Augusta, GA
Gates locked at Augusta cemeteries nearly 3 months after Helene
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Gates are locked at Augusta city cemeteries nearly three months after Hurricane Helene hit our area.
Families have not been able to visit the final resting places of their loved ones because of the devastation.
However, the process for cleaning these cemeteries is a very delicate thing.
City leaders are dealing with large amounts of debris inside Augusta’s city-owned cemeteries including Magnolia, Cedar Grove and Westview.
Leaders want you to know they are working to clean things up as delicately as they can.
Beyond the locked gates at Magnolia Cemetery, the place looks anything but peaceful.
“Cemeteries and historic properties have a different process,” said Steve Cassell, ISM Engineering. “They have to go through a review first.”
Which comes from FEMA and the state historic preservation office.
“What we’ve gotten approval to do right now is just remove the debris off of the graves without disturbing the root balls, you know, the uprooted trees,” said Cassell.
The next step is where things can get tricky.
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“We have to then come in with an archaeologist to come in and sift through that stuff and figure out what’s been there and how to rebury it,” said Cassell.
A delicate process for all involved.
“We don’t want to actually pull up any remains or anything else that could be under there, but so far it looks like there are some underground bricks and stuff like that, but we haven’t discovered anything yet,” he said.
Because the last thing workers want is to disrupt these final resting spots even more.
“The last thing we want to do is do more damage,” said Cassell. “It’s already been done. The cemetery is over 200 years old and we want to at least get it back to as close to normal as it was.”
And as far as costs go –
“All this is reimbursable from my standpoint, but you know, to be reimbursable, you have to follow the process to make sure that you do everything that you know within the guidelines,” he said.
Doing so with the goal of preserving and protecting.
“They had to do the evaluation before we could even come in here,” said Cassell.”So letting the general public in here before the officials that come in here and see it would have been not proper.”
Cassell says they don’t have a date right now as to when the cemeteries will open, but they are working with FEMA on the clean-up.
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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.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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.
Drought-fueled wildfires burn across Georgia, Florida
Wildfires in Georgia and Florida have forced evacuations, road closures and burn bans as the drought-fueled fires burn thousands of acres.
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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