Augusta, GA
Augusta Coliseum Authority approves contract for hockey team
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Tuesday, Augusta’s Coliseum Authority approved a contract for a hockey team to come to the garden city.
The contract with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) will help form a new team for the first time in more than a decade.
We spoke with officials behind the new arena and a player about what this means moving forward.
Leaders say this is an example of things continuing to move forward for the new James Brown Arena.
Demolition is moving along as leaders say demolition is about 75% of the way finished.
And with the addition of moving forward with professional hockey, leaders say it will be a real return for taxpayers once Augusta’s new addition to the skyline comes to fruition.
Hockey is one step closer to becoming a reality in Augusta.
As a former Augusta Lynx player John Whitwell says he can already imagine what downtown will turn into once the first puck drops.
“You can’t even describe it, how exciting it is when you’ve got, you know, 8 to 10 thousand people just going crazy,” said Whitwell. “As a player, it’s so much fun.”
With the coliseum authority approving the contract to form a new ECHL team, it’s now up to the league to approve the final details.
Leaders behind the construction of the new James Brown Arena say taxpayers are getting one step closer to seeing a real return in their investment.
“That’s 36 extra dates a year that you’ll be able to come down and enjoy the arena, plus that if you make it to the playoffs even further on, you know, more than 36 days,” said Brian Martin, general manager for Facilities OVG. “So that’s the economic impact for downtown Augusta.”
“Augusta owns this building,” said Brad Usry, Augusta Richmond County Coliseum Authority vice chair. “This is the people’s building, and so this going to make this building more successful.”
Even without hockey in the equation, Whitwell says bringing ice to the new arena could spark a new love for ice-related activities for Augusta families to enjoy for generations.
“I want to get involved in coaching the kids and, you know, growing the game at a grassroots level,” said Whitwell. “So that, to me, that’s the most exciting thing, is having that, you know, the youth hockey and the figure skating and everything else that comes with a community rink.”
It’s a project a couple more years down the line to fully defrost into the dream Whitwell and many others are excited for.
“When we get to that point where we’ve got, you know, a full building, and everybody excited to be there, and just the energy around the around the building is going to be so much fun, I don’t think I can really describe how it’s going to mean to me,” said Whitwell.
Leaders say the demolition should wrap up by the end of February with work on the foundation of the new area starting in May
Coliseum authority leaders say demolition should be complete by the end of February, with foundation work looking to get started in May.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.
Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.
The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.
Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.
Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local protestors made their voices heard after Israel and the U.S. announced strikes on Iran Saturday, ones that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports say.
Protesters lined 13th Street in Downtown Augusta and walked across the river to North Augusta to make sure as many people as possible heard them.
50501 CSRA already had a march planned for Saturday, but in light of the strikes on Iran, decided to expand its focus.
Local leaders spoke about their concerns for the strikes, and roughly 60 people showed up to share theirs as well.
One of the event organizers said to make your voice heard your voice heard.
“Just call your people, call your representatives, if you don’t like that Iran was bombed, I don’t either. But call people and let them know, email them. Let it be relentless. Congress did not approve this. They have a say in this,” Zee Cook said.
The strike is being called “Operation Epic Fury,” with Iran responding with multiple missile and drone strikes across the Middle East.
In a social media post, President Trump said the bombing of the country will continue “as long as necessary.”
People across the world began lining the streets as well in support and against the decision.
Leaders across the world reacted to the news, including those in Georgia and South Carolina.
There’s a protest planned in Charleston and other regional cities this week.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The city of Augusta announced a temporary closure of New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Park.
Closure of the park at 2105 Lock and Dam Road will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair the lock and dam structure.
The park will be closed from March 4 to April 7.
All areas of the park will be closed.
However, the Baurle Boat Ramp will remain open and accessible to the public for fishing and boating activities.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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