Augusta, GA

Neighbors will take data center concerns to Augusta Commission

Published

2 days ago

January 19, 2026

Neighbors will take data center concerns to Augusta Commission

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta neighbors have organized to express concerns about a data center that’s going up next door.

The group will address the Augusta Commission on Tuesday about the data center that’s planned next to the Haynes Station subdivision.

The east edge of the site is perched on a hill behind homes on Goodale Drive, and the west side would stretch to the Captain’s Corner subdivision.

Marked by a chain-link fence and a cargo container, the eastern edge of a data center site can be seen at the top of a hill behind homes on Goodale Drive in the Haynes Station neighborhood of Augusta.(WRDW/WAGT)

The Haynes Station Concerned Residents Committee said neighbors will attend the Augusta Commission meeting shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The group said it was formed to “better understand the project and to seek clarity.”

The neighbors said they’re not opposed to development or data centers but question whether they ever had a meaningful chance to participate in the review process.

“The initial focus is on ensuring compliance with required notification and transparency standards,” the group said. “Once clarity on the notification process is established, residents intend to engage constructively on shared community concerns at a later date.”

The environmental quality section of the application with the state says the data center will likely affect water supply watershed, wetlands and floodplains.

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“Following clarification of the notification process, residents anticipate seeking additional information related to infrastructure capacity, water usage, noise and generator operations, traffic, emergency services, and cumulative impacts on surrounding residential communities in Haynes Station,” the group said.

Until recently, many residents didn’t even know about the plans for the site off Gordon Highway just east of Grovetown.

A smaller data center totaling 1.67 million square feet was announced years ago before much of Haynes Station neighborhood was even built.

Later, the original company exited the project and many people likely presumed it was dead.

The new data center will be wedged between these two neighborhoods off Gordon Highway: Hayne's... — The new data center will be wedged between these two neighborhoods off Gordon Highway: Hayne’s Station on the right and Captain’s Corner on the top left.(WRDW/WAGT)

However, in a move that slipped under the radar for many, a new company came in and filed an application with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to expand the proposal.

It would now include six two-story buildings totaling more than 2.15 million square feet.

For comparison, Augusta Mall has 1.1 million square feet of store space.

SEE THE SCHEMATICS:

The application states the facility is expected to consume 18,000 gallons of water per day. That’s about 900 showers.

It would also generate 9,200 gallons of wastewater a day, or about 5,750 flushes.

At least some preliminary work has apparently begun on the data center, with one older home being demolished and heavy equipment coming to the location that’s near a power substation.

According to the application with the state, the center could be completed in the second quarter of 2026.

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Augusta, GA

SWAT team responds to 2 calls in less than 3 hours

Published

5 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Press Room

SWAT team responds to 2 calls in less than 3 hours

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded to two separate calls in less than three hours on Tuesday.

Hay Meadow Drive

Along with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT BearCat Unit, Richmond County’s SWAT team responded to the 800 block of Hay Meadow Drive in Sims Place Neighborhood at 10:40 p.m.

Deputies say the call originally came in as a domestic incident involving a firearm.

A woman involved was able to escape the residence and leave the area safely, according to deputies.

Officials say the male suspect barricaded himself inside the home with multiple firearms, refused to exit and made threats toward law enforcement officers.

Nearby residences were cleared and residents were asked to temporarily shelter elsewhere for safety reasons.

All entrances to the area were blocked to vehicle and pedestrian traffic until 12:15 a.m. Wednesday

Officials say a trained negotiator communicated with the suspect and remained on the phone with him for one hour.

Deputies say a gunshot was then heard from inside the residence. The SWAT team made entry into the home, where the suspect was located and observed with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Richmond County Coroner’s Office says Rafael Moreno, 35, was taken to Wellstar MCG, where he was pronounced dead at 2:09 a.m.

An autopsy has been scheduled.

The area was reopened around 12:32 a.m. Wednesday morning. The scene was completely cleared at 4:01 a.m.

Fox Hall Circle

A man accused of threatening to kill deputies was taken into custody after firing shots into the air during a standoff Tuesday night, authorities said.

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) deputies responded about 9 p.m. to reports of shots fired in the 2900 block of Fox Hall Circle.

When deputies arrived, the man came outside the home and allegedly fired multiple rounds into the air, officials said.

According to the agency, during initial phone contact, he threatened to kill deputies.

The RCSO SWAT team was activated and assisted by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) SWAT BearCat armored vehicle team.

“This marks the third SWAT call out in the past week, and each incident has ended peacefully due to the specialized training and equipment that our teams have worked hard to put in place. The immediate response by our deputies and the cooperation from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, supported by our mutual aid agreements, have been essential in ensuring safe outcomes. We are very grateful for the strong partnership between our agencies and the commitment of every deputy involved,” said Sheriff Eugene Brantley.

A drone team provided aerial overwatch while deputies notified nearby residents and advised them to seek shelter or stay in place, authorities said.

After a standoff and with assistance from a neighbor who communicated with an RCSO negotiator, the man exited the home unarmed and was taken into custody, officials said.

Deputies secured the home to ensure no other individuals were inside.

Investigators are obtaining warrants after observing a large number of weapons in plain view, authorities said.

The man was transported to a hospital for evaluation before being taken to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.

The scene was cleared around 10:30 p.m.

The sheriff’s office says more information will be provided regarding charges when available.

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Augusta, GA

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan comes to Augusta

Published

17 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Press Room

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan comes to Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia’s former Lt. Gov. and current gubernatorial candidate, Geoff Duncan, came to Augusta on Tuesday.

He toured the Carpenters Local Union 283 training facility.

He spoke with staff about his plans to lower costs for workers across the state.

Duncan also spoke about artificial intelligence and the impacts it will have on workers.

He says unions are essential to help economic growth in Georgia.

“I do think unions are definitely a part of Georgia’s future,” he said. “Our economic growth is headed in a great direction, and it needs to continue to improve. And in order to have qualified labor that’s safe and ready to go to work, we’ve got to have unions as a part of that training protocol.”

He said programs like those of the union are coordinated to let people get the training to be successful on those projects.

“There’s folks listening to this right now that would love to go back to work, but they can’t afford child care. There are things we can do as a state to better affect that and look at opportunities to better fund the caps program to lower childcare costs to better fund the TANF to wrap our hands around folks hanging around the vicious cycle of poverty,” he said.

He also addressed creating livable wages for Georgians.

He was a Republican when he was lieutenant governor, but now he is a Democrat.

Other candidates running for governor include Democrats Michael Thurman, State Senator Jason Estevez, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Olu Brown, and Representatives Derrick Jackson and Roe Roman.

Republicans running include Attorney General Chris Carr, Lt. Gov. Bert Jones, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and Ken Yasger.

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Augusta, GA

Kroc Center brings together community members, authors at literacy event

Published

1 day ago

January 20, 2026

Press Room

Kroc Center brings together community members, authors at literacy event

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – You and your family can celebrate reading and learning during the Kroc Center’s Literacy Nigh on Tuesday.

The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center, 1833 Broad Street.

It is free for all ages.

Literacy Night is part of the Kroc Center’s literacy initiative and will bring together local partners, educators and authors for families in the CSRA.

“Literacy is foundational to everything we do — from education and employment to confidence and connection,” said Randall Collins, Director of Operations at the Kroc Center of Augusta.

The event is presented in partnership with the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, RISE Augusta, Richmond County Library and Dr. Paulette P. Harris Literacy Center at Augusta University.

At the event, attendees experience:

Community literacy resources
Local author readings
Games with prizes
Free books
Crafts and hands-on literacy activities
Take-home learning resources
Pizza for attendees

“This Literacy Night is about removing barriers, bringing families together, and creating a welcoming space where reading and learning feel accessible and fun for everyone,” said Collins.

Registration is available online at AugustaKroc.org. Walk-ins are welcome.

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