Augusta, GA

Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter hosts Tele-town Hall

Published

9 months ago

March 26, 2025

Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter hosts Tele-town Hall

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – For just under an hour, Congressman Buddy Carter was on the phone talking with constituents and answering a few questions.

Throughout that time this is what came up, VA benefits and backlogs, fear of Medicare/Medicaid programs disbanding, and why this town hall was not in person.

“Are you tired of winning?” A question to open up Congressman Buddy Carter’s town hall.

Carter took the first few minutes to praise the president’s accomplishments and thank other Republicans for their support in the House of Representatives and Senate.

The Congressman brought in a special guest speaker Texas Representative Brandon Gill. Gill spoke in support of President Trump’s Deportations and echoed Congressman Carter’s Support for Executive Order 14168.

According to the moderator, there were about 10,000 people called in at the call’s highest count. During the question and answers, around 20 questions were called in.

While the Congressman could not get to every question, he ended the call by saying if your concerns were not addressed you can make an appointment through his office.

Some of the questions that were addressed include the backlog that the VA is experiencing in claims. Carter voiced his support for local veterans while also assuring them that the VA is being looked at.

The topic of social security and benefits for elderly Americans was questioned more than once but the Congressmen says there is no risk of those programs going away.

This was Augusta Mall at 10 a.m. on Black Friday. It was a big change from the old days of...

Questions involving DOGE and their role in our government were also raised. The Congressman explained that the Department of Government’s Efficiency is only an entity, they do not have any authority but instead suggest things to parts of the government that do have authority.

Last month, Republican leaders urged members of the House of Representatives not to hold town halls in their home districts.

However, the Congressman said “throughout the week I visited all communities, but we have found that his tele-town hall is the most efficient, which is what we have been talking about, an efficient way for us to communicate with our constituents. Yes, it can get out of control when you have an in-person town hall, and I have had some and we have had some problems, and the police have asked me not to do them again. So we will continue to communicate just as I have.”

He defended the question as to why his town hall was not in-person by pointing to past in-person town halls that had ended poorly. He does recognize that although there were thousands dialed in only as few were able to speak and to that he says he wanted to continue to hear from his constituents on how he can better represent them.

Richmond County Sheriff's Office generic, Augusta, Ga.

The Chatham County Democratic Committee released a statement regarding Congressman Carter’s Monday night town hall meeting.

“The Chatham County Democratic Committee would like to express its disappointment in Congressman Carter’s refusal to hold an in person town hall meeting. He chose to hold a tele-meeting open only to those who subscribe to his newsletter. It’s unfortunate that he chose to ignore the majority of the people he is supposed to be representing by meeting only with the chosen few. The citizens of this congressional district need leaders who will engage with their constituents, not hide from them,” wrote the Chatham Democratic Committee in a statement.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Stars hosts Christmas bowling event with Fort Gordon soldiers

Published

10 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Augusta Stars hosts Christmas bowling event with Fort Gordon soldiers

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Stars Special Olympics team hosted their annual Bowl with Soldiers Christmas party.

The goal was to bring together local athletes and military personnel from Fort Gordon for an evening of bowling at Bowlero.

The Augusta Stars is a Special Olympics team that offers bowling and basketball programs. The team is currently preparing for the Winter Special Olympics, which begin Jan. 30 in Marietta.

“I like the bowls because it’s fun and I like to get to play,” said Victoria Valootton, an Augusta Stars athlete.

The annual event allows soldiers to join the Special Olympics athletes for bowling and community connection.

“Personally, it’s important because Jeff Keating is one of our teammates and we want to support them,” said Sapriya McLendon, U.S. Army. “Secondly, just for the community in general, just coming out here and being part of the team that cares about us and supports us, and we’re here to serve you today.”

The Winter Special Olympics will be held in Marietta, Georgia, starting Jan. 30.

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Augusta, GA

Through pain, acid victim still smiling as she recovers in Augusta

Published

22 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Through pain, acid victim still smiling as she recovers in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. – A Savannah woman faces a long road to recovery after a stranger attacked her with acid that ate through her clothes and covered 50% of her body with burns.

Ashley Wasielewski is trying to recover after receiving a first round of emergency surgery at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta.

The attack happened last Wednesday at Savannah’s iconic Forsyth Park when a man stepped out of the shadows and poured acid all over Wasielewski.

The recovery has been extremely difficult, according to her friend Kristen Oddi, of Marietta.

Most of the burns have been diagnosed as third-degree, covering over 50% of her body, Oddi wrote on a GoFundMe page.

She said it’s unlikely one burned area of Wasielewski’s scalp will ever grow hair again.

She added that the most crucial next step is to see if Ashley’s body will accept the cadaver skin from a recent surgery.

If that happens, skin graft surgeries will proceed, Oddi said.

Plastic surgery is ahead for her, but there’s no timetable yet.

Beyond that, Wasielewski faces rehabilitation, occupational therapy, wound management, long-term support and follow-up.

For now, she’s stable, according to Oddi.

Women suffers third-degree burns in Forsyth Park acid attack; Community concerned(WTOC)

And despite the hardship she’s been through and that lies ahead, she’s smiling in a photo from her hospital bed, with little other than her eyes and mouth visible through openings in gauze that covers her face.

“She will come back so much stronger,” Oddi said. “That, I don’t have a single doubt about.”

The investigation continues

Police are looking for the suspect and have spoken with two witnesses.

They’re hoping to speak with a third person whose photo they posted and to find the driver of a vehicle that was spotted nearby.

Meanwhile, the FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for tips.

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Augusta, GA

AU’s Healthy Grandparents program holds Christmas party

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

AU’s Healthy Grandparents program holds Christmas party

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta University’s Healthy Grandparents program had its Christmas party Sunday.

Santa is continuing his trip across the csra and was at the party to give presents to the kids.

The program was started in 1999 to support grandparents raising their children.

They help with necessary services like food assistance and transportation.

We spoke with one of the grandparents about the program.

“My grandchildren love it. They do a lot of things going on the year, like summer camp and all that stuff, book bag, getaways,” said Carolyn Thompson.

The program has helped more than 660 families, 900 grandparents, and 1,300 grandchildren.

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