Augusta, GA
đ± AUPD Receives Lifesaving Award + County Search For Suspect
Hello all. I’m back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what’s happening in town these days.
But first, your local weather:
- Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 92 Low: 74.
- Friday: Thunderstorms. High: 92 Low: 74.
Here are the top three stories in Augusta today:
- Seven officers from the Augusta University Police Department (AUPD) have received the AUPD Lifesaving Award for their collective response to a welfare check that saved a man’s life. Officer Eugene Maes took immediate action upon discovering an unresponsive man in a stairwell, with Officers Rodriguez Washington, Rebecca Saunders, and Sgt. Justin Stowers providing crucial on-scene support until EMS arrived. The teamwork, professionalism, and swift response of the officers were commended by AUPD Chief James Lyon and Capt. Harry Smith, emphasizing the department’s commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect while prioritizing the sanctity of life. (Jagwire â Augusta)
- Authorities in Richmond County are seeking Aaron Montel Askew, 28, in connection with an aggravated assault and armed robbery incident that occurred at Conklin Avenue and Conklin Lane on Monday. Askew is considered armed and dangerous, with active warrants issued for his arrest. He is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing around 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Individuals with any information about Askew’s whereabouts are urged to contact Investigator Alex Haskins or the on-duty investigators at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. (WRDW)
- Residents of nearby Aiken can now use their cellphones to text 911 and seek help from emergency services, providing an alternative communication method during emergencies. The option, which was introduced last year, was re-announced to raise awareness among residents who may not have known about this additional means of accessing 911. Lt. Jennifer Hayes from the Aiken Department of Public Safety highlighted the main objective of offering the text option as providing residents with an alternative way to communicate during critical situations. (Charleston Post Courier)
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Today and tomorrow in Augusta:
- Live Music With Old Man Crazy At Top Dawg Tavern (4:00 PM)
From my notebook:
- The Christmas Tree Shops chain store in Augusta is set to close along with its 80-plus locations nationwide after defaulting on a $45 million loan unless a new buyer emerges within the next week. Augusta Exchange has experienced several business closures recently, including O’Charley’s Restaurant and Bar, Buy Buy Baby, and Bed, Bath and Beyond, but new businesses like Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q and BrandsMart USA are also slated to open. (The Augusta Chronicle)
- Lidl, a popular German-based grocery store known for its low prices, will be closing its North Augusta location on Jul. 16, according to a sign posted on the door. (Charleston Post Courier)
- Shepeard Community Blood Center and Southern Dermatology are partnering to address the challenging week for blood donations. To incentivize blood donations, Southern Dermatology is offering a free Botox treatment valued at $120 to individuals who donate blood at any Shepeard Blood Drive until Jul. 7. (WJBF-TV)
You’re officially in the loop for today. I’ll see you soon!
â Michelle Paul
About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.
Augusta, GA
North Augusta Baseball gets one last swing at Riverview Park
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Weâre just under two months away from baseball season and this year will be a bittersweet one for North Augustaâs baseball and softball teams.
While many players would much rather play at a brand-new facility, Riverview Park has been home to the Yellowjackets for a long time now.
After this season, however, North Augusta will finally have a new place to call home.
But, they will have one more chance to close out a phenomenal season before transitioning to the new stadium next year.
Youâve seen the construction and you can see the vision.
In just a few more months, across the street from North Augusta High School will be two brand-new facilities.
The newest home of the Yellowjackets baseball and softball teams.
âItâs a chance to have something that is ours,â said Lynn. âOur own atmosphere at school. Itâs going to be exciting.â
The over $8 million project was slated to be completed ahead of this yearâs season, but after multiple delays like the impact of Hurricane Helene and just how big of a project it truly is, the facilities are still several months from being ready for play.
In the event construction concludes as originally planned, Head Coach Kevin Lynn says the team has no plans to move fields in the middle of their 2025 season.
âI donât want to have summer ball starting there, I want our kids to start a regular season there,â said Lynn. I want them to open the season up and have a true home opener.â
The good news is, nothing about this year will feel different for the team.
The Yellowjackets have called Riverview Park home for over 40 years and theyâll get one more chance to send it out with a grand slam.âI grew up watching my brother play here and many people before him, so being able to play here one last time feels really good.â
âIâd like to go out on a high note and finish up strong here. Our goal is to win all of our games at home since we play here all the time and know the layout more than anybody else. Itâd be nice to accomplish those goals in our last season.â
Lynnâs team will open up on the road against Strom Thurmond on Feb. 11.
The Yellowjackets are 40 and 40 under Lynn as head coach.
Itâs hard to believe weâre almost to baseball season, before we know it weâll be talking about the Masters.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
2 young males dead after boat overturns in Screven County
SYLVANIA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two young males are dead after their boat overturned while fishing, according to the Screven County Sheriffâs Office.
According to a press release, around 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday, emergency services received a call about a boat overturning in a pond off Poor Robin Road.
Upon arrival, deputies spoke with a young adult male who was located at the scene. The male reported he had been in a boat with two other young males fishing when their boat overturned.
The young male was treated for his injuries and released, according to officials.
Additional agencies arrived on the scene including the Screven County Marine Rescue Squadron and several local scuba divers.
âAfter an extensive 5-hour search, in 46-degree water, the bodies of the remaining two young males were located in the pond,â said Sheriff Norman Royal.
The investigation into the circumstances that led up to these deaths is still ongoing, but no foul play is suspected at this time, according to officials.
Screven County EMS, Screven County Fire, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Effingham County Fire and Bulloch County Sheriffâs Office, also assisted in the response.
Sheriff Royal sends his thoughts and prayers to the families of these two young men and thanks all agencies that assisted and made their recovery possible.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
WATCH: Gun comes out during fight at Butler High, video shows
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A weapon was seized by school administrators after the apparent gun fell to the floor during a fight between students Tuesday at Butler High School.
Parents were told of the incident in a letter.
âTwo students engaged in a fight in a classroom today during a class,â the letter stated. âDuring the altercation, students saw a weapon drop to the floor.â
The Richmond County School System didnât address what kind of weapon it was, but a video on Facebook showed what appeared to be a gun.
Administrators and Richmond County School System police responded immediately and secured the school for about 45 minutes while police investigated, parents were told.
The student was taken into custody and the incident was addressed following the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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