AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The E.W. Hagler Boys & Girls Club is hosting the Stop the Violence Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 7, at 1903 Division St.

The tournament, which begins at 9 a.m., was organized by the teens themselves, who said they are tired of seeing violence in their neighborhoods.

The event was created by Xzavier Neal, a senior at ARC who has been a Boys & Girls Club member since fourth grade.

“I watched how violence has changed not just my life, but a lot of my peers’ life and how it’s taking people, not just from me, but a lot of people in my community,” Neal said. “And I didn’t like it. It’s really sad.”

Neal brought the idea to Amisha Webb, a Life and Workforce Readiness Program Specialist at the Boys & Girls Club.

“He said, you know, Ms. Misha, we can’t continue to be a product of our environment and not having positive role models,” Webb said. “And I said, okay, well, what does that look like? And he was like, I want to do a basketball tournament.”

Webb said she is proud of the students involved in organizing the event.

“I’m extremely proud of all of them, just for the simple fact that they are thinking outside the box and trying to find new ways to be impactful,” Webb said.

Community organizations including GAP Ministries and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office will be present at the event with services and support for families. Webb said teen homelessness is on the rise in the community.

Neal said the goal is to bring more young people through the doors of the Boys & Girls Club.

“I see negative stuff every day so much. I just want to see a day full of positive stuff,” Neal said. “That’s my plan.”

“I’d rather go out and do something than sit here and just talk about it and watch it happen,” Neal said. “If I can make a change, we’re going to change it.”

The tournament is Saturday at the E.W. Hagler Club on Division Street, beginning at 9 a.m. Concessions and a raffle will also be available to support the Boys & Girls Club and its violence prevention services.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Patients were honored Friday at a special event hosted by the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University and Wellstar MCG Health in recognition of World Lymphedema Day.

The observance, now in its 11th year, was established to raise awareness of the condition.

Early detection is key, providers say

Local providers said anyone experiencing symptoms such as chronic swelling should seek an evaluation.

“If we catch it sooner, then we are able to control it and reverse it to lower stages and prevent infections, loss of mobility, pain, fluid leakage and things like that,” said Hari Kashyap, a certified lymphedema therapist.

About secondary lymphedema

Secondary lymphedema is the most common form of the condition. It can appear immediately following cancer treatment or years after treatment has ended.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – With golf week about a month away, Augusta homeowners say preparations are underway — and for the first time since Hurricane Helene, the process is starting to feel routine.

Homeowner Aaron Kasdorf said work on his property began as far back as February.

“We always try to improve or fix things that maybe have broken or have gone down over the years,” Kasdorf said.

He said the process moves in stages, starting outside before working inward.

“So we get, we start in the yard first. We tackle the yard, get the yard prepped and ready to go… and then we work our way inside and try to do it room by room,” Kasdorf said.

‘Record-breaking year’ for Augusta rentals

Corporate Quarters, a property management company, said this year’s tournament season stands out.

“This record-breaking year in Augusta, Georgia is just a testament to Augusta’s community and the local hospitality that we want to provide for everybody that comes here,” said Kelly Starr, Director of Operations and Events at Corporate Quarters.

Starr said the rental income carries significant weight for homeowners still recovering from the hurricane.

“A lot of homeowners were struggling during the hurricane because that money was spent on rebuilding their homes. And this money is invaluable to all of the homeowners here,” Starr said.

Kasdorf said the financial impact of a single tournament week is substantial.

“It almost covers the yearly mortgage for the one week that they’re here,” Kasdorf said.

Starr added that growth across Augusta is helping draw additional visitors and revenue to the area.

Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.