Augusta, GA
Shape up or face city’s wrath, Augusta leaders tell Bon Air owners
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The troubled Bon Air Apartments are back in the news.
On Thursday, the director of construction for Redwood Housing – which is renovating the Section 8 apartment building that was a grand hotel many decades ago – was in the hot seat in front of the Augusta Commission.
He was trying to explain why even with millions in taxpayer money going toward repairs, there are still issues at the apartment building that draws maintenance complaints from residents, as well as enough crime to worry its neighbors.
These issues date back several years, drawing the scrutiny and criticism of U.S. Rep. Rick Allen.
Complaints of poor living conditions have been compounded by stabbings, shootings and complaints of a lack of security in the area.
It’s not just Bon Air residents speaking up, but other people who live nearby.
“I feel like that I’m hearing the same old thing that I heard a couple of years ago,” Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice said at Thursday’s meeting.
Mayor Garnett Johnson told Redwood:
“If you wanna be a great partner to this community, invest in some security.”
Commissioner Jordan Johnson threatened to put the landlord’s business license on probation “until we actually feel confident that something is going on.”
The company bought the Bon Air and the downtown Richmond Summit – another subsidized rental building that’s drawn complaints – in 2021.
Recent incidents at Bon Air include:
For its part, Redwood Housing gave an update Thursday on renovations at the Bon Air – two phases of work, including upgrading security cameras, replacing air-conditioning units and fixing the elevators.
“ I need to reassure you that we as Redwood, we develop and maintain quality properties,” said Bob Duke.
Those who live near the Bon Air disagree with the company’s claims.
“There must be two Bon Airs here because what I’m hearing doesn’t exist,” neighbor Frank Dolan said.
He says he hears gunshots constantly.
“If you are paying a security guard, you gotta get your money back because it’s not happening,” he said.
But Redwood repeatedly told neighbors and commissioners there is security at the Bon Air.
Redwood is expected to go back before the commission within the next 30 days.
“If it were up to me today, personally, I’d revoke your license,” Rice told Duke.
If conditions don’t improve at Bon Air and Richmond Summit, that could be a possibility.
Also at Thursday’s commission meeting …
- Commissioners approved supplemental funding in an amount not to exceed $10 million for Hurricane Helene waterway debris removal with Ceres Environmental Services. Commissioners also approved the use of general fund balances to pay for these services.
- Commissioners approved supplemental funding in an amount not to exceed $600,000 for Hurricane Helene waterway debris removal construction plans and monitoring services with Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood. Commissioners also approved the use of general fund balances to pay for these services.
- Commissioners heard from Moses Todd about city-owned cemetery priorities and the use of SPLOST 9 funding as well as the legality of using SPLOST funding for a veterans cemetery.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army of Augusta’s Red Kettle Campaign is working to close a $100,000 gap before Christmas Eve.
With just 11 days left in the 2025 Red Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army of Augusta is urging the community to rally together.
The Red Kettle Campaign is the largest fundraiser of the year for The Salvation Army.
The campaign funds programs and services that support neighbors in need throughout the entire year.
Every penny donated through the Red Kettles stays in the Augusta area, ensuring local impact.
Proceeds from the campaign directly support the Center of Hope. In addition to providing a safe place to sleep, the Center of Hope operates a soup kitchen that serves approximately 200 meals every day.
In the past year, the Salvation Army has assisted more than 900 local residents through its rent and utility assistance program.
“The Red Kettle represents so much more than a simple donation—it represents hope for families right here in our community,” said Major Jonathan Raymer, Area Commander for The Salvation Army of Augusta.
“Every dollar dropped into the kettle helps provide shelter, meals, case management, and stability for our neighbors who need it most. With just days left in this campaign, we are asking the CSRA to show up in a big way.”
The Salvation Army of Augusta is encouraging community members to donate when they see a Red Kettle. For those who are cashless, donations can be made online at donateaugusta.org.
If you would like to volunteer for the Red Kettle Campaign, visit ringforhope.org.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Homeless Task Force held its last meeting of the year with leaders from the largest services for the homeless population in Augusta attending.
The room was full of people from organizations that serve the homeless community. As they finished their final meeting of 2025, leaders discussed some of the biggest issues they’re facing.
“Collaborate more, our people benefit when we do that,” said Nomi Stanton, chair of the task force and executive director of GAP Ministries.
The group focused on the upcoming PIT count, keeping the community safe in cold weather, and finding funding in 2026 to keep helping the people they serve.
“It’s what we do to take care of each other. And we want to make sure that all of our neighbors are recognized,” Stanton said.
Brittany Burnett, president and CEO of United Way, addressed funding challenges facing the community.
“We haven’t had the funds that our community deserves, and we’re trying to turn that around now,” Burnett said.
As the weather gets colder, services focus on getting information out about warming centers that help keep the homeless population safe in cold temperatures, including May Park, which is open overnight.
Services like those the United Way offers are important in the winter.
“Unfortunately, for some kids in our community, they go to school first to eat, second to learn. And so when you have a holiday break, then you take out two big components, eating and learning are both not available,” Burnett said.
As they look to continue helping people in the community who need them most, leaders emphasized the importance of working together.
“In this room, it allows us all to come together. That makes us stronger, but in like the best, most loving way,” Stanton said.
Leaders said that as the face of homelessness changes, they continue to expand their services and ways to help.
The homeless task force meetings are open to the community. Their next meeting will be in January.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County deputies are looking for a woman wanted in connection to a shooting incident in November.
Deputies say 37-year-old Evita Nicole Dozier is wanted for aggravated assault after a shooting on November 23 around 9:34 p.m.
The shooting incident happened on the 2700 block of Brenda Court.
Deputies say while on scene, they learned two woman were involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical.
During the physical altercation, a gun was pulled out with one of the females, shooting the other at least one time, according to deputies.
Deputies say Dozier should be considered armed and dangerous.
She is known to frequent the 900 block of Wrightsboro Road and change her hairstyle and hair color, according to deputies.
Dozier has active arrest warrants on file for this incident, deputies say.
If you have any information, call the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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