Augusta, GA

13 displaced after separate house fires in Aiken, Edgefield counties

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2023

13 displaced after separate house fires in Aiken, Edgefield counties

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The American Red Cross is assisting two families after their homes were damaged in separate fires in Edgefield and Aiken counties.

In North Augusta, the Red Cross is helping seven people by assisting with immediate needs and resources after their home on Hillside Drive was damaged by a fire Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, volunteers are also assisting six people whose home, located on Hardy Place Road in Johnston, was damaged by a fire Monday afternoon.

“Home fires are a real threat to communities across South Carolina over the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Rod Tolbert, Chief Executive Officer for the Red Cross of South Carolina. “In particular, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires, and year after year, Thanksgiving is the peak day for these tragedies. We at the Red Cross are urging families to follow cooking safety steps to help prevent your holiday celebrations from going up in smoke.”

Safety tips from the American Red Cross:

Keep an eye on what you fry. Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a short period, turn off the stove.
Move items that can burn away from the stove. This includes dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper and curtains. Also, keep children and pets at least three feet away.
Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
Keep a pan lid or a cookie sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire. This will put out the fire. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
Turn pot handles to the back of the stove, so no one bumps them or pulls them over.
Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on. Check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to ensure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.

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Augusta, GA

Tree giveaway helps Augusta get back to normal after Helene

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been more than 100 days since Hurricane Helene came through our area.

Now, those in the CSRA are still cleaning up the aftermath.

On Saturday, Rooting for Augusta helped the area get back to normal.

“Every once in a while, we have a horrific event that unites us all, and we certainly had it with the storm. Everybody can agree that it’s a good thing to plant trees back in the right spots,” said Dennis Trotter with Rooting for Augusta.

Rooting for Augusta gave away 700 trees as part of the event.

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Augusta, GA

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

Published

14 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After swearing in 100 new deputies at the beginning of his tenure, Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley also addressed promotions and appointments for those in the sheriff’s office.

It happened on Friday before the winter weather got underway and impacted the region.

Brantley spoke with us after about why the new promotions, appointments and people in the sheriff’s office will benefit the community.

“For the most part, when you’re suffering from a shortage of staff like we have been and so many other agencies in the state of Georgia and around the country, I think it is a boost in the arm to onboard 100 people to help get things that we need slow down crime and stop what is plaguing our community,” said Brantley.

Brantley said it was the first step to making the community safer.

He says he has been working on improving the jail as well.

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