AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta commissioners this week took a first step toward potentially bringing paid parking downtown, approving the hiring of a parking management firm to study the idea.

It is not the first time the city has considered a paid parking plan.

In 2015, the idea drew opposition from downtown business owners, and commissioners backed off, according to prior reporting.

In 2019, prior reporting showed a private company proposed a system with $1.375 million in costs and $1.3 million in projected revenue. That raised concerns that if parking did not generate enough money, taxpayers would cover the shortfall.

This week’s vote to hire a firm launches a new look at paid parking, but key questions remain, including whether it will work, who would pay if it does not and whether downtown business owners support it.

On Thursday, we’re talking to downtown business owners and people who live downtown to see what their thoughts are.

We’ll also look at how other Georgia cities — including Athens, Macon and Savannah — handle paid parking and what safeguards those systems have in place.

Nancy Heath Bowers was born on November 14th, 1943, the oldest daughter of Thomas and Doris Bentley Heath. Nancy Bowers grew up in Augusta, GA. and attended the Academy of Richmond County.

Nancy Bowers married the love of her life Dr. Ronald W. Bowers on April 29th, 1960. Together they shared a lifelong love story raising 4 children, traveling the world together, shopping for antiques, art and clothes for 62 years of marriage before his passing in 2022.

Nancy was active in the community serving as president of the Augusta Symphony Guild, and the first female President of Historic Augusta. Nancy cherished the history of the Augusta area and loved sharing it with others. Nancy was particularly proud of being the first female president of Historic Augusta, and her involvement in saving and restoring the Woodrow Wilson home.

Nancy was a long-time member of the Augusta Country Club, the Pinnacle Club, the Heritage Garden Club, All Seasons Garden Club, the Auxiliary to the Georgia Dental Association (Past President), Colonial Dames, a founding member of Summerville Neighborhood Association, and a member of St. Mary’s on the Hill Catholic Church.

After her children were raised Nancy and her sister Donna purchased a women’s clothing store, Summerville Rags. Ever the social butterfly it allowed Nancy to share her love of fashion and helping others.

Nancy had many interests but to know her was to know her family who always remained the focus and joy in her life.

In addition to their four children, Ronald William (Angie) Bowers, Jr., Elizabeth Bowers (Whitney) Reader, Barton Bentley Bowers, and Bennett Peyton Randolph (Amy) Bowers. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Thomas Heath (Lily) McNally, John Peyton McNally, Hillyer Brinson (Juri) Bowers, Sadie Callaway Bowers, Ava Elinor Bowers, Ramsey Peyton Bowers and 2 great-grandsons, Jay Riley McNally and Miles Thomas McNally. She was blessed with a sister, Donna Heath King, 3 sisters-in-laws and brothers Linda Bowers (Jerry) Hardin, Danni Bowers (Honorable Tom) Varlan, Kelly Bowers (Barry) Kaye; and 12 nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank all those who provided care and support to Nancy over the past few years. Special thanks go to Freda and Leon Lewis, the staff at Brookdale and NHC who treated her with love and affection.

Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 from St. Mary’s On the Hill Catholic Church at 11 o’clock in the morning. Mrs. Bowers will be laid to rest beside her husband, Dr. Ronald Bowers, Sr. at the Westover Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Platts Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Ave., Augusta, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association , The Parkinson’s Foundation, or to Historic Augusta.

The following gentlemen will serve as active pallbearers and they include; Mason Kaye, Oliver Kaye, Steffan Hardin, Bobby Bentley, Bert Bentley, and Heath McNally. Members of the Heritage Garden Club and the All Seasons Garden Clubs are asked to serve as an honorary escort at the church.

Arrangements are being provided by Platt’s Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904 (706) 733-3636. Please take a moment to share your condolences by signing the online guestbook at plattsfuneralhome.com.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new outreach effort aims to bring water and cooling relief directly to people living outside in Augusta, where organizers say traditional cooling centers are not always accessible.

GAP Ministries is partnering with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Homeless Outreach Team and collaborators to deliver water to people in areas where officers say they already know many unhoused residents stay, including back roads and behind shopping centers.

Nomi Stanton, executive director of GAP Ministries, said the effort is intended to continue beyond the short term.

“So this isn’t just a, this is we’re going to do this for a couple of weeks. That is not, this I hope the wheels will be in motion for years and years,” Stanton said.

Effort follows recent death

Organizers said the effort was launched in response to the death of Brandon Clark.

Stanton said Clark died about two weeks ago, and while she said it is not known whether heat stroke was the cause, the death prompted the group to push for a community solution.

“With the passing of Brandon 2 weeks ago, while we don’t know it was heat stroke, it was a good kick to circle back around and say, man, we have to have a solution,” Stanton said.

Sheriff’s office says goal is connection

Maj. Robbie Silas, who oversees the sheriff’s office Homeless Outreach Team, said the outreach is meant to build relationships, not enforcement.

“We want to build a good relationship with them. We want them to know that we’re here for them,” Silas said. “We’re not here just to run their names to see if they have warrants and stuff like that. We want to put them back with their families first.”

Organizers said they hope the outreach helps people in Augusta’s unhoused community stay hydrated during the heat.