 votes over Jackson’s 48.8% with 6,959 votes.

In the Republican runoff to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate, Richmond County chose U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, 4,379 votes or 55.91%, over former football coach Derek Dooley, 3,453 or 44.09%. In Columbia County, Collins’ 63.2% of the vote, 8,913, beat Dooley’s 36.7%, 5,171. Collins will face Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in the November general election.

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Augusta, GA

Georgia primary runoff vote totals for Richmond, Columbia counties

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2026

Press Room

Georgia primary runoff vote totals for Richmond, Columbia counties

Staff Reports
| Augusta Chronicle

It’s Primary Runoff Election Day in Georgia, which includes on the Republican ballot races for governor to replace lame-duck incumbent Brian Kemp, and GOP challengers to upend Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.

There are also important local races still to be decided in this runoff held Tuesday, June 16, including for the mayor of Augusta, and seats on the commissions for Richmond and Columbia counties.

Below are race results showing how candidates for those races and other key races are performing. Check back often on Tuesday evening and Wednesday as vote totals are updated.

Voting started at 7 a.m. and concluded at 7 p.m. While some of these races will be decided on Tuesday, many winners of the runoff still must face challengers in the Nov. 3 General Election.

To check on your voting eligibility and polling locations, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voting Page” website at mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.